Anger over proposed list of rules for nightlife and entertainment venues opening in Thailand as social media and business owners erupt

[Edge]

On 23/06/2020 at 08:45, dave01 said:

Wait.... for what, exactly?  If you mean tourists, my understanding is that nationwide, farang night venues make up about 20% of those businesses.. Prayut is taking a national view, not a Pattaya centric view, as naturally, this board does...

No I didn't mean that I meant something  more like this :-

 

At a press conference this afternoon following a meeting with the National Security Council and Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha, General Somsak Rungsita, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), said that the NSC would officially suggest extending the Emergency Decree until the end of July.

The suggestion would be deliberated at a major CCSA meeting on Monday, June 29, and if approved then given a final approval by the Thai Cabinet on Wednesday June 30th.

[petemoss]

2 hours ago, Edge said:

No I didn't mean that I meant something  more like this :-

 

At a press conference this afternoon following a meeting with the National Security Council and Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha, General Somsak Rungsita, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), said that the NSC would officially suggest extending the Emergency Decree until the end of July.

The suggestion would be deliberated at a major CCSA meeting on Monday, June 29, and if approved then given a final approval by the Thai Cabinet on Wednesday June 30th.

From the same article:

"General Somsak told the Thai press that the extension of the decree was needed because of the critical re-opening of the most high risk venues in Phase Five, which is scheduled to start on July First."

Extending the decree is not a threat to bars opening on July 1st.

[Edge]

12 minutes ago, petemoss said:

From the same article:

"General Somsak told the Thai press that the extension of the decree was needed because of the critical re-opening of the most high risk venues in Phase Five, which is scheduled to start on July First."

Extending the decree is not a threat to bars opening on July 1st.

Yes I read that.
I read it all and quoted the part I thought was factual i.e. the rest could drift into opinion/conjecture.
I didn't say an extension would or would not be a threat, though it might affect some more than others in terms of complying with the proposed rules if implemented....for some they may be impracticable (as you suggested re Soi 6).

Anyway, for completeness, the rest of the interview from PN said :-

"Despite being a “suggestion” this important first step and approval of the NSC shows that it now looks nearly certain that the Decree, which contains strict penalties for violation of rules around the decree, will be extended another month. The Decree also gives the Prime Minister and CCSA sweeping powers to control the country during an emergency situation.

General Somsak told the Thai press that the extension of the decree was needed because of the critical re-opening of the most high risk venues in Phase Five, which is scheduled to start on July First. He stated that the laws currently in place would not allow the Government to properly respond if there was a breakout of Covid-19 due to the final phase of restrictions being lifted. He also stated that not only was Phase Five resuming that schools were also starting and this was another area for concern.

Additionally, the decree allows a central level of administration and management not available without the decree. If the decree was removed too soon there was concern, according to Somsak, that some Provincial Governor’s would adjust rules or regulations against the “advice” of the CCSA. He also said that if there was no outbreak of Covid-19 due to the final phase of measures being released that the Decree could be canceled at any time.

[Petesie]

Called me picky but isn't June 30th Tuesday? 

[Edge]

16 minutes ago, Petesie said:

Called me picky but isn't June 30th Tuesday? 

Cabinet usually meets Tuesday so........................... 

[rog555]

As Pattaya resident, I'm happy to wait another week to see what they come up with.

Great that there is some progress to bars and agogos, discos, opening in some fashion.  

When the malls open it was all sorts of annoying restrictions, but I've either got used to them, or they are no longer enforced.  Either way its OK.

I have patience, life's pretty good in Pattaya. Yes, I want agogos to open, but I'll accept a slow start and enjoy whats offered.  

[Edge]

4 hours ago, rog555 said:

As Pattaya resident, I'm happy to wait another week to see what they come up with.

Great that there is some progress to bars and agogos, discos, opening in some fashion.  

When the malls open it was all sorts of annoying restrictions, but I've either got used to them, or they are no longer enforced.  Either way its OK.

I have patience, life's pretty good in Pattaya. Yes, I want agogos to open, but I'll accept a slow start and enjoy whats offered.  

