Evil Penevil Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 The final sentence isn't encouraging for fans of soapy MPs. My bold highlights. Evil CCSA promises reopening of nightlife venuesOpening of pubs, bars and karaoke palours expected July 1 PUBLISHED : 21 JUN 2020 AT 15:00 Thai nightlife will soon be back in full swing as a key member of the virus-fighting state agency on Sunday promised to allow pubs, bars, karaoke parlours and other entertainment venues to reopen their doors. The decision was reached in talks between Nattapol Nakpanit, a key figure at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), and representatives of nightlife and musicians. It still needs endorsement, however, by the full-fledged CCSA meeting on Friday. Representatives of nightlife operators and musicians hold talks with Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration officials at the Office of the Civil Service Commission, opposite Government House, on Sunday. (Photo by Wassana Nanuam) Musicians and entertainers made an emotional appeal on Thursday to the government to allow them to get back to work as the long closure had put them in severe financials straits. Gen Nattapol said after the talks he will recommend to the full-member CCSA in a meeting on Friday that they be allowed to get back to work, but stressed the need for proper measures to prevent Covid-19 from rebounding. “The fifth stage of easing restrictions will take place, with or without the extension of the emergency decree for another month,” said Gen Nattapol, who is the deputy army chief. “If the emergency decree is lifted, all closure orders will automatically end.” The emergency decree will stay in place at least until the end of this month and it can be extended by the centre if authorities remain worried about the outbreak. Thailand has recorded no new local transmissions for 27 days, with recent cases imported by Thais returning to the country. Quiet night in Bangkok (Video by Jetjaras Na Ranong) Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, who was in the talks, said all participants were satisfied with the outcome and expected to go back to work on July 1. All nightlife operators have prepared plans to prevent virus transmission based on the guidelines of the Public Health Ministry, he added. A representative of the entertainment businesses said operators in other provinces needed the green light from provincial governors, since they have been given full authority to make the decision in their jurisdiction. It remains unclear whether the planned reopening will include wet massage parlours. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Another interesting article. The final sentence says it all (my bold highlights). The hotel "break-even point (BEP)" is roughly 50% occupancy in most countries. A hotel than achieves an annual occupancy rate of 85% to 90% is considered highly profitable. Historically, five-star hotels in Thailand have had high occupancy rates. I recall reading the JW Marriott in Bangkok had the highest occupancy rate of any hotel in the Marriott chain in any country. The article mentions the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort on Wong Mat Beach in North Pattaya. It's a very impressive facility - 18 stories and 555 rooms overlooking a big water park and a 230-meter stretch of beach. I stayed there a few nights in 2010 with my then TGF and her five-year-old daughter during the hotel's "soft opening" phase. It was back then and continues to this day to be a family-oriented hotel that mainly relies on Thai guests but had a lot of foreign families as well. High joiner fees and strict rules regarding guests' behavior discouraged mongers and their companions. It has an incredible water park with five swimming pools, slides and a "lazy river" for inner-tube rafting. It had numerous activities for children beyond the water park, i.e., game room, play room, organized arts and crafts sessions, classes in dancing, etc. My TGF's daughter cried when we checked out. She wanted to stay forever. In discussions about Pattaya on the forums, posters often forget Pattaya has always been a family destination for Thais and some groups of foreigners, including ex-pats working in Bangkok. It's not true that everyone visits Pattaya only for cheap pussy and cheap booze. The "City of Sin" also offers a considerable array of family fun far removed from the red lights. Evil LINK Hotels ready for cut-throat price war Travel subsidy better than no guests at all PUBLISHED : 18 JUN 2020 AT 08:00 Hotels are desperate to cut room rates in the scrum to draw domestic tourists following the state's subsidised tourism packages, hoping to gain any occupancy before the country opens up to foreign travellers. After provincial orders to close hotel operations in many provinces since April, the vast majority of hotels are restarting their businesses, aiming to attract domestic visitors. Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive of Centara Hotels and Resorts, said the group has reopened 10 hotels in Thailand. The government's domestic tourism stimulus plan is vital to drive the economy, said Mr Thirayuth. This week the government approved in principle a 22.4-billion-baht tourism stimulus package, including a 40% subsidy on 5 million room nights. He said hotel operators within driving distance of Bangkok, such as Pattaya, Hua Hin and Rayong, should benefit from the scheme. To spike tourism outlays even more, Mr Thirayuth encouraged the government to introduce tax cuts on tourism expenditures. He said after the government eased the lockdown, Centara has seen positive demand on weekends. The occupancy rate for Centara Grand Mirage in Pattaya, which just opened on June 6, was back at 70-80% last weekend. The rate for the upcoming weekend is set to reach 90%, even though weekdays continue to see a soft 20-30%, said Mr Thirayuth. He said Centara plans to reopen properties that have the potential to break even or even gain income, meaning an average occupancy rate of 30-40%. Mr Thirayuth said room rates will certainly drop after the outbreak to increase occupancy, but they have to remain competitive. Nikhom Jensiriratanakorn, director of Horwath HTL, said an analysis last year found the break-even point for Thai hotels at 47% occupancy with an average daily rate of 3,458 baht. He said hotels should resume services after facing losses over the last three months. For some provinces, slow bookings are better than remaining closed because the revenue can cushion previous losses, even if some hotels do not reach the break-even point until December, said Mr Nikhom. Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy, said a limited number of hotels will have better cash flow from the government support, but the stimulus is not enough to solve the overall problem. A company survey done with Delivering Asia Communications found Bangkokians prefer more natural destinations. "Thailand cannot rely on domestic tourism alone," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 You can read the news of the WHO warning everywhere, but this article gives a Thai perspective. I don't sense any eagerness to allow foreigners back into Thailand, even from countries which have so far been successful in containing COVID-19. Evil France eased lockdown further and staged its annual music festival on Sunday, with music returning to cafes and street corners. (AFP photo) DUBAI: The World Health Organization sent out a fresh warning on Monday over the dangers of the new coronavirus even as France returned to life by staging an annual music festival and sending millions of children back to school. In spite of numerous European countries further easing their lockdown restrictions, cases around the world are rising especially in Latin America with Brazil now registering over 50,000 deaths. There are also fears of a second wave with Australians being warned against travelling to Melbourne. "The pandemic is still accelerating," WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the virtual health forum organised by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. "We know that the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it is an economic crisis, a social crisis and in many countries a political crisis. "Its effects will be felt for decades to come." Tedros said the greatest threat facing the world is not the virus itself, which has now killed over 465,000 people and infected nearly nine million worldwide, but "the lack of global solidarity and global leadership". "We cannot defeat this pandemic with a divided world," he said. "The politicisation of the pandemic has exacerbated it." Brazil falls into that bracket with President Jair Bolsonaro comparing the virus to a "little flu" and arguing that the economic impact of shutdowns is often worse than the virus itself. Brazil is the second worst-affected country behind the United States, another country where political infighting has prevented a unified policy to handle the virus. The spread of COVID-19 is accelerating across Latin America, with Mexico, Peru and Chile also hard-hit as death tolls soar and healthcare facilities are pushed toward collapse. Mexico City has delayed reopening markets, restaurants, malls, hotels and places of worship, with the country now recording over 20,000 COVID-19 deaths. Highlighting the region's woes, Peru passed 8,000 deaths on Sunday despite preparing to reopen shopping malls on Monday. Fete in France In Europe, meanwhile, the feelgood factor continues as countries ease their lockdown restrictions. Thousands of French danced and partied well into Monday for an annual music festival, in the first big blow out since the lockdown. Revellers packed the streets of Paris, most shunning masks and social distancing, to enjoy concerts in cafes and on street corners. Although none of the usual extravaganzas were held beyond what French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre billed as the world's first live virtual "avatar" concert, many felt the authorities were too lax. "This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like," said Dr Gilbert Deray. "I understand that the Festival of Music is something of a liberation, but did we really have to have it this year?" Swimming pools and cinemas also reopened on Monday -- with one cinema opening one minute after midnight for a sneak preview of the upcoming French comedy, "Les Parfums" (The Perfumes). Children up to the age of 15 also returned to school as attendance was switched from