Entertainment Venues Allowed To Operate Until Dawn

[george]

Entertainment venues allowed to operate until dawn on New Year's Eve

BANGKOK: -- People may celebrate New Year's Eve all through the night -- until dawn -- at entertainment places throughout Thailand, as the Ministery of Interior and the Royal Thai Police are relaxing the kingdom's closing laws for the holiday.

Interior Minister ACM. Khongsak Wanthana said on Friday that night-time entertainment venues had been given 'an exceptional favour' to remain open until 06:00 a.m. so that their customers could enjoy the festive aftermath of the countdown to the New Year that would officially end at midnight.

While wanting the public to enjoy the holiday, ACM. Khongsak said, police would see to it that revelers abide by the law and respect public order.

Young people in particular will be monitored to preclude their indulgence in drugs or violence.

In crowded areas nationwide, the police will make road patrols in a bid to prevent untoward incidents from taking place during the festive period, according to the interior minister.

--TNA 2005-12-31