Phuket officials meet Patong nightlife operators after extortion protest

Phuket provincial officials met Patong nightlife operators after a May 13 protest over alleged bribery and extortion by officials and complaints about the entertainment licensing process, according to NBT Phuket.

The gathering was led by Patong Entertainment Business Association president Weerawit Kreuasombat, with venue operators and employees assembling outside Bangla Police Box to demand fairer treatment in licensing.

Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong said operators had raised concerns about inspections and entertainment licence applications. He said many businesses had submitted applications since April, with some already approved while others were still undergoing document verification. The province was working to resolve discrepancies and misunderstandings to reduce the impact on businesses, he said.

Adul said provincial officials also discussed the matter with the association president and Patong Municipality representatives. He stressed that entertainment venues must strictly comply with laws on opening and closing hours, firearms control, drug prevention measures and restrictions on underage customers.

He said those measures were needed to prevent violent incidents that could harm Phuket's tourism image. He also denied allegations that authorities had solicited bribes from operators and said officials had been instructed to perform their duties transparently.

According to the province, Patong's network of entertainment venue operators includes about 300 businesses. Officials estimate Bangla Road generates at least B100 million in daily turnover, while the wider Patong economy, including hotels, restaurants, transport and related services, generates more than B1 billion per day.

During the protest, operators carried signs reading “No Bribes”, “Stop Extorting the People” and “Prime Minister Anutin, Help the People of Phuket from Greedy Officials”.

Weerawit said many operators had spent years trying to obtain proper licences but remained stuck in the approval process despite submitting applications and paying required fees. He said unclear coordination between agencies had created opportunities for some officials to pressure operators for bribes.

He said licensing problems were especially acute in areas outside officially designated entertainment zones, including Nanai Road, where businesses had operated for decades despite zoning restrictions. He urged the government to review zoning regulations to reflect current conditions in Patong and allow long-established businesses to operate legally.

Weerawit warned that strict enforcement without resolving zoning and licensing issues could hurt tourism, damage the local economy and leave some areas deserted.

The protest came shortly after Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket and pledged a crackdown on influential figures and mafia-style operations linked to the tourism industry.