Joining Governor Sophon and Maj Gen Sukhum were Kathu District Chief Theeraphong Chuaychu, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Somprat Prabsongkram. Leading the group of Patong Municiaplity officials were Deputy Mayor Lalita Maneesri and Sujitra Phiromrit of Patong Municipality Council.
The officials inspected several venues on Bangla Rd, the world-renowned nightlife street offering myriad adult-focused entertainment options along its 333-meter length. Local business figures Preechawude Keesin and Weerawit Kreuasombat were present to provide detailed information.
To provide extra security to visitors, checkpoints had been set up at both entrances to the street. As stressed by officials before, no weapons or drugs should be carried into Soi Bangla to prevent undesired incidents such as the one in Soi Lao on Dec 19 night.
Governor Sophon also emphasized that only people aged 20 years old and up should visit entertainment venues. To assist establishments in ensuring this, intelligent CCTV cameras should be used in conjunction with the Thai ID mobile application.
Governor Sophon stressed that patrons’ age should be determined only by their legitimate ID cards, be they physical or government-developed mobile applications.
Maj Gen Sinlert added that extra manpower has been added to provide safety and security in the first days of late-night trading, which is still considered a pilot project.
On Dec 15, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reminded the public that the extended operating hours for night venues can be revoked if operators or customers fail to abide by the law.
Mr Anutin revealed that the order, allowing night venues to stay open till 4am, had been signed by Dec 15 but not yet published in the Royal Gazette.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin also confirmed that entertainment venues with proper licenses can sell alcohol during the extended hours while "restaurants" cannot.
"Restaurants can operate until the early morning, but they are not allowed to sell alcoholic drinks after midnight. Only venues which have a valid licence can sell alcohol after 12am," said Mr Anutin.
Drunk driving in the spotlight
With drunk driving remaining among the top concerns, entertainment venues prepared “Don’t Drunk Drive” leaflets. Governor Sophon was happy to join the awareness campaign and take photos with the promotional materials.
As part of the New Year’s “Seven Days of Family Happiness” road safety initiative (previously known as “Seven Days of Danger”), numerous campaigns have been conducted in Phuket to raise awareness about the importance of road safety.
Governor Sophon holding a “Don’t Drunk Drive” leaflet was the first publicly visible indication of the crucial messages being conveyed to foreign tourists and Thai people on the streets.
In addition to Bangla, Patong has five other zones in which the 4am closing is now in effect, affecting more than 150 establishments. Two more zones have been confirmed for Phuket Town, one for Karon and one for Chalong.
Nothing has been reported about any late trading zones in Cherng Talay, Kamala, Rawai or Mai Khao, meaning bars and clubs in these areas have to close by midnight.