Meeting to discuss reopening of nightlife venues

Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha has stated his wish to see all professions return to work and earning an income. This follows a public petition, especially from Thailand’s estimated 100,000 self-employed musicians, from the entertainment industry, The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thai Alcoholic Beverage Business Association and even members of Parliament to allow Thailand’s world famous nightlife and entertainment industry to reopen.

The entertainment and nightlife industry is the only major exception to being reopened, as Thailand has relaxed restrictions on what authorities say is 95% of previous closure orders. With no locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 in nearly a month, the national curfew has been lifted and the state of emergency is due to expire at the end of the month.

With the ban on international arrivals still in place and international tourism not expected to be allowed for weeks or months, the TAT is starting a renewed push for domestic tourism, and having the entertainment and nightlife industry reopen is a substantial part to luring potential domestic tourists out of their provinces.

Some industry estimates say the domestic Thai entertainment industry, bars and nightlife catering mainly to Thais, is as much as 80-90% of the overall entertainment industry. Some parts of the country, especially Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket, rely on entertainment venues for the majority of their attraction and appeal, not to mention a major slice of revenue.

A meeting has reportedly been scheduled with all relevant parties and the CCSA tomorrow. It’s expected to directly address when and how entertainment venues can reopen. There is as yet no guarantee or firm date on when entertainment venues will reopen, but with Thailand expected to hit 28 days Monday without a single locally transmitted case of Covid-19, the date is likely in the near future.

There has already been a smattering of former clubs and bars suddenly offering food and putting shiny new ‘restaurant’ signs out the front to take advantage of the current reopening of restaurants serving alcohol.

The Thaiger will provide updates and details as they become available.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News