entertainment venues
- Thailand News
Thai nightlife gets a glow-up: Cabinet green-lights 4am extended hours for tourist hotspots
The Thai Cabinet has given the green light to a draft regulation set forth by the Interior Ministry, permitting extended hours until 4am at entertainment venues in prominent tourist hotspots. The affected areas include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Aiming to stimulate the country’s tourism sector, the Interior Ministry is at the helm of this initiative.…
- Thailand News
Sobering reminder: Entertainment venues to open until 4am, but no alcohol sale to drunks
The Thailand Health Minister yesterday stressed that entertainment venues must not serve alcohol to customers who are already drunk, even if establishments are allowed to stay open until 4am. Partygoers have been advised to carry breathalysers. Public Health Minister Cholnan Sikaew said that the policy allowing nightclubs to stay open until 4am had not yet been implemented. Cholnan made known…
- Thailand News
Breathalyser tests proposed for Thai nightlife venues
The Thai Ministry of Public Health is set to propose a policy where nightclubs and bars wishing to extend their operating hours would be required to administer alcohol breathalyser tests to customers who may be too intoxicated to travel home safely. The proposal also includes the responsibility of these establishments to arrange transportation services for such patrons. The breathalyser tests…
- Chiang Mai News
Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation
In the early hours yesterday, a police raid was set into motion in the Chang Phueak area of Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province. The operation, at precisely 12.30am, was led by Ronarong Thipsiri, the Inspector General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), alongside DOPA SWAT and other relevant officials. Their target was an illegal entertainment venue, which had…
- Business News
Phuket: Proposal to extend nightlife venues operating hours to promote tourism
The proposal to extend the operating hours of nightlife venues in Phuket for a trial period of three months has been put forward by local tourism operators. Phuket Tourist Association president Thaneth Tantipiriyakij stated that the move to extend nightlife venue hours could potentially increase tourism revenue by an estimated 30%. The extension of hours would cater to the influx of…
- Thailand News
Nightlife extension in Pattaya to 4am could boost tourism, says city business chief
The president of the Pattaya City Night Business Association is optimistic about the potential of nightlife extension activities until 4am. However, she noted that the current directive only applies to the U-Tapao Airport area. She urged the government to better understand the unique dynamics of Pattaya, a city heavily reliant on tourism. Lisa Hamilton voiced her concerns that while the government…
- Thailand News
NIDA Poll reveals Thai public disapproval to extended bar hours plan
A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) revealed significant public opposition to the Thai government’s initiative to extend operating hours in bars and nightclubs from 2am to 4am. The survey was conducted between October 17 and 19, engaging 1,310 participants above 20 years old from diverse backgrounds. The initiative, proposed by the Interior Ministry of Thailand,…
- Thailand News
Entertainment venues: Bangkok governor paints the town ‘green’ with 4am nightlife nod
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittupunt has given green light approval to entertainment venues to extend their closing time to 4am, provided they implement appropriate safety measures and take into consideration the welfare of nearby residents and young people. He also insisted that clear and transparent operations are better than secretly operating past the legal hours. During a recent executive meeting at…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya entertainment venues near U-Tapao airport get 24-hour operations approval
In an effort to stimulate the tourism sector, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a proposal that promotes round-the-clock operations of Pattaya entertainment venues. However, this permit is specifically allocated to the region around U-Tapao International Airport. The allowance is aimed at servicing transient passengers who wish to enjoy a relaxing drink while awaiting their flight schedules, not…
- Thailand News
POLL: Majority opposed to 4am venue curfew
A new poll shows that, despite vocal advocates and support amongst tourists, the majority of Thai people don’t believe that nightlife entertainment venues should be allowed to open until 4am. The poll found that 48.6% of people believe that 2am is a late enough time for bars and clubs to close. Only 40.6% of people believe that some or all…
- Tourism News
Anutin promises no 4am curfew; Tourism Ministry suggests Bangla Road trial
The chances of a 4am national nightlife curfew are looking dim. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul says his ministry strongly opposes the measure. Meanwhile, proponent Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakarn has reduced his campaign from a nationwide extension to just making Bangla Road in Phuket a pilot area for the 4am curfew. The Ministry of Tourism had…
- Pattaya News
Raid roundup: Pattaya pubs, cannabis shops scrutinised
Police in Pattaya are continuing their crackdown to clean up unseemly and illegal activities in an attempt to polish the tourist city’s reputation. Over the past few days, officers carried out inspections of cannabis shops around the city as well as raids on several entertainment venues that now face closure. Early this morning, two pubs in Pattaya were shut down…
