Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

Post by Gaybutton »

I spoke with a friend who is close with the owner of Sunee Plaza's Winner Boys go-go bar. According to my friend, he does intend to reopen Winner Boys as soon as Thailand allows it. I have no idea yet when that might be.

Unless something unforeseen happens Sunee Plaza will still have at least one go-go bar.

I have not heard anything about any of the other bars anywhere in Pattaya.

Of course we don't know yet under what rules the bars will eventually be able to reopen. Once we know, we will post.

I believe there will be social distancing and mask rules in place for the foreseeable future, but we'll just have to wait and see how whatever the rules are will work.
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

Post by windwalker »

That is good news.! I recall reading something recently that massage, below the belt, is being recommended as opposed to above the beltline. That would make it more interesting at a go-go bar.
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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windwalker wrote: Sun May 24, 2020 1:52 pm I recall reading something recently that massage, below the belt, is being recommended as opposed to above the beltline.
Best news I've seen in a long time . . .
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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There has been some talk that the bars will be allowed to reopen under certain restrictions, which have not yet been announced, by June 5.

Unfortunately, now it looks like that may not happen.
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Department of Disease Control Deputy Director General proposes bars and entertainment venues not to open until after schools in Thailand

By Adam Judd

Tuesday, 2 June 2020

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, or DDC and a prominent advisor to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, in Bangkok has made a proposal to the CCSA and Government to not open bars, pubs, nightclubs and the entertainment industry until schools open.

Dr. Thanarak Springphat stated at a press conference and to the press that while the Nightlife, Entertainment, Alcoholic Beverage Industry and some individual provincial leadership, like nightlife dependent Pattaya, were strongly urging the CCSA to re-open the closed entertainment industry to get hundreds of thousands back to work and help boost domestic tourism that in the view of the DDC Schools took priority and he did not agree with a decision to put the economy ahead of education.

The CCSA had previously announced that all venues and businesses would be unlocked and opened by the end of the month if Covid-19 cases stay low, but if this proposal takes place the entertainment industry, which in some areas like Phuket and Pattaya is up to 80 percent of the local gross revenue, would be delayed until at least early July. The CCSA has said that the fourth phase of loosening restrictions and easing rules, of four scheduled phases, would be every two weeks, meaning many entertainment venues were looking forward to mid June for opening.

If the proposal is accepted by the CCSA they will have to wait a few more weeks, as schools are currently not scheduled to open until July First.

Dr. Thanarak suggested instead of entertainment venues that certain types of schools, especially those for younger children, be moved into Phase Four instead and make entertainment venues and universities and colleges a “Phase Five” in July. He brought up the fact that Universities and Colleges posed a higher risk than schools for younger children as they were more likely to gather and throw parties after school, especially at student housing.

Dr. Thanarak specifically referred to the example of South Korea, in which nightlife opened before schools but had a second outbreak of the Covid-19 Coronavirus, leading to a delay on their school openings after weeks of planning.

Some media have stated that this proposal is already official, however that is not the case and is still under consideration by the CCSA. Concrete decisions on what Phase Four will look like, if the situation in terms of Covid-19 stays stable, should come early next week at the regular daily press conferences of the CCSA.

As of press time, Dr. Thanarak’s proposal to the CCSA is still under serious consideration.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/02/d ... -thailand/
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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Pattaya City leaders remain committed to the nightlife industry and Walking Street, developing new landscape design for the area

By Adam Judd

2 June 2020

Pattaya City leaders, led by the Mayor held a meeting this afternoon with prominent business leaders and officials to discuss proposals on modernizing and improving the look and feel of the world famous Walking Street.

The meeting was held early afternoon today at Pattaya City Hall and was led by the Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem and the Pattaya Walking Street business operators

Mayor Sonthaya stated in the meeting and to the press “The redesign needs to be smart and modern as well as aesthetically pleasing.”

“Moreover, the design should not cause negative effects to people lives and the overall fascination and atmosphere of the neon lights and vibe of Walking Street.”

