Prolonged bar hours ‘an advantage for economy’
The Tourist and Sports Ministry will look for cabinet approval for its proposition that would see night home entertainment locations in picked locations enabled to run beyond the 2am closing time in an effort to improve the tourist market and regional economies.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourist and Sports Minister, stated if the cabinet provides the consent, nightspots situated in specific locations in 9 provinces will be enabled to run till 4am.
These places consist of Khao San Roadway, Silom Roadway, Soi Cowboy, Soi Nana, and a brief strip of Ratchadaphisek Roadway in Bangkok; Bangla Roadway in Phuket’s Patong district, Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach, and Koh Phangan’s Rin Beach in Surat Thani; Pattaya’s Strolling Street in Chon Buri; Khao Lak in Phangnga; Nimmanhemin Roadway in Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Sadao district in Songkhla; Ao Nang in Krabi, and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Phiphat: Does not mind criticism
These places are extremely popular with foreign travelers and, as such, have a high capacity to end up being unique zones for night home entertainment, he stated.
If the cabinet provides the proposition the thumbs-up, nightspots on Bangla Roadway in Patong will be the very first to be enabled to run till 4 am to enable authorities to evaluate the preparedness of regional operators and neighborhoods, stated the minister.
Mr Phiphat prompted critics of the proposition not to oppose the strategy, stating permitting night home entertainment locations to run till 4am will improve organization profits by 25-30%.
The greatest criticisms originated from anti-drink driving groups, who are worried that the prolonged hours will cause more alcohol being taken in and, for that reason, more mishaps.
” I do not mind individuals criticising me, and I apologise to those who are angered. However there are others who require an increase. I believe zoning need to assist deal with drink-driving issues,” he stated.
The proposition has actually been commonly invited by nightspot operators, who think it will substantially improve their profits.
Supatra Chalapol, owner of Skyfall in Pattaya’s Strolling Street, stated the prolonged hours would be a big increase for tourist as New Year celebrations are approaching.
She stated business are prepared to work together with regional authorities to make the plan work.
Lertsak Ponklin, chairman of the Phangnga tourist association, stated the federal government needs to put in location steps to reduce the effect of longer drinking hours for the sake of travelers’ security.
Ekkawit Pinyothammanothai, ex-president of Krabi’s tourist market council, worried that rigorous steps versus criminal offense and drugs are required, otherwise, the longer operating hours will just trigger damage.
The locations that are enabled to remain open till 4am needs to have operating authorizations and have needed security devices set up, he stated.
According to Mr Ekkawit, some traveler areas like Koh Phi Phi and Railay Beach are natural traveler destinations, so clubs and bars there need to not be enabled to remain open till 4am.
Nevertheless, critics of the proposition think these recommendations do not go far enough, stating the longer operating hours will increase occurrences of driving under the impact (DUI) and roadway mishaps. With New Year events less than a month away, the relocation will just motivate individuals to consume more, stated Theera Watcharapranee, supervisor of Stop Consume Network, an NGO that promotes alcohol temperance.
The proposition does not just increase the threat of alcohol-related mishaps, however it likewise brings in more youths to attempt drinking [alcohol] for the very first time, he stated.
” Thailand’s roadway security records are currently thought about among the worst worldwide, and this proposition will just make it even worse,” he stated, keeping in mind a private under the impact of alcohol is 10-20 times most likely to enter a traffic mishap.
It will likewise get worse the intensity of roadway mishaps, as during the night, especially after 10pm, motorists tend to go much faster as the traffic is typically lighter, Mr Theera argued.
” Alcohol is discovered to be a consider more than 50% of roadway mishaps leading to injuries and hospitalisation, while the rate of such mishaps is typically 5 to 10 times greater after 10pm,” he elaborated.
The advocate prompted the federal government to weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of extending operating hours during the night home entertainment locations, stating the anticipated financial advantages of the proposition might not deserve the severe unfavorable effect it postures on the public’s health and wellness.
