PHUKET: A push to close Bangkok bars at 1am could flow on to Phuket and lead to the closure of both illegal and legal nightspots in both cities, according to people in the industry.
Reports today quoting Bangkok deputy police chief, Adul Narongsak, say this new Bangkok crackdown is the result of a ''complete disregard'' shown by venue owners for the present laws on out of hours opening.
Phuket establishments in the west coast hub of Patong are known to have an extension to 2am and some go well beyond that.
Under proposed new legislation, reports one Bangkok news outlet, much more severe fines for late night opening, ranging from 60,000 to 200,000 baht, would be issued to venue owners who are caught breaking the rules.
While the police action targets illegal bars and nightclubs especially, legal establishments are likely to suffer as well.
After-hours trading often triggers an increase of brawls and other crimes, according to Bangkok police.
Increased numbers of security cameras and implementation of the Patong Safety Zone, where police network with local residents, appears to have reduced Phuket's serious crime.
Bar owners Phuketwan has spoken to lately are feeling the pinch of alcohol sales bans over several weekends already this year because of national and local elections.
Patong faces two more nights with little revenue with alcohol banned in the Kathu municipality from 6pm on Friday to midnight on Saturday for a local election.
Friday is also Anzac Day, celebrated as a holiday in remembrance of fallen soldiers and victims of war in Australia and New Zealand. Imbibing alcoholic beverages is considered to be a long-standing tradition among Aussies and Kiwis and this is the 99th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli.
More generally, overseas tourists with an affinity for fun and frivolity tend to enjoy a drink. The ban also coincides with Phuket Pride week, a boon for many venues on Phuket as the event usually attracts big spenders.
The thought of pressure being applied in Bangkok will strike terror into the hearts of barkeeps in Patong, Karon, Kamala and all along the west coast of Phuket, where some barely earn a living.
New punitive fines and a fixation on 1am closing would cause havoc among the ''girlie'' bars of Bangkok, where customers are increasingly difficult to find in numbers.
While Pattaya remains the undisputed Sin City in Thailand, Bangkok ''girlie'' bars are reported to have fallen on hard times.
The stickmanweekly.com site, which chronicles change in the red light entertainment zones of Bangkok and Pattaya, reports nothing but grim tidings in Bangkok.
The sex industry that once brought visitors from around the globe appears to be on its knees in the Thai capital, according to some reports.
In Patpong ''the bars have the same decor as when the Hueys were flying across to Vietnam,'' one experienced and successful bar owner recently confessed on stickmanweekly.com. ''It's the same chairs, the same stage - they're stuck in a time warp.''
Drinks now cost as much in Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, Bangkok's other notorious zones, as in Europe. Rents continue to spiral and the women who join the industry demand much higher fees and are no longer ''dirt poor.''
''Now every girl has got two telephones,'' the bar owner said. ''Every girl is on Facebook and dating sites. They've all got Line, Skype and WhatsApp.
''Guys can contact them through so many means. They're doing their own business with no need to be in a bar.''
According to one report, police estimate that there are more than 2000 unlicensed entertainment venues in Bangkok. This compares to the 198 legal venues located in designated entertainment zones and 480 licensed venues located outside those areas.
It's not clear how many unlicensed entertainment venues operate on Phuket, but over the years police have been reported to run some of them.
Reports today quoting Bangkok deputy police chief, Adul Narongsak, say this new Bangkok crackdown is the result of a ''complete disregard'' shown by venue owners for the present laws on out of hours opening.
Phuket establishments in the west coast hub of Patong are known to have an extension to 2am and some go well beyond that.
Under proposed new legislation, reports one Bangkok news outlet, much more severe fines for late night opening, ranging from 60,000 to 200,000 baht, would be issued to venue owners who are caught breaking the rules.
While the police action targets illegal bars and nightclubs especially, legal establishments are likely to suffer as well.
After-hours trading often triggers an increase of brawls and other crimes, according to Bangkok police.
Increased numbers of security cameras and implementation of the Patong Safety Zone, where police network with local residents, appears to have reduced Phuket's serious crime.
Bar owners Phuketwan has spoken to lately are feeling the pinch of alcohol sales bans over several weekends already this year because of national and local elections.
Patong faces two more nights with little revenue with alcohol banned in the Kathu municipality from 6pm on Friday to midnight on Saturday for a local election.
Friday is also Anzac Day, celebrated as a holiday in remembrance of fallen soldiers and victims of war in Australia and New Zealand. Imbibing alcoholic beverages is considered to be a long-standing tradition among Aussies and Kiwis and this is the 99th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli.
More generally, overseas tourists with an affinity for fun and frivolity tend to enjoy a drink. The ban also coincides with Phuket Pride week, a boon for many venues on Phuket as the event usually attracts big spenders.
The thought of pressure being applied in Bangkok will strike terror into the hearts of barkeeps in Patong, Karon, Kamala and all along the west coast of Phuket, where some barely earn a living.
New punitive fines and a fixation on 1am closing would cause havoc among the ''girlie'' bars of Bangkok, where customers are increasingly difficult to find in numbers.
While Pattaya remains the undisputed Sin City in Thailand, Bangkok ''girlie'' bars are reported to have fallen on hard times.
The stickmanweekly.com site, which chronicles change in the red light entertainment zones of Bangkok and Pattaya, reports nothing but grim tidings in Bangkok.
The sex industry that once brought visitors from around the globe appears to be on its knees in the Thai capital, according to some reports.
In Patpong ''the bars have the same decor as when the Hueys were flying across to Vietnam,'' one experienced and successful bar owner recently confessed on stickmanweekly.com. ''It's the same chairs, the same stage - they're stuck in a time warp.''
Drinks now cost as much in Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, Bangkok's other notorious zones, as in Europe. Rents continue to spiral and the women who join the industry demand much higher fees and are no longer ''dirt poor.''
''Now every girl has got two telephones,'' the bar owner said. ''Every girl is on Facebook and dating sites. They've all got Line, Skype and WhatsApp.
''Guys can contact them through so many means. They're doing their own business with no need to be in a bar.''
According to one report, police estimate that there are more than 2000 unlicensed entertainment venues in Bangkok. This compares to the 198 legal venues located in designated entertainment zones and 480 licensed venues located outside those areas.
It's not clear how many unlicensed entertainment venues operate on Phuket, but over the years police have been reported to run some of them.
There could be many takes on this article. They haven't moved with the times. They've got greedy. They've been usurped by other destinations. Or simply time has caught up with this sort of bar trade & it isn't needed any more for the reasons stated. People meet & socialise other ways.
Posted by Logic on April 22, 2014 09:31