Phuket: Patong bar owners cancel protests

Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: A planned protest that would have closed several bars around Patong area for three days in response to the strict 2am closing time for bars was cancelled by the President of Patong Entertainment Business Association, Weerawit Kruesombut.

The protest would have begun yesterday (November 14) and continued to Monday (November 16).

"I have negotiated with [Patong bar operators] about this telling them to hold on and close at 2am as authorities have requested for the good image of the province. Also, [Patong bar operators] will be good host in helping to welcome guests of the Asian Beach Games," said Weerawit.

He insists that bar operators are holding on until after the Asian Beach Games. If the bars still have to close at 2am after that, bar owners will revisit their options on how to push back against the measure.

"Initially, [Patong bar operators] decided to protest because they use to close later, at 3am, and this is the beginning if high season which they could make more money."

Weerawit said he understands that there is a law that says bars are allowed to operate until 1am maximum, but Patong is different.

“Patong has a different nature. People start going out around 11pm then they can have only two hours to hang out if we close as the law mentions.”

“The extra one hour that we have should be announced officially. I think bars here are pleased to pay more tax for the extra hour as a special zone.”

He insinuated that, apart from cutting business profit of bars in Patong, the law opens the door for corrupt officers to make shady deals with bar operators.

The bar workers in the area told The Phuket News that they all heard about the protests, cancellation and law measures. They are ready to close if all the owners make a decision.

“High season has just started. Normally, we can make around B60,000 a night. If we have to close earlier, the number of tourists coming to bars will drop," said a woman working in Soi Bangla's bar.

Meanwhile, Kathu police denied that they have heard about this plan officially but saw some activity on Facebook.

"We do not have a report about this so far. However, the law is law. [bar operators] have to respect it," they said

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-bar-owners-cancel-protests-49683.php

-- Phuket News 2014-11-15

Meanwhile, Kathu police denied that they have heard about this plan officially but saw some activity on Facebook.

"We do not have a report about this so far. However, the law is law. [bar operators] have to respect it," they said

Coming from the BiB

It's not like this is a public service such as a subway system, airline company, or rubbish pickup. If these guys want to close and lose income, let em. Plenty of other bars, and as the Chinese and Russians have discovered, 7/11's.

That will for sure not be of any leverage for their cause ,think the pm don't sleep less well if tthey have their protest

I think bar owners are afraid to loose money during Asian Beach Games event

"If the bars still have to close at 2am after that, bar owners will revisit their options on how to push back against the measure."

Plenty of time for the drunks, hookers and thieves.

"People start going out around 11pm then they can have only two hours to hang out if we close as the law mentions.”

B.S.

"I think bars here are pleased to pay more tax for the extra hour as a special zone.”

Reading between the lines BIB?

Running a nice girly bar in paradise looks so relaxing, easy and attractive + there's the cheap drink, pretty girls, freedom etc etc ............ ha ha! What a nightmare it must be.

Let them close....

Tourists are not stupid and will change their drinking schedules to suit.... If the bar is closed.. then next day they will get pissed earlier

Let them close....

Tourists are not stupid and will change their drinking schedules to suit.... If the bar is closed.. then next day they will get pissed earlier

Or just move on

Bar owners are running Thailand i did wonder

I thought this protest was originally about one more government agency asking for bribe money.

The issue of staying open later by one hour was supposed to be the means by which they could afford to pay this extra bribe.

Troll post with barely disguised profanity removed

Also an inflammatory Phuket-bashing post, along with a reply quoting it. The reply was a good comeback, apologies it had to be removed

Troll post with barely disguised profanity removed

Also an inflammatory Phuket-bashing post, along with a reply quoting it. The reply was a good comeback, apologies it had to be removed

I do not mind having a post removed like this , good job

Let them close....

