Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

Post by Gaybutton »

Unfortunately it is official. While many had hoped for and indeed expected the bars and entertainment venues to reopen December 1, that is not going to happen until mid January, if then.

So far there has been no announcement as to whether the Pattaya restaurants will be able to serve alcohol as of December 1. Of course, once we get the word on what will be happening with that, we will post it.
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Opening of pubs, bars postponed to Jan 15, Chanthaburi shifts to “red” zone

by The Nation

November 12, 2021

The date of reopening entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke joints across Thailand was shifted from December 1 to January 15 on Friday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said the decision was made in line with the Covid-19 situation and vaccination status.

The CCSA along with Interior and Public Health ministries, provincial disease control bodies and related agencies will work with business operators to prepare for the opening of the venues and ensure all safety measures are in place.

Also on Friday, the CCSA meeting led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to shift Chanthaburi province from “dark red” zone to “red” zone, bringing the list of provinces under maximum disease control from seven to six. Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla are still marked “dark red”.

Currently, 39 provinces are classified as “red” or high disease control areas. They are Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chachoengsao, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Sa Kaew, Suphanburi, Surat Thani, Ang Thong, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and now Chanthaburi.

The “orange” zone or controlled area covers 23 provinces, namely: Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Phayao, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Roi Et, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Singburi, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Amnat Charoen and Si Sa Ket.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008737
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Thailand’s Covid-19 center holds major meeting: Bars and nightlife opening postponed officially until next year nationally, Covid-19 recap, zone changes

By Nop Meechukhun

12 November, 2021

all entertainment venues like bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, etc. will remain closed nationally until at least January 15th, 2022. The CCSA meeting would consider the possibility of the business reopening again for January 16th, according to the spokesperson. They did not, however, “guarantee” this as a reopening date. The reason given for the closure is because of concerns about congestion and ventilation. TPN notes that the order didn’t seem to consider different sizes of venues or that many bars would even be outdoors, appearing to only focus on large nightclubs.

The CCSA was also deeply concerned about possible Covid-19 clusters coming from these venues possibly “ruining the holidays” for the majority and causing further closures of other sectors. Thus, they decided to postpone the opening until after the New Year.

It is also unclear if more areas could potentially be given “exemptions” from certain rules or leniency in terms of nightlife, such as Phuket, for the purpose of tourism. The spokesperson did note that if

TPN media notes that there was no specific announcement made about allowing alcohol for dine-in at restaurants in Pattaya, Hua Hin, or other tourist districts like Bangkok or Phuket. The new color-coding chart clearly shows thirteen tourist “districts” with blue dots, such as Pattaya, which in theory would mean relaxed rules but as of press time no announcements had been made and it was unclear if the Governor would do so in the future.

The reaction to the announcement on social media was swift, with almost universal criticism of the delay on entertainment venues originally said to be considered by December 1st. Many comments focused on the importance of the night-time economy to tourism and how by keeping this sector closed over the “high season” it would discourage many visitors and tourists from coming to Thailand.

Full story: https://tpnnational.com/2021/11/12/thai ... e-changes/
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Now that we've all gotten the message that the bars and entertainment venues won't be opening until at least some time in January, for Pattaya the next question is what about restaurants being allowed to serve alcohol? As of the time of this post, there has been no word about that.
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CCSA extends nightlife curbs

Pubs to stay closed beyond New Year

by Mongkol Bangprapa

13 November, 2021

Nightlife venues such as pubs will remain closed until at least Jan 16 to avoid a possible surge of infections during New Year.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), on Friday said a CCSA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to defer the reopening of clubs, pubs and karaoke venues.

The CCSA originally planned to reopen these venues on Dec 1, according to Dr Taweesilp. However, it has set the new tentative reopening date to Jan 16 and only in some areas, depending on the Covid-19 situation, he said.

"We need time from Nov 15 to Jan 15 to prepare for the reopening," he said.

Since the country reopened on Nov 1, alcoholic drinks have been allowed to be served in restaurants and eateries in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket.

