New Bangkok Nightlife Curfew Rumors Cause Tourism Concerns

[Jacob Maslow]

Bangkok nightlife and entertainment venues have been notified of an impending curfew to start this weekend and last for 2 weeks.

Entertainment and nightlife venues are concerned over the recent curfews put in place in Bangkok. Owners have been notified by police that a two week curfew will be put in place, forcing venues to close by midnight.

The enforcement is set to begin this weekend. A nightclub owner, who did not want to be identified, stated that there are no exceptions to the curfew.

Curfews at this time of year are the norm due to the Buddhist holiday of Makha Bucha. However, an extended curfew is a major concern for nightclub and entertainment venues. Wednesday night, local police and army personnel ordered many venues to close for the evening. Warnings of the coming curfews were also given to owners.

Thailand’s tourism industry is one of the country’s biggest industries. Owners of nightclubs and entertainment venues are concerned that a new curfew will cause tourists to go elsewhere.

No official response has been given by the police on the issue.

Initial reports speculate that city police are trying to focus on illegal business operations. Recently, the military has accused police of negligence for allowing illegal businesses to continue operating without taking action against them.

Last year, a curfew was put in place for nearly a month starting on May 22^nd. The curfew was set at 10 PM initially, but was gradually extended to midnight. Popular resorts suffered revenue losses as a result. The junta eventually lifted the curfew on June 16^th, citing that tourism needed to be revived in the country.

Mid-February through April are the warmest months in Thailand. A two-week curfew will have a major impact on the thriving tourism in Bangkok. Extended curfews come at a bad time for a struggling economy that greatly depends on tourism.

No official announcements of a curfew have been given at this time.

-- 2015-03-05

[rasmus5150]

The Philippines will be happy to receive these party tourists.

[mcfish]

Will the price of hookers go up or down?

[eeworldwide]

Insert Smart-Alec comment here:

[NongKhaiKid]

The question asked yesterday is still VERY valid and that is " who authorised this 2 week ban ? "

There's no comment I know of from the BMA and the police are saying nothing which in itself raises more questions that most definitely need to be answered. It's frightening to think this is in place simply on the say so of a senior police officer whose motives may be questionable.

[noitom]

The Thai establishment and elite fed at the trough of Bangkok's sex trade and nightlife for decades. Now that they have their wealth off the backs of the Thai girls, they want to curfew the operations. Nice going Thais.

[chooka]

Had this curfew in Chiang Mai since the coup and a few bars have gone bust.

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai establishment and elite fed at the trough of Bangkok's sex trade and nightlife for decades. Now that they have their wealth off the backs of the Thai girls, they want to curfew the operations. Nice going Thais.

What has this got to do with sex? Have you ever been on a night out in Bangkok? It's not just Nana, Cowboy and Patpong you know! And as the latter two places are Entertainment Zones, as is RCA, I would think they are unaffected.

[brewsterbudgen]

The Philippines will be happy to receive these party tourists.

That's a long way to go for a night out!!

The people who are mainly affected are all the young hi-so Thais clubbing around Thong Lor, Ekkamai and similar places over the city. If it's actually enforced.

[daveAustin]

What a fickle place. There's just no consistency.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Maybe it would be good to use the word curfew when there is a curfew, and 'bar closing times' for what this is.

Edited March 5, 2015 by WinnieTheKhwai

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The Thai establishment and elite fed at the trough of Bangkok's sex trade and nightlife for decades. Now that they have their wealth off the backs of the Thai girls, they want to curfew the operations. Nice going Thais.

What has this got to do with sex? Have you ever been on a night out in Bangkok? It's not just Nana, Cowboy and Patpong you know! And as the latter two places are Entertainment Zones, as is RCA, I would think they are unaffected.

'Curtail' the operations. My, Curfew is a versatile word. (Sorry, pedantic morning here. )

But then on what it has to do with sex: It's great! Early closing basically means a Grand Midnight Sale every single day.

Buy a pool table and a case of Tequila for your condo and Bob's your uncle.

Edited March 5, 2015 by WinnieTheKhwai

[AZBill]

You mean those guys who own bars and exploit underage farm girls for their own profit and the pervs that fly across oceans to sexually abuse them? Those guys?

[ratcatcher]

Will the price of hookers go up or down?

Your concern is duly noted.

[brewsterbudgen]

You mean those guys who own bars and exploit underage farm girls for their own profit and the pervs that fly across oceans to sexually abuse them? Those guys?

In Bangkok? Where are you aware of this happening? Most of the underage and trafficked girls have been found in upcountry karaoke bars frequented by mainly Thai males.

Perhaps you have an over-active imagination!

