City
officials and police discuss how to handle Pattaya’s entertainment zones.
Phasakorn Channgam
The committee drafting new regulations for Pattaya’s
entertainment industry again discussed allowing bars to operate around the
clock, but the idea remains far from becoming a reality.
At the second meeting of the year for the “Pattaya Model
Project,” city Permanent Secretary Suthorn Ratanawaraha proposed creating
three color-coded zones to regulate closing times. Establishments operating
in the yellow Zone A would close at 2 a.m. Those in orange Zone B at 4 a.m.
and those in the red Zone C could stay open 24 hours.
Several members of the panel, which include provincial,
national, police and community leaders, questioned the idea, saying Pattaya
continues to grow so quickly, such zones quickly might become outdated.
Others opposed it completely, arguing Pattaya already has too many bars too
close to schools and temples.
Pattaya City Council Chairman Tavich Chaiswangwong said
he supports making the entire city an official “red-zone” district, with all
bars given equal opportunity to operate around the clock.
He argued the city has been growing out of control for
two decades and sees nothing changing. With so many bars already ignoring
closing times, he reasoned, the city might as well make it official.
