Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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Re: Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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Good news oenophiles, but the bars still can't open.
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Drinking at restaurants, concerts, sports to resume

10 Jun 2020

The government is likely to allow alcohol to be served at restaurants, concerts and closed-venue sports to resume and saunas to reopen in the fourth phase of lifting coronavirus restrictions from June 15.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Wednesday that the body will consider the changes on Friday.

The draft proposal would also allow international and cram schools to reopen and governmental organisations to resume holding meetings and seminars.

Restaurateurs and hoteliers would be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages on their premises. However, the relaxation measure would still exclude pubs, bars and karaoke joints, which are considered to pose a greater danger of coronavirus disease transmission, Dr Taweesilp said.

Day care centres for children and elderly people could reopen, as could scientific centres for learning.

Convention and exhibition centres would be permitted to open their doors again, but would have to make sure each visitor had four squares of space. Events would be allowed if visitors were seated at least one metre apart. Sports competitions could take place as long as there were no spectators, he said.

Concerts would be allowed on condition that audiences did not sing along exuberantly, because that would spray droplets, Dr Taweesilp said.

On public transport, two passengers could sit next to each other as long as one seat was empty on each side.

FIlm shoots would be allowed with up to 150 crew members and 50 onlookers.

Health-orientated spas and saunas could reopen provided each customer had at least five square metres of space. Soapy massage parlours would remain closed, Dr Taweesilp said.

Amusement parks, playgrounds, water parks and swimming pools could reopen.

Group exercises would be permitted at parks and sports fields as long as each participant had at least five square metres of space, with a maximum of 50 people per group.

Game arcades inside malls could reopen, while those outside would remain shuttered. Each player would be given a maximum of two hours.

Dr Taweesilp reiterated that all the business and leisure activities allowed to resume would remain subject to disease control measures and the use of the Thaichana app for checkins and checkouts.

The CCSA would consider the draft measures on Friday and the relaxation was likely to take effect next Monday, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -to-resume
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Re: Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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I have been in full support of everything Thailand has been doing to keep the Covid-19 virus in check, and obviously the efforts have been highly successful, but now even I fail to see much point in continuing to keep the bars closed when nearly everything else can open. The explanations being given just are not making much sense to me.

The following comes into effect Monday, June 15:
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Full list of Phase Four venues opening in Thailand

By Adam Judd

Friday, 12 June 2020

Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Bangkok, also known as the CCSA, confirmed the announcements made by the Thai Government for reopening closed businesses in Thailand affected by the Covid19 Coronavirus.

Dr. Taweesin stated that nearly 95 percent of restrictions were now unlocked with only a few exceptions still closed, notably bars, pubs, karaoke lounges, nightclub, massage parlours (soapies) and nightlife related venues. He did not specifically state when these venues would be considered for opening or state if there would be a Phase Five in the immediate future for these venues.

The venues that will be allowed to reopen effective from Monday, June 15, most with strict new rules on social distancing and hygiene:

-Schools with less than 120 students, school buildings for activities and informal learning. Most Government schools scheduled to open on July First.

-Government buildings for trainings, learning, conferences, etc. With social distancing rules in effect

Activities like conferences, training, seminars, exhibitions, ceremonies, banquets, music, dance, concerts and various other activities held in hotels, convention centers, exhibition centers, cinemas and other locations that use the criteria of 24 square meters per person. Also, catering events, product launches, competitions and sporting events can be done, but must sit at least 1 meter apart.

For concerts, must have five meters of space per person and not allow a dense or packed area.

Restaurants, Hotels, food courts, markets, etc may sell alcohol. However, bars, pubs, night clubs, karaoke lounges, soapie massages and nightlife specific entertainment venues must remain closed. Social distancing rules must be followed and no special promotions or events. Beer girl style hostesses are prohibited at restaurants, and other similar promotions.

Playgrounds, water parks, amusement parks may open except for ball pits and inflatable houses.

Arcades can open in malls but not stand alone locations. He added these could actually open from today.

Airplanes are not required to social distance and all seats can be used if everyone is wearing masks.

Bus transport can be full up to 70 percent of capacity now.

Sports stadiums and all sporting event fields can open, can be broadcast on tv, but no audiences at this time. Competitive events are ok.

Dr. Taweesin noted that all this would go into a final official order and the Government Gazette “soon”. He also stressed that governors of provinces may release individual orders and to keep an eye out for them.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/12/b ... ur-venues/
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Re: Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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Phase Four of Thailand’s unlocking closed businesses and restrictions starts today

By Adam Judd

Monday, 15 June 2020

The fourth phase of Thailand opening and unlocking closed and restricted businesses that were shut due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation officially takes effect today across the country.

According to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, spokesperson Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, with the implementation of this phase of easing restrictions 95% of the overall businesses in the country are now approved to open by the Thai government. Borders and inbound international traffic, except for rare exceptions like Thai nationals being repatriated from overseas and foreigners with work permits, are still closed.

Notably, nightlife related venues like bars, pubs, nightclubs, karaokes, entertainment venues and similar places remain closed, despite the lifting of the national curfew yesterday evening. Some other exceptions, like internet and gaming cafes, sports with an audience and wet massage parlors remain closed as well. The CCSA has not specifically stated they are planning a Phase Five, as Phase four was previously the final phase, and has only stated that the venues still closed will remain so “until further notice.”

Here is a reminder of what is open today:

Schools with less than 120 students, school buildings for activities and informal learning. Most Government schools are scheduled to open on July First.

