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Phuket Entertainment Zoning: Clarifying Who Said What
By Alan Morison Tuesday, September 14, 2010
PHUKETWAN reported on a speech by the ''manager of the Icon Bar'' at a meeting about zoning last week and it led to a lively debate as much about the identity of the speaker as what the speaker said.
Although we made it plain the speaker was a woman, Phuketwan recognises our error and apologises for the confusion.
Teera Chuanchanok, general manager of the Icon Club, told us today that he was at Wednesday's Phuket City meeting on entertainment venue zoning, but did not speak.
He said the person who spoke was Khun Noi from Laguna Club. Laguna Club is at Rawai, while Icon is at Nai Harn.
''We did not have any comment on that, just only Khun Noi, who is owner of Laguna,'' Khun Teera said. ''The leader of the local community suggested Icon and Laguna go together to the meeting.''
Here, for the record, is what the speaker said: ''I am from Laguna Club and Icon. I would like to suggest to the government about the tax on the entertainment pubs. I think every entertainment pub would be 100 percent happy to pay the tax to the government but 10 groups come to ask for money.
''That group comes, this group comes, everybody comes. We can't accept that, it's too much. In the end, the owner of the business loses money. Many people invest 10 or 20 million baht, then we're broke. When people lose all they have, they go home to their country. This is not a good image for Thailand. In my experience now, lots of foreigners talk about Thailand, not in a good way.
''Before, it was all about Siam smiles. Now, that has faded. We just have the robbers, and stealing. One farang died, I think you know it [an apparent reference to the murder of DaShawn Longfellow in Rawai] So I would like the policemen to take care more than normally.
''Phuket should not have zoning, it's the best thing. The farang in some countries open 24 hours in Spain, Europe, France. Now many farang go to Spain because Phuket closes at 2am. As I said, if you close 2am, many farang go to 7-Eleven and then they are difficult to control.''
Phuket Police Chief Major General Pekad Tantipong, chairing the meeting, said: ''Your comment is about the tax that you pay under the table right now, right?
Khun Noi: ''Yes, it's too much. We can't say no. May I have one more comment? We are Icon and Laguna, we will stay together. If the Thai people get to drink too much, they sometimes fight. If zoning comes, best have it just for farang. If farang buy a member card from us, then they can get in.''
Major General Pekad: ''Back about the tax that you paid under the table: it's because you break the law. Both sides get a benefit from that gap. If there was no gap, nobody would lose. If we discuss this issue, we will have a long talk. Now you can say what you want, what you are thinking. I am happy to listen.''
Khun Noi: ''We are happy to pay tax. Let the government take that money to repair the roads, we don't care about that. But if it goes under the table, you eat alone, you don't share.''
[Laughter at this point.]
Major General Pekad: ''Robberies and theft, you have everywhere in the world, not just Phuket. Drugs, too.''
Khun Noi went on to describe the large number of drug needles now being found on Nai Harn beach.
Wednesday's meeting produced a range of views in response to the opinion expressed by Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, who said he believes zoning is needed so tourists can legally drink later while on holidays.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
"When people lose all they have, they go home to their country. This is not a good image for Thailand. In my experience now, lots of foreigners talk about Thailand, not in a good way." For sure! People come here and want to start illegal business MUST got bankrupt and MUST go home! This is a nice thing for Thailand: look a country where people must respect the Thai laws!!
Posted by
Dave
on
September 14, 2010 18:51
Dear Khun Noi
I supposed that now people are going to Spain cause euro is very low, not because they can't be drunk till 6 am. (We are in Rawai not in Patong)
I never see many farang go to 7-Eleven when is very late for drinking, instead I saw many farang come out from club very drunk and get motorbike to go home, risking their life and the life of the others people
I think that is irrealistic to give a membership to farang and let only them to go in the club, cause not all farang are gay and I think nobody wanna remain inside in a club only with men (cause all the ladies are Thai).
Posted by
Richard
on
September 14, 2010 19:15
Farang must understand that Thailand is a country where all the people must work, open business and run it in the law, like all the other country in the world. Why this business man farang didn't open this kind of business in their country?
Posted by
pop
on
September 14, 2010 19:22
"Many people invest 10 or 20 million baht, then we're broke"
Everyone knows the price of land in Rawai and Naiharn, everyone knows the price of a villa in those areas. Why businesses that break the law every day must be protected at the expense of those who have invested millions of baht in a house?
