Pattaya sees red over new closing hours
PATTAYA – Owners of bars and other entertainment venues in Pattaya are continuing their protests against Thai government regulations forcing them to close their doors two hours early every night.
More than 3,000 disgruntled bar owners protested at Pattaya City Hall last week.
They were told by the city council that Thailand‘s new government is determined to strictly regulate red light zones throughout the country, including Pattaya.
The owners of the entertainment venues, including restaurants, and the operators of motorbike and taxis, want to extend their operating hours in defiance of government regulations.
Local officials claim Pattaya is a special case and should be allowed to extend operating times.
The previous government allowed entertainment venues to stay open until 4am, but currently those venues in the red light zone area may only stay open until 2am, with out-of-zone venues being allowed to stay open till 1am.
Pattaya media sources said the owners made the case that Pattaya is a tourist city, and by shortening opening times by two hours every night, the industry would face a significant loss of earnings.
Ian Jarrett
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