Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Chon Buri governor urged to order hotels to close so staff can collect social security
The Eastern Hotel Association is urging the governor of Chon Buri to order all hotels in the province to close, so that staff can be eligible for social security payments. Prien Sae Ku, president of the EHA, says that as the province is currently considered “high risk” and people from other provinces are unable to enter without just cause, hotels should be closed until the situation improves, as was done last year. He says the forced closure of Chon Buri’s hotels would make staff eligible for government benefits, pointing out that the neighbouring province of Chanthaburi has ordered hotels to close for this reason.
Employees affected by workplace closures due to Covid-19 are eligible to receive 50% of their daily salary from the government. However, The Pattaya News reports that there is currently no such assistance on offer to casual workers impacted by the resurgence of the virus.
Prien says the average hotel worker would receive approximately 7,500 baht a month if hotels were forced to shut their doors. Many have done so of their own accord, due to occupancy rates in Pattaya and Chon Buri being practically at zero as a result of the current restrictions on entry to the province. The EHA says its member hotels are very reluctant to let staff go and would prefer to be in a position to keep them on. Some are already helping workers by providing them with free rooms and food.
The deputy governor of Chon Buri, Naris Niramaiwong, has confirmed receipt of Prien’s proposal and says he will review it with the governor.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Chon Buri province is reporting 0 new cases of Covid-19, marking 3 out of 4 days with no new infections. Despite the good news, The Chonburi Department of Public Health is warning residents to “stay vigilant”.
A migrant worker tested positive for the virus yesterday but all close contacts, 93 people, to the person have tested negative and went into quarantine. The Provincial Employment Office in Mueang Chon Buri also closed, out of precaution.
The Chon Buri Department of Public Health says they will test 35 more who live around the same camp as the migrant worker, but those people are not considered close contacts. Banglamung and Pattaya has not had any cases of Covid for the past 7 days. Officials have said many times that the closure measures and provincial travel restrictions, that have left thousands out of work, will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so, but it looks like any reviews of the measures will take place at the end of this month.
Currently, Chon Buri province is categorised as a “highly controlled” area which essentially deems all travel to be stopped. Those who do wish to travel, to or from the area, must have written permission by a district official in order to enter or leave.
Such strict measures have left many formal workers desperate as hotels have asked many times for the government to issue a forced lockdown which would help these workers collect social security to aid their lost salaries. But those requests have so far been denied as the government says they are mulling other ways in which to help.
In the meantime, hotels have taken their restaurants to the streets by offering food stalls and delivery with most of the owners saying they are trying to support their remaining staff. Chinese businessmen handed out food packages last night in a goodwill gesture to help those in need.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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For the first time in 3 weeks, since it was hit by the resurgence of Covid-19 in late December, the eastern province of Chon Buri has recorded no new cases. It comes after weeks of restrictions and the closure of businesses, including nightlife and entertainment venues. The provincial Department of Public Health confirmed the positive development, which is being attributed to proactive and targeted mass testing of high-risk groups.
The Pattaya News reports that hundreds of Chon Buri residents are being tested every day, with testing expected to continue for the rest of the week. Wichai Thanasopon from the Chon Buri Department of Public Health has cautioned against people dropping their guard however, insisting everyone must continue to adhere to hygiene measures such as mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing.
Officials have also said it’s too soon to say if shuttered businesses can re-open or if other restrictions can be lifted, adding that they will monitor the situation as mass-testing continues throughout the province. Among the high-risk groups being tested are migrant workers living in cramped and crowded conditions, as well as those who visited entertainment spots in Si Racha, those who attended illegal gambling events, and key workers such as supermarket employees and taxi drivers.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Pattaya hotels and tourism businesses want to close… just temporarily until the Covid-19 situation improves, but they say an official closure order needs to be issued by the Chon Buri governor so employees can claim unemployment benefits.
The hospitality and tourism industry in the 5 highest risk red zones (the coastal provinces Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, Rayong, Samut Sakhon, and Trat) has been battered by strict restrictions.
Only essential travel is allowed in and out of the 5 provinces, taking a toll on hotels in the area with occupancy rates nearly at zero.
The governor in neighbouring Chantaburi recently ordered hotels in the province to temporarily close. Many representatives of Pattaya hotels suggest the Chon Buri governor issue a similar order which would allow employees to be eligible for unemployment benefits to help them during the Covid-19 crisis.
Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem says he referred the proposal to the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee, which the Chon Buri governor chairs.
He adds that the proposal must be considered carefully because there are about 80,000 employees in the sector and the closure of all hotels will have widespread consequences.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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Toby Andrews
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 9:32 am
Well that’s it. They are determined to be poor.
Stuart
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 2:20 pm
From your frequent derogatory and negative anti Thai posts, may I suggest you stop following the news and situation in Thailand? It really doesn’t have to concern you and obviously it consumes you with bitterness and resentment. Failing that, just stop posting because your opinions add absolutely nothing to any topic. We get it. You hate the Thai system and authorities, no need to add a comment on nearly every news article.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 5:17 pm
No Stuart it is my duty to. Some posters here are still of the opinion that Thais are wonderful.
I merely wish to enlighten them to their naive delusions.
And oppose Isaan John’s dedicated support of all Thai matters without reason or justification.
S2k
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 8:55 am
Damn Toby, you really are a ray of sunshine, aren’t you? Nobody asked you to enlighten them with your bigoted opinions. If you don’t like Thais, go back to your home country.
Most Thais ARE wonderful people. Maybe you spend too much time in beer bars and soapy massage parlors. There’s a lot more to Thailand than that.
Mr cynic
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 9:27 am
His opinions are as valid as yours mine or anybody else’s.nobody asked you or me to give our opinions either but they are here as is his.
Toby Andrews
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 10:00 am
I know all about Thailand Mr S2k. I have live most of the last six years in Thailand.
I should have learned a little about Thailand during that time, and what I have learned is what I write. I was first in Thailand in 1988.
Thais are wonderful when you are spending money. Watch Thais with the Burmese or the Cambodians. See how wonderful Thais are with them.
I am in Cambodia now. Really, they are better people than the Thais.
Issan John
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 1:40 pm
S2k, Toby A left Thailand last year when his visa ran out, because according to him he’d had enough of the “corruption” and the “dictatorship” so he moved to Cambodia.
There’s not really much you can say about that that needs saying.
EdwardV
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:26 am
I guess you might be able to get by on 50% if you head back home. However you sure can’t do it if you stay in Chon Buri. I know many workers have had salaries, hours and days cut. Wonder if that is 50% of their current salary or their pre COVID salary?
Issan John
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 12:04 pm
It’s 50% of a pittance since hotel staff rely on tips, but anything is better than nothing.
Remember, the state pension in Thailand is 500 baht – up to 700 baht at 70!
MichaelBKK
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Here he is. Remember the question you asked preesy on the last story ? I answered it for him but I noticed you failed to reply . For someone who is constantly following and commenting on every latest story I find it hard to believe you did not read my comment . Didn’t like what you read ?
Issan John
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 4:59 pm
I’ve no idea what you said, or what you think was the “last story”. Sorry, but I didn’t take mind-reading at school.
Maybe if you’d given the title of the article I’d have some idea what you’re talking about …
MichaelBKK
Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 7:25 pm
Sorry I underestimated your powers maybe mind reading is not one of your ‘expert’ subjects. Lucky you excell in others. NO BAN ON UK ARRIVALS. That should narrow it down for you hopefully ?
Issan John
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 1:48 pm
Sorry, Michael BKK, I gave you a very lengthy reply about the Great Barrington Declaration, which I’d commented on before, what the problems with it were, and the expertise of some of the signatories like Dr Johnny Bananas and Professor Cominick Dummings, but it seems to have disappeared and I can’t be bothered to write it again.
Maybe another time …
MichaelBKK
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 2:23 pm
For some reason I couldn’t reply to your last comment so I will use this one ! Unfortunately the question you asked was name ‘one’ but there are over 13,000 medical and scientific ‘experts’ who have signed it which is the answer to your very simple and weak original question ! Now if you have read the declaration written by said ‘experts’ but you don’t agree with what is written then that is fine it is your opinion but in future think before you ask seriously dumb questions that you actually answered your own question in your last comment ! And now the fact you mention joke ha ha names exposes your limited knowledge and extremely weak argument.
Now I have another patient to treat ….
J West
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Business is not good. The small businesses are struggling. The few noodle vendors and coffee shops still open are fragile and some truly desperate. . Imagine if they all were to shutter? I’ve taken to paying more for everything I buy in the Talad. . If your soup is 60 baht leave a hundred “ Mai than tong” . Keep the change. Tip more, give charity. Let the Thais you see on a daily basis in your neighborhood that you support them. It’s a time of great need. As I already mentioned there are more people begging than ever….so give generously. Having said that I’m delighted to see the rip off taxis etc getting just karma, serves them right. But…..those people who sell you fruit today will likely remember to reserve the best for you in the future.
Mr cynic
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 12:33 am
Does that include condhotels?
Used to know several folks who lived full time in them paying monthly but lost touch a while ago.
Albert Zweistein
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 7:23 am
Amusing how certain members are commenting and pi$$ing on each other, the only reason why I read thethaiger.