voluntary to compulsory. Second wave Fears remain, however, that the virus, may be on its way back even as countries where infections have ebbed lift their lockdowns to restart battered economies. Australians were warned Monday to avoid travelling to Melbourne, as the country's second biggest city tightened restrictions over fears of a second wave. Victoria state has recorded more than 110 cases in the past week -- many of them in Melbourne -- prompting leaders of other regions to warn against visiting the city's six designated virus "hot spots". China, Germany and Japan are also battling new outbreaks with some reintroducing containment measures. Kyrgyzstan also reported a significant rise in coronavirus cases on Monday, less than a month after the Central Asian nation's government lifted restrictions in key cities. Markets dip The spike in infections increased nervousness in the business world as markets mostly fell on Monday. After enjoying a broadly positive week, with equities rallying from their March trough, traders turned cautious on news of a worrying jump in fresh cases in several US states including California, Texas and Florida. German airline group Lufthansa, meanwhile, says it has backup plans ready in case shareholders reject a nine-billion-euro ($10.1 billion) pandemic rescue plan agreed with the state. Like rival airlines, Lufthansa was plunged into crisis after efforts to contain the coronavirus brought air travel to a near standstill for several months this year. Investors are to meet Thursday to sign off on the rescue. Sporting concerns The sporting world has been reemerging from the darkness, although for every step forward it seems to take one back. Japan announced that up to 5,000 fans will be able to attend football and baseball games from July 10 but the presence of fans at other sporting events, notably in the Balkans, appears to have caused problems. Five players from Serbian club Red Star Belgrade tested positive for coronavirus after playing a match attended by 16,000 people, the club said Monday. Montenegro, which had declared itself virus-free, announced a new cluster of cases, predominantly football fans who had travelled to Belgrade to watch the match. In neighbouring Croatia, Borna Coric became the second top tennis player, after Grigor Dimitrov, to test positive after taking part in an exhibition tournament featuring world number one Novak Djokovic. THAILAND Thai trials of Covid-19 vaccine reach make-or-break stage SARABURI: Thai scientists administered a second dose of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine to monkeys on Monday, looking for another positive response to enable clinical trials in humans as early as October. 19:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUBAI: The World Health Organization sent out a fresh warning on Monday over the dangers of the new coronavirus even as France returned to life by staging an annual music festival and sending millions of children back to school. In spite of numerous European countries further easing their lockdown restrictions, cases around the world are rising especially in Latin America with Brazil now registering over 50,000 deaths. There are also fears of a second wave with Australians being warned against travelling to Melbourne. "The pandemic is still accelerating," WHO's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the virtual health forum organised by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. "We know that the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it is an economic crisis, a social crisis and in many countries a political crisis. "Its effects will be felt for decades to come." Tedros said the greatest threat facing the world is not the virus itself, which has now killed over 465,000 people and infected nearly nine million worldwide, but "the lack of global solidarity and global leadership". "We cannot defeat this pandemic with a divided world," he said. "The politicisation of the pandemic has exacerbated it." Brazil falls into that bracket with President Jair Bolsonaro comparing the virus to a "little flu" and arguing that the economic impact of shutdowns is often worse than the virus itself. Brazil is the second worst-affected country behind the United States, another country where political infighting has prevented a unified policy to handle the virus. The spread of COVID-19 is accelerating across Latin America, with Mexico, Peru and Chile also hard-hit as death tolls soar and healthcare facilities are pushed toward collapse. Mexico City has delayed reopening markets, restaurants, malls, hotels and places of worship, with the country now recording over 20,000 COVID-19 deaths. Highlighting the region's woes, Peru passed 8,000 deaths on Sunday despite preparing to reopen shopping malls on Monday. Fete in France In Europe, meanwhile, the feelgood factor continues as countries ease their lockdown restrictions. Thousands of French danced and partied well into Monday for an annual music festival, in the first big blow out since the lockdown. Revellers packed the streets of Paris, most shunning masks and social distancing, to enjoy concerts in cafes and on street corners. Although none of the usual extravaganzas were held beyond what