ABOUT 600 staff, performers and traders connected with entertainment in Phuket City and southern Phuket protested today at Provincial Hall over the 1am closing time imposed under a crackdown.
Demonstrators today included karaoke and club staff, massage parlor workers, restaurant workers musicians, owners and cleaners.
Until the crackdown by government authorities began early this month, almost all nighttime venues stayed open until 2am or later.
The leader of the protest and President of the Phuket City Entertainment Business Association, Mayor of Rassada Suritin Lien-Udom, said: ''We need money to stay alive. All people who work in the industry have families.
''We don't employ people under the age of 20, nor do we allow drugs or weapons in our premises.'' Khun Suritin said the early closure affected about 10,000 people once all traders and suppliers were taken into account.
Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen met with a group of protesters inside Provinical Hall, with more protesters arriving from Rawai, Kata Karon and Chalong.
The protest group asked for opening hours to be extended until 2am, and for garden-style restaurants that are usually patronised by venue staff to stay open until 4am.
All bars and restaurants should be able to sell alcohol during those hours, the protesters said.
Vice Governor Wirawat said he could not make promises that contradicted existing laws.
Police would continue to survey of venues that had to close under existing laws either at midnight in the case of restaurants serving alcohol or other pub-style venues, massage parlors and beer gardens that must shut at 1am.
Among the protesters today were representatives from Sure Garden, James Garden Pub and Restaurant, Timber Hut, Canala Pub and Restaurant, Sofa Pub, Prachachuen Restaurant, Laguna Pub, Rongfin Pub, Buddy Cafe, Takrai Karaoke and others.
Another meeting is to be held on Thursday. Phuket venues have been subjected to regulation closing under a Department of the Interior plan to create a ''Phuket model'' for venues throughout Thailand.
Patong venues have not been involved so far.
New Phuket Weekly Newspaper 'to Launch on March 4'Demonstrators today included karaoke and club staff, massage parlor workers, restaurant workers musicians, owners and cleaners.
Until the crackdown by government authorities began early this month, almost all nighttime venues stayed open until 2am or later.
The leader of the protest and President of the Phuket City Entertainment Business Association, Mayor of Rassada Suritin Lien-Udom, said: ''We need money to stay alive. All people who work in the industry have families.
''We don't employ people under the age of 20, nor do we allow drugs or weapons in our premises.'' Khun Suritin said the early closure affected about 10,000 people once all traders and suppliers were taken into account.
Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen met with a group of protesters inside Provinical Hall, with more protesters arriving from Rawai, Kata Karon and Chalong.
The protest group asked for opening hours to be extended until 2am, and for garden-style restaurants that are usually patronised by venue staff to stay open until 4am.
All bars and restaurants should be able to sell alcohol during those hours, the protesters said.
Vice Governor Wirawat said he could not make promises that contradicted existing laws.
Police would continue to survey of venues that had to close under existing laws either at midnight in the case of restaurants serving alcohol or other pub-style venues, massage parlors and beer gardens that must shut at 1am.
Among the protesters today were representatives from Sure Garden, James Garden Pub and Restaurant, Timber Hut, Canala Pub and Restaurant, Sofa Pub, Prachachuen Restaurant, Laguna Pub, Rongfin Pub, Buddy Cafe, Takrai Karaoke and others.
Another meeting is to be held on Thursday. Phuket venues have been subjected to regulation closing under a Department of the Interior plan to create a ''Phuket model'' for venues throughout Thailand.
Patong venues have not been involved so far.
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One am is too early for an international holiday destination. In Singapore the norm is 3 am with places in special areas where they cannot cause problems open 24 hrs. Phuket needs to get into the real world. Restrictive hours will just encourage even more corruption.
Posted by JB on January 25, 2011 14:20