4 provinces get licence boost

Four provinces previously barred from issuing new licences for businesses defined in Thai as sathan borikan, a broad legal term for a wide range of entertainment businesses including pubs and bars, have had the ban overturned.

Kanchanaburi, Si Sa Ket, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Ayutthaya are now permitted to issue licences for these entertainment establishments, according to a new royal decree published in the Royal Gazette last Thursday.

The fours province were among a total of 26 earlier prohibited from issuing new licences by two previous royal decrees which have now been superseded by the latest edict.

The 22 provinces which the decree continues to prohibit from issuing new licences for entertainment venues are Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chumphon, Nakhon Nayok, Nonthaburi, Nan, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phayao, Phangnga, Phichit, Phetchaburi, Yasothon, Ranong, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Nong Khai, Ang Thong and Uthai Thani.

Entertainment businesses operating legally before Friday’s decree remain unaffected and entertainment venues operated in hotels regulated under the law on hotels are also exempt.

The interior minister has been assigned to oversee the enforcement of the royal decree across all of the 26 provinces named in the decree.

One reason cited for the latest decree is the need to re-regulate those areas where new entertainment venues should not be allowed to be licensed, after the proposal to lift the ban in Kanchanaburi, Si Sa Ket, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Ayutthaya was approved.