The Public Health Ministry proposed the delay after consulting with other agencies. The CCSA indicated that it would follow a direction set by the prime minister.

Dr Taweesilp said the CCSA remains worried about the reopening of night entertainment businesses, which could lead to more infections if appropriate measures are not set in place. Inadequate ventilation and overcrowding were among its key concerns, he added.

He said that the Interior Ministry, the Public Health Ministry and business operators will set up a team to assess the situation and come up with a set of criteria for the reopening of night entertainment venues, though they may be allowed to reopen in areas at low-risk of Covid-19 infections.

Dr Taweesilp said the meeting also decided to reduce the number of maximum and strict controlled zones, or dark-red zones, from seven to six, effective on Tuesday.

This means Chanthaburi will be removed from the list of dark-red zone provinces and will be designated as a maximum controlled zone, or red-zone province, he said.

The six provinces that remain as dark-red zones are Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla, where the 11pm–3am curfew hours will remain in force until at least the end of this month, he said.

The curfew applies only in the dark-red provinces.

During the CCSA meeting, the Public Health Ministry provided an update on Covid-19 vaccinations nationwide, with some 44.8 million people receiving their first shot of a vaccine, 35.8 million getting their second shot and 2.7 million getting a booster shot, Dr Taweesilp said.

Dr Udom Kachintorn, adviser to the CCSA, said that the delay of the reopening of night entertainment venues was intended as a precaution against a possible new surge of infections during New Year.

The Public Health Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration must come up with measures before nightlife venues can safely reopen, Dr Udom said.

He noted that it is difficult to maintain physical distancing in nightlife premises, where people are in close contact with each other. Adequate ventilation in such premises is necessary to help reduce the risk of transmissions, he said.

"We have learned a lesson from the major cluster of infections linked with night entertainment venues," Dr Udom said, referring to the cluster which centred around the upscale entertainment district of Thong Lor in April.

"The public has been asked to be patient. They will reopen for sure," he said. "As part of preparations, the night entertainment venues must receive Safety & Health Administration (SHA) Plus certificates first."

Dr Udom also said the government is still concerned about the number of new daily cases being recorded, which is about 6,000-7,000, noting Bangkok sees about 700-800 cases per day.

Operators of nightlife venues have been asking the government to lift the alcohol ban in 17 tourism provinces and to allow pubs and karaoke clubs nationwide to reopen on Dec 1.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... life-curbs
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Hundreds of Pattaya business owners file formal request to Chonburi Governor, Pattaya Mayor, and the CCSA to allow alcohol sales at venues

By Adam Judd

16 November, 2021

Business operators in Pattaya and Jomtien have formally handed letters and petitions to the Chonburi Governor and the Pattaya City Mayor, which will also reportedly be presented to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, asking to allow alcohol sales in restaurants before the New Year and for Pattaya to be allowed a similar program to Phuket or Bangkok which currently allow sales and have seen many venues spring back to life.

Today (November 16th) business operators representing nearly 400 business owners from the hospitality, hotel, restaurant, bar, entertainment, and nightlife industry went to the Chonburi Provincial Hall and The Pattaya City Hall and handed formal letters to Chonburi Governor Phakarathorn Teanchai and the Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplome.

The letter states they are requesting to allow the Banglamung district to lift the ban on alcohol sales like Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga before New Year. The lifting of this ban would, in theory, allow many venues to open as “restaurants” like in Phuket or Bangkok if the Thai Stop Covid Plus certification was allowed or similar plans being used in other provinces as “exemptions” were permitted locally.

The letter includes close to 400 names of various business operators and owners in Banglamung who have signed the letter. The business owners are only calling for Pattaya, reported by the Mayor to be the third most vaccinated place in the country in terms of the province and city, to be allowed to sell alcohol and lift the almost eight-month ban, replicating programs in Bangkok, Phuket, and other places that have seen a revival of business since lifting their own respective bans. The business owners stressed that they are willing to comply with all Covid measures and have many proposals and ideas for safely opening their venues while providing thousands with employment.