- Thailand News
Cabinet seems to have ignored 4am nightlife proposal
It seems that the push for 4am closing times for nightlife venues is meeting stiff opposition. But entertainment venues aren’t giving up, offering new arguments and proposing plans to solve the points of contention. Meanwhile, the briefing released after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that was expected to discuss the curfew extension did not make any mention of the 4am proposal.…
- Pattaya News
2 entertainment venues raided in Pattaya amid crackdown
In their continued effort to crack down on nefarious activities, and hamper tourism according to many, the Pattaya Police raided two more nightclubs last night. The raids came after a pledge by police forces to do nightly sweeps of the area to make sure that all entertainment venues are following all the laws. At the press conference on Friday, Major…
- Pattaya News
World Cup is no exception for crackdown in Pattaya venues
Staying up late to watch the World Cup? Not in an entertainment venue in Pattaya, you’re not. The Region 2 Police are cracking down on entertainment venues in the popular nightlife city and are not making any closing time exceptions for the World Cup. The police plan to strictly enforce seven important rules, according to Pattaya City officials at a…
- Road deaths
4am curfew proposal protested by drunk driver victims
Entertainment venue and nightlife operators are fervently pushing for a 4am closing time and have gained support from many key government officials. But a protest outside Government House pushed back against a later curfew, fueled by victims of drunk drivers and a coalition of anti-drink driving activists. The 4am curfew extension is expected to be officially proposed to the Cabinet…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya clubs and police deny allegations of bribes
Netizens believe a photo circulating on social media, showing a list of names and numbers, reveals the names and numbers of police officers involved in soliciting bribes from local businesses. The officers and business owners allegedly named deny any wrongdoing. In the fallout of the Club One Pattaya drug raid, both Pattaya Police and venue owners are denying claims of…
- Crime News
Club One Pattaya faces 5 year closure after drug raid
The shocking story of the Club One Pattaya drug raid keeps getting juicier. The Sunday morning raid was thwarted by a rebellion, as patrons pushed past police to flee. Then the nightclub owner complained he already had a deal with authorities to avoid raids. Now, police suspect a Chinese national with an extensive criminal history to be the true owner…
- Crime News
Botched drug raid: owner claims deal with police, guests bum rush police
A botched drug raid in a popular Pattaya club saw patrons push past police to flee, and the nightclub owner complained he already had a deal with authorities. Police say the raid of Club One Pattaya netted evidence of illegal drug use but led to no arrests. Outnumbered police could not contain the crowd of around 200 patrons, who charged…
- Entertainment
1-billion-baht tourism stimulus back on track
While debate continues around Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to office, one thing has become clear: the Tourism and Sports Ministry is moving ahead with a package of measures delayed while General Prayut was suspended pending the Constitutional Court’s ruling. One proposal will allow entertainment venues to remain open until 4am. It’s estimated that Thailand loses roughly 70 million baht (US$2…
- Phuket News
Phuket ‘ready’ to open nightclubs until 4am
The Phuket Tourism Association is pushing for later closing times in nightclubs. Entertainment venues in Phuket, southern Thailand, are “ready” to open until 4am, according to the Chairman of the Phuket Tourism Association Thanet Tanipirayakit. The association hopes to extend the closing times of entertainment venues on Patong beach’s Bangla Road from 2am to 4am in a Phuket Sandbox-style pilot…
- Bangkok News
CCSA leaves entertainment venues in limbo over 4am closing
Hotels on Khao San Road in Bangkok were ready to offer special hotel room rates of 500 baht per night to guests if the government extended closing time to 4am. Unfortunately, no decision has been made and it’s left bar, restaurant, and hotel owners in limbo. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, revealed last week that he would seek…
- Tourism News
4am alcohol curfew may increase revenue, but also crime, deaths
Supporters of the current proposal to allow nightlife entertainment venues to open and serve booze until 4am in some tourist provinces think it will allow money-spending customers to drink alcohol and party for a few extra hours. Meanwhile, opposition to the proposal worries that it will allow customers to drink alcohol and party for a few extra hours, with dire…
- Covid-19 News
Proposal for new “green zone” provinces goes before CCSA today
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has submitted a proposal to classify some provinces as “green zones”. The proposal will be considered by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration when it meets today. Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the health ministry says the proposal involves adjusting the Covid-19 colour-coded zoning, which currently has provinces listed as yellow (high surveillance) or blue “tourism” zones. The…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife
Thailand is getting closer and closer to the endemic phase of its Covid response. Achingly slow but now with at least a proposal to be tabled at the next CCSA meeting. The Ministry of Public Health will propose ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ as a plan to allow entertainment venues to legally reopen in 3 tourist islands including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh…