“The development should make the walking street become alive both day and night. Currently, the street looks alive and modern at night but suffers badly during the daytime. We have plans to make the street strongly appealing during the daytime as well.”

“Pattaya is the one of the world’s most famous tourism destinations which attracts millions of visitors yearly in normal times and has generated a lot of income into Thailand. We are committed to modernizing the look and feel of the area as well as wanting to reassure nervous business owners that leaders are committed to keeping nightlife and entertainment venues a core attraction of the city.” The Mayor concluded.

Pattaya has previously discussed plans for Walking street in prior years involving total change of the seaside portion of the street due to potential land ownership issues but the Mayor has stated that the city is firmly committed to the street and its location as it is a world famous landmark of Pattaya and the city.

The plan is currently in early proposal stages and The Pattaya News stresses these designs and images are by no means guaranteed or final.

All nightlife venues and bars remain force closed at this moment due to Covid19, despite not a single case in Pattaya in almost sixty days, but Mayor Khunpluem stated that they would reopen as soon as the Thai Government and CCSA deemed it was safe to do so.

The plan includes not only a partial roof but a complete redesign of the pavement and road to make it stand out, a new entry and exit gate, special manhole covers and drains and new designs for poles and other eyesores on the street.

Story and photos: https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/02/p ... -the-area/
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Thai Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration explains why bars, nightclubs and other nightlife venues will remain closed, for now

By Adam Judd

Monday, 15 June 2020

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration spokespeople Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin and Natapanu Nopakun both explained today in separate English and Thai language press conferences why bars, clubs, pubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed for the time being.

They pointed to examples of South Korea and more recently Japan that have re-opened nightlife and both had clusters of new infections. South Korea’s cluster, although brought under control, was from a large nightclub and Japan’s more recent cluster was at hostess clubs, smaller and more intimate venues where customers chat with hostesses and buy them drinks, similar to many venues in Pattaya.

The spokespeople from CCSA stated that social distancing rules in nightclubs and bars once people had a few drinks were nearly impossible to enforce and not being followed and even countries that had opened nightlife without major issues, like China and Vietnam, were not utilizing social distancing at those venues.

According to the spokespeople, there is no direct timeframe to reopen Thailand’s world famous nightlife, however, it is being reviewed on a daily basis. The CCSA has repeatedly stated they want to reach 28 days with no locally spread cases of Covid-19 before feeling confident enough about the situation internally.

That date would be next Monday, June 22.

However, officials with the Department of Disease Control have also repeatedly said they would like to see schools open fully before nightlife.

That date is July first.

Critics of the policy to keep bars closed, including several major entertainment associations and the Thai beverage industry, meanwhile, say that putting all bars and pubs in the country in the same group as gigantic nightclubs that can fit thousands is unfair. They have repeatedly asked to at least allow smaller venues to open. They have also complained about allowing restaurants to sell alcohol and take their business but not allow even small entertainment venues to open.

Critics have also stated that comparing Thailand to countries like South Korea or Japan is unfair as neither country had gone three weeks without any confirmed cases of the virus nationwide before opening nightlife. They also claimed that keeping legal nightlife closed long-term will only move it underground where it cannot be regulated at all and cause significant tax revenue loss for the Thai government and further social distancing risk.

For now, bars, clubs and other nightlife venues that have been closed for three months as of June 18 continue to wait for relief with tens of thousands of venues closed nationwide and Pattaya, nearly entirely dependant on nightlife style venues, still devastated by the Coronavirus situation.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/15/t ... d-for-now/
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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Today marks three months in a row that Pattaya’s world famous nightlife has been shut, as owners ask-how much longer?

By Adam Judd

Thursday, 18 June 2020

Today, June 18, 2020, marks three months in a row that Pattaya’s world famous nightlife and entertainment industry has been shut by the Thai Government due to Covid-19 concerns.

The industry was originally told to close for “two weeks” on March 18, 2020.

However, as the Covid-19 situation escalated and uncertainty grew worldwide the closure was extended, with ever changing dates and messages on when exactly the government would allow business to begin again.

