Patong bars protest, say they’ll not open tonight

PATONG: About 1,000 bar owners and staff gathered at the football field on the beach road this afternoon to protest the Ministry of Interior’s refusal to exempt Patong from the 2 am legal closing time for entertainment venues in Thailand. Chairat Sukkaban, owner of the Safari Disco & Fun Pub, who led a petition drive two weeks ago, told the Gazette, “We came together today because we want to let the government authorities know that Patong is an important area for business. We tried to voice our concerns through the petition, but the Ministry, the Governor, and the TAT have not listened to us. “We are asking to be allowed to stay open until 5 am, as much of our business with tourists is between the hours of 2 am and 5 am.” K. Chairat added, “Every bar in Patong has agreed to stay closed tonight and to continue protesting here on the football field.”