A representative of the Chonburi governor, the Administrative Chief Mr. Chawanin Wongsatitjirakan, and Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume received the letters from business operators.

Meanwhile, all entertainment venues like bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, etc. will remain closed nationally until at least January 15th, 2022. TPN media notes, however, that if the alcohol ban is lifted locally it would “open the doors” so to speak for “grey areas” in allowing many closed businesses to reopen like is currently happening in Phuket and Bangkok.

Mrs. Lisa Hamilton, who along with Ms. Punnipa Flowers helped arrange the petition, told the media and the Pattaya Mayor, “Please help us. We have many expenses but no income. Business operators are not getting any financial support for the continued closures. There are many events in Pattaya which is bringing many tourists to the city, meant to help the economy, but it doesn’t help us at all if our shops are mandated closed and alcohol is banned. Additionally, having the alcohol ban discourages many tourists from coming to Pattaya, who would now rather go to Bangkok or Phuket, hurting all local business owners and the city overall. Our entertainment venues have been closed for a long time (Roughly eight months in a row, plus five months previously). We can only watch other shops sell alcohol in other provinces and places like Khaosan Road in Bangkok or Bangla Road in Phuket. How is this fair to us? Pattaya is famous for its nightlife and entertainment sector.”

Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume stated that the city will be working with the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Bangkok, or the CCSA, which he said creates the current rules and proposals to lift the ban. He mentioned that eight major business associations recently also formally submitted a request to the CCSA as well to get the ban lifted by December and put Pattaya on even footing with Phuket and Bangkok.

Mayor Khunplume stated that the city and province had already had several small-scale meetings with the CCSA and relevant officials and allowing Pattaya to sell alcohol was expected to be presented at the next large-scale meeting for the CCSA, set for the end of the month. Mayor Khunplume was optimistic that the city, known as the third-most visited place in Thailand (behind Phuket and Bangkok) and known internationally for its hospitality industry would be granted a similar exemption to Phuket by December. He also promised to help business owners get their business open and said he fully supported their cause.

TPN will continue to closely follow this story, arguably the most commented and discussed news in the city locally based on a review of our social media and e-mails sent. Two recent informal polls conducted by TPN media on our Facebook and Youtube channels showed that roughly 80% of readers supported lifting the ban and allowing businesses to open.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/11/16/hund ... at-venues/
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Operators of Pattaya entertainment venues step up calls to lift alcohol ban

by Chaiyot Pupattanapong

16 November, 2021

Impatient operators of entertainment venues in Pattaya have stepped up their calls for the lifting of the alcohol ban to boost tourism in this beach town.

More than 400 operators of entertainment venues and other related businesses in Pattaya on Tuesday submitted a letter calling for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions to Pattaya mayor Sonthaya Khunplome. They asked for a green light to reopen entertainment venues and serve alcoholic drinks in restaurants, eateries, nightspot venues and hotels.

The group, led by Ms Lamphueng Hamilton, chairwoman of the entertainment venue operators club on Jomtien beach in Pattaya, said the Covid-19 pandemic had forced many businesses to close for almost two years. Many had suffered huge losses.

Now the situation has gradually improved with over 85% of the local population vaccinated against Covid-19, the group said.

They wanted restrictions in Pattaya to be eased like those in four provinces where alcoholic drinks can now be served. Pattaya was excluded from the list despite being recognised as a world-class tourist town, the group said.

Since the country reopened on Nov 1, alcoholic drinks have been allowed only in restaurants in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket.

Mr Sonthaya said numerous efforts had been made to push for the reopening of nightspot venues in Pattaya, in line with the reopening of 17 provinces to foreign tourists on Nov 1.

However, alcoholic drinks have been allowed only in the four provinces' blue zones, tourist-oriented areas with few Covid-19 restrictions. Permission to serve alcoholic drinks in the 13 other provinces was under consideration by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said the mayor.

He believed the government and the CCSA would decide on the issue this month.

