BAR and nightclub owners mounted a public protest to Phuket's Governor today over a crackdown that has forced them to obey the closing time laws in Kata, Karon and Rawai.
About 100 owners and operators of venues that included karaokes and restaurants staged a demonstration outside Provincial Hall in Phuket City with the notoriously outspoken owner of Rawai's Laguna Bar saying for all to hear: ''This is unfair. I've paid money under the table to police to stay open.''
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha met the protesters outside his offices and offered them a 1am closing time instead of the midnight closing that has been strictly enforced since a crackdown began on January 14.
Governor Tri said the new closing time would be enforced by officials who would not let anyone open later than 1.30am.
The midnight crackdown closure has seen the business that usually keeps venues in the southern part of the island humming move to the west coast entertainment capital of Patong, where no such enforcement has been evident.
The Governor started the crackdown at the behest of the Interior Ministry. Officials in the department were hoping that strict enforcement would provide them with a ''Phuket model'' to ensure greater control - and increased safety and security - for nighttime venues all over the country.
The crackdown was carried out by government officials because police no longer have the power to enforce closing time laws, although officers can certainly drop broad hints and have been known to do so quite often.
Today's protest started at 10am and was over by midday. While the governor entertained a group of spokespeople in his office, other protesters relaxed in a picnic-like atmosphere in the gardens.
A petition presented to the governor said the midnight closure had a large effect on venues because it was the middle of Phuket's high season.
The rents of venues were high and operators needed to make as much money as possible in high season to cope with the downswing later in the year.
After raids in Phuket City and Rawai netted a series of arrests of venue managers who paid small fines for opening after-hours, the future of the ''Phuket model'' remains uncertain.
Governor Tri said that many venues were not registered. His officials would close them at midnight until they registered and conformed to safety and security regulations.
He said the government remained concerned about the prevalence of drugs and would continue to keep a close watch on the industry.
Policy on Phuket's nightlife is conflicted by the desire to give Phuket's tourists a good time and yet protect young Thais from the evils of drugs and drink.
Governor Tri's predecessor, Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, was keen to establish parts of the island where expat tourists could party later but the problem continues to be the impression of inequality this would create.
Phuket Raids Net 12 in Night Venue 'Cleansing'About 100 owners and operators of venues that included karaokes and restaurants staged a demonstration outside Provincial Hall in Phuket City with the notoriously outspoken owner of Rawai's Laguna Bar saying for all to hear: ''This is unfair. I've paid money under the table to police to stay open.''
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha met the protesters outside his offices and offered them a 1am closing time instead of the midnight closing that has been strictly enforced since a crackdown began on January 14.
Governor Tri said the new closing time would be enforced by officials who would not let anyone open later than 1.30am.
The midnight crackdown closure has seen the business that usually keeps venues in the southern part of the island humming move to the west coast entertainment capital of Patong, where no such enforcement has been evident.
The Governor started the crackdown at the behest of the Interior Ministry. Officials in the department were hoping that strict enforcement would provide them with a ''Phuket model'' to ensure greater control - and increased safety and security - for nighttime venues all over the country.
The crackdown was carried out by government officials because police no longer have the power to enforce closing time laws, although officers can certainly drop broad hints and have been known to do so quite often.
Today's protest started at 10am and was over by midday. While the governor entertained a group of spokespeople in his office, other protesters relaxed in a picnic-like atmosphere in the gardens.
A petition presented to the governor said the midnight closure had a large effect on venues because it was the middle of Phuket's high season.
The rents of venues were high and operators needed to make as much money as possible in high season to cope with the downswing later in the year.
After raids in Phuket City and Rawai netted a series of arrests of venue managers who paid small fines for opening after-hours, the future of the ''Phuket model'' remains uncertain.
Governor Tri said that many venues were not registered. His officials would close them at midnight until they registered and conformed to safety and security regulations.
He said the government remained concerned about the prevalence of drugs and would continue to keep a close watch on the industry.
Policy on Phuket's nightlife is conflicted by the desire to give Phuket's tourists a good time and yet protect young Thais from the evils of drugs and drink.
Governor Tri's predecessor, Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob, was keen to establish parts of the island where expat tourists could party later but the problem continues to be the impression of inequality this would create.
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About 100 owners and operators of venues that included karaokes and restaurants staged a demonstration outside Provincial Hall in Phuket City with the notoriously outspoken owner of Rawai's Laguna Bar saying for all to hear: ''This is unfair. I've paid money under the table to police to stay open.''
Don't ya just love it. Must have paid to the 'wrong' police, she should report the matter to the 'other' police but of course they have no jurisdiction over closing times and the Governor has no control over the police.
I'm confused.
Posted by innocent bystander on January 21, 2011 13:13