Police Crackdown on Patong Bars

[Noe diaz- weaver]

I think you have missed the point a little. I have tried to be objective and give another side to the argument. How do you know that you haven't missed out on the best night of your life, just because you've walked past a tout and completely ignored him ? By paying the 300baht and having a great time, you feel afterwards that it is justified, however if the place was pony and you only stayed for 1 beer, then yes, you are right, 300baht would not seem such a pleasant thing to do.

Remember, it is not all one way in situations like this. Yes, the first beer cost 550baht, but how much is the next one ?

 

[mesquiteskeetr]

I am surprised. Was this in WS area?

I like a reasonably early night, so it does not bother me. The last time I stayed in Walking Street area, the noisy disco a couple of hundred yards away kept me awake until 6 ish.

 

[thankfull]

How much is this hurting the average beer bars? It would seem that most are not adjusting very easy. I have noticed that both the girls and the punters don’t really get into the swing of things till 12:30 or 1am and then 1 hour later shows over. A couple of bar owner friends I have are really hurting because most of their trade comes very late however others are doing ok because of the location, history and cliental of the bars have made them a places to start early. I hope there is some consistency as mentioned in other posts soon so all can adjust.

 

[Zeb]

Yep, probably was, but I didn't feel like playing the game. I just took it as humor, and since he was so close to the right time, kidded that maybe he was the person who delayed me for a few minutes.

I'll take the next one at 10:30. Maybe I'll use a "real camera" which would make it easier.

 

[oh yea!!!]

Quite sure. Just walk around the area late at night - it's the ladies who are selling beer from the mini-stalls, and who dominate the area. Yeah, there are some guys and katoeys too, but most of them seem to be on the other side of Bangla Road.

I'm never 100% sure who's who, so your question is valid, but the katoeys are usually over-made-up, and in most (but not all) of the cases I'm referring to, I'm pretty sure it's ladies, not guys. In NONE of these times was I even the slightest bit tempted to go home with any of them, period. Someone that aggressive, or that drunk, is the last thing I want to deal with.

Right at the very end of Bangla, on the beach, there are also lots of people waiting on the new benches, but all of them are more restrained, and while they'll gladly try to start a conversation, none of them jump all over you. Here it's a mixture of ladies and katoeys, or at least that's what I think it is.

It's funny in retrospect - one time I thought someone was actually interesting to talk to, and did get into a conversation. I asked who/what the person was, and the answer given to me was "whatever I wanted, that's who they would be".

I'm sure I'll get jumped on for saying all that, but it's true, as I see it. I've met some ladyboys who are among the nicest people I've ever met in Patong, but they're the exception. Most people I've met are simply interested in getting some $$$$$. Every so often you do get to meet someone who wants to be with you because they like you, and if you like them, it's a wonderful chemistry. No money required, and none asked for, but since I figure that I'm still in a better financial status than they are, I insist on giving them something as a present, even when they say no.

This "police crackdown on Patong bars" seems to me to be mostly an illusion. Everything here is the same as before, and when the bars are closed, life goes on, on the streets. I'm not really a "bar person" anyway, so I'm not the right person to comment on all this. I'm perfectly happy getting a beer (or several) at a 7/11 and talking to the street people. Of course, it goes along with that, that I'm comfortable in dealing with, and talking to, the street people. If I wasn't, I'd probably also be going to the bars to meet people.

I've got two bars I have on my must-visit list. One is owned by a friend, and I always stop by there on my visits. The other is MTB, which maybe I'll get to visit this week. Maybe I'll even be allowed to take a few photos there.

 

[Mrs. Brightside]

I don't think that there is a set number.

Just make a few more sensible posts, and one of the mods will give you access.

 

[krn001]

This is where the flip flop makes the mind fuzzy I think they were pushing for 12 and there was mass uproar everywhere so they compromised to 1am/2am closings.

Dude, your post count has exploded!

 

[the tot]

It was a strike 3 or 4 years ago, and it actually worked...............Dont know if and when it's going to happen this time, but I know the discos are pushing for it.
Places like TaiPan and BayaBeach are loosing loads of money at the moment:erf:

Geir

 

[Matthew Ocean]

Its looks as though by the web cam that the bar closed at just beofre 3am.
So looks like things are getting later again - Which is all good!

 

[hairbender]

2am is find with me.... Gets me home earlier... Now the L/T is more of real L/T instead of a S/T.

 

[Ashley Ireland]

I hope the food is better in the new one... If you look carefully you can see old Ronnie perched up against the back wall.

Mac

 

[Peng]

I used to pay 2k per month, not sure what they pay now in soi tiger

G

 

[gaBed]

Don't know - was tucked up in bed.

 

[Holbrook]

Dodger seems to prefer that things stay on track, which is a good idea. So, if any of you want to enter a "beat up on Thaicam" discussion, I'll answer any questions there, not here.

In the meantime, let me see if I can download some more cell phone images of Bangla tonight. Between the lack of tourists and the constant rain showers, the place is starting to feel really empty.