The Pattaya City Municipality had kept on proposing loosening the restrictions to the Chon Buri communicable disease control committee at every meeting, arguing that Pattaya was the hub of tourism in the East and one of 17 tourist areas under the pilot project to stimulate tourism. Thus, alcoholic drinks should be allowed at restaurants, hotels and other eateries to make tourism in the beach town more lively and draw more foreign tourists, said Mr Sonthaya.

On Friday, CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha decided to defer by another month a plan to allow pubs, bars and karaoke venues to reopen on Dec 1.

The new tentative reopening date was set for Jan 16 and only for some areas, depending on the Covid-19 situation.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... lcohol-ban
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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PM defends delay lifting nightlife ban

by Mongkol Bangprapa and Prasit Tangprasert

17 Nov 2021

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended the decision to postpone the reopening of pubs and entertainment venues from Dec 1 to Jan 15, a move that has disappointed many in the hospitality and entertainment industries as they fret about keeping their businesses alive.

Gen Prayut said public health safety measures would not be ready in time for them to safely reopen on Dec 1.

"We have to listen to what the Public Health Ministry has to say about the matter as well," said the prime minister, who also heads the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) which issued the delay notice.

The premier has warned entertainment businesses not to reopen before they are given permission to do so or they will face swift legal action. Many pubs and bars have already defied the rules and suffered the consequences.

Gen Prayut also ordered organisers nationwide to exercise the utmost precautions and launch health surveillance measures during festivities at Loy Krathong venues on Friday.

He said there has been a steady improvement in tourism after the Nov 1 reopening, with hotel bookings on the rise. He said he has instructed agencies to reduce the time needed to perform immigration and health checks for international arrivals.

Meanwhile, businesses in Nakhon Ratchasima, one of the most bustling cities in the Northeast, have expressed anger at the delayed return of the city's nightlife. Phakin Petpol, manager of Tawan Daeng, an entertainment complex in Muang district, said the company called more than 150 employees back to work after the complex learned that pubs and bars would open their doors again on Dec 1.

"To be told they now have to be on standby for another month or so, it's not a pleasant feeling," the manager said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... htlife-ban
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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"Gen Prayut said public health safety measures would not be ready in time for them to safely reopen on Dec 1."

If that doesn't prove how utterly incompetent his government is, I don't know what will. Trouble is, politicians don't die of shame.
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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We'll see if this does any good. I wish I wasn't so pessimistic, but I doubt it.
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Pattaya City Mayor says he is pushing to allow alcohol sales in restaurants and for entertainment venues and bars to reopen before New Year’s Eve

By Goong Nang(GN)

25 November, 2021

The Pattaya City Mayor, Sonthaya Khunplume, said yesterday, November 24th, 2021, that he is pushing to allow alcohol sales in restaurants and for bars and entertainment venues to legally reopen before New Year’s after numerous groups of business operators and associations from many sectors had filed letters, petitions, and protests over the past week.

Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplome told The Pattaya News, “Pattaya is one of the currently designated 17 main tourist zones in Thailand. However, only four provinces in Thailand are currently being allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants which are Bangkok, Samui, Phang Nga and Phuket. This has caused a lot of anger and problems in other areas, especially here in Pattaya, which is largely reliant on the nightlife and entertainment industry.”

TPN media notes that this “exception” was also extended to a few other islands and areas and although in technical terms, only allowed “restaurants” to open, it actually also has basically opened the gates in some places, like Khaosan Road in Bangkok and Bangla Road in Phuket to sell alcohol at bars that have been given “temporary” restaurant licenses, without food or kitchens, according to those on the ground. Pattaya business owners, as a tourist-reliant city and the third most vaccinated and visited place in Thailand, have been seeking a similar “exception” from a national ban on bars and entertainment venues opening for weeks. In 2019, Pattaya was the 19th most visited city in the world with just shy of 10 million visitors, with many analysts largely attributing this to the entertainment and nightlife sector that is currently closed.

