Tourism and Sports Minister to propose opening hours extension for entertainment venues in popular tourist attractions

National –

The Minister of Tourism and Sports is preparing to propose the opening hours extension of entertainment venues from 2:00 AM. to 4:00 AM. to be in line with tourist behavior.

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed on Thursday, August 11th, that the proposal will be introduced in the meeting of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for their approval next week.

Phiphat added: “The extension is in line with the foreign tourists’ behavior, such as European and Middle Eastern nationals who regularly started dinner around 10:00 PM. and started drinking at midnight. So when they started to have fun, it was about time to close the entertainment venues. So, the current opening hours didn’t meet the needs of tourists so much.”

This, however, will not be applicable nationwide but only in suitable zoning areas. According to the Minister, the Ministry is studying the pilot zoning areas which mostly are popular tourist destinations, such as Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Bangla Road in Patong Beach of Phuket, Walking Street in Pattaya, Ao Nang in Krabi, Khao Lak in Phang Nga, Hua Hin, Samui, and Chiang Mai. The list of areas where 4am will apply is not finalized, we note.

The Ministry has initially informed local entrepreneurs to form a team to discuss with their provincial governor regarding their intention to establish a zoning area. However, the zoning must not disturb people in the community in any way.

“If the discussion went well, then the Ministry will consult with the Ministry of Interior to consider the zoning approval before proposing it to the CCSA,” Phiphat continued.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for five years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.