 

[Ms.A.]

PATONG: Bar, discotheque and pub owners will be given a 90-day grace period before police begin to strictly enforce a 2 am closing time at all nightlife venues on the island, authorities have announced.

Starting at 2 am on February 27, police presence was unexpectedly heavy on Soi Bangla and along nearby roads that make up the heart of Phuket’s nightlife entertainment industry.

Their presence sparked fears of a crackdown on bars and pubs, many of which have in recent months been staying open well past the mandatory closing time of 2 am that applies to most venues in the area.

Fearing possible arrests and fines, owners were quick to close shop.

On February 28 and 29, also starting at 2 am, Kathu District Chief Khantee Silapa accompanied Kathu Police Superintendent Col Grissak Songmoonnak and other high-ranking officers from Kathu Police on more inspection tours in Patong.

Again, bar owners were quick to close and there were no reports of arrests, but the show of force by authorities sent a clear signal to venue owners that failure to observe the mandatory closing time of 2 am will no longer be accepted.

Nightlife venue owners will be given 90 days, from February 28, before police will begin arresting bar owners who fail to comply, Col Grissak told the Gazette a few days later.

The new initiative follows an order by newly-installed Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung.

Noting that pubs and nightclubs were used by youths as a place to experiment with and trade in narcotics, he said better compliance with existing closing times would be a key part of his campaign against drug abuse.

Minister Chalerm threatened to punish police officers, district chiefs and other officials who failed to strictly enforce anti-drug measures at entertainment venues, Phuket Governor Niran Kalyanamit said at the monthly meeting of provincial government officers, which he chaired at Phuket Provincial Hall on the morning of February 27.

Current closing times were put in place in early 2004 under the controversial “Social Order” campaign launched by Pol Capt Purachai Piemsomboon, Interior Minister during the first Thaksin administration.

The order by K. Purachai, who initially pushed for a closing time of midnight to keep minors out of nightclubs, resulted in non-violent protests by hundreds of nightlife workers in Patong, where the previous closing time had been 4 am closing.

In the end, special “nightlife zones” were established where venues with a special license could remain open until 2 am, while those outside the zone were required to close at 1 am.

However, the strict enforcement of closing times slackened considerably while the country was under post-coup martial law and remained slack after the National Legislative Assembly was appointed as the interim government.

While there were reports of some unlicensed beer bars being closed down in Kathu after Minister Chalerm’s order, Kathu District Chief Khantee denied that either officials or police had been distributing yellow warning cards to venues found in violation, as reported by one Thai language newspaper.

“Now we are forcing all bars to send their guests home at 2 am, but we are not charging them. We also found some venues employing girls under 18 and closed them down,” Chief Khantee told the Gazette.

The 2 am closing time would cost local businesses money, but both the laws and goals of the anti-drug campaign need to be respected, he said.

“I believe that if nightlife venues close up at 2 am, tourists will begin their night out on the town earlier. This is also a good opportunity to let tourists know about the anti-drug campaign,” he said.

Sompetch Moosophon, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), said he plans to meet Chief Khantee soon and push for Patong to be exempted from the 2 am closing time, which he sees as incongruous with the needs of most visiting tourists.

“In my opinion, the 2 am closing time is not appropriate because many tourists who visit Patong like to stay out drinking and partying all night long…This is the special appeal of Soi Bangla as far as tourists are concerned,” he said.

A review of crime statistics for the area proves that this has not resulted in an excess of fighting or other violent crime, he maintained.

The PEBA has already begun distributing an English-language questionnaire to visiting tourists to see how they feel about enforcement of the 2 am closing time. The results will be presented to both Chief Khantee and Gov Niran, he said.

“We would like to report the exact situation in Patong to the government and have them recognize our special situation by allowing us to stay open later than nightlife venues in other provinces,” he said.

A closing time of 3 am, extended to 4 am or 5 am during the high season, would be appropriate, he said.

K. Sompetch, Managing Director of Dclub Disco on Soi Crocodile, said PEBA cooperated with a request by former Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura three or four years ago seeking to limit the number of nightlife venues in Patong and restrict them from areas nearby schools, temples and residential areas.

Print this story | Send it to a friend
Send Letter to Gazette Editor
Phuket, Thailand
17:20 local time (GMT +7)

 

[Tammie]

Heared that the police came into Soi Tiger last night to check the dancers. Apparently visible skin on the belly is a no no.

The last few days I noticed more belly skin but tonight is probably going to be more covered.

Seems that just about everything is now closing around 3 AM.

 

[txluciouslips]

If you are get one of Nam please. I think she is a honey.

 

[ishita]

I tought this thread was about Police Crackdown on Patong Bars

 

[HeyitsDani]

Thats good of you :thumbsup: - in more general terms though an other language section could benefit non-English speakers.

 

[EnWi]

Yeah, i can imagine the trade has completely dropped off, and it would be very annoying,

Hopefully a strike can work again