Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that the law governing night entertainment venues and their zoning should be reviewed in the aftermath of the fatal pub fire in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on Sunday night, which has left 30 people dead so far and about 70 others injured, over 20 of whom are in a serious condition.
The prime minister admitted that he found some aspects of the entertainment venue law baffling and in desperate need of clarification. For instance, he said that, as a musician himself, he does not understand who came up with the rule preventing musicians from performing after midnight in a pub which is not located in a zone designated for entertainment venues, while customers are allowed to stay on to drink, but sale of alcohol ends at midnight.
He said he does not see how playing music has anything to do with drinking and smoking and why musicians have to stop playing at midnight, while karaoke bars are allowed to continue to operate after midnight, with music available for customers as long as they do not dance.
The prime minister said he will consult the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration over a review of nightlife zoning in Bangkok, which is currently confined to parts of Silom, RCA and Khao Sarn Road, to determine whether the law should be amended, especially the provision which states that an entertainment venue cannot be located within a 2km radius of a temple or a school, which is unrealistic.
He noted that, if the law is to be amended, all aspects must be taken into consideration, such as Thai traditions, culture and society.
Regarding the owner of the ‘Rong Beer Na Ladprao’ venue, he said that the proprietor must be dealt with in accordance with the law and, above all, the pub’s license must be revoked and he will be barred from opening an entertainment establishment again.
He shrugged off a suggestion that, in his capacity as the interior minister, he should be held accountable for the pub fire casualties and quit. He also dismissed criticism by foreign media of the lax law enforcement on nightlife business.