You're right, there's actually more concern about opening GoGos from BMs the other side of the world than from here on the ground.
That's because we know they're going to be crap for months yet, if they open at all.

Funny that it only just made headlines that many GoGos won't re-open when they're told they can because without tourists it's pointless.
Most people here knew that within a couple of weeks of the lockdown.

For the authorities this has more to do with Thai establishments than farang and they'll have to work out what rules will work there......farang will fall in line.
If they won't abandon SD there's a problem opening most bars. but it seems to me they'll have to differentiate.
Apart from the kerfuffle at Tree Town I didn't see people rush to restaurants to drink this time, maybe habits changed already.
Open Darkside and a few beer bar complexes and the pressure is off....what pressure I'm not sure. 

[localguy]

I am surprised there isn't more discussion of Gentlemen's Clubs. (Small ones like Bongkot, not large ones like Kinaree).

They seem ideal for more "freedom" inside, behind locked doors. Beer in your hand, and one of the "pubic relations representatives" in your lap. When the Boys in Brown come a calling, it would be easy enough to quickly pull the masks (and trousers) back up. Buy them a cup of tea or two, and they might not even visit that often.

[Ivanow]

1 hour ago, localguy said:

Buy them a cup of tea or two, and they might not even visit that often.

(At least some of) those checks are being conducted by several forces, not just BiB. Like that famous first raid in Soi Buakhao during first days of lockdown, that got two places fined, was Army+BiB, meaning more guys (and their bosses) to pay off. Junta either wanted to get on piece of action, or wanted to show that they are serious. I don't know whether it's still the case nowadays, but at least police booths set up on beaches to make sure people don't drink alcohol and gather too densly, is staffed by at least three different coloured uniforms - if they keep up that cooperation, buying the tea will become exponentially more expensive.

[Edge]

5 hours ago, localguy said:

I am surprised there isn't more discussion of Gentlemen's Clubs. (Small ones like Bongkot, not large ones like Kinaree).

They seem ideal for more "freedom" inside, behind locked doors. Beer in your hand, and one of the "pubic relations representatives" in your lap. When the Boys in Brown come a calling, it would be easy enough to quickly pull the masks (and trousers) back up. Buy them a cup of tea or two, and they might not even visit that often.

I've mentioned them lots and if there was differentiation I'd put them in the same category as Gogo's and any other closed AC shop house bar, even if the front shutter was up.

Only first wave bars I'd open would be observable open beer bars.

PS. Do what they like on Darkside .... it's best out of sight.

Edited June 26, 2020 by Edge

[petemoss]

1 hour ago, Edge said:

PS. Do what they like on Darkside .... it's best out of sight.

Unfortunately, the Darkside is not immune. One bar tried to quietly open during the lockdown and was raided within a couple of hours. All staff and customers arrested and fined 2k baht. Owner currently on 40k baht bail and awaiting her court appearance. Bar is threatened with long term closure.

Also an issue with Darkside coming under Nongprue administration/BiB, not Pattaya. As you have said, we can only wait and see. Will be doing a tour of the Darkside on Wednesday and will report back.

Edited June 26, 2020 by petemoss

[SiamDreamer]

One would think that dramatic increases in tea money might help the most "well connected" venues open and operate under the radar. But even the most generous tea money payments to the "right people" cannot overcome the present circumstances. 

[Atlas]

I have just got back from an overnight bike trip to Chanthaburi and have been riding all over the Pattaya and surrounding areas for the last few weeks.  

Just some on the ground observations and I just wonder if the 'clowns' making these rules up have any idea or actually circulate within the community. I am talking about their own community, the Thais... 

This does not take into account the weekends, way too busy, so I stick to weekdays for my trips if I can. There are plenty of Thai tourists getting around. One restaurant on the beach where we stayed must have had 80 people there, we were the only 2 farangs I saw in 2 days of riding and stopping to eat. Social distancing (SD) is a myth, meal time is a very social time for the Thais, and this has not changed in any of the places I have visited in the last few weeks.  

