PATTAYA, Thailand – Banglamung District Chief Patcharapatch Sritanyanont has chaired a public hearing to review zoning adjustments for entertainment venues in Pattaya, with the goal of updating outdated regulations and aligning them with the city’s current tourism landscape. The event took place on October 17, at the Alcazar Theatre on Pattaya Second Road, with participation from government agencies, private sector representatives, and entertainment business operators.
According to District Chief Patcharapatch, the existing royal decree that defines permitted areas for entertainment venues in Chonburi province has been in effect since November 1, 2002—over 23 years ago. At the time, it designated only limited parts of Pattaya City as legal zones for such establishments, reflecting the scale and nature of the city’s nightlife industry two decades ago.
However, as Pattaya’s tourism and nightlife sectors have rapidly expanded, the original zoning areas have become inadequate. The number of nighttime businesses—including bars, massage parlors, and related service establishments—has grown dramatically in line with the city’s development, yet many now operate outside the legal boundaries. Currently, only 917 entertainment venues are properly registered, while over 900 others are operating outside the designated zones without official licenses.
To address this gap, Banglamung District has initiated a consultation process to explore two zoning adjustment options. Plan A proposes expanding the entertainment zone to cover the entire area of Pattaya City, while Plan B would redefine the zoning to include existing entertainment establishments already operating in the city.
The majority of participants expressed support for Plan B, emphasizing that legalizing existing venues within a clear regulatory framework would be more practical and would reduce conflicts with nearby communities.
District Chief Patcharapatch stated that bringing all entertainment establishments under proper registration and within authorized zones would allow for better oversight, ensuring that businesses operate responsibly and in accordance with the Entertainment Venue Act B.E. 2509 (1966).
Once the public consultation process is complete, the district will prepare a formal proposal to submit to the Cabinet (Council of Ministers) for consideration. Officials hope that updated zoning regulations will not only ease enforcement challenges but also support Pattaya’s continued growth as an international tourism destination.
