Bangkok-
Thailand’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and its governing committee have started to discuss the further easing of lock-down measures yesterday, August 7, said CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin at a press conference.
The proposed list for easing restrictions includes a full reopening of schools, full seating in public transportation, sports competitions with spectators, and full food service served on domestic flights.
The restrictions seems to provide a nearly full resumption of services and businesses to continue in Thailand. However, extending the operating hours of night entertainment places, from midnight until 2 A.M, has not been yet discussed. In Pattaya, which depends heavily on entertainment and hospitality venues for revenue, business owners have been pleading for weeks to officially extend the closing time for venues to at least 2:00 AM. Unofficially, The Pattaya News notes, closing times seem to vary dramatically per venue.
Pattaya holds a special administrative zone status which, among other benefits, generally allows the city to have later hours for entertainment venues and alcohol consumption. However, due to the Emergency Decree currently in place, this status is overruled by the decree.
Following the statement of General Somsak Rungsita, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, it would be pointless if bars were allowed to stay open until 2 A.M while the sale of liquor is already prohibited at midnight. It would appear, however, from this statement that he was not aware of areas like Pattaya with special administrative status.
The committee will seek approval for these changes from the CCSA, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha, at a meeting scheduled for August 21.
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