Bar owners hold crisis meetings

PATTAYA: -- Bar owners in Pattaya are up in arms over the government's crackdown on operating hours, which they say has cost them a small fortune.

Managers and staff from hundreds of entertainment venues have gathered for several crisis meetings to protest and discuss strategies to fight the order by new Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to shut all bars at 2am. Bars in "Sin City" were previously able to shut at 4am or even later.

Representatives from night-time entertainment outlets plan to seek a meeting with the minister to discuss his directive, which they say is restricting business and "giving the city an unfavourable image" among foreign tourists who go to Pattaya to experience its famed nightlife.

Pattaya City Council has backed the business people, saying the city brings in a huge amount of tourist income, but this was now being jeopardised.

Mayor Niran Wattanasart-sathorn, his adviser Itthipol Khunplome, and former MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul were involved in discussions with representatives of entertainment outlets, who are demanding a return to longer operating hours.

--The Nation 2008-03-31

Tea dosh to be earned.

to fight the order by new Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to shut all bars at 2am.

I think in closing the bars early, he was only being a concerned father and trying to keep is "boisterous' boys out of trouble.

Personally, not really having any dog in this fight...early closings are just fine with me

Lets be honest - there are always places to drink after hours for those that choose to.

Bar owners hold crisis meetings

PATTAYA: -- Bar owners in Pattaya are up in arms over the government's crackdown on operating hours, which they say has cost them a small fortune.

Managers and staff from hundreds of entertainment venues have gathered for several crisis meetings to protest and discuss strategies to fight the order by new Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to shut all bars at 2am. Bars in "Sin City" were previously able to shut at 4am or even later.

Representatives from night-time entertainment outlets plan to seek a meeting with the minister to discuss his directive, which they say is restricting business and "giving the city an unfavourable image" among foreign tourists who go to Pattaya to experience its famed nightlife.

Pattaya City Council has backed the business people, saying the city brings in a huge amount of tourist income, but this was now being jeopardised.

Mayor Niran Wattanasart-sathorn, his adviser Itthipol Khunplome, and former MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul were involved in discussions with representatives of entertainment outlets, who are demanding a return to longer operating hours.

--The Nation 2008-03-31

C'mon Chalerm (gag gag)wants' to be "seen doing something" achievements are not an issue .

Early closing must be good for people wanting to avoid having to pay fines, but in all seriousness this is another Thai illogical situation, you don't make bars close early in a tourist area. What is really needed is proper legislation that allows them to open later, so that they are not at the mercy of the interior minister.[/size][/font]

"giving the city an unfavourable image"

I can't understand what there is to gain by having them close early. If they are there in the first place let them operate.

Bar owners hold crisis meetings

PATTAYA: -- Bar owners in Pattaya are up in arms over the government's crackdown on operating hours, which they say has cost them a small fortune.

Managers and staff from hundreds of entertainment venues have gathered for several crisis meetings to protest and discuss strategies to fight the order by new Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to shut all bars at 2am. Bars in "Sin City" were previously able to shut at 4am or even later.

Representatives from night-time entertainment outlets plan to seek a meeting with the minister to discuss his directive, which they say is restricting business and "giving the city an unfavourable image" among foreign tourists who go to Pattaya to experience its famed nightlife.

Pattaya City Council has backed the business people, saying the city brings in a huge amount of tourist income, but this was now being jeopardised.

Mayor Niran Wattanasart-sathorn, his adviser Itthipol Khunplome, and former MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul were involved in discussions with representatives of entertainment outlets, who are demanding a return to longer operating hours.

--The Nation 2008-03-31

The bar owners should voluntarily close at 12:00 nullifying the impact of the new order.

Fight Thai Logic with Thai Logic

This is a case where a united front would win. If all the bars collectively decided to go on strike I wonder how long the authorities would take to realise their mistake.

As Sir William Bragg said, "There is power in the Union"!!! Solidarity brothers Lets start the red flag flying here.

I am now off to duck the incoming

I really fail to see the problem here! What, with all of the nice new condo's and new shopping malls, surely the new breed of upmarket quality tourists will be happy to retire early in the evening after an exausting days shopping

Lets be honest - there are always places to drink after hours for those that choose to.

Party at brit's place !

Quite right though, the locals seem to know plenty of places to go, when they finish work at 2 am and want to "unwind". Many a night I've come home at 5 am or later after doing some "unwinding" with friends.

As for the 2am closings. I seem to recall awhile ago that closing times were supposed to be 1 am ? Maybe back in '04 or '05 ? I seem to remember that the big thing was that bars had to turn the lights and music off, but customers were allowed to stay and finish their drinks (even if that took a couple of hours, as that last drink seemed to never get finished)

Even now, many places seem to be open well after 2 anyways. There are always places that will push the limits, and depending on their relationship with the various "enforcement" agencies, many show little concern about violating the "rules".