Entertainment areas are all very well, but certainly not in the midst of residential areas. Rawai and Naiharn are not Patong!
It is often impossible to sleep, often be afraid of what happens in front of our homes without even able to call the police because, as admitted publicly, is paid by owners of bars and nightclubs that only think about their profit.
We have paid millions for the houses where we live, we continue to pay taxes and accountants because we are "Farangs" and the arrogance of these "businessmen" is the reward.
Posted by
James Deere
on
September 14, 2010 20:03
You can't go late night drinking at a lot of 7/11s as they do enforce the after midnight ban on alcohol sales. Family Marts will normally sort you out though. Errrrrrrrrr - a mate told me!
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
September 14, 2010 23:18
James No it is not patong, but there is no reason not to have an entertainment area in Rawai or Nai Harn for the local people, and visitors, agree not in the residential areas. Even in residential areas you could have neighbors who party most nights and are worse then some of the clubs and bars.
Posted by
Share
on
September 15, 2010 10:19
Richard you have half a good point many aliens get drunk and ride there motorcyles but there are just as many Thais that do this. Maybe the police chief could organise better policing of the roads, and frequent breathalyser tests and start fining people for drunk driving, dangerous driving etc.the govt would make a small fortune and hopefully at the same time save thousands of lives every year. And Richard all the ladies are not Thai some are local and some are visiting alien ladies. Maybe you cannot see the little antennas on the heads.
Posted by
Bob
on
September 15, 2010 10:40
Well done, great clarification.
That makes me wonder how difficult it will be to get tourist entertainment zones in Phuket as (only a few) under the table tax men would loose a considerate amount of income. First jet-ski now late-open fees? What next, Tuk-tuk, Burmese, safety regulations and gambling parlors? How to pay for school tuition, the third hand etc. etc. anyone? Why then come to this island to work anyway. Was used to be fun...
Posted by
Lena
on
September 15, 2010 21:09
Dear Bob,
I fully agree with you, but we were discussing about membercard for farang. Anyway still clubs will open late and police must close the eyes nobody will be able to come and check people go out from discos and get motorbikes, thais or farangs. About farang ladies at disco don't be ridicolous: one farang ladies every 50-100 thais!!
Posted by
Richard
on
September 16, 2010 09:54
Share,
I wish that an entertainment area will be close to your home. . .Why Rawai or worse Nai Harn (where??) must have that? Is'nt an incinerator that is for the common good, for the community. And I wanna know why this kind of disgrace useful for a little minority of the tourists should be a disgrace for many others? And what about Karon or Kata? There are many bars, but no-one is discussing about an entertainment area there! Why we can't speak clear? In Rawai and Nai Harn there are only the owners of Laguna and Icon pub that want these areas: the profit interests of two people against the quiet of the rest of community: thais and resident farangs. If someone wanna get fun till in the morning, at only 15 minutes away there is Patong!!
Posted by
Dave
on
September 16, 2010 10:07
Editor Comment:
It's only fair to let you and other readers know, Dave, that comments sent from 'Share' 'Bob' and 'BS' all come from the same email address.
Share, BS, Bob: one of these names, I suppose, is the real one, isn't it? Then I supposed also that all the careful readers understand already who is him... this proves all told in the comments: the interest of one against that of everybody!!
Posted by
Richard
on
September 16, 2010 12:15
Richard I do not know what you are insuniating. The interest of 1 against that of everybody. There is something called fairness and there is always a point where these sort of problems can be resolved. As for the editor to print misinformation and to attack many posters shows his lack of ethics and journalism. And Ed you left off my other names Alan, Richard, Bangkok pete, Real Journo, Steve. By the way ed see you again soon another point for me. Over the years how many points up am I. You are very entertaining.
Posted by
Share
on
September 18, 2010 13:18
Editor Comment:
We don't ''attack many posters,'' or knowingly misinform. Your commitment to ethics and fairness has been illustrated by your use of multiple tags, Share/Bob/BS etc. Only point-scorers score petty points.
Dave. It is not only Laguna and Icon in rawai and nai harn there are many other bars that contribute to the noise factor, and if there was a special entertainment area there would not be any noise factor for residents. But by the same token if you built next to an establishment already existing you would only have yourself to blame. Also if they had entertainment areas it would be easy for the police to monitor if they have the time. Kata and Karon has the same problem, noisy bars near residential areas.
