NIGHT venue managers in Patong are to be called to a meeting with senior police and authorities to tighten up entertainment opening hours, Phuketwan has learned.

The meeting, which comes as closing times are being more closely enforced in other parts of Phuket, will be a continuation of an Interior Ministry campaign to create a Phuket ''role model'' for all of Thailand.

Some Patong entertainment operators met with a senior police officer in Patong on Tuesday and considered several options, including a porposal to rate venues on an A, B, C scale depending on how well they conformed to safety regulations and opening-hour laws.

Among about 10 operators and managers at the gathering were Weerawit Cruesombat, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association, Sompet Mhoosopon, of Crocodile Disco, and Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin, whose businesses include a night venue and restaurants.

Instead of opening until 2.30am or 3am, Patong venues are expected to be asked to close at 1am or 1.30am at the latest.

Public protests by nighttime operators and venue staff from Phuket City, Rawai, Chalong, Kata and Karon have indicated that abiding by current laws is proving contentious within the industry.

At least one Rawai venue operator openly admits to paying police so her business can stay open until the early hours of the morning, although Interior Ministry officials, not police, now have responsibility for enforcing closing regulations.

Debate has continued for months over the merits of a special entertainment zone on Phuket for international tourists, while residents in Patong and Rawai especially have complained about loud after-hours noise from venues that close extra late.

The Interior Ministry initiative is aimed at cracking down on drugs use - especially among the young - weapons and violence, and at ensuring high public safety standards in and around venues.

The largest protest over the hours crackdown so far came on Tuesday when 600 people gathered at Provincial Hall in Phuket City to complain about lost income.

Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen told a delegation he could not make promises about closing hours that contravened existing laws. He is due to meet with protest leaders again today.

In a separate move, Phuket City police have signed an MoU with the management of the Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa Phuket, the first of its kind. Under the MoU, the resort and its staff undertake to prevent drug use at the resort and to refrain from taking illegal drugs. Other resorts are to be invited to sign on.