Bars, nightclubs urged to close

PHUKET: Police are requesting bar and nightclub owners to close their doors tomorrow and Thursday, out of respect for the religious holidays. Pol Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, said today, “We ask only for cooperation from the bar and nightclub owners in Phuket. It’s not a law or rule. “It has become customary for Thais not to sell alcohol on religious days. Tomorrow is Asarnha Bucha Day and the day after tomorrow is a religious day, too [the start of Buddhist Lent]. So I am asking them to close their bars for two days out of respect.” Col Paween said no charges or fines would be levied on bar owners who decided not to accede to the request, but added it was a “civil law” that should be adhered to. If police hear of a place operating over the holidays, Col Paween said, officers would be sent there to request that they close. The request covers all day tomorrow and Thursday, though nightclubs and bars may remain open until 2 am tonight without drawing special attention.