Chonburi ended up having a total of 87 cases of Covid-19, nearly all imported from other provinces or overseas visitors. Of those cases 41 were in Banglamung/Pattaya, the majority returning from a cluster at a boxing stadium in Bangkok.

There were two deaths, both foreign cases that were also imported. It is important to note that Pattaya, despite the notorious nightlife industry, never had a confirmed significant local outbreak.

As of this morning, Chonburi has gone 55 days without a single confirmed case of the virus….and Pattaya is ten days ahead at 65 days.

However, the Thai Government has continued to state that at this time it is too risky to open nightlife, bars and entertainment, despite the country as a whole over three weeks without a locally spread case.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, has allowed nearly every business type to resume business-except the nightlife and entertainment industry.

Notably, despite early signs that they would allow owners to reopen their livelihoods and get tens of thousands of people back to work this week in the so called Phase Four of a four phase program to reopen and unlock the country, nightlife was left out…and there has been no promise at this point of a Phase Five from the CCSA.

The Mayor and Governor of Chonburi, keenly aware of the unique situation Pattaya is in with an estimated eighty percent of the cities businesses dedicated to nightlife and hospitality, have pleaded for patience from local business owners and stated they are working with the CCSA to ask for bars to be allowed to open.

Pattaya, unlike most of the country, still resembles a ghost town in many areas due to the amount of entertainment venues versus other types of business. Food lines still stretch into the thousands across the city daily from those still unemployed.

This week, The CCSA allowed the half measure of drinking alcohol in restaurants but that only led to the confusion as the large amount of hybrid establishments that sell both food and alcohol were given mixed messages and police were instructed from a National level to raid and even close many local businesses already struggling.

The Thai National Government has also asked for patience from business owners in the entertainment industry but for many, with three months without an income and landlords and other debtors requiring payment, their patience is running out.

The CCSA has stated their current goal is to reach 28 days as a country without a single confirmed locally spread case of the virus. If that takes place it would be next Monday, the 22 of June. They have not, however, answered repeated questions from the press if that means nightlife can resume on this date. Doctors with the Department of Disease Control that advise the CCSA have given varied statements, with many pushing to reopen entertainment after all schools reopen across the country. Those dates vary, with some opening this week, some next week and some on July First.

The CCSA has stated they are keeping all bars closed as they are concerned with making social distancing work (which hasn’t in other countries that have re-opened nightlife) and afraid of massive crowds flocking to the establishments when open. Their fears appeared to be concerned this week as pictures went viral from across the country, including Pattaya, of hundreds of people filling markets and restaurants to drink alcohol.

Meanwhile, many small bar owners in Pattaya continue to ask why their small establishments, many unable to fit more then a handful of people, remain closed and lumped into the same group as massive Nightclubs that can fit over a thousand people. They argue that if their smaller venues were allowed to open it would spread out the large crowds that appeared at markets and restaurants to drink.

It’s important to note that the industry goes far beyond foreign facing bars in Pattaya however, as the much bigger Thai bar and nightlife industry for Thai Nationals is also demanding to re-open, especially as there is a push for domestic tourism.

The powerful Thai Alcohol Beverage, with at least one Thai billionaire part of the group, has also been pushing the government to reopen nightlife as has the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stating nightlife is critical to getting domestic tourism at full potential.

For now, the neon lights of Pattaya remain quiet and owners can only wait to be allowed to reopen.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/18/t ... ch-longer/
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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If they do get to open, no specific word yet about whether go-go bars will be included or what restrictions may be imposed.
_______________________

Pubs set to reopen in July

Musicians plead to get back to work

by Dumrongkiat Mala and Wassana Nanuam

22 Jun 2020

Operators of night entertainment hangouts have welcomed a promise by the business lockdown-easing committee that pubs, bars, karaoke parlours and other entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen in the fifth phase of loosening the Covid-19 restrictions expected in July.

The promise was made during talks yesterday between Gen Natthaphol Nakpanich, deputy army chief and a deputy chairman of the committee, and nightlife venue operators.

However, it still needs endorsement by a full-fledged meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Friday.

It remains unclear whether the reopening will include wet massage parlours.

