PHUKET: The closing of all bars and nightclubs on Phuket by 2am has been ordered by the Interior Minister and is likely to be extended from Phuket City to Patong as early as tomorrow.
The Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, said today that he would be in touch with the owners of venues in and around Patong to inform them of the official order from Bangkok.
The letter from the Interior Ministry was passed on from Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha to all eight police station superintendents on Phuket this afternoon.
Colonel Arayapan urged the owners of venues to talk to police before considering their own protests over the closure order.
The colonel said he had some sympathy for the owners who stayed open past the official Phuket closing time to please tourists and to make money.
Most Western visitors to Phuket who enjoy the island's quirky nightlife are used to going out after 10pm and staying out until 3am or 4am.
Governor Tri also recognises that the law has been breached to suit the needs of tourists, and that venue owners say a 2am closure leaves them without enough of a time window to make money.
But last week's attempted murder of a well-known resort owner-manager at the Rassada Pub in the Poonpol district of Phuket City at 4.30am had given Phuket unfavorable publicity worldwide because of the presence of Hollywood star Jeremy Renner.
Governor Tri said he intended to bring the 300 illegal venues among the 800 venues on Phuket within the law. Checks on venues to make sure there are no weapons or drugs and that all employees are adults are continuing.
The Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, said today that he would be in touch with the owners of venues in and around Patong to inform them of the official order from Bangkok.
The letter from the Interior Ministry was passed on from Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha to all eight police station superintendents on Phuket this afternoon.
Colonel Arayapan urged the owners of venues to talk to police before considering their own protests over the closure order.
The colonel said he had some sympathy for the owners who stayed open past the official Phuket closing time to please tourists and to make money.
Most Western visitors to Phuket who enjoy the island's quirky nightlife are used to going out after 10pm and staying out until 3am or 4am.
Governor Tri also recognises that the law has been breached to suit the needs of tourists, and that venue owners say a 2am closure leaves them without enough of a time window to make money.
But last week's attempted murder of a well-known resort owner-manager at the Rassada Pub in the Poonpol district of Phuket City at 4.30am had given Phuket unfavorable publicity worldwide because of the presence of Hollywood star Jeremy Renner.
Governor Tri said he intended to bring the 300 illegal venues among the 800 venues on Phuket within the law. Checks on venues to make sure there are no weapons or drugs and that all employees are adults are continuing.
But isnt the law.. The actual law as opposed to whats done.. That bars outside of a couple of tiny designated entertainment areas must close at 12 ??
I sure remember that from the news flow of the Purachai social order campaign.
Posted by LivinLOS on January 11, 2012 21:23
Editor Comment:
It's 1am in most places and 2am on Phuket.