A PHUKET man is taking a public stand against a bar that he says stays open until 6am every day, keeping his children awake and ruining the lives of his family.
A-nek Simanork, a neighbor of the Laguna bar in the Rawai area of southern Phuket, says a man with a gun once threatened to kill him if he complained. Yet police and local authorities have consistently failed to enforce the 1am law on bar closing times.
Today his complaints were published in themanager.co.th, one of Thailand's most popular online sites. Khun A-nek has spoken out because he says the noise from Laguna has disturbed the sleep of his family for at least two years and will continue to disrupt their lives unless something is done.
He says Laguna operates in two zones, one that opens at 6pm and closes at 2am, and a second that opens inside at 2am and goers on through to 6am. He says the noise is loud and constant, with small concerts also being held every Tuesday and Saturday.
''I have complained to Provincial Hall, to the Damrongtam (Ombudsman) office, to Rawai Municipality, and to Chalong Police Station. Nobody cares about my complaint.
''The first time I said something, a window at my home was broken. The second time, a man with a gun came and said he was going to kill me, the third time he said all my family were going to die.
''I don't understand why the authorities who have the power and the responsibility do nothing, why this place stays open until 6am every single day.
''My children go to school weary. They can't learn because they are kept awake all night, every night. I am concerned for their future.
''I had a call from a superintendent at Chalong police station once, some time back. He suggested I should not complain too much. What does that mean?
''The local authorities say, 'Talk to Laguna yourself.' They are not interested in listening - we are the ones who have to listen.''
Khun A-nek is concerned about his safety, but even though his life has been threatened, he has had enough.
''Even when police do come, the place is open until 6am again within a day or so,'' he said.
Khun A-new said he had complained to Chalong police three times. ''Many police go to the bar,'' he said. ''Local authorities go there, too.''
Khun A-new said that he had lived in Rawai for 30 years. ''We are happy that Phuket is developing, but this is not fair on those of us who have been living here for a long time.''
He said he went public by speaking to themanager.co.th, one of the most popular sites in Thailand, out of frustration with a lack of response from police and local authorities, who should enforce the laws of Thailand.
Retiring Governor Wichai Prasia-ngob recently raised the issue of entertainment zones for Phuket. He was suggesting special zones for Patong and Phuket City, not for Rawai.
Even the murder of a former US marine last month after an early morning fight in another Rawai bar failed to bring action on closing times.
'Polite' Phuket Snatcher Tormented Me: Victim TellsA-nek Simanork, a neighbor of the Laguna bar in the Rawai area of southern Phuket, says a man with a gun once threatened to kill him if he complained. Yet police and local authorities have consistently failed to enforce the 1am law on bar closing times.
Today his complaints were published in themanager.co.th, one of Thailand's most popular online sites. Khun A-nek has spoken out because he says the noise from Laguna has disturbed the sleep of his family for at least two years and will continue to disrupt their lives unless something is done.
He says Laguna operates in two zones, one that opens at 6pm and closes at 2am, and a second that opens inside at 2am and goers on through to 6am. He says the noise is loud and constant, with small concerts also being held every Tuesday and Saturday.
''I have complained to Provincial Hall, to the Damrongtam (Ombudsman) office, to Rawai Municipality, and to Chalong Police Station. Nobody cares about my complaint.
''The first time I said something, a window at my home was broken. The second time, a man with a gun came and said he was going to kill me, the third time he said all my family were going to die.
''I don't understand why the authorities who have the power and the responsibility do nothing, why this place stays open until 6am every single day.
''My children go to school weary. They can't learn because they are kept awake all night, every night. I am concerned for their future.
''I had a call from a superintendent at Chalong police station once, some time back. He suggested I should not complain too much. What does that mean?
''The local authorities say, 'Talk to Laguna yourself.' They are not interested in listening - we are the ones who have to listen.''
Khun A-nek is concerned about his safety, but even though his life has been threatened, he has had enough.
''Even when police do come, the place is open until 6am again within a day or so,'' he said.
Khun A-new said he had complained to Chalong police three times. ''Many police go to the bar,'' he said. ''Local authorities go there, too.''
Khun A-new said that he had lived in Rawai for 30 years. ''We are happy that Phuket is developing, but this is not fair on those of us who have been living here for a long time.''
He said he went public by speaking to themanager.co.th, one of the most popular sites in Thailand, out of frustration with a lack of response from police and local authorities, who should enforce the laws of Thailand.
Retiring Governor Wichai Prasia-ngob recently raised the issue of entertainment zones for Phuket. He was suggesting special zones for Patong and Phuket City, not for Rawai.
Even the murder of a former US marine last month after an early morning fight in another Rawai bar failed to bring action on closing times.
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I am sure there are many-many-many Khun A-neks here in Phuket. People who are suffering badly!
This shows again very clear that the authorities have their own agenda which is surly not the well-being of our citizens.
Everyone knows why they are allowed to stay open until AM 06.00 hrs!!! Even staying open until 23.00 hrs must be a torture for those poor people and children.
Why this - and many other - discos and bars are allowed to operate in residential areas? --- We all know why!!
Please keep us all updated on this case. I can only hope that nothing will happen to this poor family.
Posted by Mr. K on September 29, 2010 18:14