Phuket bar owners protest alleged extortion by state officials
Operators and staff from Bangla Road entertainment venues in Patong Beach, Kathu district, Phuket, gathered for a protest yesterday, May 13, to oppose alleged extortion and “benefit-seeking” by state officials, while…
Bar owners and staff from Bangla Road entertainment venues gathered in Patong, Phuket, on May 13 to protest alleged extortion and “benefit-seeking” by state officials. The demonstration, held near the Bangla police box at the entrance to Bangla Road, also called for faster action on stalled business licence applications.
The gathering was led by Weerawit Khrueasombat, president of the Patong Entertainment Association. Protesters held signs appealing for help from Prime Minister Anutin and accusing officials of harming the island’s economy.
Operators say licence renewals have stalled for more than a year
Weerawit said venue operators wanted the government to speed up licence approvals after entertainment businesses were allowed to stay open until 4am.
He said many venues had already submitted applications and paid required fees but were still unable to renew their licences. DailyNews reported that some nightlife businesses had waited more than one year for approval before later being inspected by officials, with some then facing legal action that operators considered unfair.
During the protest, Anutin was in Phuket to follow up on public land encroachment issues at Freedom Beach near Patong. Participants had hoped his convoy would pass the protest site on its return route, but it used another road.
Zoning rules leave long-established areas unable to secure permits
Weerawit also pointed to licensing problems for businesses outside designated entertainment zones, including Soi Nanai.
He said the area had functioned as a business and nightlife district for 20 to 30 years, yet operators still could not obtain licences because it falls outside the zoning boundary. He warned that ordering venues in such areas to shut down would seriously damage Patong’s economy.
Weerawit said the group was not directly accusing any specific official. He said operators wanted the government to explain the situation and communicate with business owners instead of relying only on searches or closure orders.
Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-entertainment-venue-operators-protest-extortion
