Lord Toad Posted September 8, 2001 Report Share Posted September 8, 2001 This is from todays Daily Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) the UK's most read broadsheet. Red light district reels as Thais embrace family values TOURISTS sampling Thailand's famously unrestrained nightlife are being subjected to on-the-spot urine tests in a government crackdown aimed at wiping out illicit sex, drugs and under-age drinking. Clean-up campaign: Interior Minister, Purachai Piumsombun, is spearheading a moral crusade Some have been arrested for failing to produce passports during regular police raids on clubs and bars. The Interior Minister, Purachai Piumsombun, has ordered police to enforce licensing laws that have been ignored for years. Mr Purachai is spearheading a moral crusade to re-impose "social order" amid a boom in drug addiction and teenage prostitution. All types of venue are targets, from go-go bars and massage parlours to pubs and restaurants. Rice porridge shops catering for hungry revellers on their way home have been told to stop serving alcohol. Patpong, the famous red light district that also has bars and cafes for tourists who wish to avoid the fleshpots, is now deserted by 1.45am. Previously the streets would have been teeming until 4am or later. Bar girls and waiters, bitter at the loss of income, are escorted on their way home along with tourists by police with radios and pistols strapped to their waists. A Frenchman who has lived in Bangkok for seven years asked: "What is going on here? Discos closing at one o'clock, can you imagine? You can't even find a beer." Mr Purachai, a close friend of the Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was boosted by an opinion poll that showed a majority of citizens backed the campaign. He has ignored pleas by taxi drivers, bar owners and cafe proprietors that business has been slashed, threatening jobs and deterring tourists. David Jacobson, a Bangkok bar owner, said: "It's knocked our business down by 30 per cent. Who knows how it's going to affect nightlife in the future." Police descended on his Q Bar last month, locked the doors, separated the women from the men, and ordered patrons to provide urine samples that were tested for drugs. Only one tested positive. Mr Jacobson endorsed the government's efforts to stamp out drug use and deter under-age drinking, but said its heavy-handed approach was inappropriate. He said: "As for Thailand's reputation, I don't think it's helpful. Thailand is one of the great tourist spots in the world and people won't come if they have to worry about police making them pee in a cup." But Mr Purachai disagreed, saying: "Tourists are here because they want to see natural beauty. They don't want to see exotic dancers or take drugs." He has conducted a number of late-night tours of Patpong, checking that society was being re-ordered according to his instructions. He sacked one senior police officer for allowing a cafe to stay open after 2am. Mr Thaksin said those unhappy about the crackdown would just have to start their revels earlier. "Instead of going out at midnight they should go out at 9 o'clock. That's five hours, it's more than enough. We have to bring back happiness to the family." The people who are anything but happy about the crackdown are the police, who receive substantial kickbacks from bar owners, even issuing receipts that can be set against tax. One club manager said: "When the crackdown started, they said, 'We don't like what is going on any more than you do'. They even said to hold the bribe this month because they felt bad about taking it." This is not a story that will help tourism at all. The idea of on the spot urine tests and being arrested for not having a passport will put off many main stream tourists. On top of of that Thailand is portaryted as a country with a serious drugs problem that is being fueled by teenage prostitution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2001 Report Share Posted September 8, 2001 quote: This is not a story that will help tourism at all. The idea of on the spot urine tests and being arrested for not having a passport will put off many main stream tourists. On top of of that Thailand is portaryted as a country with a serious drugs problem that is being fueled by teenage prostitution. I agree. Of course it doesnt help that Thailand does have a problem with drugs and teenage prostitution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2001 Report Share Posted September 8, 2001 God, my mum reads the Telegraph. That's another email tomorrow !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman Posted September 8, 2001 Report Share Posted September 8, 2001 There was also a story running on BBC Worldnews last week about early closing time with a few unhappy tourists. Seems the story has now reached the attention of the world's international media just in time for high season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashman Posted September 9, 2001 Report Share Posted September 9, 2001 Thaksin isn't stupid, he must of realised this kind of thing would happen. He's a business man all he has to do is shuffle funds from other areas like his recent dealings with Burma and the economy will be okay, plus his moralistic followers will all be pleased that he's doing something to stamp out the drug and prostitute scene. I hope I'm wrong but I can't see any changes in his policies in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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