THE Governor and Vice Governor made surprise visits on Friday night to four Phuket nightspots at the start of checks on island safety standards.
The crackdown follows the Santika pub disaster in Bangkok.
As a result of a shooting that wounded a patron on New Year's Eve, Governor Preecha Ruangjan also closed the well-known Kor Tor Mor pub in Phuket City for 15 days as punishment.
''No gun should be allowed in a public place like this one,'' he said of the mandatory closure. ''The owner needs to improve security checks.''
But he was even more outspoken in warning of the dangers of nightspots creating the risks that led to the deaths of more than 60 people in the blaze at Santika pub in Bangkok on New Year's Eve.
Nightspots that dodge regulations by pretending to be restaurants will be targetted and closed, he said.
''Exits also need to be kept clear and visible,'' he said after touring four Phuket City nightspots, Timber Hut, Fantasia, T2 pub and Blue Marina.
He gave all nightspots on the island seven days to comply, or face the consequences.
Checks would be made on pubs, clubs and nightspots of all kinds during daylight and again at night, he said.
Vice Governor Smith Palawatvichai would be in charge of making sure that owners complied, the Governor said.
Officials from the Public Health Department and local tessaban administrations would check all of the buildings to make sure safety precautions had been taken according to regulations.
Kor Tor Mor will be allowed to reopen late in January.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
Photo Album Hundreds of sky lanterns floated into the black night over the sea before partygoers in Patong let loose with a celebration to see in the New Year.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Photo Album Phuket City became a pop concert as thousands of fans swarmed to see top local and national stars perform, and to count down to New Year 2009.
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Phuket Pubs, Clubs Face Santika Disaster Checks
All entertainment venues on Phuket are to face checks for safety measures and exits as a result of the Santika Pub disaster on new year's Eve in Bangkok.
Phuket Pubs, Clubs Face Santika Disaster Checks
The crackdown follows the Santika pub disaster in Bangkok.
As a result of a shooting that wounded a patron on New Year's Eve, Governor Preecha Ruangjan also closed the well-known Kor Tor Mor pub in Phuket City for 15 days as punishment.
''No gun should be allowed in a public place like this one,'' he said of the mandatory closure. ''The owner needs to improve security checks.''
But he was even more outspoken in warning of the dangers of nightspots creating the risks that led to the deaths of more than 60 people in the blaze at Santika pub in Bangkok on New Year's Eve.
Nightspots that dodge regulations by pretending to be restaurants will be targetted and closed, he said.
''Exits also need to be kept clear and visible,'' he said after touring four Phuket City nightspots, Timber Hut, Fantasia, T2 pub and Blue Marina.
He gave all nightspots on the island seven days to comply, or face the consequences.
Checks would be made on pubs, clubs and nightspots of all kinds during daylight and again at night, he said.
Vice Governor Smith Palawatvichai would be in charge of making sure that owners complied, the Governor said.
Officials from the Public Health Department and local tessaban administrations would check all of the buildings to make sure safety precautions had been taken according to regulations.
Kor Tor Mor will be allowed to reopen late in January.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
Photo Album Hundreds of sky lanterns floated into the black night over the sea before partygoers in Patong let loose with a celebration to see in the New Year.
New Year 2009, Patong Beach: Photo Special
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Photo Album Phuket City became a pop concert as thousands of fans swarmed to see top local and national stars perform, and to count down to New Year 2009.
New Year 2009, Phuket City: Photo Special
Phuket Pubs, Clubs Face Santika Disaster Checks
All entertainment venues on Phuket are to face checks for safety measures and exits as a result of the Santika Pub disaster on new year's Eve in Bangkok.
Phuket Pubs, Clubs Face Santika Disaster Checks
