No decisions yet on proposal to extend closing times to 4AM for Thai nightlife, opposition claim drunk driving accidents will increase by up to ten times if allowed

[webfact]

 

By Adam Judd

 

Bangkok, Thailand-A proposal by The Thai Tourism Authority to allow foreign tourism zones like parts of Pattaya and Phuket to allow nightlife venues to legally open until 4 AM appears to still have no resolution or decision.

 

Meanwhile, opponents of the proposal, even if only for entertainment areas focused on foreign tourists like Phuket’s Bangla Road or Pattaya’s Walking Street, have continued to voice their disapproval.

 

Mr. Phrommin Kantiya, director of the Accident Reduction Network Office, spoke to the Thai press about the policy of expanding the opening of entertainment venues until 4 AM yesterday in Bangkok ahead of what was originally expected to be a proposal made to the Thai Cabinet by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. However, no information on this proposal was released in the Cabinet briefing which seems to imply it was not discussed at this time.

 

According to Mr. Kantiya, even expanding the times only in foreign tourism areas and not residential zones could increase drunk driving accidents by 5-10 times. He did not provide peer reviewed documentation of these statements. He also stated that the proposed time would interfere with early market visitors, people going to work, school, gym, and other activities.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/11/30/no-decisions-yet-on-proposal-to-extend-closing-times-to-4am-for-thai-nightlife-opposition-claim-drunk-driving-accidents-will-increase-by-up-to-ten-times-if-allowed/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-12-01

 

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[ikke1959]

drugsabuse, alcoholabuse more accidents with injured and deaths.. While in daytime you can't alcohol for all kind of reasons at night there is no problem at all, we have to wear masks to protect for Covid.. Drugs as a partydrug is normal all over the world. LOnger opening of nightlife is more drugs.. and uneducated, tired, and drunk or stoned drivers will surely cause more problems. Anyone any idea why the Government and police in daytime pretent they fight against these things but as soon as the sun goes down, businesses and people must be able to do as they like... 

[brommers]

The drink driving argument is a total nonsense. Has anyone seen large numbers of vehicles driving after midnight? Not where I live in a tourist area. It is just a scare tactic by those wanting a nanny society. Anyhow my partner who owns a prominent tourist related nighttime venue will not remain open past midnight because staff need to get home and to sleep at a decent hour after an 8 hour day of dealing with customers. Employees have a life too!

[jacko45k]

37 minutes ago, brommers said:

The drink driving argument is a total nonsense. Has anyone seen large numbers of vehicles driving after midnight? Not where I live in a tourist area. It is just a scare tactic by those wanting a nanny society. Anyhow my partner who owns a prominent tourist related nighttime venue will not remain open past midnight because staff need to get home and to sleep at a decent hour after an 8 hour day of dealing with customers. Employees have a life too!

Of course it is not nonsense, I expect it would increase drunk driving.....can't find a taxi at that time. Thailand needs to get drink driving under control first, hopefully make it socially unacceptable like in the West.(Not saying it does not happen).

 

Nightclubs probably don't open before 8pm at the earliest, so workers have only worked 8 hours at 4am....

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok, Thailand-A proposal by The Thai Tourism Authority to allow foreign tourism zones like parts of Pattaya and Phuket to allow nightlife venues to legally open until 4 AM appears to still have no resolution or decision

Why not say fully enclosed clubs which have been fully inspected for safety features and appropriate licenses can stay open until 4am.

However beer bars, open bars, karaokes  and restaurants have to close at 2am.

[JayClay]

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

driving.....can't find a taxi at that time.

The only reason you can't find a taxi at that time is because there are no customers at that time because everything is closed! ????‍♂️

[ChrisY1]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

drugsabuse, alcoholabuse more accidents with injured and deaths.. While in daytime you can't alcohol for all kind of reasons at night there is no problem at all, we have to wear masks to protect for Covid.. Drugs as a partydrug is normal all over the world. LOnger opening of nightlife is more drugs.. and uneducated, tired, and drunk or stoned drivers will surely cause more problems. Anyone any idea why the Government and police in daytime pretent they fight against these things but as soon as the sun goes down, businesses and people must be able to do as they like... 

No idea what this poster is talking about!

[smedly]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Mr. Kantiya, even expanding the times only in foreign tourism areas and not residential zones could increase drunk driving accidents by 5-10 times

absolute rubbish, it will free up police to actually go after drunk drivers instead of running around ent venues harrassing people - the only thing that will reduce drunk driving is the police doing their ### job 

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, JayClay said:

The only reason you can't find a taxi at that time is because there are no customers at that time because everything is closed! ????‍♂️

Far from it.......

[Sydebolle]

It does not affect me as I am usually in bed by that time. But the "early" closing allows the boys in brown to do their rounds - not to their financial disadvantage. Most of those bar hoppers after midnight or 2pm are using public transport, be it pillion riding on a bike, taxi or one of these blue pick-ups converted to minibuses. 

The decision will be made after this "high" season is over and might remain on status quo to allow the semi-divine law enforcers to ply their trade ???? 

[roger101]

They will probably make a decision one day after the Wold Cup finishes.

[madmitch]

Increase drunk drivers by up to ten times? I don't think so.

 

Someone who is drink driving at 4am is just as likely to be drink-driving at 10pm, midnight or 2am. Those who actually obey the law are not suddenly going to start drink-driving just because the bars are open later.

[James105]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Mr. Kantiya, even expanding the times only in foreign tourism areas and not residential zones could increase drunk driving accidents by 5-10 times.

If he was really concerned about drink driving accidents he would be campaigning for proper punishments for drink driving, not what time the bars close.   Loss of licence for 18 months for first offence along with a minimum 50,000 fine and jail sentence for Thais.  Jail time, massive fine and deportation following jail for foreigners.   These are the things that reduce drink driving incidents, not what time the bars are open to.   But let's not pretend he actually cares about this, he is just another puritan that sucks the joy out of life.   

[jacko45k]

14 hours ago, madmitch said:

Increase drunk drivers by up to ten times? I don't think so.

 

Someone who is drink driving at 4am is just as likely to be drink-driving at 10pm, midnight or 2am. Those who actually obey the law are not suddenly going to start drink-driving just because the bars are open later.

You don't think facilitating the opportunity for 4-5 more for the road is a negative direction. I do.....

[JayClay]

On 12/1/2022 at 12:02 PM, jacko45k said:

Far from it.......

Okay.... "The majority of places are closed", ie there's not enough demand to warrant supply. ????‍♂️????‍♂️????‍♂️