French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre billed as the world's first live virtual "avatar" concert, many felt the authorities were too lax. "This is not what a gradual end to the lockdown looks like," said Dr Gilbert Deray. "I understand that the Festival of Music is something of a liberation, but did we really have to have it this year?" Swimming pools and cinemas also reopened on Monday -- with one cinema opening one minute after midnight for a sneak preview of the upcoming French comedy, "Les Parfums" (The Perfumes). Children up to the age of 15 also returned to school as attendance was switched from voluntary to compulsory. Second wave Fears remain, however, that the virus, may be on its way back even as countries where infections have ebbed lift their lockdowns to restart battered economies. Australians were warned Monday to avoid travelling to Melbourne, as the country's second biggest city tightened restrictions over fears of a second wave. Victoria state has recorded more than 110 cases in the past week -- many of them in Melbourne -- prompting leaders of other regions to warn against visiting the city's six designated virus "hot spots". China, Germany and Japan are also battling new outbreaks with some reintroducing containment measures. Kyrgyzstan also reported a significant rise in coronavirus cases on Monday, less than a month after the Central Asian nation's government lifted restrictions in key cities. Markets dip The spike in infections increased nervousness in the business world as markets mostly fell on Monday. After enjoying a broadly positive week, with equities rallying from their March trough, traders turned cautious on news of a worrying jump in fresh cases in several US states including California, Texas and Florida. German airline group Lufthansa, meanwhile, says it has backup plans ready in case shareholders reject a nine-billion-euro ($10.1 billion) pandemic rescue plan agreed with the state. Like rival airlines, Lufthansa was plunged into crisis after efforts to contain the coronavirus brought air travel to a near standstill for several months this year. Investors are to meet Thursday to sign off on the rescue. Sporting concerns The sporting world has been reemerging from the darkness, although for every step forward it seems to take one back. Japan announced that up to 5,000 fans will be able to attend football and baseball games from July 10 but the presence of fans at other sporting events, notably in the Balkans, appears to have caused problems. Five players from Serbian club Red Star Belgrade tested positive for coronavirus after playing a match attended by 16,000 people, the club said Monday. Montenegro, which had declared itself virus-free, announced a new cluster of cases, predominantly football fans who had travelled to Belgrade to watch the match. In neighbouring Croatia, Borna Coric became the second top tennis player, after Grigor Dimitrov, to test positive after taking part in an exhibition tournament featuring world number one Novak Djokovic. THAILAND Thai trials of Covid-19 vaccine reach make-or-break stage SARABURI: Thai scientists administered a second dose of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine to monkeys on Monday, looking for another positive response to enable clinical trials in humans as early as October. 19:30
lazarus Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 This is what "hostesses" at Bangkok's Star of Light will be wearing... 😮 https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/international/2020/06/22/japan-kimono-firm-makes-virus-masks-for-nightclub-hostesses/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krapow Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 The hotels I was booked to stay in this trip are both doing offers. Bangkok one nearly half price, the Cha Am one doing stay 1 night get one night free. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 has some great photos from Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. There's a specific notice about respecting copyright, so I won't copy and paste any pics. Here's the LINK. Evil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Boy Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 40 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said: has some great photos from Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. There's a specific notice about respecting copyright, so I won't copy and paste any pics. Here's the LINK. Evil Thanks for posting, that's a decent summary. From the start there was a bunch of posters on Thai Visa who were like parrots every day saying the same things over and over, the government isn't carrying out any tests, these numbers are impossible/made-up/a lie, the temples are working overtime burning all the dead bodies, and so on. Thankfully, they've all shut up now, though they still refuse to admit they got it completely wrong and that somehow the Thai government did a bloody good job. It was just like this guy says, to start with he was expecting the worst, but it simply never happened, thank Buddha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 So if the bars open on July 1- and that's not certain- they would most likely have close because of "no alcohol sales" on the Buddhist holidays on July 4th and 5th. If previous practice is followed, government offices would be closed July 6th and 7th, but sales of alcohol would be allowed. However, a decision on re-opening bars has not yet been announced and probably won't come until Friday. Evil Cabinet approves 4-day weekend in July PUBLISHED : 23 JUN 2020 AT 15:44 WRITER: MONGKOL BANGPRAPA AND ONLINE REPORTER The cabinet on Tuesday approved extra public holidays for Asarnha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent, making a 4-day weekend from July 4-7. Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting, Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said the two extra religious holidays, on July 6 and 7, were proposed by the prime minister's secretariat. As Saturday July 4 is Asarnha Bucha Day and July 5 marks Buddhist Lent, the cabinet approved the two extra holidays to mark these two important days, Mr Itthiphol said. However, most calendars show Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa) on Monday. Mr Ittiphol said that week's regular cabinet meeting would be postponed until Wednesday, and the Tuesday cabinet meeting on July 28 would also be moved, to July 29. July 28 is HM the King's birthday. Substitute days for the cancelled Songkran break have not yet been used, the minister said. “Therefore, the 3-day Songkran holiday is still to come. The prime minister wants to see the evaluation of the Covid-19 situation first, and will consider other recovery projects. "After this, the prime minister will give guidelines for use in considering additional public holidays, taking into consideration those recovery projects and use of a 400-billion-baht budget to stimulate the economy, especially domestic tourism,’’ Mr Itthiphol said. Compensation days for Songkran may be scheduled in August or September, he said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Boy Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 I'm sure the millions left hungry and unemployed by the lockdown will be dancing in the streets at the prospect of a few more public holidays <rolleyes> 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Another quirk of the COVID-19 restrictions; a coffee shop forced to close because it is too popular. How can businesses survive under such conditions? Evil Chon Buri coffee shop in a converted aircraft ordered to close temporarily – VIDEO By Maya Taylor Published 2 hours ago on 24-06-2020 PHOTO: The Pattaya News A novel coffee shop set up in a decommissioned Airbus 3330 has been ordered to close temporarily after the business simply became too popular after going viral on social media. It’s understood thousands of customers a day were arriving for a latte or cappuccino from “Coffee War” in Sattahip, a district in the south of Chon Buri province. Manager Suttipong Boonloi says the aircraft cost 10 million baht and was converted into a quirky cafe selling coffee for between 60 and 80 baht a cup. He adds that strict Covid-19 hygiene measures are already in place, including temperature checks, the wearing of masks, regular disinfection of surfaces, and hand sanitiser being made available for customers. Furthermore, only 60 customers are permitted “on board” at any one time, with each customer limited to 40 minutes inside. Public Health officials, accompanied by Sattahip District Chief Anucha Intasorn, have asked the coffee shop to close for a week, in an attempt to alleviate the daily overcrowding and dissipate the enthusiasm. Officials say Covid-19 remains a risk and such large numbers increase the chance of a resurgence in the virus. The province of Chon Buri, including Pattaya, has now gone more than 60 days without any new cases of community transmission. The unusual coffee shop is similar to a venture in Korat, north-east Thailand, where another entrepreneurial spirit has created a restaurant inside a retired Airbus A330. Both aircraft were formerly part of the Thai Airways fleet. There might be some more unused aircraft available soon… SOURCE: The Pattaya News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Before anyone gets too excited, the announcement detailed below is preliminary and may be modified later this week. It doesn't sound like going out will be too much fun with all the rules. I wonder how many WS go go bars will bother to re-open, even if allowed? My bold highlights. Evil Entertainment Venues, Bars, Nightlife, Soapies planned to be allowed to reopen on July 1, says Thai Government By Adam Judd Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 13:31 Bangkok- The Center for Covid19 Situation Administration Spokesperson, or CCSA, Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, announced this morning that Phase 5 of the reopening of venues closed for Covid19 related measures was planned to be officially launched on July 1, 2020. This would include bars, entertainment venues, soapies, internet cafes, nightclubs, pubs, karaokes, sports bars, lounges, live music venues and similar establishments. Dr. Taweesin also went over the rules and procedures that had been discussed at a meeting of the CCSA this morning. The meeting had originally been scheduled for Friday, but took place earlier. The rules, he cautioned, were not one hundred percent final as there were still additional