Thailand considers allowing entertainment venues to stay open until 4 am

By Hoang Phong October 19, 2023 | 05:30 pm PT

People enjoy a drink at a bar along the popular tourist and nightlife strip Khao San Road in Bangkok on Dec. 10, 2021. Photo by AFP

The Thai government plans to extend the opening hours of nighttime entertainment venues until 4 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. to revive its economic and tourism growth.

The Ministry of Interior is working with related parties to find suitable locations for a ‘pilot phase,’ the Bangkok Post reported.

Pilot locations will be revealed after police and related agencies prepare safety protocols and operating procedures.

The move has been highly welcomed by tourism insiders in Thailand.

Phuket News reported that Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, appreciated the plan, and that his association is expected to submit a letter to Srettha's administration to call for the removal of current restrictions on alcohol sale hours as well.

Bangkok Governor ChadchartSittipunt said he had no objection to night entertainment venues staying open until 4 a.m., but the government must ensure that they do not cause noise disturbance to people in the neighborhood.

Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, has one of world's busiest nightlife scenes from high-spirited clubs and go-go bars to night markets and street food.

Currently, the law allows entertainment venues in Thailand to stay open until 2 a.m.

Thailand is seeking ways to revive tourism during the peak travel season and targets 25 million foreign arrivals this year.

It has received 19 million so far.