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Hi Nicke et al....
Thanks for a fun time last night - was good to get a chance to chat for once and nice to see your bar so busy!
From the original text of 'Purachai's vision this means 1am closing for bars with girls and discos, but if the police are considerate as is likely then 2am will probably be more likely.
In reading the comments of other members something is missing, what is the purpose of all this - the zoning rule is to control OWNERSHIP - the lease holders have little redress or power - especailly farang owners. If what is happening in BKK (see Stickman) then its clear that ownership is being transfered to TRT loyal owners and this will largly dictate who gets zoned where - and if anyone thinks that somewhere is 'obviously' an enternatment zone, they should see what happened in Soi Cowboy, Soi Zero and in Patong - The Platinum Complex and Shark Club.... all to easy to crush a business if its suits --- make no mistake.
As an aside Star Club is to close March 15th - bit of 'som num na' there as was taken over by Thai owners and never recaptured the crowds... shame as they have tried, but not enough room for 3 large clubs in Patong.
The new complex being built will be the biggest threat to current owners, and Soi Seapearl is obvious first casulty. Just make sure your Thai owner is TRT friendly and perhaps you'll be allowed to have asuccessful business. As for Safari - Nicke's comments are insightful, and will be very interesting to see what happens here - note elections on March 14th. (Please don't make this a target to be shut by too much discussion!!!!)
One other observation is that some posters are under the impression that all the P4P SHOULD exist here .... absolutly no self respecting Thai shares this view... the farang (western) slice of the adult entertainment industry is small (less than 15%) but is very visable - the majority is centered on local and especially ethnic Chinese interests (KTV/massage joints) which are generally low-key and inconspicuous which is good face saving for Thai society (a good thing perhaps???). This government (rightly) is persuing a better quality tourist - read higher spending - this is GOOD for Thai economy and thus the 60 million Thai's who live here. To make entertainment venues better tax revenue generating is the likely real goal, this would be greatly added by legalising prostituation and gambling, which is likley in K. Thaksin's next term.
To this 'up marketing' of Phuket (and Thailand as a whole) would see highly visable low end entertainment businesses being herded into a less visible compound as a likely course of action. The govenment has been very successful in hugly reducing the number of under 20 year olds in Patong and these new moves will again change the character of action in Patong and elsewhere.
Have fun while you can!
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