In the name of Social Order, the Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenod has proposed passage of a law that requires all entertainment venues to limit their hours of operation from 6pm to 12am. Some say this is an overly simplistic solution to a complex problem. Many business operators and visitors to Thailand we surveyed disagree with such a blanked application of closing times, especially in tourist destinations like Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok. Prime Minister Thaksin it seems also disagrees with this simple solution and has sent the Deputy Interior Minister back to the drawing board on the issue. Is this an indication that it is a safe bet to think that nothing will change?
The Social Order campaign has been targeted at a variety issues in Thailand. One of the issues is underage customers being admitted and served alcohol in entertainment venues, another is entertainment venues operating after hours and yet another drunk driving. It would seem enforcement could solve these problems, not restricted entertainment operating hours.
Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenod proposed limiting the operation of nightspots from 6pm to midnight has provoked strong negative reactions by business operators, Tourism Authority Officals and High Ranking Government Ministers.
They have brought up many questions about what type of businesses should have limited operating hours. What is a “nightspot/entertainment outlet”? What effect will limiting hours have on tourism? Does limiting the hours of operation solve the problem? Should there be zones or areas for limited hours of operation? Can the laws be enforced? Are there other ideas?
Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra is concerned. Opinion surveys are being taken. A Government panels has been formed, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Purachi Piumsombun, to review the survey, address the issues and report to the Prime Minister.
The decision on hours of operation of nightspots or entertainment outlets will be decided in February and tentatively set to take effect on March 1st.
Another problem is the terrorists or separatists are targeting nightspots that are frequented by Western tourists. The bombing in Bali, Indonesia is an example. These foolish terrorists or separatists are recruited and brain washed from the uneducated and desperately poor people. Their motive is greed and a form of all-consuming hate.
Another problem is safety in these over-crowed Karaoke clubs, discos, bars, etc, etc. When there is a fire, people trample each other to death trying to escape the smoke and flames because there are not enough exits or the exits are not big enough.
Another problem is that some people drink and drive. It is so easy to have a good time and drink too much. It is so easy to drown our sorrows or personal problems and have a few more drinks to forget. The drinker’s judgement becomes slow and wrong. They kill other people or themselves and sometimes damage property. This happens when alcohol is served over many hours.
The biggest problem is underage people. The numbers of underage young adults are growing in some areas of Thailand. You can read about them everyday in the newspapers or television news. And there are many more problems with underage young adults that you never read about or hear about. This is real big problem.
So, something has to be done about it. Parents are afraid and angry. The children are out of control.
They have asked the Police to help. The Police and the parents have asked the government to help. Everybody knows what is going on. Nobody has any solutions to these problems.
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