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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014
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CLOSE AT 2AM! ROW BREWING AS PATONG POLICE CHIEF ORDERS HIS OFFICERS TO ENFORCE OFFICIAL BAR CLOSING TIME A PHUKET NEWS EXCLUSIVE
A
major row is brewing in Patong after the town’s police were ordered yesterday (Thursday, August 14) to clamp down on the nightlife industry by enforcing the official 2am closing time. Patong’s police chief, Pol Col
Jiraphat Pochanapan, possibly stung by strong public criticism from Patong’s nightlife business owners over a “request” that they close during HM the Queen’s Birthday (August 12), gave the orders to his men yesterday morning (August 14). Col Jiraphat was not prepared to go into depth about the order. “It’s policy,” he said. “It’s come down from above. I don’t want to damage
Patong’s entertainment industry but I have to do this for security reasons. I can’t tell you any more than what is in the laws of Thailand.” One of his deputies, Pol Lt Col Suthichai Chaiyarat, confirmed the order had been given. “The Superintendent has given an order, which we must follow, that entertainment businesses must close at 2am. We will have inspection teams go
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to the [entertainment] areas [to enforce this]. Officers will ask them to close. “We have to apply the law strictly. Sometimes, we will have soldiers join our action, too. “I heard there was some misunderstanding between the entertainment business people and the Superintendent. If they are uncomfortable or unhappy, they can come to talk to us at Kathu Police Station.”
LIFE
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SPORT
PAGE 27
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