Patong Photo Album Above
PHUKET Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob strolled through Patong's Soi Bangla bar central district last night looking a little like a first-time tourist - except that this visitor has a plan to introduce a revolutionary Phuket entertainment zone strategy.
A conference is set for September 8 when all suggestions are likely to be considered, including the possibility of expat-only bars that could stay open as late at 6am. Some Thais would also be admitted.
Resort managers, bar proprietors and nightclub owners are all expected to be invited to the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City to discuss a strategy.
The governor has already alerted the Interior Ministry to what he sees as the need for a more liberal strategy.
Governor Wichai believes that as a major tourist destination, Phuket needs drinking hours that are more in keeping with international standards than the 1am closing that applies generally throughout Thailand.
Plenty of tourists were keen to have their photo taken with Phuket's administrative head as the governor strolled through the bars of Bangla around midnight.
Most of the hands he shook happened to be Australian.
With him went the Phuket Chief of Police, Major General Pekad Tantipong, and a unit of Patong police and the governor's own police.
They were planning to stay in Soi Bangla after the governor and Major General Pekad departed to carry out some methamphetamine drug tests on customers at various venues.
Latest Nightlife until 3am or 4am could be Phuket's attraction for international tourism if Phuket's departing governor manages to win special treatment for the island. But noise laws are not being enforced.
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Giving zoning in Patong would be great if other part of Phuket must be closed at 1AM as stipulated by the law.
But all of us know well that new regulation is opening the Pandora's box as bar proprietors from other part of Phuket will complain about double standard.
You have mentioned that resort managers, bar proprietors and nightclub owners are all expected to be invited to the Metropole Hotel in Phuket City to discuss a strategy but what about the million+ redidents in Phuket who are suffering from noise late at night, parking problem in front their homes? It would be fair to listen to the population as well.
We may agree to have one or two special entertainment zone(s) in Phuket but at the moment this is all Phuket which is affected but with a double-faced attitude of police and civil servants.
Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 28, 2010 12:51