“It’s time to reform the Entertainment Venue Act to be modern ‒ for a sustainable nightlife economy,” Mr Chalermpong told The Phuket News.
He said outdated and unclear rules led to the recent confusion over alcohol sales in Phuket during the Buddhist Lent holiday Wan Org Pansa yesterday (Oct 7).
“The announcement must be for licensed entertainment venues ‒ in zoning areas such as airports, hotels and legally licensed venues,” he said. “They’re trying to avoid using the term. It’s not clear. We need to look at the definition of entertainment venues first. 7-Eleven can’t sell alcohol because they’re not entertainment venues.”
Mr Chalermpong said the long-standing Entertainment Venue Act of 1966 had become “a tool for bribery and extortion” and urgently needed reform.
He and other People’s Party MPs were to hold a press conference today (Oct 8) at Parliament to propose an amendment decentralising authority to local governments, allowing residents to decide where entertainment zones should be located.
“The entertainment business in Thailand has long been plagued by unjustified bribery from government officials,” he said. “Outdated laws have become a tool for illicit gain. Reforming this law isn’t just about entertainment ‒ it’s about national income that should return to the people.”
MP Chalermpong’s comments came after Patong Police Chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hernsawat attempted to clarify enforcement during the Buddhist Lent holiday yesterday.
Pol Col Chalermchai confirmed alcohol sales were banned at general stores, convenience shops and “restaurants” not registered as entertainment venues.
“Only places such as hotels, airports and legally licensed entertainment venues are permitted to sell alcohol on the five main Buddhist holidays,” he said, acknowledging overlapping regulations from the Interior and Public Health ministries had deepened confusion.
Pol Col Chalermchai said Patong Police officers conducted inspections yesterday ‒ but were carried out “without arrests”.
However, he also noted that several business operators reported closing for the 24 hours of yesterday following Patong Police posting an announcement that the ban on the sale of alcohol on Buddhist Lent would be enforced.
“Police officers conducted inspections, issued warnings and carried out public relations activities, but no arrests were made,” Pol Col Chalermchai said.
“Constant inspections have been conducted previously to ensure compliance, and to follow the orders from the Ministry of Interior and Royal Thai Police,” he added.
Pol Col Chalermchai also confirmed that Patong Police officers carried out a “public relations exercise” to inform venue operators of the ban.
Of note, in promoting the announcement of the ban, Patong Police officers specifically highlighted entertainment venues on Bangla Rd ‒ which are exempt from the ban twice over, in that they are 1) licensed entertainment venues; and 2) they are clearly located in a “tourist area”, as required by law.
The confusion over the alcohol ban reared its ugly head in Phuket only in July, when police defended their closing of selected bars and restaurants across the island, saying that only service establishments with valid licenses are allowed to sell alcohol during the Asarnha Bucha and Khao Phansa Buddhist holidays.
Following the confusion yesterday, MP Chalermpong said the lack of clarity only highlighted why reform was essential:
“It’s time to stop using vague laws as tools for corruption and start building a transparent system that supports both tourism and fairness,” he said.