Patong nightlife operators rally over licensing, zoning and fairness

Entertainment venue operators in Patong gathered on May 13 to demand fairer business conditions, saying licensing delays, zoning limits and enforcement practices are hurting the sector in Phuket. Protesters carried signs appealing for help for nightlife businesses and rejecting extortion, including messages referring to “1 kilo,” “no bribes,” job losses and pressure on grassroots operators.

Club group cites permit delays and economic impact

Weerawit Kruasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Business Operators Club, said operators have spent about two years pushing for venue licenses required under the policy allowing venues to open until 4am. He said some renewal applicants received only acknowledgement slips, some waited more than a year for replies, and some paid all required costs but still did not receive operating licenses before inspections and arrests followed.

He said businesses outside current zoning face a separate obstacle because they cannot secure licenses even when they want to comply. As an example, he pointed to Nanai Road, where he said many community residents have moved away and commercial activity has operated for 20 to 30 years.

Weerawit said the protest was intended as a peaceful appeal for state agencies to explain rules clearly instead of sending about 100 officers to inspect venues, forcing closures for a day before businesses reopen the next day. He said the club has about 300 member venues in Patong, with about 100 more outside the association.

He said Patong generates about B300 million a day in high season, while the wider chain across Phuket, including restaurants, taxis, accommodation and shops, reaches an estimated B1 billion a day.

Source: https://www.thaipost.net/district-news/996074/