Bars, nightlife, entertainment venues, and indeed the entire nighttime economy in Thailand have been closed nationally in Thailand since April of this year, approaching almost eight months, due to Covid-19 measures, and remains virtually the only business sector still closed by the Thai government with what owners claim is little to no financial aid or support. Restaurants in most of the country, as previously mentioned, cannot even legally sell alcohol due to authorities’ concerns of patrons essentially using restaurants as bars. Thai authorities have continued to attribute gatherings around alcohol as a primary spreader of Covid-19.

“More than 80 percent of people in Pattaya have been vaccinated as well as the nearby area. Pattaya currently only allows alcohol sales in supermarkets and local groceries but not in hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants. Many people think this is not fair because people are buying from shops and drinking in public areas like streets and beaches and food courts every night. Pattaya has festivals every weekend currently to attract tourists to the city and business operators continue to complain about these, stating they are bringing thousands of tourists to the city who are purchasing from convenience stores and drinking in public areas but cannot legally go to a restaurant or bar and drink. We planned these festivals months in advance and did not expect the alcohol ban, set by the central government and the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, to be still in place at this time. We understand where business owners are coming from and why they are so frustrated, leading to many petitions, protests, and pleas to open over the past few weeks.” Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume explained.

“We have tried to request an exception multiple times from the Chonburi governor, the Chonburi Health Department, the CCSA, and the government. The decision to reopen Pattaya’s nightlife, bar and entertainment industry is not mine alone but rests with multiple agencies and departments. It is likely that entertainment venues will be allowed to open earlier around the start of December based on current feedback we have. The CCSA is set to meet this week on Friday, November 26th, and they are well aware of the situation in Pattaya and have stated it will be a major discussion point. However, no promises or guarantees can be made.” The mayor concluded.

Meanwhile entertainment venue operators in Soi Buakhao also filed an official letter pleading for reopening earlier this week.

On Tuesday, (November 23rd), Mrs. Romchale Kranes, the representative from the ‘Save us’ group (Bar Owners Pattaya) which is 46 bars in the Soi Buakhao area, filed a letter to Pattaya City. They are requesting for the reopening of their bars by this December after having been closed for almost eight months in a row, and five months total previously since the Covid-19 pandemic began. This is only the latest group to request reopening as nine separate associations and at least four bar groups have submitted similar petitions and letters over the past two weeks, notes TPN media.

City leaders have told bar and nightlife owners repeatedly that they are working on the problem and that they are well aware of the difficult situation bar owners are in, as well as the residual effects that keeping the popular nightlife sector entirely closed in Pattaya is having on tourism in the city overall. TPN media adds that many of the associations currently asking for the lifting of the alcohol ban in Pattaya are not directly involved in the bar industry, such as retail, general tourism, and hotels but are concerned that by keeping Pattaya’s famous nightlife and bars shut every other industry will suffer as tourists will choose other destinations.

TPN media will be closely following the CCSA meeting later this week and will be providing updates to our readers.

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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Ok, folks - you figure this one out. New Year's Eve - Phuket will allow drinking the entire night. Pattaya, none at all. What is that?
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Phuket allows alcohol drinking and serving at “restaurants” through entire New Year’s Eve night

By Nop Meechukhun

29 November, 2021

Phuket authorities have officially allowed selling and drinking alcohol in “restaurants” through the night of New Year’s Eve, the Official Phuket Information Center announced on Sunday, November 28th.

According to the announcement signed by Phuket governor Narong Woonciew, alcohol servings are allowed in restaurants as previously announced. Alcoholic beverage selling is prohibited normally between 11:00 PM. and 11:00 AM., except for the night of December 31, 2021, restaurants can continue to sell alcohol and stay open until 6.00 A.M. the following day.

However, restaurants operators and customers must continue to abide by provincial Covid-19 preventive measures. Live music can be performed with a maximum of five musicians/performers on stage. Physical contact between performers and customers and service staff is strongly forbidden.

Dancing and dancing performances at the establishments remain prohibited. Other rules of Covid-Free Settings must be strictly implemented at all times.

