Editing Legal drinking age (section)

==Asia==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan=2 width=100| Country
! colspan=2| [[De jure]]
! rowspan=2 class=unsortable| Notes
|-
! width=150| Drinking age
! width=150| Purchase age
|-
| {{flag|Afghanistan}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Prohibited for all ages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c58395a2.pdf|title=Penal Code (1976), Art 349–352|work=Refworld|access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Armenia}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ" />
| align="center" |18<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1392&lang=arm|title=CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATIONS|publisher=National Assembly|access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>
| There are no laws mandating alcohol vendors to ID potential underage drinkers. ID checks are very rarely, if ever, carried out<ref name="ՎԱՐՉԱԿԱՆ ԻՐԱՎԱԽԱԽՏՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ՎԵՐԱԲԵՐՅԱԼ ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՕՐԵՆՍԳԻՐՔ" /> Criminal Code the Republic of Armenia (2003), Article 166: "Involvement, by a person who reached 18 years, of a child into regular use of alcohol drinks... is punished with correctional labor for up to 1 year, or with arrest for the term of 1–2 months, or with imprisonment for the term of 5 years"
|-
| {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Sosium – Siqaret qadağası gündəmdə">{{cite web|url=http://archive.bakupost.az/sosium/20131002094909678.html|title=Sosium – Siqaret qadağası gündəmdə|publisher=bakupost.az|access-date=22 March 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103171132/http://archive.bakupost.az/sosium/20131002094909678.html|archive-date=3 January 2015}}</ref>
| align="center" |18<ref name="Sosium – Siqaret qadağası gündəmdə" />
| Law No. 499-IG on Children's Rights (1998)
|-
| {{flag|Bahrain}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|21<ref>{{Cite web|title=I was curious what your drinking age is as well...|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g293997-d1509933-t204348-I_was_curious_what_your_drinking_age_is_as_well.html#:~:text=Legal%20drinking%20age%20in%20Bahrain%20is%2021.|access-date=29 October 2020|website=tripadvisor.com|language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Bangladesh}}
| style="text-align:center;" |21<ref name="IARD"/>
| style="text-align:center;" |21 <small>(for non-Muslims and foreigners)<br />(Muslims require medical prescription for purchasing)</small><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Introduces New Alcohol Policy Measures, Including Alcohol Age Limit and Health Warnings |url=https://movendi.ngo/news/2022/02/24/bangladesh-introduces-new-alcohol-policy-measures-including-alcohol-age-limit-and-health-warnings/ |access-date=5 November 2023 |website=Movendi International |language=en-US}}</ref>
|In 2021, reforms were introduced to alcohol regulations, for the first time a minimum age was defined, 21 years was chosen. Muslims can consume alcohol if they obtain a medical prescription.<ref name="auto"/>

|-
| {{flag|Bhutan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref name="bhutan">{{cite web|url=https://bhutan.eregulations.org/media/rules%20and%20reg-%20license.pdf|title=Rules And Regulations For Establishment And Operation Of Industrial And Commercial Ventures In Bhutan, 1995|access-date=29 April 2015}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Brunei}}
| style="text-align:center;" |Prohibited <small>(for Muslims and public consumption)</small><br />17 <small>(for non-Muslims' private residence consumption)</small><ref name="IARD"/>
| style="text-align:center;" |Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />
|Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 litres of liquor and 12 cans of beer at 330 mL for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be "stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer" and is "not to be given, transferred or sold to another person.".<ref name="IARD"/>
|-
| {{flag|Cambodia}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" colspan="2" |None
|The Health Ministry drafted a law to regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol in June 2015, with emphasis on establishing a minimum legal purchase age of 21 and preventing underage drinking.