- Business News
Nightlife venues in “blue zones” want permission to re-open from June 1
Thailand’s nightlife venues are demanding to be allowed re-open for business in “blue zone” tourism areas from June 1. According to a Bangkok Post report, the proposal is one of several being submitted to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha today. Sa-nga Ruangwatthanakul from the association of Khao San Road business operators says the proposals are being put forward by over 10 associations…
- Covid-19 News
Cheers! Chiang Mai restaurants can now serve alcohol until 11pm
Crack open a beer and don’t worry about hiding it in a paper cup. Restaurants in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand are now permitted to serve alcoholic beverages until 11pm, according to the Chiang Mai Communicable Disease Committee. The new rule is effective from today, April 1. And no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke. Under Thailand’s colour-coded zoning…
- Thailand News
Police order shutdown of 3 go-go bars, nightclubs in Bangkok’s Thonburi
Police are shutting down three bars for five years in the Thonburi area of Bangkok without much explanation. The three “satan borikan,” or “service places” (a Thai genteelism for prostitution venues) have been closed down for committing offences that violate Thailand’s “Entertainment Act” of 1966 and a government order from 2015. New Jazz, Lan-Lao and Poseidon Pub in Thonburi committed…
- Pattaya News
2 Pattaya venues acting as “restaurants” busted for Covid-19 violations
In the continuing struggle to rein in restaurants and venues violating the ever-evolving Covid-19 restrictions, police in Pattaya arrested 2 managers of so-called restaurants last night. Police reported that they were in violation of the new 11pm closing time, as well as the Covid-19 health and safety rules for venues that serve alcohol. The Pattaya City Police Chief personally led…
- Phuket News
Venues in Phuket selling alcohol must apply for new permit
First, they shut all the bars and entertainment venues selling alcohol in Thailand. Then they said those venues could reopen, but not as a boozy bar, rather as restaurants, who eventually were allowed to sell a bit of alcohol again, now until 11 pm. But now in Phuket, entertainment venues that were originally licenced to sell alcohol but then got…
- Bangkok News
BMA follows CCSA; Bangkok entertainment venues remain closed
It will likely come as no shock to anyone, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared today that they will follow the rules of the CCSA and extend the closure of entertainment venues indefinitely. The decision was announced today that bars, pubs, karaoke, nightclubs, and other nightlife and entertainment venues will not be reopening in Bangkok as with the rest of…
- Covid-19 News
5,000-baht payouts go out to registered nightlife workers
Plans for a one-time cash payout to aid registered nightlife workers made unemployed by Covid-19 restrictions are coming to fruition with the first round of payments going out today. About 30,000 workers in the entertainment and nightlife sectors should receive a payment of 5,000 baht. The payment is the first of several intended to go out to each of the…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok revises closure order, bars and nightclubs to stay closed until January 15
Bangkok officials revised its provincial closure order and extended the date the order is in effect to January 15, requiring bars and entertainment venues to remain shut for at least the next two weeks, which is in line with government’s nationwide closure order. Approved New Year countdown events still can continue under the “Covid-19 Free Setting” measures, which require proof…
- Thailand News
Nightlife workers protest at Government House, call for financial assistance
Thailand’s nightlife workers have rallied in Bangkok, protesting outside Government House as they demand government assistance. The workers, known as the “high heel mob” are calling on PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to offer state aid to industry workers adversely affected by Covid-19 closure orders. According to a Bangkok Post report, the workers were led by the Empower Foundation. Employees say their…
- Covid-19 News
Entertainment sector performers may receive one-time payout
Some workers in nightlife and entertainment venues may soon receive a taste of Covid-19 financial relief from a government payout. The Social Security Office of Thailand agreed to help people in the entertainment sector who have been without work and any financial assistance for over a year. If the Cabinet approves the new measures, workers in the sector can receive…
- Covid-19 News
Business and government leaders meet to reopen Pattaya bars
A high-level meeting is the latest in the non-stop attempts by businesses in Pattaya to reopen bars and entertainment venues, with business leaders and government officials meeting at Pattaya City Hall yesterday to discuss the issue. The conference was run by the president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, the Bang Lamung District Chief, the mayor of Pattaya, and…
- Covid-19 News
Lockdown not on the cards, but re-opening nightlife may be postponed: PM
The Thai PM has ruled out introducing another national lockdown as a result of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. However, he says the re-opening of bars and other nightlife venues may have to be delayed. According to a Bangkok Post report, Prayut Chan-o-cha says existing screening measures for international arrivals are sufficient, without having to shut down the country. “Harsh measures…
- 1
- 2