The nationwide ban on alcohol sales online following an amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act BE 2551 back in September kicks in on December 7.

The new law that prohibits direct sales, promotion and introduction of alcoholic products through electronic devices was published in the Royal Gazette at the beginning of September.

Not only will alcohol sales via websites been prohibited but orders made with any electronic device means apps and telephone orders will also be illegal.

The news spells the end for the likes of Wishbeer and ZippBike who have built a business around online ordering and deliveries of beers and spirits in Bangkok.

Officials cited difficulty in controlling times, places, venues and group restrictions on alcohol sales – meaning underage drinkers having easy access to buying booze without proper oversight.

Selling and paying for alcoholic beverages via electronic methods at stores, restaurants or establishments that serve alcohol will not be affected by the new law.

The new regulations are also vague forbidding “persuading and introducing” new alcoholic products or related services via electronic channels in which sellers and customers don’t meet in person.

Three children were injured when a funfair ride at the Hua Hin Red Cross Festival malfunctioned at the weekend.

The organiser of the festival confirmed there were no fatalities from a malfunctioning Octopus ride on Friday night that had been caused by a hydraulic system failure.

At the time of the accident around 10 children were aboard the ride at the theme park located in front of Bluport Department Store.

The three injured children were sent to Bangkok Hua Hin Hospital with cuts and bruises. All have since been discharged and given a clean bill of health.

Event organisers said all the rides will now be closed until the end of the festival.

A 46-year-old Thai man who held up and robbed a Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural in Bangkok earlier this week has been arrested.

The incident happened just after 2pm on Wednesday at the Bangbon branch at Soi Ekachai 86 when the man armed with a knife and a plastic gun entered the branch and hopped over the counter helping himself to half a million baht before fleeing the scene.

He was picked up after detectives followed his movements using CCTV from the surrounding area.

The robber made a full confession telling officers the gun was made of plastic, adding he’d robbed the bank to feed his gambling habits.

He was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.