The exception to stay open all night was reportedly granted by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA. In theory, bars and nightclubs and other nightlife venues are not allowed to open or serve alcohol, and only restaurants, but TPN media notes that in reality widespread reports from the ground state that many bars have not-so-secretly disguised themselves as “restaurants” to be allowed to get around a current nationwide ban on nightlife until at least mid-January. Several other places in Thailand, such as Bangkok and Samui, have similar “exceptions” to open.

Meanwhile, Pattaya, normally a top nightlife destination for Thailand, remains under a strict alcohol sales ban at all venues, including restaurants, despite near-daily protests, petitions, and anger from business owners and tourism associations in the city. An official answer on why Pattaya has yet to be granted an exemption, leaving hundreds of businesses shut and thousands out of work, has not been given. Pattaya and Chonburi leaders have, however, stated that discussions about the sector are “ongoing”.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/11/29/phuk ... eve-night/
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Pattaya's bar and entertainment venue owners are escalating their efforts to get permission to open.
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PM: No national lockdown, but bars probably won't reopen

by Mongkol Bangprapa

2 December, 2021

The government will not impose a national lockdown despite overseas concerns about the Omicron variant of Covid-19, but the closure of entertainment venues will likely be extended, the prime minister said on Thursday.

Prayut Chan-o-cha said a nationwide closure was unnecessary. The government would cope by continuing to test arriving travellers for the new variant.

"Harsh measures are not necessary. There are RT-PCR tests and quarantine is required pending test results," he said.

The government needed to prioritise both public safety and the national economy. It was not easy to keep the balance. Under the circumstances, the government would delay its plan for antigen testing of arrivals instead of the RT-PCR tests, the prime minister said.

In the interests of public health, the government might also have to further delay the reopening of pubs, bars and karaoke shops, he said.

"We would like to wait and see for a month. In this matter, we must listen to doctors and health authorities," Gen Prayut said.

"Enclosed venues where crowds gather and drink pose high risks. That will be put on hold. Assistance measures will be proposed to the cabinet soon," the prime minister said.

When there is a new disease, there must be measures to cope with it, he added.

Gen Prayut confirmed that the government was tracing arrivals from southern Africa for Covid-19 tests, because Omicron infections were detected from that region.

He asked the public to inform the government if they know of the whereabouts of such people.

He said no Omicron case had been detected in Thailand to date.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ont-reopen
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Pattaya entertainment and tourism operators vow to keep pushing to allow alcohol sales at least at restaurants and hotels

By Goong Nang(GN)

2 December, 2021

Pattaya entertainment and tourism operators have vowed to keep pushing to allow alcohol sales in restaurants, hotels, and allowing the legal reopening of venues, even after Chonburi’s communicable disease committee declined to ease the alcohol rules when they released their most recent orders around Covid-19 restrictions last night, December 1st.

This is despite places like Bangkok and Phuket extending their drinking hours at “restaurants” (In reality, many bars are open with temporary licenses or Thai stop Covid passes) and more popular tourist destinations like Cha-am and Ayutthaya allowing drinking at restaurants. Pattaya, the third most visited tourism destination in Thailand (and in 2019 with nearly ten million visitors, the 19th in the world), world-famous for its nightlife, remains under a widely unpopular alcohol ban, hurting thousands of restaurant and hotel sales and keeping hundreds of bars and nightlife venues closed, keeping an estimated 40,000 people out of work according to local tourism associations. Pattaya isn’t alone, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai have also remained under legal bans on alcohol as well, despite being fellow tourist zones, and have faced similar protests from business owners.

