Thai restaurants favor easing of alcohol sales ban; and additional stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, the Thai Restaurant Association supports the government’s review of the ban on alcohol sales in the afternoon as it could benefit restaurants and convenience stores. In other stories, employers are snapping up office space nearly as fast as it is being built across Australia, in a sign that workers may be expected to work from home (WFH) less in the future. Lastly, a new urban well-being destination is being developed in Zabeel Park, United Arab Emirates, as part of the strategy to enhance the city’s landscape through innovative and sustainable infrastructure.

Restaurants back easing Thailand’s booze laws

Eateries support the government’s review of the ban on alcohol sales in the afternoon as it could benefit restaurants and convenience stores, says the Thai Restaurant Association. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had ordered a study of the prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages from 2pm to 5pm, as well as the ban on Buddhist holy days, to see how they affect tourism. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, is in favour of relaxing alcohol sale laws during these hours. She said in Bangkok Post that Thailand’s economy relies heavily on tourism and collaboration across all sectors is essential to strike a balance between alcohol sales and minimising any adverse effects.

Latest sign WFH may be under threat for Aussies

Employers are snapping up office space nearly as fast as it is being built across Australia, in a sign that workers may be expected to work from home (WFH) less in the future. New Property Council data showed Australia’s CBD office vacancy rate has remained steady, increasing marginally from 13.6 percent to 13.7 percent in the six months to January 2025 despite more than 220,000sqm of new office space being added to the market. Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas said there had been positive demand for office space in Australia’s CBDs during much of the past three years. “Vacancy levels continue to be driven by this large level of supply, as demand has remained positive,” Mr Zorbas said in realcommercial.com.au.

Diller Scofidio + Renfro unveils 100-meter wellness tower in Dubai, UAE

Diller Scofidio + Renfro has unveiled the design for Therme Dubai – Islands in the Sky, a new urban well-being destination set to be developed in Zabeel Park, United Arab Emirates, according to ArchDaily. The project, created in collaboration with Therme Group and Dubai Municipality, has been approved as part of Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which aims to enhance the city’s landscape through innovative and sustainable infrastructure. Spanning 500,000 square feet with a 100-meter-tall structure, the development is designed to accommodate 1.7 million visitors annually. At this stage, the design features suspended botanical gardens, stacked terraces, and cascading pools. The facility will offer spaces for relaxation in thermal and mineral waters, alongside areas for cultural events and social interaction.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].