Having owned 2 successful bars for over 24 years in Bangers, I note the following for discussion
Any owner who does not register their premises, get a business licence, a liquor & cigarette licence & maintain these & pay every year in early January is just plain brain dead.. Cost : Maximum 3,000 Bht for all.
Without "late closing" we would not have done anywhere as well, as many sports go well beyond.
Yes, we paid the piper a reasonable commission but not stupid money & worth it.
They would visit & buy drinks & lady drinks more often than I expected.
Endgame: Most well run bars can & have stayed open as & when required without too many hassles & the odd time the "message from above" came down that the big boys visiting we would close on time.
In 22 years only had to bring in BIB 2 times for idiots
In actuality not required to open until 4am, & most will not except for nightclubs & special nights & 5 years ago they opened until very late anyway.
Ban the street bars with no control, aircon, toilets nor licences, they are & always have been a bloody nuisance & pay no tax nor dues.
Will 2 extra hours help Thailand, in actuality just a little bit, The conception & advertising aspect may attract a few more, but do we want them ?