Thailand-
The following is a new feature, only started last month, that will join our other recurring weekly features like Reader Talkback, Editorials, A look at the week ahead in news, and recaps of top national and local stories.
This new section takes a look back at news from the same period last year (and sometimes different time windows, such as six months or three months) to see how things have changed, following up on the progression of stories, as well as look at potentially broken promises or things that didn’t take place in Pattaya and Thailand.
As we publish dozens of stories a week this is a quick way for people to take a look at what the biggest stories were a year ago, as chosen by our editorial team, and how they impact us today and relate to current news. They are in no particular order of importance. This week, we cover the second week of March 2020.
1. As the Covid-19 situation started to worsen with no idea of the months ahead, officials were upset at a 44% reduction in foreign tourists in February due to Covid-19 and no Chinese tourists.
A year later, that number would be down 99.8 percent due to border closures and strict quarantines. On the bright side, decisions should be made this week by the Thai government on potentially reducing quarantine, but this may not apply to all countries.
February Thailand Tourism numbers released, down 44.3 percent
2. Dangerous U-turn in front of Makro on Sukhumvit road to be closed permanently
Well, sort of. As local residents know, permanent can be a tricky word here.
Dangerous U Turn on Sukhumvit Road in front of Makro in Pattaya to be permanently closed
3. And so it begins
One year ago last week, Covid-19 was officially called a pandemic.
World Health Organization officially declares Covid19 Coronavirus as a pandemic
4. Thai Public Health Minister blames “dirty foreigners” for Covid-19, later backtracks remarks
This doesn’t need much of an explanation and was one of our most commented-on articles ever.
Thai Public Health Minister apparently blames “Dirty Europeans” for bringing coronavirus to Thailand
5. Thai Prime Minister rejects proposal to close nightlife in Thailand due to Covid-19, then reverses a few days later
However, as many know, just a few days later the decision would be reversed as more and more cases of Covid-19 were found, leading to a historic shutdown of bars, clubs, and nightlife from March 18th, 2020. This “two-week closure” became almost four months.
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