[butterflyblonde]

Govt targets massage parlours

BANGKOK: -- Massage parlours could be hit with higher licence fees or increased taxes under government plans to drive people out of the business. The moves comes in the wake of the controversy over the location of the Alaina massage parlour, opposite a high school on Ratchadapisek road.

PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva, said the government wanted to reduce the number of massage parlours inside and outside areas zoned for entertainment.

''The government will not order them to be shut as that would be unfair to these people, who have been in business a long time. Instead, we have chosen to discourage them from the business,'' he said.

The operating licence fee could be significantly raised, along with higher charges on the transfer of licences. A progressive tax may also be introduced. The government wants to amend laws and regulations relating to entertainment venues, particularly on their distance from schools and places of worship as the Entertainment Venues Act is unclear on this point.

--Bangkok Post 2005-09-22