AT THE CONVENIENCE STORE
7-Eleven alcohol hours in Thailand
At an ordinary licensed 7-Eleven in Thailand, you can buy beer, wine and other alcohol from 11 am to midnight on a normal day. Even if the shop is open 24 hours, you can only buy alcohol during its permitted selling hours.
Rules reviewed · All times in Thailand
Why is the alcohol fridge covered?
A covered or locked fridge usually means the shop is not selling alcohol at that time. Ordinary shops cannot sell before 11 am or from midnight onwards. On Buddhist dry days, that restriction lasts the whole day. Election bans can also stop sales.
If the checker says YES but the cashier says NO, ask whether a local restriction applies. Your store may be in a petrol station or another prohibited location, may not hold an alcohol licence, or may have stopped selling for its own reasons. A YES on this site cannot guarantee that your branch has stock or will serve you.
Do you still have to wait until 5 pm?
No, not on a normal day. Under the rules effective 29 May 2026, the afternoon is part of ordinary selling hours. If you have read that shops cannot sell from 2 pm to 5 pm, that describes the older schedule.
You can normally buy at 2:30 pm. If you arrive at 10:30 am, you’ll have to wait until 11 am. On a Buddhist dry day, ordinary shops cannot sell at either time.
What should you do if sales are closed?
Look at the next opening in the checker. It accounts for the listed Buddhist holidays and election bans, so it may be later than tomorrow morning. If an affected-area notice appears, choose your exact district to get its next opening.
A licensed hotel or qualifying venue may have a lawful exception to ordinary hours or Buddhist-day restrictions. Ask its staff before making a trip. Other convenience stores remain subject to the same ban.
What do you need to buy?
You must be 20 or older and not intoxicated. Carry photo ID if you may be asked for proof of age. These conditions apply to visitors as well as residents.
After buying, check where you’re allowed to drink. Restrictions apply at temples, public parks, petrol stations and on public transport.
PUBLISHED RULES
Sources & updates
Read the published rules below. Selling hours and Buddhist-day exceptions have separate announcements from election bans. Check which rules apply where and when you want to buy.
This is an independent visitor guide, not a Thai government service. The live answer uses published selling hours and the listed restrictions. Local orders and venue licences may add conditions. If a notice at your venue differs, ask staff to confirm which rule applies.