Tourists are not stupid and will change their drinking schedules to suit.... If the bar is closed.. then next day they will get pissed earlier

True that's how it works in a normal world, you learn the closing time, and adjust to it, the only trouble here in Thailand is that nobody really knows, when a bar is going to shut, it changes by the day

Troll post with barely disguised profanity removed

Also an inflammatory Phuket-bashing post, along with a reply quoting it. The reply was a good comeback, apologies it had to be removed

I do not mind having a post removed like this , good job

It was only the Thai owners that were going to protest and close. Every foreign owner I spoke with at a meeting about this said they were going to stay open regardless of what the others were doing. It wasn't a directive from the police, army or any other authority. Even after the Asian Beach Games, the majority of bars will not close, unless instructed by a government authority. The 2am closures might be around for another week or so, but the bars will still be open everyday. If some want to close let them. Just means more customers for the others and the chance the staff will jump bars because they still need work. :-)

It's a stupid law !

A simple rule should apply in all Thailand

Close all bars at 2 am, non stop, who does

Not like it shall stay home.

Nothing good happens after <strike>2am</strike> 9pm...

A simple rule should apply in all Thailand

Close all bars at 2 am, non stop, who does

Not like it shall stay home.

Easy to make simple rules, but consequently enforcing them might be a tad more complicated than in Switzerland or Canada.

People go out to the bars at 11 pm because they close at 3 am and 11 pm is when the action starts. If they close at 2 am consistently

the patrons will start coming earlier. Look at how much money the bars will save not having to give back handers to stay open later.

If they stay within the law they don't have to pay the bribes as they are not receiving a services.

what do they say again ?

money talks & shit walks

Nothing good happens after <strike>2am</strike> 9pm...

Thanks Dad !

Let them close, as has been posted previously there are many other bars to choose from so the paying punters will hardly notice!

For many years the law's of this country have been flouted and ignored, if the underlying public respect and regard for the law in general is to be changed, then the various lobby groups and associations have to be pulled into line.

No doubt the various nay sayers on TV will proclaim that it will be short lived, that everything will return to normal in a few short weeks. I for one am prepared to wait and see, while not being perfect this government has conviction and the interest of the country at large as a priority. The rule of law must be enforced across all aspects of Thai society, lasting change will not happen overnight but a start must be made somewhere, with the Patong business owners being a good choice!

The negative and pessimistic few might regard this as minor and irrelevant, I see it as just one more step in the long road to an improved society, any change for the better is welcome...

Let them close, as has been posted previously there are many other bars to choose from so the paying punters will hardly notice!

For many years the law's of this country have been flouted and ignored, if the underlying public respect and regard for the law in general is to be changed, then the various lobby groups and associations have to be pulled into line.

No doubt the various nay sayers on TV will proclaim that it will be short lived, that everything will return to normal in a few short weeks. I for one am prepared to wait and see, while not being perfect this government has conviction and the interest of the country at large as a priority. The rule of law must be enforced across all aspects of Thai society, lasting change will not happen overnight but a start must be made somewhere, with the Patong business owners being a good choice!

The negative and pessimistic few might regard this as minor and irrelevant, I see it as just one more step in the long road to an improved society, any change for the better is welcome...

It's possible that you are right and thie 2am closing will stay because of this governments convictions.

But, there's always a but, this government isn't supposed to be around for that long because democracy is just around the corner? In which case, the short lived aspect may indeed come to pass.

Or, put it another way, name me one Thailand initiative that has been proven to have sustainability?

The nay Sayers on TV sometimes get it right from proven experience.

They should have said that the bars are closing at 2 am in tourist place around Bangla because there is always some bars that are open all night long in Patong and Bangkok.... With the right tea money there is no closing time.

Ask the locals, they will tell you where.

They don't like the close at 2 am law, so they're going to voluntarily close all day. You have to love the logic.

Let them close....

Tourists are not stupid and will change their drinking schedules to suit.... If the bar is closed.. then next day they will get pissed earlier

True that's how it works in a normal world, you learn the closing time, and adjust to it, the only trouble here in Thailand is that nobody really knows, when a bar is going to shut, it changes by the day

And with the alcohol selling restriction hours in place it may become a challenge to get pissed before closing time.

...."B60,000 per night" - wow thats a lot of short-time