Musicians and entertainers made an emotional appeal last Thursday to the government to allow them to get back to work as the long closure had put them in dire financial straits.

Gen Natthaphol said he will recommend at Friday's meeting 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," Gen Natthaphol said.

"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 Covid-19 outbreak.

Thailand has recorded no new local transmissions for 27 days, with recent cases imported by Thais returning to the country.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association and CEO of Buddy Group, said all participants at yesterday's meeting were satisfied with the outcome and expected to go back to work on July 1.

Mr Sanga said it was also good news for owners of entertainment venues as it meant their businesses will soon reopen and they will gain some liquidity to stay afloat. This would enable them to pay for their premises and support their staff.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has hit us terribly. We are desperate for the government to ease restrictions. We still have to pay for rent, utilities, accommodation and food for staff. We don't want to abandon our employees," he said.

Nightlife operators have prepared plans to prevent virus transmissions based on the guidelines of the Public Health Ministry, he added.

Mr Sanga said he believed the situation in Thailand is now safe enough for nightspots to reopen as there has not been a single locally transmitted case of Covid-19 for 27 days.

"I think the pandemic is now under control in Thailand.

"We're ready to reopen and willing to follow CCSA's guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Customers' temperatures will be checked before entry, there will be hand sanitiser on tables and so on," he said.

Mr Sanga also urged the CCSA to allow live music performances at entertainment venues as it would help musicians across Thailand to earn a living.

"There are over 100,000 self-employed musicians who are struggling to survive because they can't work," he said.

"They have no income for three months. If they are still not allowed to work in pubs and restaurants, there should be measures from the government to help relieve their financial burden."

Buppha, who owns a pub in the Khao San area, said she was happy to hear about the easing of the restrictions, though she wanted a clear message on when entertainment businesses will be allowed to reopen and what guidelines they have to follow.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/19 ... en-in-july
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Proposal to re-open nightlife and entertainment industry in Thailand to be presented to decision makers this week

By Adam Judd

Sunday, 21 June 2020

Following a morning meeting between prominent members of the Thai entertainment and Nightlife Industry, Thai musicians, Alcoholic Beverage Industry and members of the CCSA and Thai Government, a proposal for re-opening of entertainment venues will be discussed during full meetings of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) later this week.

All entertainment venues, which includes bars, clubs, pubs, sports bars, karaokes, live music venues, hostess bars and other forms of Thailand’s world famous nightlife have been closed since March 18, 2020 due to precautions taken over the Covid19 Coronavirus situation.

However, as of press time, Thailand has had no confirmed or recorded cases of Covid-19 locally spread in 27 days nationwide. Pattaya City is well over two months without a new confirmed and recorded case locally spread. This has caused the multi billion dollar entertainment industry to increasingly ask the Thai government why they remain closed when every other business venue has been allowed to open.

A heartfelt plea from a group of fifty popular Thai musicians who rely on live performances at bars and clubs to make a living went viral late last week and appear to have caused the government to finally take more notice of the situation. Some of the musicians who are part of this movement have hundreds of thousands of followers on social media and are well known throughout Thailand.

This group said they represent a larger group of nearly 100,000 Thai musicians and performers out of work due to the continued entertainment industry shutdown.

The meeting today went over multiple ideas for hygiene and safety measures to ensure bars and clubs and similar venues could open safely. Multiple ideas and proposals were brought forth by the entertainment industry in their bid to re-open.

The ideas and proposals will be brought to the CCSA and Thai Government officials on a committee that is handling easing restrictions and reopening bars later this week. An expected final answer and possible guidelines could come Friday, according to Deputy General Nattapol Nakpanit, a key CCSA advisor.

Both sides seem pleased following the meeting, although despite some reports to the contrary no definitive date on reopening entertainment venues was given nor decided upon. It is possible, however not guaranteed nor promised, that it could be as early as July First based on discussion in the meeting.

It is worth noting that even if the Thai Government approves nightlife reopening nationwide that it will also need approval of Provincial Governor’s locally, some who have had already hinted that they may reject the proposal.

