FOURTEEN Governors from key southern provinces met in Phuket on Friday to discuss safety and security at entertainment venues and public buildings.
The meeting, in response to the Santika pub tragedy in Bangkok on New Year's Eve, was chaired by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Thavorn Seanneum.
The governors and their entourages met at Phuket Merlin Hotel, where 280 gathered to talk about the need for all groups involved to aim at improved standards and compliance with existing laws.
Khun Thavorn said 974 venues were licensed as public entertainment centres in the 14 provinces, with 345 of those on Phuket, more than any other southern province.
Haad Yai, experiencing security issues with fires and bombings, no longer attracted tourists as it once did, he said.
''Security and safety need to be improved,'' he said. ''People who go to these venues have to be properly protected.''
Fire alarms, emergency exits and extinguishing equipment were all under review by the Interior Ministry, he said.
Tourists and visitors from other provinces needed to know about escape routes and other important factors as part of the standard procedure, he said.
The check on public premises of all kinds, including pubs, clubs and nightspots all over Phuket, would run for 30 days from February 13. He said souvenir shops would also be included in the checks.
As part of the day's activities, Khun Thavorn was guided through Phukana Pub in Maeluan Road, Phuket City, and the newly-renovated Fantasia, also in Phuket City, which was once a cinema.
All the requested documents were produced at those two places and Khun Thavorn said he was satisfied with the inspections.
At Wang Talang, a large jewellery and one village one product souvenir outlet in Chao Fa Road West, Chalong, the inspection party checked paperwork and exits.
Khun Thavorn said that the doors were exceptionally wide, which was good, but other premises needed to widen entrance and emergency exits.
Signage should be in Thai and English so all visitors could read them, he said.
''The tourist business is the one industry that can prosper and help to stave off the economic downturn,'' he said. ''Much of Thailand's recovery will be tied to tourism.''
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The meeting, in response to the Santika pub tragedy in Bangkok on New Year's Eve, was chaired by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Thavorn Seanneum.
The governors and their entourages met at Phuket Merlin Hotel, where 280 gathered to talk about the need for all groups involved to aim at improved standards and compliance with existing laws.
Khun Thavorn said 974 venues were licensed as public entertainment centres in the 14 provinces, with 345 of those on Phuket, more than any other southern province.
Haad Yai, experiencing security issues with fires and bombings, no longer attracted tourists as it once did, he said.
''Security and safety need to be improved,'' he said. ''People who go to these venues have to be properly protected.''
Fire alarms, emergency exits and extinguishing equipment were all under review by the Interior Ministry, he said.
Tourists and visitors from other provinces needed to know about escape routes and other important factors as part of the standard procedure, he said.
The check on public premises of all kinds, including pubs, clubs and nightspots all over Phuket, would run for 30 days from February 13. He said souvenir shops would also be included in the checks.
As part of the day's activities, Khun Thavorn was guided through Phukana Pub in Maeluan Road, Phuket City, and the newly-renovated Fantasia, also in Phuket City, which was once a cinema.
All the requested documents were produced at those two places and Khun Thavorn said he was satisfied with the inspections.
At Wang Talang, a large jewellery and one village one product souvenir outlet in Chao Fa Road West, Chalong, the inspection party checked paperwork and exits.
Khun Thavorn said that the doors were exceptionally wide, which was good, but other premises needed to widen entrance and emergency exits.
Signage should be in Thai and English so all visitors could read them, he said.
''The tourist business is the one industry that can prosper and help to stave off the economic downturn,'' he said. ''Much of Thailand's recovery will be tied to tourism.''
Patong Pubs Closed On Time in Crackdown
Latest A crackdown on entertainment venues closing at 2am has followed the check on fire safety across Phuket. The clamp on excesses follows the Santika pub blaze tragedy in Bangkok.
Patong Pubs Closed On Time in Crackdown
Patong Nightclubs, Bars Fail Fire Safety Check
Photo Album A whirlwind visit by Governor Dr Preecha Ruangjan to seven Patong nightspots puts the heat on over fire safety standards. Bars were given seven days to improve.
Patong Nightclubs, Bars Fail Fire Safety Check
Phuket Police Praised by Region's Top Cop
Guns and Roses Album Tourist protection is a priority on Phuket, the region's senior police officer says. Illegal guns and drugs have been a feature of 2009. The hunt for the Farang killer continues.
Phuket Police Praised by Region's Top Cop
