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Does my Thai girlfriend need a drinks license to sell beer at her cafe in Korat?

Thai Food CafeBeer LicenseAlcohol SalesKoratExpat AdviceThailand Business Regulations
Mar 12, 2024
8 months ago
Mar *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
This a question in “everything else” catagory. My Thai girlfriend (of 2 yrs) has a small thai food cafe in Korat. does she need to have a drink’s license to sell beer (just beer) she cut only offers water and some soda drinks. customers have ask for a beer occasionally. Her brother out in the sticks has a restaurant and says she doesn’t because it’s low volume and served with food, as it’s not a Bar as such?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus is that your girlfriend does require a license to sell beer at her cafe in Korat, regardless of the volume sold or the fact that she also serves food. Although enforcement may vary by location, it is advisable to comply with the regulations and obtain the necessary alcohol license, which can typically be acquired from the local government office for a small fee.
Steve *******
License or not cannot legally sell if near a school or temple
8 months ago
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Erik ******
Which seems odd, as my local convenience store in the village directly across the road from a temple sells beer, rum, whiskey and vodka. 🤷‍♂️
8 months ago
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Erik ******
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Vincent ********
Yes you need a license for food, a license for alcohol ( beer included ) and a license for smoking if you allowed that the customers smoke on your terrasse our outside places
8 months ago
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Mar *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone…. Now I’ve got the answers and yes she does… found the local office and will go tomorrow. 👍🏻🤪
8 months ago
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Manfred ********
Generally the law say you need a licence to sell any alcohol. Sometimes the police in the villages close the eyes if you sell a little bit. I think this is what her brother means. I would go for the correct way and get that licence. Its not expensive.
8 months ago
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Stevan ***********
My wife has small restaurant sell Thai food she was told she needed a license which was done on line and received within 2 days just to sell beer and whiskey
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
@Stevan **********
 On line ? Must be something new.
8 months ago
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Stevan ***********
@Ronny *********
 I don’t know but a Thai did it and it did not take long
8 months ago
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Stevan ***********
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Paul *************
It’s cheap and easy to get from the local government office.

I think it was
*****
baht for ours a few months ago.
8 months ago
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Paul ***********
Was told it was only 500 baht for license
8 months ago
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Declan **********
Doesn't matter if she is selling 1 bottle a year or 100 bottles a day, selling alcohol requires a license regardless of the amount sold.
8 months ago
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Chris ****
Alcohol have been taxed for 2,000 years. The grape is profitable.
8 months ago
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Jonathan *******
Yes she does require a licence to sell alcohol, no matter the volume
8 months ago
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Andrew ***********
100% yes licence for everything in Thailand lol
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
@Andrew **********
 Bath Bath🫰🫴🤝👍
8 months ago
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Andrew ***********
@Ronny *********
 yea it's Baht Baht haha for everything not sure about the bath haha
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
@Andrew **********
 Nothing is sure in amazing Thailand, exept Bath 😂
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
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Maple *********
*****************************************************************************************
8 months ago
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Duncan *******
Yes, a license is legally required, irrespective of whether food is sold or not. Whether it's always enforced is another matter. Check requirements with the local District office.

*************************************************
8 months ago
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Michael ********
Yes she does there is a license for just beer and a license for all alcohol
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
@Michael *******
 weed too 😃
8 months ago
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Ronny **********
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Frank **********
She is Thai, why doesn't she ask the appropriate government office.
8 months ago
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Andy *********
@Frank *********
 There's always one
8 months ago
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Mar *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 To be honest she’s a bit thick 🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂😂😜
8 months ago
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Steve *******
@Mar ****
 lol there's nothing like honesty
8 months ago
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John **********
@Mar ****
 I just read this and you just made my day 😁 LOL
8 months ago
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Rick ********
@Mar ****
 All Thais are ‘a bit thick’ ☠️
8 months ago
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Frank **********
@Mar ****
 okay, I was just curious. Sorry I was so rude.
8 months ago
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Mar *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 don’t worry about it 👍🏻🤪
8 months ago
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Mar *****
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