Mr. Sinchai Wattanasart, a hotel operator in Pattaya who has been part of several major meetings with dozens of upset major hotel, tourism, and restaurant operators in Pattaya, told the associated Thai press, “We need to be allowed alcohol sales in this tourism “high season” (December) as many foreign and domestic tourists are still visiting Pattaya. However, tourists are surprised to find alcohol sales are not legal here in any hotel, restaurant, or bar except for 7-11 and supermarkets. Bars and nightlife remain closed in Pattaya which is famous for its nighttime economy, driving many people to other cities and provinces that have had “exceptions” like Bangkok, Samui, Krabi, and Phuket. We have not been given a reason for Pattaya, highly reliant on nightlife and entertainment, for not being granted the same exception despite many please for a logical, sensible reason why the closure remains. Pattaya’s mayor estimated the city at around 85% fully vaccinated against Covid-19 recently, there is no reason vaccination wise we are not ready to open.”

“The current rules are not fair when restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol while shops outside are allowed to sell alcohol. During recent festivals, many restaurants watched thousands of people purchasing alcohol from convenience stores and drinking in public areas because we could not sell to them legally at our licensed, safe venues with fully vaccinated staff and many health measures. We do not agree with the order that does not allow alcohol sale in restaurants and the government is not giving financial aid for this ban and closure at this time.”

“We are finding our way to push for this issue and we will keep pushing on this until we are allowed or given a sensible, logical, reason why Pattaya remains banned. We understand concerns on giant nightlife venues like nightclubs from the government, but why punish every single sector over this? Why not make sensible separations allowing restaurants and hotels to sell as a start and move forward from there? The current ban is hurting EVERY sector in Pattaya, not just bars. This isn’t about the red-light district or nightlife. Complete bans on alcohol are causing tourists to skip the entire city and stay in Bangkok, Phuket, or elsewhere that has an exception to sell, which hurts all business owners, even those who don’t sell alcohol, in Pattaya.” Sinchai explained.

Mr. Damrongkiet Pinitkan, secretary of the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Association, told TPN media, “We need to reopen the entertainment sector legally in Pattaya before the Christmas and New Year festival to attract more Thai and foreign tourists.”

“We are sure that Pattaya is safe from Covid -19 as more than 80 percent of people have been vaccinated, according to the city. The number of Covid – 19 new and confirmed cases has continued to decrease. The Covid-19 situation is still under control locally. Yet we continue to have this ban and numerous proposals given by business owners, such as plans similar to Khao San Road in Bangkok or Bangla Road in Phuket, which are open with rules on vaccination status and hours of operation, have not been granted.” Damrongkiet explained.

“We understand that entertainment venues, like large nightclubs, are the most difficult sectors for the government to reopen. However, we need alcohol sales to be allowed in restaurants like Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok, Cha-am, and many more. The current ban hurts everyone, not just bar owners, and confuses tourists.” Damrongkiet concluded.

TPN media notes that several groups are reportedly planning more major protests over the ban in the near future and more meetings with officials and leaders have been scheduled, including today. The Chonburi government has not officially released or given a reason for Pattaya not being granted an exception, although the Pattaya Mayor has repeatedly stated he supports lifting the ban and allowing a similar exception for the bars and nightlife sector as Phuket has. However, the decision is not his alone and is currently that of the Chonburi Communicable Disease Committee and Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), which has many members.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/02/p ... nd-hotels/
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Pattaya bar & restaurant owners beg authorities to OK booze sales

By Pattaya Mail

December 2, 2021

Pattaya and Jomtien Beach restaurant and bar owners waved placards at Chonburi Governor Pakarathorn Thienchai, begging him to allow alcohol sales in their establishments.

The operators ambushed the governor outside the Chonburi Public Health Department Nov. 30 when he arrived to attend a Communicable Disease Committee meeting. They gave him a petition with the signatures of 460 bar and restaurant owners demanding he relieve the prohibition.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration last month designated Banglamung District, which includes Pattaya, a “blue” tourism zone, opening the door for alcohol sales. In other blue zones, including Bangkok and Cha-am, the provincial governor authorized booze sales, but Chonburi’s governor claims he can’t.

Lisa Hamilton, chairwoman of Jomtien Beach Business Operators group, said other provinces and blue zones are allowed to sell alcohol and that operators can’t understand why Pattaya remains dry.