[Jim walker]

The soldier rulers of Thailand should just make it a dry country every second weekend you cant get a drink here always someone's birthday or holy day, that would also stamp out most of the drink related problems with driving deaths on the roads would come down and with the 25 year old Thai teenagers drinking and causing pregnancy and youth crime

[jlwilliamsjr18]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling... this is BS, the curfew is nothing more than a low speed bump. It should be noted, only 5% (give or take 1%) of tourism revenue comes from the (lively) bars and girl businesses. That study was done a few years back (sorry no reference). Now... what revenue are we talking about, drinks...sure their hyper-inflated, and dare I mention bar-fines? Note, that when Mr. T was the man in charge, he saw a golden goose, hiding in the bars, that was taxation revenue. Now when you mix in tax revenue, you got a real tool, to cry foul. Face it...early closures, less hangovers (perhaps) and most likely better decisions made after midnight, just might save swizzlers and punters some money.

[catterwell]

Insert Smart-Alec comment here:

Sic transit gloria mundi. (As requested)

[kkup]

shop early

[sandrew33]

The enforced closing times of midnight or 1am (depending on ones "licence") are not restricted to Nana or similar. This is a strict enforcement of the real rules as part of a tit for tat pissing contest between the junta appointed police chief and the police chief. I hope that makes sense

Basically one is annoyed at the other for the Din Daeng betting raids. Loss of face. Etc etc ..

So in keeping with the new commitment to law, the police are going to simply enforce the existing rules. If you have a 1am licence (per many places in say Soi 11) you'll stay open to 1. If you don't you'll stay open until 12.

It's also for "at least 2 weeks" per the instructions from police recently delivered.

It's a bad look for tourism, not sex tourism, but tourism of those who come to Bangkok to enjoy it's legit bars and clubs and who perceive Bangkok as fun. They've already been on social media complaining about 2am closures for the last 6 months. This won't help.

When countries like Singapore are actively extending opening hours to appeal to this high spending, fun demographic and BKK does this sort of stuff it doesn't help. On the upside it likely won't impact on the Chinese package tourists. Which is awesome.

[Hawkman]

Though it doesn't affect me much, there are really more important things to worry about than imposing a nighttime curfew. I thought they want to clean up this country, well, how about tackling the corruption problem head on than worry about a few people staying out later than midnight.

While they impose this curfew, certain directors of schools, local governors and certain others in all areas of power keep ruining this country by being leeches and sucking as much tax payers money as they can for themselves. Nothing ever can be done without them crying, "What's in it for me?", while the normal people, whether they're yellows or reds suffer.

Removing and disciplining these people should be their focus; if they want to tackle corruption for once and for all; though the problem is far more deep rooted, at least it sends a message.

But no, tackling corruption is just a buzz word, one suspects, as they have more important things to do, one seems, by tackling people staying up a little late.

[houlicha]

I realize this is Thailand, so facts and laws are always in flux. I see some contradictions on this thread on what this all means. One poster says there will be no exceptions. Another says Nana and Cowboy are entertainment zones and are exempt. Does anyone know for sure?

[Larry001]

Such a smart country!!!!!

[Larry001]

Tourists won't care. They will simply go somewhere else and Thailand again loses much needed income. But the people running the country are loaded and do not care about the everyday person working to survive.

[ChrisY1]

Keep reminding myself....don't get a bar in Thailand!

[Docno]

The soldier rulers of Thailand should just make it a dry country every second weekend you cant get a drink here always someone's birthday or holy day, that would also stamp out most of the drink related problems with driving deaths on the roads would come down and with the 25 year old Thai teenagers drinking and causing pregnancy and youth crime

1. Most young Thai males I see spend a lot of time drinking at each other's houses... bars are not strictly needed.
2. 25 year-olds are not teenagers
3. Your post has to be one of the longest run-on sentences I've seen for a while... next time, please try a period or two.

[EnzoRippo]

Maybe it would be good to use the word curfew when there is a curfew, and 'bar closing times' for what this is.

I'm sorry but the article mentions the word CURFEW.

CURFEW is something very serious happening only during war time and, speaking about Thailand, during the frequent coups.

CURFEW is NOT harmless. This is serious. With army keeping the streets empty.

So, please journos, tell us if we are speaking about a CURFEW or just a "bar closing time".

Winnie thinks we are speaking about "bar closing time" but remember that a Military Junta is running this country...

[RtotheC]

The nightlife seems like it's been dead for a while now. I know the vans used to kind of obstruct traffic flow through Suk 11, but at least the area seemed festive and well, busy. I'm not much of a club person, or even a gogo bar person. Meeting random people over beers or buckets in the street was a favorite pasttime of mine. The streets seem so empty now, everything closes early and it's become kind of boring. Even tourists I met were kind of like, hey this place isn't what I expected at all, why is everything closed?

[bonobo]

Please conform to the posting rules here. A few posts have been removed for making derogatory remarks about a general population.

Thanks.

[howzat]

What a fickle place. There's just no consistency.

That's why living in Thailand is so exciting. Every day different, every day a new surprise. Wonderful! I love it!