Thai MPs urge review of nightlife bill after prime minister declines endorsement

People's Party MPs have urged the government to reconsider a proposed amendment to Thailand's Service Establishments Act after the prime minister declined to endorse the bill for parliamentary consideration.

Speaking at Parliament on 23 September 2026, Bangkok MP Phanthil Nuamcherm said the existing law had been in use for 60 years and no longer reflected current businesses. The proposed amendment would update the definition of service establishments and give greater authority to local administrations, which MPs said were closer to problems in their areas.

The bill was classified as a financial bill and therefore required the prime minister's endorsement before consideration, according to Phanthil. He asked whether the government had its own legislation and urged it not to discard the proposal because it came from the People's Party.

Phuket MP Chaloempong Saengdee said nightlife operators in Phuket had placed hope in the bill because of what he described as outdated regulations and alleged demands for unofficial payments.

He alleged that entertainment venues in Patong, which are zoned to operate until 04:00, were still being asked for payments. He further claimed that the Department of Provincial Administration had established a unit to collect money from venues and pass it to the provincial governor, and called on the prime minister to address the matter.

According to Chaloempong, alleged payments ranged from B3,000 to B5,000 for bars and B10,000 to B50,000 for pubs, while larger entertainment venues could face demands of hundreds of thousands of baht. These allegations were made during the parliamentary statement.