The draft law has not yet been enacted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimmarita |first=Long |title=Groups urge passing of alcohol law be sped up |url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/groups-urge-passing-alcohol-law-be-sped |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=www.phnompenhpost.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|China}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center"| 18<ref name="IARD"/>
| Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Minors (2006 Revision) [Revised in 2012]<ref>{{Cite web|title=laws|url=http://www.npc.gov.cn/zgrdw/englishnpc/Law/2007-12/12/content_1383869.htm|access-date=29 October 2020|website=npc.gov.cn}}</ref> 
Ministry of Commerce Decree No. 25 (2006)
|-
| {{flag|Cyprus}}
| align="center" |17<ref name="Drinking age Cyprus">{{cite web|url=http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/0_144/full.html|title=Ο περί Πωλήσεως Οινοπνευματοδών Ποτών Νόμος (ΚΕΦ.144)|publisher=CyLaw|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" |18
| It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years, and for those under 17 years old to consume alcohol beverages.<ref name="Drinking age Cyprus" />
|-
| {{flag|Georgia|Georgia (country)}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="Georgia" />
| align="center" |18<ref name="Georgia">{{cite book|url=https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/15652?publication=4|title=კონსოლიდირებული ვერსია (საბოლოო)|date=31 October 2008|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
| Under the Law on Protecting Minors from Harmful Influences 2001 the sale of alcohol beverages to minors is prohibited.<ref name="Georgia" /> Juvenile Justice Code (2015) Article 3 defines minors as those under 18.
|-
| ''{{flag|Hong Kong}}''
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref>{{Cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations|109B|37|type=reg}}, with reference to {{Cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance|1|3}}</ref>
| Private drinking is also not regulated.<ref>[https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/essentials-1617ise12-regulation-of-underage-drinking.htm Regulation of underage drinking], Legislative Council, 24 April 2017.</ref>
|-
| {{flag|India}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|18–25 (varies by jurisdiction)<ref name="IARD"/><br />21 is the legal drinking age in the majority of the [[States and union territories of India|states of India]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://mrliquor.in/legal-drinking-age-in-india/ |title= Legal Drinking Age in India |last= Gaur |first= Shubhank |date= 6 March 2017 |website= MrLiquor |access-date= 7 July 2021 |quote= Most states of India have a minimum drinking age of 21}}</ref>
|{{main|Alcohol laws of India}}18 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry, Rajasthan, and Sikkim.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 March 2021|title=Delhi lowers drinking age: What's the age limit to consume alcohol in other states|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/delhi-lowers-drinking-age-whats-the-age-limit-to-consume-alcohol-in-other-states-7240499/|access-date=21 January 2022|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
21 in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Explained: The minimum legal drinking age in some countries across the world |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-minimum-legal-drinking-age-countries-world-7687320/ |access-date=4 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

25 in Maharashtra,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bombay Prohibition Act,1949 |url=https://stateexcise.maharashtra.gov.in/Pdf/Maharashtra_Excise_Manual_Vol-I.pdf}}</ref> Meghalaya and Punjab.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minimum Legal Age Limits |url=http://iardwebprod.azurewebsites.net/science-resources/detail/Minimum-Legal-Age-Limits |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=International Alliance for Responsible Drinking |language=en}}</ref>

Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Manipur, and Nagaland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bihar-liquor-ban-states-having-total-prohibition-gujarat-kerala|title=States with total and phase-wise prohibition of alcohol in India|date=6 April 2016|access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Indonesia}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |21<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20141031121011-255-9076/tak-boleh-minum-bir-sebelum-umur-21-tahun/|title=Tak Boleh Minum Bir Sebelum Umur 21 Tahun|work=CNN Indonesia|access-date=5 September 2017}}</ref><br />Prohibited in Banda Aceh and Papua
|Prohibited in Banda Aceh and Papua; 21 elsewhere for both on- and off-premise sale. According to Minister of Trade Regulation No. 20 Year 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=JDIHN - Detail Dokumen |url=https://jdihn.go.id/pencarian/detail/563704 |access-date=22 May 2023 |website=jdihn.go.id}}</ref> Qanun Laws of Aceh No. 6 Year 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=JDIHN - Detail Dokumen |url=https://jdihn.go.id/pencarian/detail/1580831 |access-date=22 May 2023 |website=jdihn.go.id}}</ref> and Regional Regulation of Papua Province No.15 Year 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PERDA Prov. Papua No. 15 Tahun 2013 tentang Pelarangan Produksi, Pengedaran dan Penjualan Minuman Beralkohol [JDIH BPK RI] |url=https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Home/Details/125461/perda-prov-papua-no-15-tahun-2013 |access-date=22 May 2023 |website=peraturan.bpk.go.id}}</ref>
|- 
| {{flag|Iran}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD"/>
| There is a ban on alcohol, but religious minorities may purchase small amounts from shops owned by the same religious minority.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/policy_iran.pdf |title=Islamic Republic of Iran (the) |date= |publisher=[[World Health Organization]]}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Iraq}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|18<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alcohol Drinking Ages Around the World |url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/alcohol-drinking-ages-around-the-world-3150465|access-date=2 January 2021 |author=Kathleen Crislip|date=26 June 2019|website=TripSavvy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417202421/https://www.tripsavvy.com/alcohol-drinking-ages-around-the-world-3150465|archive-date=17 April 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|There was a proposal of banning alcohol in 2016, but was instead taxed by 200%<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|date=23 October 2016|title=Iraq's parliament passes law banning alcohol|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/23/iraqs-parliament-passes-law-banning-alcohol|access-date=5 May 2018}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Israel}}
| align="center"| No limit in private places, 
18 in public spaces<ref>Law to control alcohol intoxication (2010)</ref>
| align="center"| 18<ref name="IARD"/>
| Israel law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors. Minors are prohibited to drink alcohol in public places and the police may confiscate alcohol drinks from them.
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|20<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=211AC0000000020|title=Underage Drinking Prohibition Law (Act No. 20 of Taisho 11)|website=e-gov Japan|access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Jordan}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|18
|Instructions issued by the Ministry of Interior Concerning Liquor Store Permits (2010), Article 6
|-
| {{flag|Kazakhstan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |21
|Law 235 of 2014 Code of Administrative Offences Section 200
|-
| {{flag|Kuwait}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />
|Law No. 46 (1964)
|-
| {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref name="IARD" />
|Law No.269 Government Regulation of the Production and Sale of Alcohol (2009), Article 13.2
|-
| {{flag|Lebanon}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref name="IARD" />
|Penal Code (1943), Articles 625–626 (promulgated by Legislative Decree No. 340 (2011) 
According to a global school health study, 40% of minors over 13 drink alcohol and up to 25% buy it from stores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.executive-magazine.com/economics-policy/lebanons-underage-drinking-problem|title=Lebanon's underage drinking problem – Executive Magazine|date=14 March 2013|website=Executive Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref>
|-
| ''{{flag|Macau}}''
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name="IARD" />
|
|
|-
| {{flag|Malaysia}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |Restricted to non-Muslims<br />Prohibited for Muslims<br />21 for non-Muslims<ref name="IARD" />
| Food Act 1983 Food Regulations (1985) Regulation 361 (2014) and Food (Amendment) Regulations 2016 
Increased from 18 to 21 in December 2017, effective 16 October 2018. Anyone caught selling to persons under 21 can be fined up to RM10,000 and jailed up to 2 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-raises-legal-drinking-age-imposes-health-warnings |title=Putrajaya raises legal drinking age, imposes health warnings |author=Boo Su-Lyn |publisher=Malay Mail Online |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>

[[Malaysian identity card]]s display the word "[[ISLAM]]" if the holder is Muslim (and otherwise blank if the holder is non-Muslim) on the bottom right corner, which allows enforcement of the religion-based sales restriction.
|-
| {{flag|Maldives}}
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2|Restricted to tourists<br />Prohibited for citizens<br />18 for tourists<ref name="IARD" />
|Sale of alcohol is limited to tourist resorts. It is prohibited to sell alcohol to local Maldivians<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mainlymaldives.co.uk/alcohol-maldives |work=MainlyMaldives.co.uk |title=Alcohol in the Maldives |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=7 June 2016}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Mongolia}}
| style="text-align:center;" |21 / 18 with parent consent<ref name="who_mongolia">{{Cite web|url=https://www.legalinfo.mn/law/showPrint/55|title=Law to Combat Alcoholism (2000)|accessdate=18 December 2023}}</ref>
| align="center" |21<ref name="who_mongolia" />
|Those under 21 are prohibited from drinking alcohol; parents and guardians are prohibited from supplying alcohol to those under 18.
|-
| {{flag|Myanmar}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center"|18
|Child Law (1993) Art 65

