Thailand-
The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the past week. We are focusing on what is happening for the fourth week of May, ending May 29th, 2021.
As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place in Thailand and Pattaya and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.
1. Will the CCSA/Chonburi Governor review zone designations and restrictions later this week?
The end of this week will mark two weeks since the last review of Covid-19 related restrictions and measures in Thailand and Chonburi, which saw dine-in return to Chonburi restaurants after a two-week closure. However, to the disappointment of many local residents, the Chonburi governor chose to keep all other restrictions the same, including a very unpopular closure of beaches (technically only open for exercise although some beaches are much stricter) and closures of pools, massage shops, and gyms. Although it is very unlikely that bars would be allowed to open, many residents are hoping, despite an increase in Covid-19 cases in the province (driven almost entirely by migrant workers at factories in Mueang Chonburi and Phan Thong) that some more relaxation could be seen. We should know by Friday. However, in a worst-case scenario, could the province be upgraded to a “dark red” or maximum control province again? It is tough to tell, if cases from factories continue to escalate, however, it cannot be ruled out.
2. Will we learn more about the plan to “reopen” Phuket on July first?
Thai Tourism Authority officials along with government officials including Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha continue to state on an almost daily basis that the plan to reopen Phuket to vaccinated foreign tourists in early July, the so-called “Sandbox”, is on point. However, dozens of questions remain and there is little clarification. You can see some of those questions below. As the date gets closer and closer will we get any clarification this week? Or, could we even see an official postponement? On the bright side, the island is leading Thailand as a province at close to 30% of their population vaccinated and are scheduled to get more vaccines as early as this week, as earlier promises to continue to allocate vaccines to the island for the tourism relaunch, despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, is still taking place. This is one to watch. If it IS delayed, any plan to reopen Pattaya in October in time for the high season could also be delayed.
3. Speaking of Bangkok…will the situation be able to be brought under control?
The Covid-19 situation in Bangkok, despite not getting drastically worse in terms of numbers overall, has not improved either. Multiple clusters, especially in the prison system and at large factories and migrant worker communities, continue to pop up across the city. Bangkok allowed some loosening of rules to allow dine-in at restaurants with 25% capacity but the rules, which at most places limit one person to a table, mean although restaurants CAN open many have chosen not to as it is simply not profitable. Meanwhile, many residents of the city continue to complain about parks being closed, which in a city like Bangkok that has also closed gyms means those who exercise must do so on the city streets. A picture of the overall situation should become clearer this week.
That is all for this week! As always, thank you for your support and readership!
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