Pai rape of British tourist sparks bar closing time crackdown in Phuket

[webfact]

Pai rape of British tourist sparks bar closing time crackdown in Phuket
The Phuket News


Phuket Police Chief Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen confirmed that the crackdown will be rolled out in Phuket, but will be done so in co-ordination with 'provincial policy'. Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: -- The Phuket police chief has confirmed that a nationwide order to enforce bar and entertainment venue closing times will be enforced in Phuket in the wake of a British tourist being raped in Pai province, in Northern Thailand.

The crackdown was ordered by Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner Pol Gen Wutthi Phuawade after he blamed the bar trading past legal closing time, and called on local officers to be held responsible for any entertainment venues trading late throughout the country.

“Police in each jurisdiction will strictly inspect whether any entertainment establishment opens later than the legal closing time. They must strictly adhere to the closing time,” he said.

“If any jurisdiction allows any establishment to disobey the closing time, the officers in charge will be punished for negligence,” he warned.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen confirmed to The Phuket News that the crackdown will be rolled out in Phuket, but will be done so in co-ordination with “provincial policy”.

“I will certainly do what the national police deputy has ordered, and enforce the closing times even within the entertainment zones,” he said.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/pai-rape-of-british-tourist-sparks-bar-closing-time-crackdown-in-phuket-54843.php

-- Phuket News 2015-11-06

[Just1Voice]

Yeah, like most "crackdowns", this will last about a week, then it will be back to business as usual.

[Jimi007]

Ah yet another "crackdown" on bar closing times. I wonder how long this one will last...

[Antifreeze]

And this is the preventive action to assault and rape!

[oneday]

There you go...now that bars are closing at respectable times there will instantly and forever be no more rapes.

Thank goodness the police are on the ball and have it all sussed out. Why can't we figure these things out in the west?

[BrainLife]

Thailand, THE center of the universe.

We have solutions for the world problems, from rapes to drugs to corruption to wars to refugees.

Edited November 6, 2015 by BrainLife

[SlyouThai]

what about closing the bars at 6PM , nodoby rape anybody in broad daylight ! jeez im so smart.

[alant]

What a shock, close bars thousands of km away. Blame anyone or anything.

[ikbenhet]

I have a little trouble with this part:

nationwide order to enforce bar and entertainment venue closing times will be enforced in Phuket

[harleyclarkey]

What is the connection with a rape in Pai with enforcing Phuket bar times?

Is this a good example of ..... pick any excuse out of a hat?

Is this not the Pai in the very North of Thailand, beside Myanmar, and used as the jumping off point for treks?

[harrycallahan]

Should just push the rape time forward to when all girls are already home.

[ZABA]

However, he added, “I don’t think that will solve the rape problem completely. It’s not the entertainment industry’s fault that the crime happened."

Nice to hear someone state the obvious. Granted the statement is somewhat self serving since he's in the industry. But still...

[steven100]

so no one gets raped before say 12.00 midnight ?

[Nobb]

The bar was operating after hours. No matter what they decided to do now. The police will start checking closing times now but a little to late for the rape victim. Why did they not do there job sooner except sleeping in there boxes! To little to late for this young lady.

[seabear]

"local officers will be held responsible....." . I doubt Thais know the meaning of responsibility.

"officers in charge will be punished....". does he mean, transferred to an other province?

[BuaBS]

So 1 stupid drunk tourist ruins it for Phuket , otherwise known as the rest of the country ?

[menzies233]

Thailand excels again, the hub of crackdowns and U turns.

[razer]

Bars staying open late ... definitely the root cause of rape. Need a professional white paper published on this.

[Phuketboy]

The thinking power of idiots. Close everything by 2am and nobody will get raped. Might as well close all the restaurants early so nobody will get fat.

[SPB65]

Is that another knee I see jerking from the Thai authorities ? Let's face it, the country is clueless with regards to just about everything it does.

[kiwikeith]

And this is the preventive action to assault and rape!

So falang girls that get drunk earlier than 12 oclock will mean earlier closing times.

Thai bars and discos will be exempt

[johnhw]

Reading many of the derogatory comments about Thailand and Thais, I DO wonder why folks live/visit here?

DELETED

[NovaBlue05]

How are sexual assaults and bar closing times linked?

[Tonawatchee]

And this is the preventive action to assault and rape!

Just as effective as their crackdown on dangerous driving.

[wvavin]

Looks like Thai law enforcement is only seasonal.

[whaleboneman]

So 1 stupid drunk tourist ruins it for Phuket , otherwise known as the rest of the country ?

Yes, how selfish of her to drink alcohol and get raped and ruin things for you in Phuket.

[northernphil]

I have a little trouble with this part:

nationwide order to enforce bar and entertainment venue closing times will be enforced in Phuket

I think what is being said here is that nationwide the bars will close earlier but the closures will only be enforced in Pattaya. IOW business as usual ..everywhere.

[bubblegum]

Reading many of the derogatory comments about Thailand and Thais, I DO wonder why folks live/visit here?

On the other hand, at the Bangkok airport gate, waiting for my flight, I noted a second lineup of people going to Phuket, and frankly if I was entering a bar back home with the likes of some of the knuckle-dragging goons with the skull and crossbones T-shirts stretched over a bulging gut, I'd probably turn around....and we have NO Thai bouncers...or cops where I come from

So without talking with these people you decided they are goons (whatever that means) and you be not drinking with them. Sounds to me you have a slight problem.

[Thaidream]

A complete overreaction to what has taken place. A person is raped and the perpetrator has been caught and we hope face justice. The closing hours of the bars have nothing to do with this crime. If you want to enforce closing times- do it all the time. If you want to protect tourists from rape and other crimes- make sure there is a police presence and a deterrent such as harsh punishment. Thailand keeps shooting itself in the foot with its ridiculous statements and lack of sensitivity to these type of incidents. People are starting to vote with their feet. Too bad, it used to be a great place to visit and have some fun.

[bubblegum]

I have a little trouble with this part:

nationwide order to enforce bar and entertainment venue closing times will be enforced in Phuket

I think what is being said here is that nationwide the bars will close earlier but the closures will only be enforced in Pattaya. IOW business as usual ..everywhere.

Pattaya or Phuket? Not the same you know