editor’s note: Got this from Ed at Pattaya Rag and thought it was worth mentioning. Seems the new government is going to start cracking the whip a bit. Personally I am all for this providing it is done on the up and up and enforced equally. Seems to me this is huge blow to the after-hours scene but tough to tell. However if taken literally no bar should be open after 1 and in some places 2. So if this was true and applied properly it would mean all the after-hours stuff (Bangkok) like Tunnel, Spice, Spicy and so on would be closed? I find it hard to believe.
On the smoking thing, we have talked a bunch about this - I am still not clear who is checking for compliance. This meeting seems to be a Pattaya thing and I have yet to hear of a similar meeting in Bangkok.
I think un-licensed places should be closed. As someone who pays for licenses I think it is only fair that unlicensed places should be shut down or be forced to get a license. This drug thing means that the war on drugs may begin anew. I will write about that later.
I think the biggest blow from all this would be the after-hours scene. Personally I like it but I know it is not legal and does takeaway biz from the real places that are forced to follow the letter of the law.
Only time will tell. I will say though that business is shit right now and this type of stuff probably is going to deal another blow to the overall tourism market.
FYI - our Pattaya coverage will resume soon…
The meeting called by Banglamung Local Authority to advise bar-keeps of operating hours and license requirements was held at Alcazar yesterday, (Monday).
The gathering were advised that the newly elected government will strictly enforce the existing licensing laws and has told all regional governors and regional police commanders that if the don’t enforce these laws then their careers will effectively be over.
The existing licensing laws state that all bars in Pattaya must close by 1.00am. Only bars in designated entertainment areas are allowed to remain open until 2.00am. The 2.00am closure will be strictly enforced and any bar caught selling alcohol outside these hours will face up to 90 days closure .
Music licences were also covered and the gathering were advised that all venues must have one or face substantial fines starting from Bt20,000. They said they were aware of the bogus music licence officials doing the rounds and fining bars so two registered officials were named for Pattaya and only these two officials have the power to fine bars for operating without a license.
In addition, as part of the governments anti drug campaign, the police have an active unit who will randomly raid bars and clubs . Police will file criminal charges resulting in prison time for staff and customers caught in possession or under the influence of drugs and a closure notice will be put on the business.
Any business found operating without the appropriate licences will be closed down.
Regarding the smoking ban, the licensing authority will make regular checks of licensed premises and any found breaking the ban will face a Bt2,000 fine for the customer and Bt20,000 fine for the bar. Bars that repeatedly offend will be closed for up to 90 days .
These rules will be implemented countrywide. [via Mulphy - Pattaya-Live]
I kind of agree with everything they’re doing provided they stick with it. After Hours clubs, although I love them, should NOT be allowed to stay open when other’s cannot. Licenses and laws are a good thing and very fair for business. It’s only when one party can bribe or get away with something that another party cannot where it gets messy. Licenses and laws and properly enforcing those laws keeps it a level playing field.
Presently, business is too tied in to your relationship with the Police. It should not be that way. Police should enforce the laws not make them. From Police district to Police district the laws are different. One bar might have a relative in the Police department which will give it a HUGE advantage over another bar that doesn’t. Does that sound fair? In After Hours the most important part of the business is staying open. Does that sound right?
Overall, I don’t agree with the early closing time or the smoking ban BUT those are the laws and I hope they enforce them equally. I reckon another coup will happen before they do though.
“The gathering were advised that the newly elected government will strictly enforce the existing licensing laws and has told all regional governors and regional police commanders that if the don’t enforce these laws then their careers will effectively be over”
Bravo
View all comments by pmmp
same shit, different day.
By the way, they had the government meeting at Alcazar?? Isn’t that a ladyboy cabaret place?
View all comments by anonzo
So, if you take it to the letter of the law then, are the bar owners responsible for screening their customers for drugs and/or being under the influence. Seems to me to be a hard thing to do.
View all comments by John Brown
I experienced the closure of Spice (Sukhumvit 11) on 29th February and it was closed after 2 am on Sunday 2nd March.
To me, closing bars at 1.00 and 2.00 is simply not right, especially in places like Pattaya and Phuket. Even in Singapore you can get a legal drink until 6.00 am.
View all comments by messi
messi: I agreed, the law should be changed but until it is Spice should be closed every night at 1:00/2:00am like the rest of the bars. I remember during World Cup 2006 I had to shut down my bar because my area wasn’t allowed to stay open past 2:00 but the bar down the road could.
If you run a bar any sporting events that run past 2:00am present a challenge. If you don’t sort out your relationship with the Police other bars that have will cream you. Same with the new smoking ban so far and non-drinking days. No drinking days due to vote or holiday are the worse in fact. You can have whole areas open and other areas closed. Nana open, Cowboy closed, Patpong open, etc.
Ridiculous. Make laws and have the Police enforce them. Bribery is a crime. Pretty simple.
View all comments by pmmp
Prostitution is a crime in Thailand as well, correct?
View all comments by The Heckler
@Heckler: Oh, it’s the worst crime of all. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that I hope that the police chiefs are reading this blog, and that they take all of the comments about equal enforcement to heart.
After ridding the bars of the evils of tobacco, the bargirls should definitely be banned next. And then alcohol. Nana Plaza could be converted into a library or something. Right?
What? Eh? Oh.
View all comments by TAFKABBB
@pmmp - you’re right but I wouldn’t hold your breath. All of this rhetoric has been heard before - time and again. I think we’ll see an upsurge of police activity with a few notable “misses” - ie thermae operated and operates illegally for all the years I’ve been here and probably always will - you either know or can guess why…
Eventually i suspect some sort of Singapore style stuff to happen - ie they’ll ease up on the really dumb stuff but crack down on hard on whatever remains.
@ Heckler - only if you’re caught - it’s all good.
View all comments by psi100th
Was in BKK last weekend and EVERYWHERE shutdown at 2am except spicy which was absolutely rammed friday and saturday night. Rumour was that Lucky opened up again at 4am but unconfirmed.
View all comments by newshound
interesting points on pattaya rag
http://pattayarag.blogspot.com/2008/03/periodic-crackdown-or-start-of.html
for me I only go to Pattaya because it is open later, there is more nudity and generally things are wilder. If that were to stop I think most people would assume bkk is just fine. Of course the prices are cheaper in pattaya but that is not enough for me.
Let’s hope things are not really changing that much.
View all comments by smitty