An agreement has been reached for the Interior Ministry to create a regulation outlining the standards for nighttime entertainment venues in top tourist areas. These venues will be allowed to operate until 4am, ministry spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul stated on Thursday.
Ms. Traisuree noted that this agreement was solidified during a meeting on Wednesday, presided over by the deputy interior permanent secretary, Chamnanwit Terat.
The meeting saw participation from various ministries, including those of Tourism and Sports, Transport, Finance, Social Development and Human Security, Public Health, Labour, and Justice.
Additionally, representatives from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Royal Thai Police, Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were in attendance.
This initiative comes on the heels of a cabinet resolution from October 13, directing the Interior Ministry to join hands with relevant agencies.
The overarching objective is to explore and assess strategies for extending the operating hours of entertainment venues in specific tourist hotspots.
Such extensions aim to boost tourism and heighten spending, especially during the high-demand seasons.
During the discussion, there was agreement that the Interior Ministry should create a comprehensive ministerial regulation.
This regulation will delineate precise criteria for local authorities in areas rich in tourism potential.
With these guidelines, local administrations will be in a position to submit proposals, requesting permission for entertainment venues to stay open until 4am.
Ms. Traisuree elaborated that based on these stipulated standards, the Interior Ministry will then evaluate and greenlight the submissions.
Furthermore, she highlighted that Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been informed of the agreement and has instructed the associated departments to draft the ministerial regulation.