Of course 'proper' restaurants, malls etc observe the rules, but get out of the bigger towns a few hundred meters and nothing has changed. Go to any market and see SD at work.. There is none. We took the kids and the dogs down to Bang Saray beach last evening, groups of people sharing meals on the beach, just like they always have. No masks. There were even a couple of bars operating with people including a couple of farang drinking with no food in sight. 

As for the bars, clubs etc.... If the government does not want them to really open then just say so, adding a bunch of misguided and impracticable rules is in no ones interest. At what they seem to forget is there has been no locally transmitted cases for over a month, other cases are all imported which is the real worry for most of us hoping to travel any time soon. 

I am very happy my massage shops are open again and that I can travel around, the clubs and adult entertainment venues really don't bother me but I feel very bad for all those that are caught up in this mess... The people lining up for food are still out there and from all accounts the numbers are growing and the supplies to help them are shrinking. Along with our water supplies. 

Still a very long way to go I am afraid... 

600Bt per night, sadly no boom boom came with he room ! 

Some great roads over here. 

[Cerberus]

The eagerly anticipated reopening of the pubs and bars of Pattaya just isn't going to happen despite the government who are expected to give the green light.

There are several reasons for this, said Damrongkiat Phinitkarn, head of the entertainment association in the city. 

Though operators are prepared to follow the rules most just won't bother to open at all, he told 77kaoded

Much of their reluctance concerns the 22 new rules about what patrons can and can't do. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

This will involve extra staffing and extra expense. They will be needed to enforce where patrons can walk, stop them singing and dancing. It will just not be worth it.

Social distancing measures alone will mean if they are to follow the rules they will be at 50% capacity. 

Then there is the extra cost of cleaning and health monitoring devices. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

And the bottom line is that most pubs and bars and discos rely on foreign clientele. 

They are not in Thailand yet and until they are, many bars will just stay shut and wait. 

 

Source: 77kaoded

 

[insearchofxxx]

12 hours ago, Ivanow said:

(At least some of) those checks are being conducted by several forces, not just BiB. Like that famous first raid in Soi Buakhao during first days of lockdown, that got two places fined, was Army+BiB, meaning more guys (and their bosses) to pay off. Junta either wanted to get on piece of action, or wanted to show that they are serious. I don't know whether it's still the case nowadays, but at least police booths set up on beaches to make sure people don't drink alcohol and gather too densly, is staffed by at least three different coloured uniforms - if they keep up that cooperation, buying the tea will become exponentially more expensive.

Exactly ! 

Yesterday around 7pm, sitting at the barber, I first noticed 3 guys in black uniform coming back to a (private) car with a Bangkok sign plate.

Sittting at Prime Burger around 9:30, I saw them coming: around 20 guys, most in black uniform, (not Boys in Brown) and some Army guys. The Press was also there.

Sorry for the bad photo quality !

Last photo: Unfortunately, the Traffic Police was not there - cell phone when riding, no helmet - that would have been a 1000 baht fine ;-)

[kd_traveller]

On 23/06/2020 at 15:34, bluechef said:

Talking of tourists, the Mercure hotel in soi 15 seems to be open, a few nights ago a coach pulled up, and at night some of the rooms have lights on. Maybe a conference but surely this would break social distancing RULES .

I saw all the lights on too but the barriers were still across so I was thinking that it might be getting used for Thai's returning to Thailand and going into quarantine?

[Cosmic36]

Last week 3 large busses were parked outside of Mercury, full of mask wearing people.  They had a motorbike cop there to oversea the process of the people exiting the buses.   In the following days I did see a lot of laundry drying on balconies, but no one coming or going.  Must be a hotel staycation.  I live next to Mercure on Soi 15.

 

[thainet]

10 minutes ago, Cosmic36 said:

Last week 3 large busses were parked outside of Mercury, full of mask wearing people.  They had a motorbike cop there to oversea the process of the people exiting the buses.   In the following days I did see a lot of laundry drying on balconies, but no one coming or going.  Must be a hotel staycation.  I live next to Mercure on Soi 15.

 

Yes last few days driving around the motorway and downtown, I have seen some small convoys of 3-4 buses, with police escort, going to quarantine hotels (which there are many of in Pattaya now). Probably be the norm for 2-3 months yet.