The governor of Bangkok says he’s not opposed to extending nightlife closing time to 4am. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt was responding to a proposal from the government to extend nightlife operating hours in designated areas, to boost tourism and the economy.
If the new 4am closing times get approved by the Thai cabinet, it will certainly pertain to entertainment zones in Phuket, along with the country’s other tourist hot spots.
Chadchart says the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is currently seeking suitable locations to test out the longer hours. The Interior Ministry, headed up by Anutin Charnvirakul, is expected to approve the later closing time of 4am.
Currently, the legal closing time for nightlife in Thailand is 2am, although this is routinely ignored in many tourist hotspots. The proposal to extend the closing time, which was put back on the table by PM Srettha Thavisin, will still require Cabinet approval.
Chadchart says that as long there are measures in place to address noise pollution and issues such as underage drinking and drug use, he sees the longer hours as benefiting business operators in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
The governor says the BMA will decide the areas where the new hours will apply, pointing out that areas such as Royal City Avenue, previously a nightclubbing mecca in the capital, are no longer as popular as they once were.
Meanwhile, Anutin says his office is still considering the proposal, along with local officials across the country. Once done, he plans to submit his ministry’s findings to the PM.
“We don’t know how long (the hours) will be extended. We’ll have to consider it on a case-by-case basis so it won’t affect local residents’ lives while stimulating local economic activities as planned.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
