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The following is a weekly feature article looking at this same time period LAST year in Pattaya and Thailand news.

This weekly feature 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 as promised 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, however, are roughly in order of publication.

This week, we cover the fourth week of December 2020, from Sunday, December 20th, 2020 to Saturday, December 26th, 2020.

1. Anger and blame game over a new round of Covid-19 in Thailand

Last year was, in many ways, Deja Vu to this year. Here is a reminder of why.

Anger and blame game over new round of Covid-19 infections in Thailand, Human rights organizations call for people to not blame migrant workers

Thai Prime Minister speaks to nation about Covid-19 situation, complete transcript

2.  Pattaya cancels Countdown Event, New Years Festival

This year, despite Omicron concerns (Covid-19 variant) the show WILL go on and starts today, December 29th, although with many rules and precautions.

Pattaya Countdown event cancelled out of Covid-19 precautions

Pattaya cancels and postpones more events, including religious merit making and temple fair New Year activities and Naklua Eat and Walk event

3.  Thai government considering repealing the Emergency Decree and replacing it with communicable disease laws

A year later they are still considering this. Yes, the Emergency Decree is still in effect, since April of 2020.

Thai government considering to repeal Emergency Decree and implement tougher Communicable Disease Act after New Year

4.  Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration begins color-coding system for provinces

This is, with some changes, still in effect today.

CCSA categorizes all provinces into four zones for tightening Covid-19 control measures, confirms no National lockdown

5.  Thai Government continues to deny alcohol bans, lockdowns

To some extent, however, only a few days later and right before New Year’s bars would be closed and a five-week “soft lockdown” took place in Chonburi.

Thai Government crushes false rumors of national lockdown, alcohol bans

6. Illegal Gambling den cluster of Covid-19 cases grows in Rayong, expands to Chonburi

This eventually shut down nightlife, bars, and more in Chonburi for five weeks in January.

Rayong now has total of 36 Covid19 cases, most linked to illegal gambling den, Mueang Rayong becomes highly controlled zone

Pattaya warns people who visited alleged illegal gambling den in North Pattaya in relation to confirmed Covid -19 cases in Rayong

That is all for this week! Stay safe and see you soon!