Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has agreed to extend opening hours for nighttime entertainment venues, including pubs and bars, to 4am in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Phuket from Dec 15.
The extension will be temporary, and discussions about a change of zoning will be held in the future.
Mr Srettha pointed out that some foreigners do not have similar dining habits as Thais. Some dine at around 9pm-10pm. If opening hours are limited to midnight or 2am, customers might have to dine earlier, and that decreases the amount of food they order.
Mr Srettha also said extending opening hours to 4am is workable after having spoken with security agencies and added that the Interior Ministry will look into zoning and licences.
Police will try to ensure people's safety and increase drug suppression.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government also plans to extend the operating hours of restaurants that are run like entertainment venues from midnight to 2am.
The current law only permits the selling of alcoholic drinks until midnight, while music is not allowed after midnight.
