Pattaya Nightlife News and Reviews

The Thai cabinet has approved tax cuts on alcoholic beverages, with wine prices set to fall significantly, in order to boost tourism.

The steep import tariffs on wines, currently assessed at 54% and 60% of declared value, will be exempted indefinitely, officials said.

The excise tax on wine will also be reduced from 10% to 5% and on local liquor from 10% to zero to help small-scale producers, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke told reporters.

As well, the excise tax on entertainment venues would be halved to 5% of gross revenue to help operators still feeling the after-effects of the pandemic.

The tax measures are expected to take effect shortly, once a ministerial regulation is published in the Royal Gazette, and will expire at the end of this year

The Pattaya Entertainment Industry Association has praised the Thai government's policy of extending entertainment opening hours until 4 AM, citing its positive impact on the local economy, and urging further expansion of legal entertainment zones.

The extended hours, officially implemented on December 15th, 2023, as part of a pilot program in five provinces, have garnered positive feedback from a large number of Pattaya business owners. Most member entertainment businesses reported a significant increase in daily income, ranging from 20-30%, since the longer hours were implemented.

Damrongkiat Phinijkarn, secretary-general of the Pattaya Entertainment Industry Association commented:

This policy is a game-changer for our nightlife community and the local economy as a whole. We express our sincere gratitude to the government for listening to our pleas and implementing these measures.

However, the association also urges the government to consider expanding legal entertainment zones in Pattaya. Proposed areas for expansion of legal nightlife and entertainment zones are parts of Jomtien, especially around the popular gay nightlife area at Jomtien Complex and Soi 7 area, parts of Naklua around the Space Hotel, Third Road to Sukhumvit, and perhaps even parts of Eastern Pattaya.