Nightspot operators yesterday lodged a petition with Pattaya mayor Itthipol Khunpluem seeking longer operating hours to help ease economic hardship.
Led by former MP Charnyut Hengtrakul, the operators claimed strict enforcement of operating hours was making it harder for them to make ends meet.The industry had already been hit by the economic downturn.
The petition was accepted by deputy mayor Ronnakij Ekasingh who promised to forward it to Bang Lamung district and to the Chon Buri governor.
Mr Charnyut, an adviser to night entertainment business operators, said yesterday that extending operating hours was a short-term measure.
He said the law governing opening hours should be amended to allow longer operating hours for nightspots in the entertainment zone.
He also said authorities lacked understanding about the tourism industry,especially tourist towns such as Pattaya,Phuket and Chiang Mai.
It was a shame that efforts to loosen up operating hours which started under the Thaksin administration stalled following the 2006 coup.
"This is a critical problem. If no action is taken, we could end up in serious trouble. Those in related businesses will also suffer," he said.
Mr Ronnakij said Pattaya city administration would call a meeting with business operators to discuss the problem.
Under the law, nightspots in entertainment zones have to shut at 2am while those outside the zone must close at 1am. Night entertainment venues used to close at 4am.
Meanwhile, immigration police yesterday arrested an Australian man and a Thai woman on charges of human trafficking and prostitution in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district.
The authorities also detained 21 women including two 17-year-olds from the two-storey Coyote A-Go-Go club in the raid.
Trevor James Holley,52, denied any involvement while his alleged accomplice Watcharee Batpho,44, admitted the prostitution charge. The suspects were handed over to Muang Pattaya police for further questioning.
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