Officials stated this week that 22 Thai provinces renewed a ban that forbids any new bars, clubs, or other entertainment venues from opening.
The prohibition, instituted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was renewed by a Royal Decree issued by Thailand’s current ruling military junta.
According to Thailand lawyers, although no new bars, clubs, or venues can be opened after the renewal, nightlife establishments already in existence will still be able to extend their business license at the end of each year.
Thaksin’s regime got the idea for the ban from an earlier 1966 law by the military government that said the government should be able to regulate drinking and nightlife “to protect public morality.”
After overthrowing the regime of Thaksin’s sister Yingluck in 2014 in a coup de taut, the ruling junta asked all the provinces whether they wanted to keep the ban or not.
Originally, the ban covered 26 provinces.
Provinces with the new bar restriction still in place include Nonthaburi, Petchaburi, Ranong, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phang Nga.
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