Phuket nightlife operators seek wider legal zoning

The Phuket Entertainment Business Operators Association has asked provincial authorities to expand designated nightlife zones so more businesses can apply for licences.

Association president Sulaimarn Kaewngamdee and other operators submitted the request at Phuket Provincial Hall on 22 July 2026. Phuket Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae received the letter.

Sulaimarn said the proposal followed discussions with Ministry of Interior officials during a recent visit. He said businesses outside the existing zones were unable to apply for entertainment licences, even though many wanted to operate legally.

The current zones cover limited areas of Phuket Town and Kathu District, according to Sulaimarn, while tourism-related businesses have spread across the island. The association said its members employ more than 5,000 people in Phuket Town and argued that wider legal zones would support employment, investment and tourism.

Operators were prepared to comply with provincial restrictions, including relocating if particular areas were considered unsuitable for nightlife venues, Sulaimarn said. He added that businesses outside designated zones faced uncertainty over possible closures.

Romdon said the province would establish a working group to study the request and check that any proposed changes complied with existing laws. If the proposal is approved in principle, district authorities will hold public consultations with nearby residents before any zoning changes are introduced.

The review will cover all three of Phuket’s districts and seek suitable areas for additional nightlife zones. Romdon said any expansion would have to balance economic and tourism benefits with local community interests, while avoiding locations near schools, temples and other religious sites.