BREAKING NEWS: Phuket bar owners protest at Provincial Hall

PHUKET: Over 200 bar operators from Kata, Karon, Chalong and Rawai are at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning protesting the recent government crackdown on closing times.

A provincial task force under orders from the Ministry of Interior have been raiding Phuket bars to enforce closing times regulations.

The protesters told the Phuket Gazette that the raids are driving away business.

Night entertainment venues are losing tourists and local customers who fear being kicked out of establishments at around midnight, they said.

Potential customers are opting for Patong, where nightlife venues remain open until 5am, they claimed.

Representatives of the protesters are currently in talks with Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.

Updates will be posted here as they become available.

Pick up a copy of the Phuket Gazette, on shelves tomorrow, for more detail on the bar crackdown.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan