CCSA: Only 7 provinces in the Dark Red Zone, 5 zones used now
In their meeting yesterday, the CCSA has massively reduced the Dark Red Maximum and Strict Controlled Zone from 23 to just 7 provinces ahead of Monday’s reopening to international tourism. The remaining dark red zones are mainly the Covid-19 plagued Deep South, with Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala remaining dark red. Tak on Thailand’s western border and Chanthaburi in the east next to Rayong also remain on the dark red list.
Red zones considered maximum control have increased from 30 to 38 provinces, while orange control zones reduced from 24 to 23 provinces. For the first time in months, the yellow zone – for “high surveillance” – has been reinstated, with 5 provinces making the list.
The new Blue Zone was added and, separate from the Blue Zone Sandbox plan that welcomes back international tourists to 17 provinces, the CCSA blue zone for pilot tourism areas includes just 4 provinces – Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket.
These elite 4 provinces will be the only areas where alcohol sales and consumption will be allowed in restaurants with the reopening Monday. Gathering of up to 500 people will be allowed for special events, but clubs, bars, pubs, and other nightlife and entertainment venues will remain closed.
Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang plans on limiting alcohol in the busy capital and would only allow certain zones to sell and consume alcohol. Bangkok has the highest number of infections in the country, and while its been falling in recent weeks, the city still has around 800 Covid-19 infections a day.
The new CCSA color coding chart, with changes denoted:
| DARK RED MAXIMUM AND STRICT CONTROL ZONE (7) | |
| Currently Dark Red (7) | No Longer Dark Red (16) |
| Chanthaburi Nakhon Si Thammarat Narathiwat Pattani Songkhla Tak Yala | Ayutthaya Bangkok Chachoengsao Chon Buri Kanchanaburi Nakhon Nayok Nakhon Pathom Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Prachinburi Ratchaburi Rayong Samut Prakan Samut Sakhon Samut Songkhram Saraburi |
| RED MAXIMUM CONTROL ZONE (38) | |
| Remaining Red (23) | Formerly Dark Red (15) |
| Ang Thong Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chumphon Khon Kaen Lop Buri Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Sawan Phatthalung Phetchabun Phetchaburi Phichit Phitsanulok Prachuap Khiri Khan Ranong Sa Kaeo Satun Suphan Buri Surat Thani Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani | Ayutthaya Chachoengsao Chon Buri Kanchanaburi Nakhon Nayok Nakhon Pathom Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Prachinburi Ratchaburi Rayong Samut Prakan Samut Sakhon Samut Songkhram Saraburi |
| ORANGE CONTROL ZONE (23) | |
| Remaining Orange (16) | Formerly Red (7) |
| Amnat Charoen Buri Ram Kamphaeng Phet Lampang Lamphun Loei Mae Hong Son Nong Bua Lam Phu Nong Khai Phayao Phrae Roi Et Sukhothai Uthai Thani Uttaradit Yasothon | Chai Nat Chaiyaphum Kalasin Maha Sarakham Si Sa Ket Sing Buri Surin |
| YELLOW CONTROL ZONE (23) | |
| New Yellow (5) | Formerly Orange – all Yellow provinces (5) |
| Bung Kan Mukdahan Nakhon Phanom Nan Sakon Nakhon | Bung Kan Mukdahan Nakhon Phanom Nan Sakon Nakhon |
| BLUE PILOT TOURISM/SANDBOX AREA (4) | |
| Blue Provinces (4) | Former Color Designation |
| Bangkok | Dark Red |
| Krabi | Orange |
| Phangnga | Orange |
| Phuket | Orange |
SOURCE: MCOT
