Nightlife proprietors and business community leaders enthusiastically welcome a proposal to give tourism a shot in the arm by moving closing times back two hours, but said the move must be paired with safety considerations.
While those who stand the most to gain – nightclubs and bars – are the most enthused, representatives of two business associations also agreed it would be a boon for profits, though laxer hours would need to come with zoning enforcement and safety measures to limit the impact on public safety.
“It definitely will bring more money to Khaosan Road,” said Sa-nga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khaosan Road Business Association. “[We] need to understand foreign tourists’ behavior, that they come here to relax, to go out. They don’t need to work in the morning so they can go out until early morning or anytime they’re please.”
But, Sa-nga said, the proposed 4am closing time should be kept to specific areas – unsurprisingly, he said they should include the capital’s top backpacker destination – with stricter law enforcement to prevent drunk driving and road accidents.
“Without zoning, I’m not down with it,” he added.
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It’s no secret that the tourism industry has been struggling with a sharp decline, especially arrivals from China, since last year. The surprise proposal to roll back operating hours to turn-of-the-century levels two weeks ago from the Tourism Ministry was presented as a means to stimulate the economy. Officials predicted a 25% increase in revenues by continuing the fun a few more hours.
While their proposal would only affect legally recognized entertainment zones – that means Patpong, RCA and part of Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok – where closing times are currently 2am.
In theory, those without permits outside the zones can open until 1am and those without permits – most venues – can stay open until midnight. In reality, the regulations affecting entertainment zones, such as their 2am closing times, are widely followed elsewhere.
Clubs and bars open till 4am? Proposal must be studied, PM says
Two hours away from Khaosan Road, Pattaya has also faced a fall in tourist arrivals.
Nutsarai Chaijndarat, vice president of the Chonburi Chamber of Commerce’s travel department, said the proposal sparked a debate within the department between those who agreed with extending the hours and those who opposed it.
“The best suggested solution now is ‘zoning,’ where only entertainment venues on Pattaya’s Walking Street can be open until 4am, while the rest stay the same,” Natsarai said by phone Monday, adding that she’s concerned the decision to extend business hours at all venues in Pattaya alone might affect family-oriented tourism in the area.
“While I realize that economic growth is important, we cannot leave out the cultural value as well,” Natsarai said. “Personally, I think extending the hours only at Walking Street is the best solution.”
Walking Street has the highest concentration of red-light venues and commercial sex workers frequented by tourists.
Natsarai said her organization would come up with a final position soon.
There’s no doubt that extending closing time extension would attract committed revelers to spend more money and boost the profits of nightlife proprietors. Several that Coconuts Bangkok spoke to made no effort to contain their enthusiasm.
Chakgai Jermkwam, owner of Silom drag queen destination The Stranger Bar, wasn’t shy about his strong stance for another two operating hours.
“Yes, yes, yes all the way!” Chakgai said in an interview. “My customers pout or scowl when we have to close at 2am and they don’t have anywhere else to go. I wish we could open later than that.”
“Thailand was a world-renowned tourist destination, but in the past few years, foreigners are likely choosing to go to other neighboring countries. We need to regain them by increasing our competitiveness,” Chakgai added.
But the drag performer also realizes that if the measure is to happen, there are some downsides to consider.
“As a business owner in Silom, I definitely agree with closing at 4am, but there have to be some actions done to prevent excessive drinking, drunk driving and crime.”
It’s “a step in the right direction,” said Yuval Schwok, the founder of party boat Bangkok Island, which launched last year, and owner of hostel-underground art and music venue The Overstay that has operated in the Pinklao area for over a decade.
“First of all, it’s nice to see somebody realizing that bars and nightlife are not something that should be fought and suppressed like in the past, but potentially nurtured. So it’s a step in the right direction because it provides a legal safety net for bar owners and not being targeted by police or army or whoever else,” Schwok wrote via a message.
“I think Thailand and Bangkok in particular are potential to be the entertainment capital of Asia. And the right policies can help that,” he added.
Back on lower Silom, the events organizer at arts, culture and entertainment venue Whiteline also welcomed the proposal.
“I think it’s a good plan. It’s part of being a world class city, having a vibrant cultural scene where experiments in the arts and true revelry can happen,” Oliver Wolfson wrote in a message.
But he’s not holding his breath until it happens.
“I’ll be surprised if it does. I guess [it] will depend on the economic benefit, mostly … not sure it’s the look this government is going for anyway. To encourage late night activities,” he added.
Additional reporting Todd Ruiz
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