Banglamung, Thailand – In a move to accommodate the growing influx of tourists, Banglamung District is set to expand its zoning regulations for entertainment venues and completely restructure its motorbike taxi system. The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon at the Takian Tia Municipal Office, attended by heads of government agencies and relevant groups.
The district chief highlighted the need to update the zoning laws for entertainment venues in Pattaya, which were established over 20 years ago and are now outdated. The rapid growth of the city has led to an increase in tourist attractions beyond its famous beaches and Walking Street, with many visitors seeking nightlife and relaxation at entertainment venues. However, many establishments currently operate in a legal gray area, unable to obtain official licenses due to restrictive zoning regulations.
The current entertainment zone, which legally allows bars, live music, clubs, extended closing hours, and similar items is only in Central Pattaya from Third Road to the Beach and from North Pattaya Road to roughly Bali Hai Pier. Proposals to extend the zones, especially into Jomtien and Pratumnak, which already sees hundreds of venues operating in a grey area, have been ongoing for a while, but have caused major debates with some residents.
To address this, Banglamung authorities have initiated discussions with Chonburi Province and the Department of Provincial Administration to explore expanding the designated entertainment zones. This would allow more venues to apply for proper licensing. A follow-up meeting is scheduled next week with representatives from the Banglamung Public Health Office, Pattaya City, four local police stations, and the chair of the nightlife operators’ association to assess the feasibility of the proposal. The Department of Provincial Administration will also deploy experts experienced in nationwide zoning and venue regulations to assist.
In addition to zoning reforms, Banglamung is undertaking a complete overhaul of its motorbike taxi system to enhance tourism safety and improve the city’s image. The district oversees nearly 1,000 motorbike taxi stands with around 5,000 drivers across four police jurisdictions. The reset will involve updating driver registries, ensuring uniforms match registered drivers, and recalibrating the number of drivers and stands to meet demand. New regulations will enforce stricter penalties for issues such as overcharging, unsafe practices, or failure to promote helmet use among passengers.
The motorbike taxi uniforms may also be redesigned to reflect modern standards and local identity, potentially featuring logos, driver names, contact numbers, QR codes for driver profiles, and other distinctive elements. Similar reforms are planned for songthaew (shared taxi) services to streamline management and enhance tourist confidence in public transportation.
TPN media notes these are proposals and no timeline was given.
