Nightspot Zoning - Bangkok for Singles

Since the Thai government has revoked the regulation to close entertainment venues at Midnight in March 2004 because of massive protests apparently the process of the social order crusade so far should be summarized to be able to discuss the pros and cons and to build up an own solid point of view.

Closing time is now at 01:00 a.m.

To sell alcohol is only allowed between 11:00 a.m. until 02:00 p.m. and 05:00 p.m. until midnight.
Even in seven-11 you can not buy a can of beer. You will be fined or put into prison if the catch you buying beer in the intermediate times.

The Thai lady of my choice is endangered for she knows a street- stall with the principle: 'ok, here we go.'

In 2001 Purachai Piumsombun, the former interior minister, is running a campaign to enforce social order on nightspots.

Mr Purachai Piumsombun said Bangkok should not have more than three night entertainment zones, considering that New York, a much larger city, had only one such zone while Bangkok city hall is standing fast in its belief there should be six night entertainment zones for Bangkok.

The decision was made October 5th, 2001, three zones in Bangkok:

Patpong area
RCA (Rama IX Rd.)
New Petchabury Rd.

A number of nightspots including Rama IX, Taurus and other outlets in Sukhumvit were left out of the designated zones and, as a result, are subject to strict regulations on opening times.

Patpong was to be approved, Mr Purachai, the interior minister, said, while ruling out Khao San road.

"Khao San road is on Rattanakosin island where there are lots of temples and cultural sites.'' Putting a zone there was out of the question. Operators there had promised him they would shut down at midnight.

They faced no immediate risk of closure, but authorities may decline to extend licenses as they expire.

Fees for renewing operating licenses would increase 10 times and harsher punishments would be imposed on venues selling alcohol to youngsters. Venues which break the law would be closed for 90 days, up from 30 days.

The zoning of entertainment areas around the country will be completed by June 2002, Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun said in January 2002 since 74 of the 76 provinces had already submitted letters declaring their intention to allow entertainment areas.
Cabinet issued a royal decree to zone entertainment areas in 14 provinces.
Only three areas in Bangkok - Patpong, New Phetchaburi and Ratchadapisek roads - were allowed to operate night venues covering an area of 6sq km.

Purachai claims early closing is for 'good of society'.

He was responding to complaints that by religiously enforcing early closing he is hurting tourism, has slashed the incomes of workers in the industry and taken police from more important crime-busting duties.

"Tourists are here because they want to see natural beauty,'' Mr Purachai said and

"They don't want to see exotic dancers. The nightlife is secondary.''

As for arguments that the social order could affect the tourism industry, Mr Purachai said the prime minister, the defense and foreign ministers had all showed a clear stance that quantity - the number of arrivals - was no longer important.

The regulations concern:

Entertainment venues, which must close at 2am
Venues which serve alcohol, which must close at 1am
Food shops and stalls, which must stop serving alcohol at midnight.
People under 20 will be barred from visiting a wide range of entertainment places
The maximum fine would rise to 10,000 baht from 3,000 baht.
The money derived from fines would go towards providing rewards for people who give information leading to the arrest of violators.
Restaurants with karaoke facilities would not be included in the zoning scheme until the amended version of the entertainment establishment law goes through parliament.

The reasons:

In Bangkok, which is associated with a robust nightlife, most road accidents occurred between 10pm-2am. The majority of the injured were males between 15-25 years of age.
Road accidents caused economic losses of 100,000 million baht a year and resulted in the loss of about 16,000 lives.
Research conducted by Paiboon Suriyawongpaisarn, of the National Health Foundation, found alcohol was the cause of over 42,200 road accidents a year, or 26%.
If opening hours extend beyond 2:00 AM the country could ill-afford lavish energy consumption.
Residents are consuming energy needlessly even though over 90% of the country's energy needs had to be imported.

The results so far:

In Pattaya the price has jumped to around 300,000 Baht a late-closing license. Under the ministry's order, only certain outlets are allowed to stay open until 2 am. Others are required to close earlier.

In Bangkok land prices in the zoning spots have tripled.

The provinces:

A royal decree on zoning of nightspots is likely to be ready soon, covering eight provinces without Bangkok.

The eight provinces under the pioneer scheme are Chiang Rai, Tak, Lampang, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Songkhram, Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Phuket.

Provinces which do not have entertainment venues are Sukhothai, Pichit, Nakhon Nayok, Ang Thong, Satun, Yala and Pattani and as the latest news so far

What is it all about?

Speakers at a public forum said zoning was important because entertainment venues allowed youngsters access to heavy drinking, drugs and sex, which eventually led to health hazards and accidents.

If it is about to protect under aged persons from heavy drinking, drugs and sex why do they control me (Aug 18th, 2001), me the old man, the social drinker, who is not consuming drugs?

I have to admit, however, that I am addicted in a way ... addicted to spend my money as tourist for Thai Singha beer at beer- garden, soi 7, for Thai food in Cabbage&Condoms and for my Thai lady, of course.

My pharmacist at Sukhumvit told me that he is selling more condoms since the night-spots have to close at 02:00 AM.
It is not true but it matches the story - somehow.

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last updated: 02/16/05

The information and the picture I found in