Excise Act (1958) Art 40(7)
|-
| {{flag|Nepal}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lawcommission.gov.np/np/archives/category/documents/prevailing-law/statutes-acts/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE|title=Hotel Distribution and Wine Sales Distribution (Control) Act|website=Nepal Law Commission|access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref>
|A policy has reportedly been adopted that would make the legal purchase age 21. However, there are exceptions to underage consumption for purposes of religious ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nepal|url=https://iogt.org/news/2017/02/22/nepal-government-adopted-new-alcohol-law/ |publisher=[[IOGT International]] |access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|North Korea}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|18
|
|-
| {{flag|Oman}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|21<ref name="IARD" />
| Residents need personal liquor licenses to consume alcohol in their private residences.<ref name="FCO Oman">{{cite web |title=Oman|url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman/local-laws-and-customs |publisher=[[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] |access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Pakistan}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Prohibited <small>(for Muslims)</small><br />21 <small>(for non-Muslims)</small><ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
| Prohibited for Muslims. Purchase age for Non-Muslims is 21.
|-
| {{flag|Palestine}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|16<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
| Legal in most cities.<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |18
|Minors (defined as under 18 years old) are prohibited to purchase alcohol and adults are prohibited to purchase or provide alcohol to minors. Minors are not prohibited to consume alcohol. ''Act Regulating the Access of Minors to Alcohol Section 4''
|-
| {{flag|Qatar}}
|style="text-align:center;" |Prohibited <small>(for Muslims)</small><br />21 <small>(for non-Muslims)</small><ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
|align="center"|21
|Muslims are allowed to purchase alcohol but not consume it.<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/> Only residents with a liquor license from the Qatar Distribution Company (owned by Qatar Airways) are allowed to purchase alcohol outside of hotels and restaurants and must make a minimum of QAR 4000 per month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alcohol and Liquor Licences in Qatar - Qatar |url=http://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/qatar/lifestyle/food-drink/liquor-licence |access-date=25 May 2022 |website=Angloinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|Prohibited for all ages<ref name="IARD" />
| Drinking or possessing alcohol is prohibited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Persons who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. Punishments range from heavy fines, lengthy prison terms and whippings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rules and laws on drugs and alcohol in Saudi Arabia {{!}} Expatica|url=https://www.expatica.com/sa/living/gov-law-admin/rules-and-laws-on-drugs-and-alcohol-in-saudi-arabia-71303/|access-date=29 October 2020|website=Expat Guide to Saudi Arabia {{!}} Expatica|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None<ref name=":3">{{Singapore legislation|title=Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act|cap=new|no=5|year=2015}}</ref><br />18 <small>(at licensed premises)</small>
| align="center"|18<ref name=":3" />
|It is prohibited to sell alcohol to those under 18. Anyone caught selling, furnishing or acquiring alcohol in any licensed premise to persons below 18 can be fined up to $10,000.

It is also prohibited for minors to purchase, or attempt to purchase alcohol from any licensed premises, in which the minors can also be fined up to $10,000. However, the authorities rarely enforced this on minors.

It is technically legal for minors to possess and consume alcohol at home and in public (not in any licensed premises) as there is no law prohibiting it. It is also technically legal for someone to purchase alcohol and pass it to minors outside the store or licensed premise.<ref name=":3" />
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center"|19<ref name="law.go.kr">{{cite web| url = http://www.law.go.kr/법령/청소년보호법| title = 청소년보호법}}</ref>
|The age limit for alcohol is 19 calculated by the year of birth. This means that an 18-year-old will be legally allowed to purchase and consume alcohol if they will be turning 19 that year. For example, two persons born on 1 January {{#time:Y|-19 years}} and 31 December {{#time:Y|-19 years}} both turned 19 years of age at the same time on 1 January {{#time:Y}} and hence, both of them are considered to be of legal age to purchase and consume alcohol on and after that date, despite the latter being only 18 years and 1 day old based on western age.

The method of calculating the legal age for alcohol slightly differs from Korean age reckoning in which another one year will be added to the person's age, whereas this method only doesn't take into account the month and day of birth but only the year instead.<ref name="law.go.kr"/>

On 28 June 2023, the law that requires measuring age in the western way came into force. However, the previous system to determine the age to drink alcohol will be maintained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seo |first=Jessie Yeung,Yoonjung |date=28 June 2023 |title=South Koreans become younger overnight after country scraps 'Korean age' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/asia/south-korea-drops-korean-age-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |21 <small>(for men)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nddcb.gov.lk/Docs/acts/NATA%20Act%20English.pdf|title=NATIONAL AUTHORITY ON TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL ACT, No. 27 OF 2006|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref><br />prohibited <small>(for women)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/15/sri-lanka-reimposes-ban-on-women-buying-alcohol-days-after-it-was-lifted|title=Sri Lanka reimposes ban on women buying alcohol – days after it was lifted|work=The Guardian |date=15 January 2018 |access-date=8 October 2024 |agency=Agence France-Presse }}</ref>
| Sri Lanka is the only country which has banned the purchase of alcohol based on gender.
|-
| {{flag|Syria}}
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|18<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref>[https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=D0050001 Protection of Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Act] (zh:兒童及少年福利法) of the Republic of China; Article 2 of defines children and youth as people under the age of 18.</ref>
|Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall not supply alcohol to them or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 [[new Taiwan dollar]]s (Art 55).

