OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate economic costs of productivity loss associated with alcohol consumption in term of absenteeism and presenteeism among Thai population in 2007. METHODS: A cross-sectional household survey was carried out throughout the country. Regardless of their drinking status from 4330 households, Thai populations aged between 15 – 60 years and on employment were interviewed. Questions concerning work impairment were adapted from the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment - General Health Questionnaire (WPAI-GH). The impairment rate due to absenteeism and presenteeism for each drinking category was obtained from the survey and was, then, compared to the rate in the abstainer group to derive an excess impairment rate. Cost of productivity loss was calculated by multiplying the excess impairment rate by employment rate, income per year and total number of drinkers in that category.  RESULTS: This study indicated that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with productivity loss in term of both absenteeism and presenteeism. It was estimated that the reduction of productivity due to absenteeism and presenteeism caused from health problem were 13.3% (95 % CI 10.7,15.9) among harmful drinkers, 13.2% (95% CI 11.3,15.1)  among former drinkers, and 9.3% (95% CI 8.6, 10.1) among responsible drinkers, as compared to 7.6% (95%CI 6.7,8.5) among abstainers. According to the study, cost of productivity loss due to alcohol in term of absenteeism and presenteeism was approximately 40,000 million Bahts. CONCLUSIONS:Alcohol exerts a substantial economic burden in terms of productivity loss due to absenteeism and persenteeism. The results of this research could provide information for the policy makers and employers in justifying resources spent on reducing harm and economic loss associated with alcohol consumption among the working population.