Outspoken and controversial former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit posted a Facebook Live broadcast last week calling on the Tourism and Sports Ministry of Phuket to “wake up and promote” their famous nightlife area on Bangla Road and allow late-night hours.
Chuwit, who before his entry into politics was the country’s biggest massage parlor kingpin, called for the Tourism Ministry to allow bars and nightclubs to remain open until 4am.
“Ministry of Tourism and Sports, wake up and promote!” Chuwit called out in the live broadcast as he paraded along Bangla Road alongside Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA) President Weerawit Krueasombut and Head of the Pisona Group of companies Preechawude “Prab” Keesin.
“You must think about this. As I walk around here on Bangla Road, most of the people are foreign tourists, not Thais. There are no students and no schools in the area that you need to worry about,” he said.
“No tourists go to sleep early on their holidays. They sleep in and wake up late. Think about it,” he added.
Asked by Chuwit how much revenue Patong nightlife generated in general business, Prab responded, “About THB100 million.”
Weerawit added, “The general businesses that benefit from this trade include pubs, bars and other entertainment venues as well as tuk tuks, taxis, and restaurants.”
“See, you must promote Bangla Road. It is a tourism area. Let’s show tourists what there is to see on the colorful and jolly street of Bangla,” Chuwit told his Facebook audience.
Since the video was posted, it has had more than 47,000 views.
Chuwit went on to ask several bar owners, including one French and an Australian, who their main clientele were, to which both responded, “Most are just foreigners.”
Weerawit said, “I am glad that Chuwit visited Bangla Road. He is a person who really understands the real situation on Bangla Road – and he understands that here should close at 4am, not 1am.”
Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan made the request to allow night venues to close at 4am official with a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office dispatched on Feb 15.
Weerawit noted that the PEBA was still waiting for a reply to the formal request sent by Governor Chockchai.
“This request will be presented to the Cabinet and we are still waiting for a reply from Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul,” he said.
Story: The Phuket News
