Pattaya, Thailand-
Pattaya business owners were relieved after receiving a written reply from the Thai parliament regarding assistance for business owners affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically those in the bar, pub, nightclub, and entertainment industry that is critical to Pattaya’s tourism industry.
The venues are mostly “open” as temporarily converted restaurants currently, although with many rules and restrictions including an 11:00 P.M. closure time that business owners want to be removed. Bars and nightlife have been legally closed in Pattaya since April 10th, 2021.
Mrs. Lamphueng “Lisa” Hamilton, the chairwoman of the Jomtien-Pattaya Entertainment venue operators club traveled to the Thai parliament previously to submit a petition letter for the government to take action after the entertainment operators in the area were heavily affected and were unable to open their business normally (including borders fully open to tourists) due to the Covid-19 pandemic for roughly over 2 years, resulting in a vast income loss and a permanent shut down for many.
Last year, Pattaya had an eight-month alcohol sales ban at restaurants and total bar closure, which also decimated many businesses. Lisa’s group, along with several others, were part of protests and movements to lift the incredibly unpopular ban.
Recently, the speaker of the parliament Mr. Chuan Leekpai responded to Lisa’s petition letter personally, stating, “ The request to reopen pubs and bars in Bang Lamung, Chonburi, and a remedy policy for the operators affected by the pandemic has now been forwarded to the government for further consideration”.
Ms. Lamphueng expressed relief and excitement over this reply as it has been nearly 4 months since she submitted the letter. She wished that those involved would regard this as a special case and show sympathy for the business owners who have been suffering for over 2 years. Even though some owners could tackle the pandemic by transforming their pubs into a restaurant, many faced a drastic financial problem and went bankrupt. Therefore, the government needed to launch an action to alleviate the economy and tourism in Pattaya as soon as possible, Ms. Lamphueng stated.
Among other requests, Pattaya tourism associations and business owners want the bar industry legally opened without having to pose as “restaurants”, closing times returned to pre-Covid-19 levels of 1:00 A.M. to 3:00 A.M. depending on the entertainment area, nightclubs legally allowed to open, and more.
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