Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul recently assigned the Interior and Public Health ministries to study the proposals by January, reports the Bangkok Post. The policies, aimed at boosting tax and tourist revenue, were proposed by nightclub operators and business groups.
Dr Polathep Vichitkunakorn, CAS director, said that according to a study, the 2023 ministerial regulation on extended operating hours in five zoning areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui had resulted in negative impacts on public health and safety.
The zoning announcement increased road accidents and injuries by 12% and led to a 13% rise in road fatalities.
Moreover, the fatality rate in major tourism provinces such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chon Buri during the zoning announcement was reported to have hit 22%, while the number of intoxicated driving cases doubled by 115% compared to the previous year.
The zoning had also not resulted in economic growth, he said. Some provinces outside of the zoning area reported double the revenue and number of tourists.
“Liberalisation may be presented as an economic shortcut, but evidence confirms that this is a dead end in terms of public health and safety,” said Dr Polathep.