Pakarathorn accepted the letter but claimed the decision was, in fact, not his. He put the onus on the central government. He said the disease-control committee will pass the operators’ request on to Bangkok.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... les-381254
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Pattaya bar owner questions continuing closure

By Pattaya Mail

December 2, 2021

Tired of signing petitions and protesting, a Pattaya bar owner has put up a sign with a lingering question for the government: “The country is open, Why not open the F* bars? You broke your promise”.

Jothani Duanjantuek, owner of the Area 51 bar, had believed that the government’s pledge to “consider” reopening bars on Dec. 1 was a hard promise and was disappointed when the reopening date was set for Jan. 16.

Soi Buakhao bar owners have sent letters and petitions to get the government to change its collective mind and rallied in person, to no avail. So now she simply put up a sign to constantly let officials know Pattaya beer bars are ready to open and willingly comply with disease-control measures.

Story and photos: https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ure-381243
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Re: Nightlife to Resume January 16?

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Prominent Pattaya tourism association leaders, business owners to hold large rally at Pattaya Walking Street today, asking for alcohol sales ban to be lifted

By Goong Nang(GN)

3 December, 2021

Business operators in Pattaya are planning to rally this afternoon (December 3rd) at Pattaya Walking Street, pushing to let the Chonburi government allow alcohol sales in at the very least restaurants and hotels.

The rally is expected to bring together prominent business owners from many sectors, including hotels, bars, nightlife, entertainment, restaurants, hospitality, retail, tourism, and nearly every business and tourism sector in the city as a unified front to request the city drop an alcohol sales ban currently in effect at all hospitality venues since roughly April of this year. The owners are coming together to drive the message that the alcohol ban doesn’t just hurt bars but is causing a “domino” effect driving away tourists from Pattaya to other areas that don’t have the ban and hurting every business sector, even those that don’t sell alcohol, as Pattaya is normally seen as a “magnet” for entertainment and nightlife.

According to the rally organizers, they want an exemption to Pattaya to be granted as a “Blue Zone” (Business, Leisure, Ultimate Experience) as in Phuket, Bangkok, Samui, and many others that lifts the alcohol ban at restaurants and hotels, with rules. Many also want special exception zones like Khaosan Road in Bangkok or Bangla Road in Phuket, allowing bars or entertainment businesses to obtain a Thai STOP Covid certificate and temporarily open as a “restaurant” until the government legally allows bars and nightlife to reopen nationwide, which is unlikely to happen until next year.

Mr. Tanet Suphonsahasarangsri from the Chonburi Tourism Industries Council told TPN media, “Blue zone districts in Chonburi (Pattaya, Sattahip, Koh Larn, parts of Si Racha) are still not allowed alcohol sales despite high vaccination levels and the ability to adhere to all Covid-19 rules and restrictions, just like Bangkok or Phuket. However, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, has reportedly agreed to let the Chonburi governor and communicable disease committee allow relaxation of the alcohol ban but the Chonburi government has repeatedly said no to alcohol sales without giving a logical, sensible reason to business owners and tourism associations.”

“Today, (December 3rd), business operators are going to gather at the Pattaya Walking Street in the afternoon to show that we really need the Chonburi government to help us. If they are unable to lift the alcohol ban, we simply want to understand the reason, when less than an hour and a half away Bangkok is allowed to sell. If they have a logical reason related to Covid-19 that explains why we say shut when many other places are open please share it. We would also welcome financial support for sectors directly affected by the ban, in place since April of this year, shutting hundreds of businesses and putting tens of thousands of people, many the main financial provider for their family, out of work.”

Mr. Sinchai Wattanasart, the Vice President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association told TPN media, “We have informed the secretary of the Office of the National Security Council about how much we have suffered. We have been informed the Chonburi Governor will allow alcohol sales sooner than it is being scheduled but are still planning to come together today to show that we are all on the same page, even though many of the owners and associations present may have different responsibilities or goals and come from many different types of businesses. This ban goes far beyond just drinking alcohol and is directly affecting the livelihoods of thousands of Pattaya residents.”

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/03/p ... be-lifted/
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