meetings on Friday and Monday, the 29, planned, but presented extensive slides and material over the rules which had changed and been slightly loosened from original proposed rules. The Pattaya News notes that the Phase Five relief is not official until approved by the Prime Minister and in the Royal Gazette. Additionally, it is possible that individual Provincial Governor’s may decide to strengthen the rules or prevent the opening of entertainment establishments at their discretion. Dr. Taweesin stated that another major “final” meeting was scheduled for Monday, the 29th. The venues that will be opened in Phase Five will be: All Government institutions can return to full activity and services. No mandated closure time for malls, will be up to mall management Nightlife, like Pubs, Bars, Karaokes can resume with the following rules: Must have a music license and alcohol license as well as a business license Must follow the legal alcohol sales hours of 11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to Midnight. It is unclear if areas with special entertainment licenses or administrative zones like Pattaya will be allowed to stay open later at this time. Everyone must be at least one meter apart. Tables must be at least two meters apart or have a partition between tables if less then 2 meters Limit of five people per group, should not mingle with other groups Must use Thai Chana app to track entering and leaving premises Must have a high quality ventilation system Regular cleaning/disinfecting of tables and bathrooms must take place Must check the id of those coming to the shop and ensure they are of legal age Cannot bring your own alcohol No bottle service, must be sold in glasses Dancing, singing is OK at your own table with your own group, no dance floors No Beer Cheer girls or promotional activities to sell alcohol CCTV must be working and be able to be reviewed for at least one month. There is no rule against buying drinks for staff but must be at least one meter away from that person. There is no apparent ban on pool, darts, etc and was not spoken about at the conference today. Regular hygiene measures, like hand sanitizer and temperature checks should also take place. Masks are required for all staff, but not for customers since they will be drinking, eating. These rules are subject to change. Internet Cafes and Soapies are also allowed to open. Soapie staff may be required on a regular basis to take a Covid19 test. Masks must be worn at all times except in the shower/bath. This is a developing story. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Evil Penevil said: Before anyone gets too excited, the announcement detailed below is preliminary and may be modified later this week. It doesn't sound like going out will be too much fun with all the rules. I wonder how many WS go go bars will bother to re-open, even if allowed? My bold highlights. Evil Entertainment Venues, Bars, Nightlife, Soapies planned to be allowed to reopen on July 1, says Thai Government By Adam Judd Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 13:31 Bangkok- The Center for Covid19 Situation Administration Spokesperson, or CCSA, Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, announced this morning that Phase 5 of the reopening of venues closed for Covid19 related measures was planned to be officially launched on July 1, 2020. This would include bars, entertainment venues, soapies, internet cafes, nightclubs, pubs, karaokes, sports bars, lounges, live music venues and similar establishments. Dr. Taweesin also went over the rules and procedures that had been discussed at a meeting of the CCSA this morning. The meeting had originally been scheduled for Friday, but took place earlier. The rules, he cautioned, were not one hundred percent final as there were still additional meetings on Friday and Monday, the 29, planned, but presented extensive slides and material over the rules which had changed and been slightly loosened from original proposed rules. The Pattaya News notes that the Phase Five relief is not official until approved by the Prime Minister and in the Royal Gazette. Additionally, it is possible that individual Provincial Governor’s may decide to strengthen the rules or prevent the opening of entertainment establishments at their discretion. Dr. Taweesin stated that another major “final” meeting was scheduled for Monday, the 29th. The venues that will be opened in Phase Five will be: All Government institutions can return to full activity and services. No mandated closure time for malls, will be up to mall management Nightlife, like Pubs, Bars, Karaokes can resume with the following rules: Must have a music license and alcohol license as well as a business license Must follow the legal alcohol sales hours of 11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to Midnight. It is unclear if areas with special entertainment licenses or administrative zones like Pattaya will be allowed to stay open later at this time. Everyone must be at least one meter apart. Tables must be at least two meters apart or have a partition between tables if less then 2 meters Limit of five people per group, should not mingle with other groups Must use Thai Chana app to track entering and leaving premises Must have