Phuket Governor launches night venue crackdown

PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has warned entertainment venues to abide by the law – or suffer the consequences.

The warning from Governor Tri Augkaradacha comes after officers from the Phuket Provincial Office and Muang District Office teamed up to raid popular nightspots across the district last week.

Muang District covers Phuket Town and surrounding sub-districts, running all the way south to Rawai and Nai Harn at the southernmost tip of the island. It also includes Kata and Karon.

The crackdown also follows Gov Tri receiving an Interior Ministry order instructing him to target entertainment venues operating without appropriate licenses and staying open past midnight.

Thus far 12 venues have been caught breaking the law: two for late trading and the remaining 10 for trading without any licenses at all, said the governor.

All 12 will be reported with recommendations for further legal action, he added.

The on-going crackdown will first target venues that residents have lodged complaints about for a long time.

They will also target venues that remain open until early morning, he added.

“The crackdown may have a slight effect on the business owners, but it is about justice – everyone will get the same treatment,” he said.