Posted by
Share
on
September 18, 2010 20:57
Editor Comment:
If there are going to be special entertainment areas, they are likely to be in Patong and Phuket City. It's unlikely that late opening hours will be approved on other parts of the island, otherwise there would be no point in having special entertainment zones.
I like the way Phuketwan puts it 'WE WERE WRONG' I am Fully commited to ethics and fairness and ensure I help the people of Thailand and charity as much as possible. Ed you knew you were wrong for 2 days and couldn't pick up the phone. Maybe ed your ethics are in the Bottom of the sea. Maybe you should consult with your fellow 'big island media' staff try the some of the management/owners of the company or phuket post's simon could give you a Hand. people imho with some of the highest ethics, standards and morals. You are a long way imho behind dear fellow. You do not care at all to what damage you do wittingly or unwittingly to people. Ed you have made this forum go backwards with your non ethics and standards.
Posted by
BS
on
September 18, 2010 21:08
Editor Comment:
BS, you just sent a message as Share. Now you are BS. Why would anyone believe anything you say?
Very good Governor editor I am assuming you have appointed yourself governor and can make these decisions. By the way noone asked you ed whoever you think you are, this a phuketwan forum not the editors personal forum.
Posted by
Share
on
September 18, 2010 21:29
Editor Comment:
What we try to encourage here is openness and honesty. Ethics, fairness, transparency. If you are selling something, then perhaps you should declare who you are, what your aims are, and why they are worth considering.
A message was sent as share and one as BS and I sent them or he sent them or was she. The party is great the drinks are cold. I, ME, SHE, HE, HIM, HER whoever. Who are you, that it has anything to do with you. I know many people who do not believe the ed and his comments.
Posted by
BS, Richard, Joan, Alan etc
on
September 18, 2010 21:47
Ed's comment "What we try to encourage here is openness and honesty. Ethics, fairness, transparency. If you are selling something, then perhaps you should declare who you are, what your aims are, and why they are worth considering." Phuketwan "We were wrong" 2 days are they were informed. 55555 Thanks for the amusement 10 for sure. Selling something no but if anyone has a spare baht there are plenty of charity organisations on the island that could do with a bit more, contact your local rotary, lions, IBAP, Navy league, sunshine kids, etc. I am sure the ed using his journalistic skills can find many but if he cannot I can send him a list of them. Their are many children and others that could do with any help you can give. It would probably be nice if phuketwan had something on their website, if they do not already have, about where people can help the needy.
Posted by
BS
on
September 18, 2010 22:06
Editor Comment:
If you are promoting charities, that's great. For a moment there, I thought you might be advocating late-night drinking.
Ed I respect the work of some of these charities. When you help someone in need and you get a smile from them, it gives you the best feelings.
I also respect myself. I love a late night drink, hot toddy, a cup of tea, or glass of water is fine. But no beer, no cider, maybe a wine but before 9pm. I enjoy my sport and my early mornings without alcohol in my blood too much.
Posted by
BS
on
September 18, 2010 22:43
With money and connection with influential people in Phuket such as landlords, lawyers, accounting offices, civil servants and so on....YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT IN PHUKET and Thailand at large.
Most of those greedy business-people, Thais and foreigner alike are not Phuket natives according to police report crime statistics.....
So those newcomers invest money just to get back the same amount plus a large profit in the shortest time possible as they open businesses as a profit-maker money.
Pollution, noise, environment, prostitution, drug, alcoholism among youngsters is not in their minds as they need them to increase customers and profits.
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
September 19, 2010 10:06
If you think everything closes at 1 or 2 am, you are mistaken. Come down Chaofa East in Chalong at 3 or 5 am, small bar open until at least 5 am, Thai only...
Posted by
Lee
on
September 19, 2010 17:27
Dea Share,
we exist before all farangs started to come here, so:"..the same you said, if someone build an establishment where already the laws and the rules exist, he would only have himself to blame..." if wanna run an illegal business out of the law and police come to check and fine!
Posted by
thaidriver
on
September 19, 2010 18:24
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"When people lose all they have, they go home to their country. This is not a good image for Thailand. In my experience now, lots of foreigners talk about Thailand, not in a good way." For sure! People come here and want to start illegal business MUST got bankrupt and MUST go home! This is a nice thing for Thailand: look a country where people must respect the Thai laws!!
Posted by Dave on September 14, 2010 18:51