a high quality ventilation system Regular cleaning/disinfecting of tables and bathrooms must take place Must check the id of those coming to the shop and ensure they are of legal age Cannot bring your own alcohol No bottle service, must be sold in glasses Dancing, singing is OK at your own table with your own group, no dance floors No Beer Cheer girls or promotional activities to sell alcohol CCTV must be working and be able to be reviewed for at least one month. There is no rule against buying drinks for staff but must be at least one meter away from that person. There is no apparent ban on pool, darts, etc and was not spoken about at the conference today. Regular hygiene measures, like hand sanitizer and temperature checks should also take place. Masks are required for all staff, but not for customers since they will be drinking, eating. These rules are subject to change. Internet Cafes and Soapies are also allowed to open. Soapie staff may be required on a regular basis to take a Covid19 test. Masks must be worn at all times except in the shower/bath. This is a developing story. Pointless Gogos trying to open as it clearly says no dance floor. Also I don't understand the logic of no bottled drink. Allowing customers to self serve reduces contact me thinks! Edited June 24, 2020 by boydeste 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forcebwithu Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 3 hours ago, Evil Penevil said: ...Officials say Covid-19 remains a risk and such large numbers increase the chance of a resurgence in the virus. The province of Chon Buri, including Pattaya, has now gone more than 60 days without any new cases of community transmission. ... Someone should ask these officials if they believe their own numbers that Thailand as a country has had no internal infections from the virus for the last 30 days, and Chon Buri 60+ days? If they do believe those numbers then they need to explain how there can be a resurgence of the virus if there is no one infected to spread the virus. Once Thailand opens the borders it'll be a different case entirely, but for now, just let those within Thailand get on with their lives and business and stop this "the sky is falling" nonsense. 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 12 minutes ago, forcebwithu said: Someone should ask these officials if they believe their own numbers that Thailand as a country has had no internal infections from the virus for the last 30 days, and Chon Buri 60+ days? If they do believe those numbers then they need to explain how there can be a resurgence of the virus if there is no one infected to spread the virus. Once Thailand opens the borders it'll be a different case entirely, but for now, just let those within Thailand get on with their lives and business and stop this "the sky is falling" nonsense. Ditto from me. Smell a rat maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightcrawler Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 My greatest worry is what happens when tourists start arriving from countries where Covid 19 is either still rising or in existence. Whilst there are no new reported cases in Pattaya, that's fine for local opening and existing customers who do not have the virus. The big test is going to be when it opens up again to tourism. It would only take a handful of tourists carrying the virus for it to rapidly spread across the region in just a few weeks. An outbreak could be catastrophic and take everything back 3 months and renewal of lockdown. I hope and pray that will not happen. In order for all businesses to thrive again it will obviously depend on 2 major outside factors Firstly, when and how Thailand lifts quarantine measures for new arrivals and has some form of getting procedure. Secondly, when will airlines start to resume regular flights to and from Thailand and that the countries that they are flying from have also relaxed their immigration and lockdown rules Neither are likely just to happen over night and simultaneously So I can't see that there should be any major rush in reopening, but just a step forward. As had been said many times here, it's one thing for businesses to start trading again but how many customers will they have. At the moment it will be Thais, expats and those who decided to stay for the duration. This whole Covid situation seems a bit like doing a jigsaw with a few missing pieces 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazle Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Sometimes I think we believe that the Thai borders are hermetically sealed! How about, for instance, all those construction workers for whom borders have not been an obstacle in the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfc2007 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1940340/50-000-select-foreigners-to-start-arriving-next-week More farang to start arriving from next week. Most are medical tourists with the rest being a mixture of those on work permits and 2k farang with thai family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizondave Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 There is a possibility my wife may need to go back to Thailand some time in July, just wanted to know without reading everything