CHIANG MAI: People living along Chang Moi Road in Muang district have vented their frustration over local nightspots operating into the early hours of the morning and apparent lack of police action despite repeated complaints.
Residents of the area on Saturday submitted a video of people gathering outside an entertainment venue late at night. The street hosts seven such venues, which attract young patrons looking for after-hours service as they stay open until 3 or 4am — beyond the legal closing time of 2am.
The complainants say these venues operate as restaurants during the earlier hours and switch into pubs in late evening, selling alcoholic drinks and playing loud music. Some have even converted their rooftops to host raucous DJ and live band sets.
Even after the venues close, residents say patrons usually continue to loiter in the area, engaging in loud conversations and causing a disturbance.
The residents earlier filed a formal complaint to the Chiang Mai Damrongtham Centre and relevant agencies calling for a remedy. They noted that the neighbourhood was a long-established commercial area connected to the ancient city moat, which local authorities are preparing to propose as a World Heritage site. According to the original city plans, entertainment venues should not be allowed on the road.
At a forum held by the centre on Wednesday, police assured residents that they would impose stricter controls and that loud revellers would be dealt with. However, reports from early Saturday said disturbances were still taking place.
One resident said peace was only restored for two nights after the forum. Police were only seen checking on the venues at about 11pm on Friday before they continued to stay open into Saturday morning. The resident urged authorities to take serious action and pay more attention to the situation.
The complaints come at a time when the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has thrown its weight behind a proposal to allow nightspots in selected tourist areas to stay open until 4am.
Supporters of the idea say the businesses had suffered more than most during the pandemic as they had remained closed for nearly two years. Many say they are looking to recoup lost revenue as well as attract more tourists to help the local economy.
