Implementation Gaps and Governance Challenges in Thailand’s Community Liquor Law Reform: Evidence from Multi-Stakeholder Fieldwork

Thailand’s Community Liquor Law Reform aimed to encourage small-scale alcohol production in 2022. Early evidence suggests a mismatch between legislative changes and the capacity of existing institutions to implement them. This study aims to examine governance challenges, stakeholder experiences, and implementation gaps during the early phase of the reform across four provinces. A qualitative policy analysis was performed through semi-structured interviews with fifty-eight participants, comprising twenty-three community liquor producers and thirty-five officials from excise units, public health offices, and local administrative bodies. Data was collected through interviews, meeting records, field observations, and policy documents. Thematic analysis followed a hybrid inductive and deductive approach, and triangulation strengthened the credibility of the findings. The research revealed a significant gap between national policy goals and local implementation. Stakeholders noted the unclear procedural guidelines, resulting in continued reliance on pre-reform practices. They also reported substantial administrative challenges and inconsistent enforcement across regions. Limited technical capacity among producers contributed to unstable alcohol strength, variable product quality, and inadequate waste management. Furthermore, the reform raised concerns about increased alcohol availability, potential youth access, and community misinterpretation of policy objectives. These findings suggest that legislative reform alone is insufficient for effective implementation. Clear guidelines, coordinated enforcement, technical training, and monitoring systems are essential to align policy with practice.