here whether she would need to go into quarantine on arrival or whether a Thai citizen can enter and return to her province without the need to quarantine after 01 July. Appreciate any comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boydeste Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 (edited) 52 minutes ago, Horizondave said: There is a possibility my wife may need to go back to Thailand some time in July, just wanted to know without reading everything here whether she would need to go into quarantine on arrival or whether a Thai citizen can enter and return to her province without the need to quarantine after 01 July. Appreciate any comments. Currently everyone is getting quarantined for 14 days. The situation is fluid so may change by July but I doubt it. Edited June 24, 2020 by boydeste 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krapow Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Good news for Khun @Smiler, get to see his family again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krapow Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 3 hours ago, Horizondave said: There is a possibility my wife may need to go back to Thailand some time in July, just wanted to know without reading everything here whether she would need to go into quarantine on arrival or whether a Thai citizen can enter and return to her province without the need to quarantine after 01 July. Appreciate any comments. Think it currently would be best to do via the Thai Embassy in London. Up to date info and current procedures, flights etc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 6 hours ago, boydeste said: Pointless Gogos trying to open as it clearly says no dance floor. A lot of the rules are still unclear, but I believe "dance floor" refers to an area where customers dance with each other, such as in a disco or nightclub. The dancers at go gos perform on a stage. However, I doubt the the "entertainment" in the more "hands on" places would be tolerated. Evil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Boy Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 11 hours ago, Evil Penevil said: A lot of the rules are still unclear, but I believe "dance floor" refers to an area where customers dance with each other, such as in a disco or nightclub. The dancers at go gos perform on a stage. However, I doubt the the "entertainment" in the more "hands on" places would be tolerated. Evil Yes, the Gogo girls should definitely wear face masks to prevent kissing, so they couldn't infect anybody via their saliva, but I haven't read of a single case anywhere in the world where someone contracted C19 from cunnilingus, so eating pussy in the likes of Windmill or Baby Dolls should still be fine, lol. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 18 hours ago, Krapow said: Good news for Khun @Smiler, get to see his family again. I am hoping there will be further easing of restrictions early July, rumour is an announcement will be made soon(ish). Still think August at the earliest but most likely September 😒 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Penevil Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 Thailand National Security Council officially suggests extending Emergency Decree to end of July Thailand- At a press conference Thursday afternoon following a meeting with the National Security Council and Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha, General Somsak Rungsita, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), said that the NSC would officially suggest extending the Emergency Decree until the end of July. The suggestion would be deliberated at a major CCSA meeting on Monday, June 29, and if approved then given a final approval by the Thai Cabinet on Tuesday, June 30th. Despite being a “suggestion” this important first step and approval of the NSC shows that it now looks nearly certain that the Decree, which contains strict penalties for violation of rules around the decree, will be extended another month. The Decree also gives the Prime Minister and CCSA sweeping powers to control the country during an emergency situation. General Somsak told the Thai press that the extension of the decree was needed because of the critical re-opening of the most high risk venues in Phase Five, which is scheduled to start on July First. He stated that the laws currently in place would not allow the Government to properly respond if there was a breakout of Covid-19 due to the final phase of restrictions being lifted. He also stated that not only was Phase Five resuming that schools were also starting and this was another area for concern. Additionally, the decree allows a central level of administration and management not available without the decree. If the decree was removed too soon there was concern, according to Somsak, that some Provincial Governor’s would adjust rules or regulations against the “advice” of the CCSA. He also said that if there was no outbreak of Covid-19 due to the final phase of measures being released that the Decree could be canceled at any time. The Pattaya News notes no extension of the Decree would be official before Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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