THAILAND. A new law forcing nightspots in Bangkok to stop operating after midnight will come into effect on 1 April reports Travel Journal International Online.
The policy, dubbed the “Cinderella Law”, was initially to go into effect on 1 March, but was postponed amid protests and pleas by businesses in the entertainment industry. It will create “nightlife zones” that will restrict the operation of entertainment establishments including bars and discos not within specific zones. Bangkok has three zones that will be allowed to operate to later hours: the Patpong area, Ratchadaphisek Road and the Royal City Avenue.
That means nightlife businesses outside these three areas will no longer operate until 2.00am as they do now. Inside the specific zones, businesses can run until 2.00am.
The provinces of Chiang Mai, Uttaridit, Samut Prakan and Lamphun will also be allowed to have establishments operate until 2.00am but planned zones will be established there.
The regulations will also apply to Pattaya, Phuket Island and other beach resort and tourist centres.
TJI Online reports that some in the travel industry have said it could lead to a shift in tourism to places outside the restricted areas or to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Singapore.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), however, said the new law would have little impact on international tourism. TAT director, Tokyo office, Charubun Pananon said: “Thais and foreigners – both residents and international visitors – can enjoy nightlife and entertainment at all entertainment areas in all tourist spots that will be designated by the authority in those areas until 2.00am.”
He pointed out that the Thai government aims to significantly promote good health to everyone in Thailand and to reduce the negative effects created by late night activities.
Association of Thai Travel Agents president Suparerk Soorangura, said that “most travellers come to Thailand to experience nature rather than for entertainment although Thailand is famous for its unlimited entertainment activities.”
However, he pointed out that there may be some impact on some particular markets from Asia regarding popular tourist destinations, namely Bangkok, Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket. “The effects will be only short-lived in the initial period. When they learn of the new law, they will rearrange their night schedule,” said Soorangura
Meanwhile, arrivals from Japan to Thailand in November 2003 nearly matched that of a year earlier, down by a mere -0.75% to 106,824, according to TAT statistics released this month. The single-digit decrease was the second in a row, after October’s -7.76% dip.
In the first 11 months of 2003, the number of Japanese arrivals reached 936,587, off -17.1% from a year earlier.
Source: Travel Journal International Online
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