The Ministry of Tourism has issued a nationwide directive to stop clubs and discos from operating in daylight hours because of the huge number of social problems associated with irregular partying hours.

During a Phnom Penh Municipal Hall meeting on Monday, Governor Kep Chuktema issued his own enforcement directive that any clubs or discos opening during the day will be immediately shut down by City Hall.

Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Long Dymang said that Chuktema was responding to the Ministry of Tourism directive on Monday when he ordered police, military police and other officials in all districts to ensure that clubs and discos open no earlier than 6pm.

“Most people who go to nightclubs or discos in the daytime are secondary and high school students, and some also are university students,” Dymang pointed out.

The venues’ practice of opening during the day caused students to cut class and encouraged general social disorder, he said.

“I don’t know which district has the most discos, but Daun Penh has many discos open during the day,” he added.

Tourism industry department director Prak Chandara confirmed yesterday that his ministry had recently issued a directive calling for the daytime closure of clubs and discos across the country.

“The directive is in the process of nationwide implementation. There are a lot of problems involved with this case,” he said, declining to comment further.

Ministry of Tourism officials told the Post in June that there were 376 karaoke parlours, 79 discos, 187 massage parlours and 97 beer gardens in the country.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mom Kunthear at [email protected]