On May 13, operators and staff from entertainment venues along Bangla Road in Patong Beach, located in Phuket’s Kathu district, assembled for a protest to voice their opposition to alleged extortion practices by state officials and to demand expedited processing of business licenses.
The protest occurred near the police box at the entrance to Bangla Road, led by Weerawit Khrueasombat, the president of the Patong Entertainment Association. Participants displayed signs appealing to Prime Minister Anutin for assistance, accusing officials of prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of Phuket residents and condemning the extortion of entertainment workers in Patong.
At the time of the protest, Prime Minister Anutin was in Phuket to address issues related to land encroachment at Freedom Beach, which is in proximity to Patong. The demonstrators had hoped his convoy would pass by their protest site on its way back, but it chose an alternate route.
Weerawit emphasized that operators are seeking the government’s help to expedite the licensing process following the recent allowance for entertainment venues to operate until 4 a.m. He noted that many establishments continue to struggle with license renewals, despite having submitted applications and paid the requisite fees.
According to DailyNews, some nightlife venues have been waiting over a year for approval, only to be subjected to inspections by officials, with some facing legal repercussions, which operators deemed unjust.
Weerawit also expressed concerns regarding businesses located outside designated zoning areas, like Soi Nanai. Despite the area having been an entertainment district for over two to three decades, operators are unable to secure licenses due to current regulations. He warned that enforcing closures in these areas would have a detrimental impact on Patong’s economy and its reputation as a tourist destination.
He concluded by stating that while operators were not directly accusing any specific official, they were urging the government to clarify the situation and engage in dialogue with business owners, rather than relying solely on inspections and closure orders.
In a related protest, nearly 100 bar owners and staff gathered at the Patong Bay Hill Resort, advocating for the extension of alcohol sales hours to 4 a.m. in entertainment zones across Phuket and Pattaya.
Source: The Thaiger
