Government to consider expanding 4am closing times

[webfact]

The government could extend the number of zones where nightlife venues can remain open until 4am. So says Interior Minister Anutin Charvirakul, after inspecting a number of entertainment venues in Bangkok on Saturday, December 16.

 

A day after the government approved 4am closing for bars and clubs in parts of Phuket, Bangkok, Chon Buri, Koh Samui, and Chiang Mai, Anutin visited some nightlife spots on Khao San Road, in the capital.

 

The minister says the venues were all found to be complying with the law, ensuring the extended hours did not pose a risk to public safety.

 

By Peter Roche

Bangla Road Patong in Phuket

 

Full story: PhuketGO 2023-12-18

 

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[Geoffggi]

Really bad idea

[stoner]

will it include the ability to purchase between the hours of 2pm and 5pm. asking for a friend. 

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

1 hour ago, webfact said:

ensuring the extended hours did not pose a risk to public safety.

 

Oh really! Is Anutin not aware of the tragic accident (manslaughter) in Chiang Mai on the first day of the extended hours last Saturday, where one Laotian worker was killed and two others seriously injured around 4am by a speeding drunk Ghanaian tourist who had been drinking with friends in a pub? The three workers had been laying new underground cables during the night.  RIP Laotian workers and condolences to your families.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40033873

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The minister says the venues were all found to be complying with the law, ensuring the extended hours did not pose a risk to public safety.

Because it is by nature only in limited areas only, make this nationwide and it will be a free-for-all.

[hotchilli]

55 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Oh really! Is Anutin not aware of the tragic accident (manslaughter) in Chiang Mai on the first day of the extended hours last Saturday, where one Laotian worker was killed and two others seriously injured around 4am by a speeding drunk Ghanaian tourist who had been drinking with friends in a pub? The three workers had been laying new underground cables during the night.  RIP Laotian workers and condolences to your families.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40033873

 

Anutin suffers with tunnel vision and a very selective memory.

[TheFishman1]

Will be reading about more accidents in the wee hours of the morning. TIT.

[madmitch]

One week into the initial phase and Anutin already knows it's a success! Clever man

[loong]

2 hours ago, madmitch said:

One week into the initial phase and Anutin already knows it's a success! Clever man

Actually only 2 days!

[paulikens]

22 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Oh really! Is Anutin not aware of the tragic accident (manslaughter) in Chiang Mai on the first day of the extended hours last Saturday, where one Laotian worker was killed and two others seriously injured around 4am by a speeding drunk Ghanaian tourist who had been drinking with friends in a pub? The three workers had been laying new underground cables during the night.  RIP Laotian workers and condolences to your families.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40033873

 

@Burma Bill  So, The Ghanaian tourist only started drink driving the day they started the 4 am closing time. The problem is people who are willing to drink and drive. not the closing time. To think 4am closing times and drink driving is correlated is utter nonsense.   Anyone who is willing to drink and drive will do it anytime they want. So, the Ghanaian would have just killed someone at 2am instead of 4am. 

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, paulikens said:

@Burma Bill  So, The Ghanaian tourist only started drink driving the day they started the 4 am closing time. The problem is people who are willing to drink and drive. not the closing time. To think 4am closing times and drink driving is correlated is utter nonsense.   Anyone who is willing to drink and drive will do it anytime they want. So, the Ghanaian would have just killed someone at 2am instead of 4am. 

 

With respect, I do not really get your gist. Yes, drink driving at any time during the day or night could lead to fatalities. If this tourist had left the pub at 2am, it is possible the 3 Laotian workers might still be working on laying the cables. Remember, this was the first day of the extension to 4am and he no doubt took advantage on the extended drinking period with his pals before driving back to his hotel. I am not suggesting 4am closing is correlated to drink driving and killing people, but accident statistics from the approved 4am areas could be interesting.

[Sigma6]

28 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

With respect, I do not really get your gist. Yes, drink driving at any time during the day or night could lead to fatalities. If this tourist had left the pub at 2am, it is possible the 3 Laotian workers might still be working on laying the cables. Remember, this was the first day of the extension to 4am and he no doubt took advantage on the extended drinking period with his pals before driving back to his hotel. I am not suggesting 4am closing is correlated to drink driving and killing people, but accident statistics from the approved 4am areas could be interesting.

 

The focus should be stopping drink driving, not worrying about the time the drunk drivers leave the bar.

[stoutfella]

In  time for the New Year road carnage?

[paulikens]

12 hours ago, Sigma6 said:

 

The focus should be stopping drink driving, not worrying about the time the drunk drivers leave the bar.

Exactly my point

[Sigma6]

20 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

With respect, I do not really get your gist. Yes, drink driving at any time during the day or night could lead to fatalities. If this tourist had left the pub at 2am, it is possible the 3 Laotian workers might still be working on laying the cables. Remember, this was the first day of the extension to 4am and he no doubt took advantage on the extended drinking period with his pals before driving back to his hotel. I am not suggesting 4am closing is correlated to drink driving and killing people, but accident statistics from the approved 4am areas could be interesting.

 

What if the fatalities drop? - less people on the roads at 4am vs 2am = less accidents?

 

The real issue is the culture here is its normal to go drinking and take the car.  Take RCA in Bangkok, a predominently thai area, the car parks around the clubs are always full.  Taxis in Bangkok are cheap af - why do the kids need to come in their Minis, Benz, BMWs? Because its normalised, and the risk of being stopped is low, and even if stopped they're able to pay their way out of it 90% of the time.
Even it does goes to court its max 30k fine, and then carry on as before.

 

How to change the mindset?

In the UK, for example, you lose your license minimum 1 year - for many this would mean losing their job. (if caught driving whilst banned you'll go to prison), then when you have your licence back, you looking at minimum 2000 pounds per year to insure a car, as you are seen as high risk.  I've never been breathalysed in the UK, but even so the risk vs reward just doesnt make sense there.