Minister Pushes Extended Hours for Khaosan-Rambutri Sandbox
The user wants a short summary of the article, 1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters, max 240. Must be in English only. No filler, no quotes, no markdown. Just the summary text. Key points from article: - Minister Pharadon chaired meeting Oct 3
Minister Pharadon Prisananantakul chaired a meeting at the Metropolitan Police Bureau on October 30, 2026, to advance the Sandbox measures for the Khaosan and Rambutri areas. The session aimed to upgrade licensing and law enforcement for entertainment venues while preventing official corruption. Attendees included Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompol, senior police commanders, and representatives from multiple oversight agencies.
Pharadon said the meeting followed up on previous discussions to identify problems and obstacles. The core issue traces back to zoning regulations under a 2002 royal decree that has not been updated in 25 years. The three designated zones — RCB Phatthanaphong, Ratchada, and others — no longer match current social conditions. Since the Entertainment Venue Act requires venues to operate only within designated zones, most areas in Bangkok and other provinces fall outside these zones, preventing many businesses from obtaining proper licenses.
All parties agreed on the need for long-term legal fixes. The Department of Provincial Administration has already drafted amendments to the Entertainment Venue Act, while the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties have also proposed their own draft amendments. However, since legislative changes take time, short-term measures must run in parallel.
The meeting agreed to propose that the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee consider extending operating hours within the Sandbox area.
Three dimensions of concern were discussed: economic, safety, and legal. Economically, after the "OK Bar" incident, restaurants could not open past midnight, leaving Khaosan Road silent after hours — highlighting how current laws fail to match modern social realities in a major tourist city.
On safety, the BMA and Metropolitan Police jointly surveyed over 1,000 entertainment-like venues in Bangkok. Some have completed a 17-point safety checklist assessment, while others are still in process. Any restaurant or venue seeking extended hours in the Sandbox must pass all 17 safety checks.
Legally, clear Sandbox guidelines will give police officers a defined framework for enforcement, which is expected to reduce opportunities for graft. The meeting tasked the Department of Provincial Administration, as meeting secretariat, to coordinate with relevant agencies on implementation steps, including issuing a Prime Minister's Office announcement.
