Police general states measures prompted simply by recent fires in venues
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to work with the Metropolitan Police Bureau to revise zoning designed for night entertainment sites.
In an interview with Bangkok Publish , Pol Style Adis Ngamchitsuksri, a good adviser to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on city plus tourism management, stated he was designated by the governor to work on a zoning evaluation.
Pol Gen Adis mentioned the idea follows 2 recent blazes.
One happened in Silom Soi 2 where a fire broke out on overnight time of July 7 on the first floor of a six-storey constructing that operated being a pub. No one had been hurt. The other has been when the Mountain W pub in Chon Buri’s Sattahip region burnt down on Aug 5 resulting in the particular deaths of 19 and injuries to more than 30 people.
Each incidents prompted security inspections of entertainment sites in the funds. Out of 50 zones, it was found that 83 locations possess safety problems. The inspections also found that many night entertainment websites are located outside nightlife zones.
Pol Gen Adis said the Interior Ministry in 2002 specified three areas in Bangkok for nightlife zones, namely Patpong Road, Makkasan Road around Royal City Avenue (RCA), and Ratchadaphisek Road. The aim was to regulate travelers and prevent them from disturbing local occupants.
However , over time night entertainment venues opened in other areas.
“People have transformed their lifestyle in terms of dining and hanging out. Instead of going to older places, they visit other new sites such as Thong Lor-Ekamai, Soi Ari on Phahon Yothin Street, Khao San and Lat Phrao Road which are not classified by the ministry’s zoning plan, ” Pol Gen Adis mentioned.
However the BMA has no power in zoning these types of places, it is within talks with the City Police Bureau before you make a proposal towards the Interior Ministry upon new nightlife zoning that would be more in line with people’s current life style, he said.
Entertainment sites under the Entertainment Place Act BE 2509 (1966) include nightclubs, massage parlours, beverage lounges, karaoke bars, pubs and huge restaurants.
The act has been amended in 2003 to limit the particular operating hours associated with night entertainment locations. Nightclubs and discotheques can remain open up until 2am whilst cocktail lounges, karaoke bars, pubs and large restaurants may operate until 1am. Massage parlours can stay open till midnight.
Pol Gen Adis said pubs in the capital required 2 licences — the food licence requested through the BMA plus a licence to sell alcohol drinks from the Excise Department.
Citing information in the Metropolitan Police Bureau, there are 241 licensed pubs in the town but only 80 of them (about 33%) are located in the night life zones while 161 of them are located outside the zones.
However , there were an additional 651 locations operated without the licenses — only 12 of them (1. 8%) were located in the allowed zones while the leftover 639 places had been located outside the zoning, he said.
“The zoning needs to be revised in order to keep up with changes, ” Pol Gen Adis said.
The Bangkok governor’s adviser also floated an idea to apply artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to regulate these sites.
“We want to apply AI technology so that we know the operating hours and can effectively check if each venue closes according to the law. If there are fights, offences or fire, the machine can alert the authorities in time to assist deal with such issues, ” he stated.
Pol Gen Adis said City Hall works with district officers to examine the safety from the entertainment sites every week.
Each inspection focuses on the health of electrical wires to avoid short-circuiting and locations need to have basic safety needs in place including fire extinguishers, emergency lights and emergency from the.
He said officers furthermore check that emergency from the are not blocked.
Pol Gen Adis said that a few venues had decorated their places along with flammable objects for example using cotton golf balls on a ceiling to imitate clouds.
The groups all gave suggestions and safety guidelines for business operators to follow, he stated.
“Our inspection teams come with an eye for details, ” he mentioned.
Pol Gen Adis also said the governor has instructed the officers not to compromise on safety.
“Whenever all of us see something that can be unsafe, the place owners must find a solution within seven days, or their business will be suspended, inch said Pol Gen Adis.
“I promise the BMA’s officials will certainly expedite inspections each and every entertainment venue to assure safety. Our target is that within this month, at least 80% from the entertainment venues should have the equipment to deal with a fireplace, ” he mentioned.