A final answer on if bars and entertainment will be able to reopen, even partially, should be made clear by Friday of this week, the 26 of June, but possibly earlier.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/21/p ... this-week/
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

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I'm still having trouble trying to understand all these restrictive rule proposals the powers-that-be want to impose on the bars. They say the rules will be "eased and relaxed over time, similar to malls, restaurants, salons, movie theaters, massage shops and other venues....."

If you are not aware of the proposed rules for the bars, see: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10418

Ok, since the rules were already relaxed for all the above-mentioned venues and no disease spread problems occurred as a result, can someone explain to me why a whole new set of rules needs to be imposed on the bars? If there is a point to imposing all these rules on the bars, it is beyond me and resides on my "I Don't Get It" list. If any one does get it, I'd like to know what I'm failing to understand.
__________________________________________________________________

Pattaya City Hall leaders ask local entertainment business owners to wait for further information next week, not panic

By Adam Judd

Thursday, 25 June 2020

Following yesterday’s announcement that entertainment venues were planned to be opened next week, July First, after three and a half months of closure due to Covid-19 prevention measures, many owners of entertainment venues like bars, clubs, karaokes, live music venues, pubs, sports bars and similar establishments reportedly flooded Pattaya City Hall’s call center with questions regarding policies and rules.

Pattaya City has thousands of entertainment venues and is arguably one of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 crisis due to an estimated 80 percent of their overall business dedicated to tourism, entertainment and hospitality.

Concern on multiple rules, including an announced Midnight closure, social distancing rules and confusion on if a ban on promotional beer cheer girls meant “no bargirls” were some of the most popular questions, along with if the long on the books but unenforced afternoon drinking rules would be enforced in Pattaya.

Pattaya is a special administrative zone, long having its own unique rules and leadership separate from the overall rules of the country, meant to boost tourism and the entertainment industry. These special rules give the city permission to operate later and sell alcohol (Among many other things) later than most of the remainder of the country. However, under the Emergency Decree, these rules are essentially suspended. It has not been decided as of press time if the Decree will be extended. A proposal decision may come as early as today with the final decision being voted on by the Thai Cabinet at the weekly Cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

Pattaya City Hall leaders have asked local business owners to please wait until the final announcement from the CCSA, expected at Monday’s press conference around 11:30 AM before asking detailed questions. After this announcement, and clarification on if the emergency decree will be extended or not, city leaders and the Chonburi Governor will be releasing their own orders and clarifications on what will be allowed and what will not. Several meetings are expected Monday, including one between City Hall leaders and prominent local entertainment business leaders.

The Pattaya City Mayor, Sonthaya Khuenpluem, spoke earlier this week and said that Pattaya City was willing to support the rules, but also stated to concerned bar owners they would likely be eased and relaxed over time, similar to malls, restaurants, salons, movie theaters, massage shops and other venues that were also relaxed and gradually given more freedoms once the statistics showed there were no further locally spread cases of Covid-19.

Pattaya has gone 72 days without a confirmed locally spread case of Covid-19 and Thailand has reached just over one month.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/25/p ... not-panic/
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Re: Pattaya's entertainment venue crisis

Post by gera »

Gaybutton wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 4:05 pm I'm still having trouble trying to understand all these restrictive rule proposals the powers-that-be want to impose on the bars. They say the rules will be "eased and relaxed over time, similar to malls, restaurants, salons, movie theaters, massage shops and other venues....."

If you are not aware of the proposed rules for the bars, see: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10418

Ok, since the rules were already relaxed for all the above-mentioned venues and no disease spread problems occurred as a result, can someone explain to me why a whole new set of rules needs to be imposed on the bars? If there is a point to imposing all these rules on the bars, it is beyond me and resides on my "I Don't Get It" list. If any one does get it, I'd like to know what I'm failing to understand.
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It is very easy to explain. Thailand is preparing for opening up for foreign tourists and epidemiological situation can change. Admittedly, it is a purely theoretical discussion for me. With new 45000 cases in US yesterday , travel beyond a local lake for me is totally out of question.
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