Ministry rejects entertainment zones

PHUKET: The Ministry of Interior has rejected Phuket’s plans for some 25 entertainment zones (EZs) scattered across the island, it was announced today. As a result, the province is to put forward a much shorter list of EZs, as follows: Patong: An area stretching 50 meters to the north and 50 meters to the south of the intersection between Thaweewong Rd and Sawasdirak Road; both sides of Soi Bangla, including side alleys up to 100 meters from the center of the road; and Rat-U-Thit Road from 130 meters to the south of the Soi Sainamyen intersection to 100 meters to the south of Soi Bangla. Kata-Karon: An area 100 meters to either side of the center of Tai Nai Rd, for the entire length of the road. Under the new plan, no entertainment zones are proposed for any other part of the island. Jamloeng Tunkasaem, Chief of the Provincial Administration Office, explained, “The Ministry wants to control or prevent the kind of criminal activities associated with the entertainment industry, which is why it wants to have as few EZs as possible. “Therefore, Governor Pongpayome recently met once again with the organizations concerned, to get their contributions to a solution,” K. Jamloeng said. “The new list of areas has been sent to the Ministry of Interior for approval and for the issue of the relevant regulations. Until these regulations are issued, no permits will be issued for new entertainment businesses.” After the meeting, Governor Pongpayome said that officials from the provincial government will attend a meeting at the Ministry of Interior, at which they will make a full presentation of Phuket’s new EZ plans. They will also try to clarify whether new karaoke and bar beer businesses may be set up anywhere on the island, or whether they are restricted to setting up only in EZs. Existing entertainment venues anywhere on the island may continue to operate, so long as they close at 2 am and as long as the ownership does not change. If ownership changes, they must move to one of the EZs. In the entertainment industry, it is widely expected that the Ministry regulations will allow businesses in the EZs to stay open until 5 am.