Businesses in Patong are refusing to serve Thai people.

Businesses in Patong are refusing to serve Thai people.

In response to allegations made on the internet that companies are refusing to serve Thai customers, the president of the Patong Entertainment Business Association has responded. While acknowledging the occurrence, Weerawit Kreuasombat stated that the "issue isn't widespread" and that businesses that decline to service Thai customers typically have good reason (though she didn't indicate what that "reason" would be).

According to a Phuket News report, Weerawit says the accusations circulating online are negatively affecting Patong’s tourism reputation. He adds that most businesses in the area are “ready and willing to serve all customers, whether Thai or foreign nationals”.

He said that there are nearly 200 entertainment venues on Soi Bangla, and more than 300 in total throughout Patong.

“I admit some venues do not allow Thai people to enter at certain times. This may be a time when the venue is holding a special event (closed to the public), or people are not carrying their ID card. We must be more stringent because it was previously discovered that fake ID cards had been used.”

Checks on ID cards were recently ramped up as part of an agreement to allow nightlife venues in some areas to remain open until 4am.

Asked about car rental firms allegedly refusing to rent their vehicles to Thais, Weerawit again says businesses usually have a valid reason for the policy.

“There are a lot of these shops, and I admit that some shops do not rent vehicles to Thais. This is because they have previously lost their vehicles to such customers, or the Thai customer presented fake ID.”

He goes on to explain that over 100 rental vehicles were reported missing last year.