A debate is raging over the idea floated by Tourism and Sports Ministry to allow night entertainment venues to stay open for an extra two hours until 4am.
Academics and activists are advising the government to study the possible negative impacts of the proposal, although it has been widely welcomed by business establishments.
Udomsak Saengow, a researcher at the Centre for Alcohol Studies, said the government should not rush to approve the proposal.
"Civic groups have worked hard to limit access to alcohol and they succeeded in lobbying for shortening the closing times from 4am to 2am," he said. "When opening times are extended, drinking hours are also extended," said Mr Udomsak. "The more people drink the less they can control themselves."
Earlier this week, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn floated a proposal to extend opening times of night entertainment venues at tourist destinations.
The minister argued that extended hours will give the economy a boost.
Chuwit Chantaros, coordinator of the Alcohol Watch Network, on Wednesday slammed the idea as "ill-conceived", saying it did not take into consideration huge losses from alcohol-related accidents.
"The proposal was not carefully thought out," he said. "The number of tourists targeted by the extended hours is also small and some of them are troublemakers. Do we need these kind of tourists?"
However, Weerawich Kruasombat, the head of the Patong entertainment business operators union based in Phuket, welcomed the proposal, saying it would benefit other businesses in the tourism industry.
"For years, we have been pushing for extended closing times in the Patong and Bang La areas," he said. "These districts currently generate 20-30 million baht in income per night and the extra two hours will boost income by 30%-40%."
