BlazingStarz Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Some "common sense in here too" from BP __________________________________ Rethink on new nightspot hours Blanket curb would hurt jobs, tourism Post reporters Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenond's proposed 6pm-midnight operating hours for all nightspots will be reviewed, following strong opposition from several ministers. The proposed new curbs on nightlife will be reconsidered next month by a panel chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Purachai Piumsombun. All interested parties will be invited to share their views on the matter. Cabinet will then decide the operating hours for all entertainment venues, tentatively set to start on March 1. Mr Pracha said an opinion survey of more than 3,000 people _ including teachers, students and operators of nightspots _ concluded about 49% of them wanted nightlife to begin at 6pm and shut at midnight. The deputy minister said respondents agreed that allowing these venues to remain open after midnight encouraged their patrons to drink more, resulting in more road accidents. Mr Purachai said opening hours of entertainment places was just one aspect of the issues surrounding these venues and underage patrons. Other aspects which needed to be taken into consideration included law enforcement, zoning and safety. ``The point is can we strictly enforce the law not allowing underage people into these places?'' Mr Purachai said. Under the zoning law, nightspots were allowed to be set up only in three designated zones in Bangkok _ Patpong, New Petchaburi and Ratchadapisek, he said. Venues outside these three zones needed a permit which had to be renewed every year. Mr Purachai said safety measures at entertainment premises such as fire exits had to be looked at seriously to prevent tragedies such as the Bali bombing of nightclubs. They did not have proper fire exits and were seen as a soft target by terrorists. Tourism and Sports Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem expressed concern that a blanket curb on all entertainment places without any differentiation of the nature of the entertainment would seriously hurt the tourism industry. He said Mr Pracha's proposal was not a solution to the root cause of the problem of underage patrons. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the real problem was that the law banning underage people from entertainment places was not strictly enforced by the police. Had law enforcement been effective, youngsters would have been barred from such premises and there would have been no need to adjust operating hours. Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana raised questions about the definition of ``entertainment places'' which must come under the regulation on operating hours. He asked whether a restaurant which opened at noon and had a pianist entertaining clients who were mostly adults would come under the new measure. Or would the same measure be applied to a restaurant which did not have a live band but played radio music? Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the solution should be applied only where there was a problem and not where there was no problem. ``You scratch where it itches,'' he said. He cited the case of a restaurant at a five-star hotel which served wine and provided music by a pianist during lunch, to clients who were mostly businessmen. ``Is this regarded as an entertainment place which has to open at six in the evening?'' he said. Mr Thaksin warned Mr Pracha to take serious consideration of the prospect that many people would be left jobless if the new rule on operating hours of nightspots was applied indiscriminately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 "...All interested parties will be invited to share their views on the matter..." I can see us all showing up to express our concerns... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazingStarz Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I think Thai Rak Thai have an email address on their website for those who wanna contribute ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Hi, JJ's point was the same as my thinking. This is all-encompassing, and affects ALL businesses. The farang entertainment area's are but a tiny fraction of the total businesses, this new law will affect. It will affect a large percentage of the 60 million + Thai persons living there. A much larger number than the tourism numbers represent. I would think, is very clear, that this action is not targeted just towards the farang sex market, even though it would be greatly affected. The agenda is clearly much broader than just that, but it would appear that they are just now realizing the total implications of this action. I can't help but think of the MOS. They open at 9pm, but no one walks through the door until 10pm. And they have to lock up 2 hours later? Many 1,000's of businesses throughout Thailand will immediately be out of business. The total effects of such an action are mind-boggeling. :: HT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 I think this is very encouraging. At least 3 ministers seem to understand both what the real issue is (or should be) and that changing opening hours does not address this issue: ...``The point is can we strictly enforce the law not allowing underage people into these places?'' Mr Purachai said. ... Tourism and Sports Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem ...said Mr Pracha's proposal was not a solution to the root cause of the problem of underage patrons. ... Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the real problem was that the law banning underage people from entertainment places was not strictly enforced by the police. Had law enforcement been effective, youngsters would have been barred from such premises and there would have been no need to adjust operating hours.criminately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jitagawn Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 "At least 3 ministers seem to understand both what the real issue is (or should be) " It will all wind down to the base and most important issue to these politicians /"business entrepeneurs"... MONEY!!!!!!! The posturing of some of these ministers(think road tolls) is amazing when considering their own larcenous exploits. TIT :: :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yehtmae Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Marksanuk??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtimer Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Frankly, I couldn't care less if all the pubs are ordered to close by midnight, but I agree that such a restrictive order would negatively impact tourism. Wouldn't it make sense to permit late night pub openings to say 0200 hrs. in designated tourist entertainment zones only? E.g. Patong and Nana. In this manner Thai kids would have to depart for home at a decent hour, while those folk servicing farang and Asian tourists would be able to keep their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 Under the zoning law, nightspots were allowed to be set up only in three designated zones in Bangkok _ Patpong, New Petchaburi and Ratchadapisek, he said. Venues outside these three zones needed a permit which had to be renewed every year. Mr Purachai said safety measures at entertainment premises such as fire exits had to be looked at seriously to prevent tragedies such as the Bali bombing of nightclubs. They did not have proper fire exits and were seen as a soft target by terrorists. ----------------------------------------------------------- When I read the above, I realize the "powers-to-be" have a lot of lattitude regarding the number of ways they have to achieve their goals... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christo23 Posted January 15, 2004 Report Share Posted January 15, 2004 The idea of a Bali style attack on NEP makes me more than a little nervous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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