-Government buildings for training, learning, conferences, etc. With social distancing rules in effect

Activities like conferences, training, seminars, exhibitions, ceremonies, banquets, music, dance, concerts and various other activities held in hotels, convention centers, exhibition centers, cinemas and other locations that use the criteria of 24 square meters per person. Also, catering events, product launches, competitions and sporting events can be done, but must sit at least 1 meter apart.

For concerts, must have five meters of space per person and not allow a dense or packed area.

Restaurants, Hotels, food courts, markets, etc may sell alcohol. However, bars, pubs, night clubs, karaoke lounges, wet massages and nightlife specific entertainment venues must remain closed. Social distancing rules must be followed and no special promotions or events. Beer girl style hostesses are prohibited at restaurants, and other similar promotions such as happy hours or discounts.

Playgrounds, water parks, amusement parks may open except for ball pits and inflatable houses.

Arcades can open in malls but not stand alone locations. He added these could actually open from today.

Airplanes are not required to social distance and all seats can be used if everyone is wearing masks.

Bus transport can be full up to 70 percent of capacity now.

Sports stadiums and all sporting event fields can open, can be broadcast on tv, but no audiences at this time. Competitive events are ok.

Please remember that just because something CAN open, does not mean it will open. Please check with the venue you are interested in before going.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/15/p ... rts-today/
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Re: Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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Why am I not surprised?
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Confusion and crowds on the first night of Phase four restrictions being lifted in Pattaya

By Adam Judd

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

The Thai Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration officially lifted further restrictions and rules allowing more closed businesses to reopen countrywide on Monday.

Notably, alcohol sales were allowed in restaurants, food courts, hotels and markets but bars, pubs, nightlife and entertainment venues of all sizes were to stay closed.

However, confusion reigned in Pattaya last night leading to Pattaya police to shut many venues that argued they were legally allowed to open while large markets in Jomtien and Soi Buakhao attracted crowds of hundreds drinking alcohol and socializing. Additionally, there was significant confusion and mixed messages on if restaurants that had items like pool tables or dart boards or even music could be used as well.

A significant part of the confusion, according to a local bar owner who has a restaurant license and didn’t want to be named in his letter to The Pattaya News was that he claimed had been told multiple times he could open and was allright due to serving food by city officials. However, with just over a dozen patrons in his establishment police told him to close early in the evening.

The owner was also upset, he said, that markets nearby were crowded with drinkers.

Police were seen, however, hard enforcing a shutdown around 10:30 PM at one popular market that had attracted a large crowd in the middle of Soi Buakhao and entering various restaurants nearby that also appeared to be busy with drinkers that were not eating.

A letter from a Pattaya News reader, Ken, described the situation.

“People have been cooped up for months. Doing this half measure of allowing booze in restaurants only flooded the restaurants with the drinkers who would have been at smaller bars and made the situation worse. If they had allowed the tiny beer bars to open you would have had less crowds and less confusion.”

Police seemed to be, for the most part, soft warning businesses that they believed were violating the rules but it is expected that if the violations continue more harsh penalties will take place.

The majority of the crowds, according to Ken and photos and videos taken of various venues around town, were not social distancing or wearing masks.

Pattaya has had zero recorded cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus in two months.

https://thepattayanews.com/2020/06/16/c ... n-pattaya/
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Re: Restrictions to be lifted? Maybe not yet

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Chiang Mai Night Safari offers free entry from July 1-15

Jun 27, 2020

Chiang Mai Night Safari is offering free entry to visitors from July 1 to 15 and 50 per cent discount from July 16 to 30 as it reopens after the months-long lockdown.

Tewan Liptapanlop, PM’s Office Minister, visited the night safari on Friday (June 26) to check whether the zoo was ready to reopen on July 1.

The minister was greeted by the Pinkanakorn Development Agency’s acting director, together with safari executives.

The minister informed that the restart will be operated with ‘new normal’ measures, under the campaign called "Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration" to assure visitors of their health safety.

To visit the zoo next month onwards, visitors can book in advance via the website from Saturday (June 27).

Chiang Mai Night Safari will receive visitors three times a day -- from1pm to 4pm, 4pm to 7pm, and 7pm to 10pm. Visitors in each session will be limited to 300 people.

Feeding of animals will be prohibited as of now, the zoo added.

https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30390409
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Dream World reopens today, measures in place to prevent Covid-19

Jun 27, 2020

Dream World theme park (Bangkok) has announced it is reopening to the public from Saturday (June 27) after being closed for almost four months under Covid-19 lockdown measures.

The park said it would employ measures suggested by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and would comply with the government’s order in easing lockdown measures in the fifth phase.

Park visitors must wear face masks at all times and maintain social distancing within the park areas. Entrances will be equipped with thermo-scanners as well as QR code for check-in and check-out using the ThaiChana application, a platform to help trace the spread of Covid-19.

“With the social distancing practices employed, Dream World can accommodate up to 7,500 visitors per day,” said the park. “We are also offering a variety of promotions to celebrate the reopening, such as reducing the price of Dream World Visa from Bt600 to Bt500 until the end of September, and offering a Bt200 discount on admission for visitors who were born in July along with a maximum of five accompanying persons."

Dream World is located in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. The 63-acre theme park has been open since 1993 and sees on average 2 million visitors per year who enjoy such attractions as Dream Garden, Fantasy Land, Adventure Land, Sightseeing Train and Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

Story and photos: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30390412
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