No person shall supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 (Art 91).
|-
| {{flag|Tajikistan}}
| style="text-align:center;" |None / 20
| align="center" |18<ref name="IARD" /> 
|Sale to minors under 18 years old is prohibited by Article 12 of Law No. 451 on State Regulation of Production and Turnover of Ethyl Alcohol and Alcohol Products.<ref name="tripsavvy.com"/>

Parents are required to forbid their children who have not reached age 20 to consume alcohol beverages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mfa.tj/ru/main/view/3958/zakon-respubliki-tadzhikistan-ob-otvetstvennosti-roditelei-za-obuchenie-i-vospitanie-detei|title=Закон Республики Таджикистан об ответственности родителей за обучение и воспитание детей|access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |20<ref name="Thai_drinking" /> 
| The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations.<ref name="Thai_drinking">{{cite web |last=Patin |first=Jennifer |title=Thailand Tourist Information: A Guide to Laws in Thailand |url=http://www.thailawforum.com/tourst-guide-laws-Thailand.html |publisher=Thailand Law Forum |access-date=8 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaihealth.or.th/Content/25907-%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%2020%20%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B5%20%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89.html|title=ตำกวา 20 ป ไมขายสราให|work=Thaihealth.or.th|access-date=28 July 2015}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}}
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |18<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.3.4250.pdf|title=İSPİRTO VE İSPİRTOLU İÇKİLER İNHİSARI KANUNU|access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
|{{See also|Alcohol laws of Turkey}}
|-
| {{flag|Turkmenistan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center" |21<ref name="auto1"/><br />Prohibited in airports and stores 
|Law on Prevention of the Harmful Impact of Alcohol 2018 Art. 22-2<br>Law no Trade Art. 33<br>Code of Administrative Offences Art. 315, 356
|-
| {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| style="text-align:center;" |18 in Abu Dhabi<br />21 in most Northern Emirates and Dubai<br />Prohibited in Sharjah<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/local-laws-and-customs|title=United Arab Emirates travel advice – GOVUK|website=gov.uk|access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>
| align="center" |21<br />Completely prohibited in Sharjah
| In November 2020, Drinking became legal in UAE without requiring a license and regardless of the religion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 November 2020|title=UAE announces relaxing of Islamic laws for personal freedoms|url=https://apnews.com/article/dubai-united-arab-emirates-honor-killings-travel-islam-bce74c423897dc77c7beb72e4f51a23a|access-date=8 November 2020|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>
Previously, expatriate non-[[Muslim]] residents had to request a liquor permit to purchase alcohol beverages, but it was prohibited for such holders to provide drinks to others.<ref name="Guidelines">{{cite web |url=http://www.icap.org/PolicyIssues/DrinkingGuidelines/GuidelinesTable/tabid/204/Default.aspx |title=International Drinking Guidelines |publisher=International Center for Alcohol Policies |access-date=17 February 2009}}</ref>

The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi (although a Ministry of Tourism by-law allows hotels to serve alcohol only to those over 21), and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (except Sharjah, where drinking alcohol is prohibited).<ref name=":0" />

It is a punishable offence to drink, or to be under the influence of alcohol, in public.<ref name=":0" />
|-
| {{flag|Uzbekistan}}
| style="background:Gainsboro" align="center" |None
| align="center"| 21<ref>{{Cite web |last=UzDaily |title=Uzbekistan bans sale of alcohol and tobacco to people under 21 |url=https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/81160 |access-date=5 November 2023 |website=UzDaily.uz |language=ru}}</ref>
|In 2023, President [[Shavkat Mirziyoyev]] signed a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol and nicotine products to those under 21 years of age, increasing it from 20 years.
|-
| {{flag|Vietnam}}
| colspan="2" align="center" | 18<ref name="IARD" />
|Decree 94/2012/ND-CP on Liquor Production and Trading (2012), Article 19.7
|-
| {{flag|Yemen}}
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2|Prohibited for all ages<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/14-countries-where-drinking-alcohol-is-illegal.html|title=14 Countries Where Drinking Alcohol Is Illegal|date=25 April 2017|website=WorldAtlas}}</ref>
|Exception is in [[Aden]] Region where it's legal for 21 and up<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 July 2020|title=Drinking age in Yemen|url=https://drinkingagein.com/yemen|access-date=29 October 2020|website=Drinking Age in Countries Around the World|language=en}}</ref>
|}