PM Srettha was welcomed to the popular party street by a host of officials, led by Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA).
The prime minister toured the street, stopping to speak with venue operators, including Preechawude ’Prab’ Keesin, the head of the Pisona Group and founder of the Patong Development Foundation, as well as tourists and even masseuses at establishments along his walk-through.
Mr Weerawit explained that entertainment venue operators were not allowed to stay open to 4am because of a law that is 30 years old.
Phuket, and especially Patong, would greatly benefit from extending the closing time, as the area attracted many tourists from around the world.
Representing the Patong venue operators, Mr Weerawit over the years has repeatedly submitted formal requests for the government to allow pubs, bars and nightclubs in the area to open later.
In 2018, Mr Weerawit publicly admitted that the request is a way to end the ongoing “pay for play” racketeering by officials who collect bribes from venues in order to stay open late.
“This needs to be resolved. While Bangkok officials continue to stall on giving an answer, it leaves open the opportunity for officials to demand bribes from venue operators to stay open late to serve tourists,” he said.
Extending the closing time of nightlife venues in Patong by two hours, from 2am to 4am, could see revenues by Patong operators boosted by B100 million a month, Mr Weerawit has repeatedly pointed out.
During his own visit to Bangla Rd in September last year, Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he had spoken with many tourists, and that the response was “quite good”.
“More than 70% of tourists want to extend the hours of the nightlife establishments at night until 4am. They all agree to extend the closing time from 2am because it’s still a fun time,” he said.
Regardless, the government so far has still yet to make any commitment to allowing Patong’s nightlife venues to stay open late.
Last night, Mr Srettha was just as non-committal. Asked whether the government would allow the extended trading hours, he answered: “It’s possible”.
Earlier yesterday, at an event at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah on Chao Fa West Rd in Wichit, no less than 16 different organisations briefed the prime minister on a slew of issues arresting Phuket’s development.
Joining the prime minister at the event was Dr Promin Lertsuridet. Chairman of Pheu Thai’s tourism policy committee, and other members of the committee.
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, Advisor to Phuket Tourist Association, explained the main development strategy of the major tourism organisations on the island, while PTA President Thaneth Tantipiriyakij explained the issues of connecting tourism from abroad and within the country.
Assoc Prof Dr Phan Thongchumum, Vice President, Prince of Songkla University Phuket Campus, and Dr Sawatchai Navakijrungsan, Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, explained the ‘Health Tourism Center Project’, moving forward at the northern tip of the island.
Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, gave a description of the projects underway to develop Phuket’s transportation network, and Thanusak Puengdech, Advisor to the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, explained which infrastructure projects were deemed urgent.
Other issues explained to PM Srettha included environmental preservation and management, the strengthening of safety and law enforcement, zoning and extension of entertainment venues and the need for town planning.
PM Srettha expressed his support for the major meg-projects presented as urgent for Phuket’s development, especially concerning the light rail project, the Patong Tunnel project, the ‘Phuket Airport 2’ project (to build another international airport in Phang Nga) and the supply of household water from Phang Nga.
However, Mr Srettha made it clear that his visit was to learn about the issues affecting Phuket, not to issue any orders or make any major announcements.
Regardless, he said he supported all major projects that improve Phuket’s development, especially with regard to tourism.
Of note, all the major mega-projects cited were launched years ago, and are currently in various stages of proceeding, with the exception of the water supply from Phang Nga project, which ground to a halt years ago over ‘budget issues’, and the Phuket Airport 2 project, which also ground to a halt over concerns which organisation would be responsible for operating it.
Airports of Thailand currently operate both Phuket International Airport and Krabi International Airport. If built, Phuket Airport 2, located in Phang Nga, would be the third international airport within a 2.5-hour drive.
Prime Minister Srettha said that Pheu Thai would work together on all the major projects, even though Pheu Thai won no seats in Phuket in the national election in May. All three Member of Parliament seats in Phuket were won by Move Forward Party representatives, by strong margins.
While on the east side of the island yesterday, PM Srettha visited the Phuket Old Town area, where spoke with local residents and business owners, and toured Soi Romanee and Thalang Rd in the classic ‘old town’ quarter.
After a demonstration of cooking the local ‘Mee Hokkien’ dish of fried noodles and the making of the traditional ‘Ang Ku’ turtle-shaped cakes, Mr Srettha was briefed on transportation issues affecting tourism to Phuket Town.
Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas also explained the need to expedite projects to help prevent and alleviate flooding in Phuket Town. Doing so would help improve the area’s economic performance and improve Phuket Town’s image as a tourism destination, he said.
PM Srettha today continues his two-day visit to Phuket and Phang Nga. Today, the prime minister is in Phang Nga to hear about similar issues affecting tourism business operators and local residents there.
PM Srettha is expected to return to Bangkok tonight.