Nightlife operators hope to be given green light at CCSA meeting tomorrow
The owners of entertainment venues across Thailand have reacted with cautious optimism to reports they could soon be allowed to re-open. According to a Bangkok Post report, the resumption of the country’s nightlife is thought to be on the agenda at tomorrow’s meeting of the government’s Covid-19 task force.
Wirawit Kruasombat from the Patong Entertainment Business Owners Club in Phuket has welcomed the development, thanking the government. He added that he would like to see measures implemented to help nightlife businesses, due to the enormous challenges they’ve faced over the last 2 years.
“I feel thankful that the government understands the difficult situation that night business operators have had to deal with.”
Wirawit points out that nightlife venues are important to foreign tourism and if the government is looking at ways to attract more visitors, it should allow bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues to re-open.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, the president of the Khao San Business Association is calling for alcohol sales hours to be extended. Sanga Ruangwattanakul says restaurants should now be allowed to serve alcohol until 11am or even 1am, depending on their pre-Covid business zone.
“Regarding the present Covid-19 situation, it’s time for us to return to our normal lives and let people decide for themselves. There is no need for restrictions on selling alcohol until 11pm because people are still having fun and relaxing.”
Sanga believes visitor numbers on Khao San Road will double if restaurants are allowed sell alcohol until midnight or 1am. He says the area currently welcomes between 1,000 and 2,000 partygoers during the week, and around 5,000 to 6,000 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Vorapoj Nimvijit from the Professional Entertainment Network Confederation of Thailand is also calling for nightlife performers, such as singers and musicians, to be allowed to return to work once Covid-19 is declared endemic. The government is aiming to downgrade the virus from July 1.
Vorapoj adds that with most people now vaccinated, the government should allow events such as concerts to go ahead at full capacity, but acknowledges masks could still be a requirement.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
