Companies have praised the government’s decision to increase nightclub beginning times in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and Phuket from December 15 to 4am.
Additionally, they demand that authorities take steps to ensure the safety of tourists and assign distinct municipal for entertainment venues.
With the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Royal Thai Police, and the four municipal administrators, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister Anutin Charvirakul discussed extending nightclubs starting time on Friday.
To increase commerce, the estimate will first be put into place in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and Phuket. It is anticipated to go into effect on December 15. State firms will take into account how long the test should last, according to Mr. Srettha.
The extension will only be in place for the time being, and conversations about zoning changes may take place in the future.
The government, according to him, wants to boost domestic tourism and the market. Additionally, the strategy will increase revenue for tourism-related companies, such as restaurants and entertainment venues.
He emphasized that some immigrants don’t eat like Thais do. Some people eat between 9 and 10 p.m. Consumers may have to eat earlier if opening hours are only evening or two in the morning, which reduces the amount of food they order.
After speaking with safety authorities, Mr. Srettha added that extending starting hours to 4am is feasible. He continued by saying that the Interior Ministry would investigate planning and licenses, and the police would work to improve drug use and maintain people’s safety.
The Interior Ministry will introduce a law, according to Mr. Anutin, allowing provincial rulers to specify the planning and working hours of evening entertainment venues.
Welcome to move
Fresh planning for Bangkok’s nightlife venues may be assigned before December 15, according to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
But, more than 200 leisure facilities on hotel grounds as well as existing zones– RCA on Phetchaburi Road, Silom Road and Ratchadaphisek Road– can benefit from the expansion of beginning hours.
He continued by saying that while police may be questioned about drug tests and breathalyzer tests, CCTV cameras will also be used to monitor tourists’ protection.
The Chiang Mai Restaurant and Entertainment Venue Association’s president, Thanit Chumsaeng, concurred that the government should also give entertainment venues distinct zoning so that nightlife establishments do not disrupt local areas.
He stated that an announcement from the Interior Ministry is anticipated, giving municipal governors in main tourist towns the authority to enforce the expansion of opening hours and supervise entertainment venues.
According to Mr. Thanit, Chiang Mai’s industrial landscape is constantly changing, so its latest zoning for entertainment venues may need to be updated accordingly.
He stated that city areas, like the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road, which is already a well-liked place for both locals and tourists, may be affected by the expansion of the opening time.
Longer days will benefit many nightlife establishments in these areas, but users will also be responsible for higher electricity bills, worker wages, and other expenses, which will rise by 10 to 20 %, he said.
Since some nightlife venues are more well-liked than others, Mr. Thanit advised each operator to consider these advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether to start until 4 a.m.
Entertainment venues in Chiang Mai that are outside the city’s planning should be permitted to available until two in the morning.
They include those that are located on Santitham Road, Asadathorn, and Nimmanhaemin Road. He added that entertainment facilities may be situated far from schools, universities, and temples because the majority of their patrons are locals and students.
He continued by saying that since entertainment venues previously have to pay liquor taxes and cigarette tax, the government may also waive excise tax for those that open after midnight.
Users who support the president’s tourism promotion may benefit from this action, he said.
The local authorities in Chiang Mai claim that more than 10,000 entertainment venues have operating licenses, 70 – 80 % of which are in downtown areas, and employ over 80,000 people who would bring in about 20 billion baht annually.
Tourists’ security
When the prime minister visited the island state in August, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, chairman of the Phuket Tourist Association, suggested that business owners in Phuket extend the hours of operation of leisure facilities to 4am.
He claimed that allowing these establishments to remain open until 4 a.m. would roughly triple hospitality income.
According to Mr. Thaneth, business owners in Phuket have suggested that safety regulations been implemented to prevent any unwelcome incidents in the early hours and that clear zoning become designated for entertainment venues to avoid upsetting the local communities.
Government must determine how many security personnel are required to ensure the safety of tourists, and they should also think about adding more protection checkpoints or CCTV cameras along the road.
To ensure that there are few effects from the extended periods, he said that issues like fights, drug use, and drunken driving should be regulated through stricter law enforcement.
He suggested testing the extension on Bangla Road in the Kathu city, where a number of entertainment venues are located.
Pattaya is a well-liked tourist destination and is prepared for the extension of operating hours, according to Damrongkiat Pinitkarn, secretary to the Entertainment & amp of the Tourism Association of Pattalia City.
Operators around promote activities for entertainment tourism. Around 6 o’clock, travelers eat, and then relax at Pattaya’s Walking Street before heading into nightclubs at around 11 p.m.
The present closing time of 2am is too early because operators simply operate for a short period of time, and the enjoyment for tourists even ends too quickly, he said.
In order to address issues like drink driving and stop young children from entering entertainment venues, he also agreed to stricter law enforcement.
Pattaya has another benefit because there are no local colleges, so there is no issue with young kids going to bars, according to Mr. Damrongkiat.
Each entertainment facility in Pattaya is anticipated to see an increase in revenue of 60, 000 to 70 000 baht per day with beginning time extended to 4am, he said.
additional pub membership
The extension is also supported by Sanga Ruengwattanakul, leader of the Khao San Road Businesses Association, who urges the government to permit more entertainment venues to legitimately use for registration.
No fresh leisure facilities have been formally registered over the past ten years. According to Mr. Sanga, some operators must provide money under- the table ] to authorities in order to run their businesses.
” Unlicensed locations are not subject to inspection, which can pose health hazards to customers ,” he said.” For those legally licensed to operate, regulators can easily inspect them to ensure they comply with safety requirements.”
According to Mr. Sanga, qualified entertainment facilities must adhere to certain requirements, such as having first aid kits, fire departs, or emergency escapes.
In case of emergency, he claimed,” Some shophouses have been converted into entertainment venues without proper health steps.”
The government may establish clear laws to stop those who don’t meet the requirements for running entertainment venues until 4am, he said.
But, Koh Samui of Surat Thani is not one of the regions where the improvement of opening time for amusement venues is going into effect, according to Ratchaporn Poonsawat, leader of that organization.
He claimed that the previous government and local business owners had previously talked about extending the opening time.
According to him, Koh Samui does not encompass a sizable area, making it simple to identify municipal for amusement venues. Authorities are also prepared to protect visitors’ safety. He continued by expressing his surprise that Koh Samui hadn’t been taken into account for the improvement.
Against the action
Chuwit Jantaros, the Anti-Alcohol Network’s consultant, disputed assertions made by business owners that the extension is being made in response to requests from international tourists.
Prior to Covid, up to 80 % of international visitors to Thailand came to see the country’s natural and cultural wonders and observe its customs.
The assertions are false. I don’t think the modification will boost the economy,” Mr. Chuwit said, adding that alcohol consumption is to blame for more mishaps and crimes.
The Academic Centre for Road Safety scholar Thatchawut Jadbandit speculated that the extension’s advantages might certainly outweigh its drawbacks. He cited statistics from the Department of Disease Control to estimate that between January and August, 50, 164 people died and were injured as a result of drinking.