Police in Phuket have installed checkpoints at both ends of Bangla Road in Patong in recent days in order to carry out checks for illegal drugs and other crimes. Patong Police are manning 2 checkpoints, at the entrance and exit to Bangla Road, between the hours of 8pm and 10pm. The checks co-incide with a generally high presence of police around tourist and busy areas in Thailand in the lead up to APEC in Bangkok this week.
Everyone entering and leaving Bangla Road has been checked to ensure they are not a “wanted suspect”. People are also being searched for weapons such as knives or guns, and illegal drugs. Police say the checkpoints are in place to keep tourists safe.
Life is gradually returning to normal in Patong, which was a huge tourist draw prior to the pandemic. At least the front two streets, closest to the beach, have been almost ‘back to normal’ in recent months.
As more tourists continue to return, officials are now proposing an extension to the opening hours of Patong nightlife (and that of other tourist areas).
The proposal to extend trading hours to 4am from the current 2am is set to be discussed by Cabinet on November 29. Meanwhile there was a contrary proposal from the Energy Ministry last week insisting that businesses would have to close earlier as part of an energy savings campaign with the rising costs of electricity production in Thailand.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
