Situated within Bangkok’s pulsating heart of Phra Nakhon district, you’ll find Khao San Road – an electrifying hotspot once the sun sets, teeming with a kaleidoscope of nightlife experiences. The compelling dynamic of this locale doesn’t go unnoticed by city helmsman, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. He is open to a novel proposal that could potentially transform Bangkok’s nightlife scene, turning up the volume and buzzing till dawn.
With the Interior Ministry poised to give a nod of agreement, the governor anticipates a shift in the operating hours of bars and nightclubs, switching off the neon signs only at 4am instead of the standard 2am. However, this move is not without conditions. The seal of approval still hinges on the Cabinet’s endorsement, but Governor Chadchart assures that this new directive would be a shot in the arm for the tourism industry, provided safeguarding measures are firmly in place to curtail any adverse societal implications.
The plan to keep the city that never sleeps, up even later, was first birthed in the powerhouse of decision-making by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Earlier this month, he postulated the potential economic uplift that could be achieved through the extension of nightlife hours. Governor Chadchart echoes this sentiment, stating that if noise pollution, drug misuse, and underage drinking could be effectively managed, this initiative could indeed revitalize the business landscape for night entertainment operators.
Working closely with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), police forces will embark on the task of identifying suitable zones for this revolutionary policy. According to Governor Chadchart, the face of the city’s nightlife has been quite fluid, evolving over time. Earlier hotspots like the Royal City Avenue (RCA), for instance, are no longer holding the title of the city’s primary nocturnal epicenter.
The wheels of this potential change are slowly turning as numerous researches are conducted, says Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Hess stressed that the proposed changes are being studied in depth, with local administrative offices nationwide painstakingly analyzing these proposals before presenting their reports to the Prime Minister. Cognizant of the fact that the length of extension of operational hours may vary, Minister Anutin confirms that the Ministry will approach each case individually. The overarching aim lies in creating a balance that stimulates local economic activities without affecting the lives of local residents.
Be First to Comment