PHUKET: Thousands of workers from bars in Patong stopped the traffic last night as they gathered in support of a request to a senior government official to extend the opening hours of venues.
Tourists mingled with the crowd. Pheu Thai Party spokesman Phrompong Nopparit accepted the letter asking for the extension and undertook to make sure it was passed on to the Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The President of the Patong Entertainment Association, Weerawit Kuressombut, presented the letter to Khun Phrompong about 10.30pm.
Bars and other venues in Patong and around Phuket have been ordered to shut at 2am by the Interior Ministry.
On-time closure is being strictly enforced by Phuket police following an attack that took place in an after-hours pub bar in Phuket City earlier this month in which Phuket resort owner-manager Vorasit ''Wan'' Issara was badly wounded.
On Monday, just before 2am, three Australians were attacked by between 10 and 15 locals at Rock City in Patong. The Australians, badly injured, say they were attacked from behind for no apparent reason.
Phuketwan has been told the Australians, now at home, plan to inform the Australian Government at the highest possible level about the incident and make sure other tourists are warned about the danger of encountering random violence on Phuket.
Tourists mingled with the crowd. Pheu Thai Party spokesman Phrompong Nopparit accepted the letter asking for the extension and undertook to make sure it was passed on to the Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The President of the Patong Entertainment Association, Weerawit Kuressombut, presented the letter to Khun Phrompong about 10.30pm.
Bars and other venues in Patong and around Phuket have been ordered to shut at 2am by the Interior Ministry.
On-time closure is being strictly enforced by Phuket police following an attack that took place in an after-hours pub bar in Phuket City earlier this month in which Phuket resort owner-manager Vorasit ''Wan'' Issara was badly wounded.
On Monday, just before 2am, three Australians were attacked by between 10 and 15 locals at Rock City in Patong. The Australians, badly injured, say they were attacked from behind for no apparent reason.
Phuketwan has been told the Australians, now at home, plan to inform the Australian Government at the highest possible level about the incident and make sure other tourists are warned about the danger of encountering random violence on Phuket.
I remember some years ago in the UK when the Government brought in extended licensing laws. The cops and the Government were in favour of it. The pubs and clubs weren't. They said people had drunk enough by 2am and didn't really buy much more alcohol. People in Phuket could get used to a 2am threshold if they went out earlier. Personally, I think 3am is enough in strictly zoned areas. Whatever time they decide on, it needs to be enforced.
Posted by Mr Man on January 29, 2012 10:52