Bangkok
Possible 9 pm closing of Bangkok bars to curb Covid-19
In order to limit outbreaks of Covid-19 before the upcoming Songkran holiday, the Health Ministry is eyeing more restrictive rules, including possibly shutting Bangkok bars at 9 pm. This week, new infections were found in the Thong Lor and Ekkamai areas of Bangkok, popular for evening entertainment such as bars and nightclubs. Entertainment venues are an easy target for Coronavirus spread due to loose enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions and often ventilation issues. The Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister said that a 48% positivity rate came from the nightclub clusters. Authorities may even consider closing some of the clubs in the areas with new outbreaks. A similar situation occurred last year when a Covid-19 outbreak tore through Bangkok’s nightlife scene. Nearly a quarter of all Thai Coronavirus infections reported Monday were found in Bangkok.
Following a string of stringent restrictions and rules to contain an outbreak that happened last December, Thailand had slowly been recovering and easing regulations, but some may be on their way back. With Songkran and then summer – much of Thailand’s peak travel periods, especially with plans to loosen quarantine restrictions for international travellers – the government will likely tighten restrictions to stop the recent surge in infections. More Covid-19 cases are expected because of the popularity of celebration and travel during the Songkran Festival. And fears of a third or even fourth wave of outbreaks has the government and medical officials worried.
Meanwhile, the director-general of the Department Of Disease Control says the Health Ministry is suggesting that nightclubs, bars, and even restaurants in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces close at 9 pm every day. They are also proposing a ban on selling alcoholic beverages. This advice will be submitted to the Centre For Covid Situation Administration subcommittee on Wednesday, with the recommendation that these restrictions be put in place for 2 weeks. Vaccination is still a priority in the fight against Covid-19 as well, but only about 42,000 people have been fully vaccinated in Thailand amongst the 240,000 jobs that have been injected so far. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration hopes to fast track vaccinations for the workers and residents of districts that are busy with evening entertainment venues.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Get more from The Thaiger
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS
👋 Have your say on our Thailand forums
🔔 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
📺 Subscribe / Join YouTube for daily shows
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🐦 FOLLOW us on Twitter
📷 FOLLOW us on Instagram
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.
Covid UPDATE Saturday: 14,260 new infections, news briefs
Department head predicts Covid-19 could last up to another year
Swedish prison hostage situation resolved with pizza
Welcome back to Thailand!
Thaiger is getting behind local businesses for the restart of tourism in Thailand - up to 50% discounts across all advertising packages!
Sponsored by 
Minister: foreigners, migrant workers are cared for amid Covid-19
“Withhold Intubation” for certain older Thammasat Hospital patients
Bang Sue vaccination centre open for expats 60+, under must wait
“Covid-19” deaths said to cause crematorium in Bangkok to partially collapse
Nakhon Sawan farmers make large profits growing fingerroot as Covid cure
Leaked document: military arranging private Moderna vaccines
Nakhon Si Thammarat arrest drug suspect hiding in jar
19 year old man drowns in a Kanchanaburi river while rescuing his puppy
Online registration site up for interprovincial travel permission
Thailand News Today | Sandbox tweak, ‘filthy rich’ visa, Chon Buri restrictions | July 23
18 infections today in Phuket creeps closer to 90/week threshold
BMA plans to open 53 “community isolation centres”
Wednesday Covid Update: Record high of 13,002 new cases; provincial totals
Thursday Covid Update: 13,655 new cases and 87 deaths; provincial totals
Tampons reclassified as cosmetics bringing regulation, tax
39 year old dies after AstraZeneca vaccine, a second dose following Sinovac
THG head stock purchases before questionable Pfizer news
All Covid restrictions lifted in England as experts warn of disastrous consequences
Despite chaos and confusion, hundreds of foreigners vaccinated in “one-off” event
All domestic travellers entering Phuket need to be vaccinated against Covid-19
Bangkok hospital suspends multiple services after 300 medics test positive for Covid
Bangkok penis peril, man gets padlock stuck around genitals
Lockdown extending as flights from dark red zones are prohibited
Boat tours to nearby islands offered to Phuket “Sandbox” travellers
Woman with high blood pressure died after mixing vaccines
CCSA recommends closure of 10 more places and venues in “dark red” zones
Baccarat bust fall out, Phuket City police under investigation
Thailand News Today | Thai Airways in rehab, All go for Songkran | March 4
Phuket’s nightlife. Yes, bars and clubs are still open | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Covid passport talks, Thai Airways heads to court | March 2
Phuket Thai food treats you need to try | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Bars, pubs and restaurants ‘sort of’ back to normal | Feb 23
In search of Cat & Dog Cafés in Phuket Town | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21
Thailand News Today | Covid testing for visas, Business impact, Vaccine approval | January 19
Thailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18
Thailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15
Thailand News Today | Governor off respirator, sex-trafficking arrest, condo prices falling | January 14
Thailand News Today | Chinese vaccine, Thailand ‘drug hub’, Covid update | January 13
Thailand News Today | Bangkok may ease restrictions, Phuket bar curfew, Vaccine roll out | January 12
Thailand News Today | Covid latest, Cockfights closed down, Bryde’s Whale beached | January 11
Thailand News Today | Southern floods, Face mask fines, Thai Air Asia woes | January 8
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoWednesday Covid Update: Record high of 13,002 new cases; provincial totals
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days agoThursday Covid Update: 13,655 new cases and 87 deaths; provincial totals
-
Thailand1 day agoTampons reclassified as cosmetics bringing regulation, tax
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago39 year old dies after AstraZeneca vaccine, a second dose following Sinovac
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days agoAll domestic travellers entering Phuket need to be vaccinated against Covid-19
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days agoDespite chaos and confusion, hundreds of foreigners vaccinated in “one-off” event
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days agoWoman with high blood pressure died after mixing vaccines
-
Phuket3 days agoBoat tours to nearby islands offered to Phuket “Sandbox” travellers
Kevin Martyn
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 1:26 am
I have no idea apart from corruption why the Thai Government does not shut all entrainment venues now and not 9pm! In an attempt to stop the 3TD/4th wave spread of Covid. Foreigners and Thai nationals need to be clear on this!
Bill
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 1:33 am
covid!!!!
Mr cynic
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:40 am
About time too.people in thailand spend far to much time in pubs And clubs.it can not be good for their health.covid is not all bad.im sure many people will welcome this excellent initiative and hopefully the curfew will continue once the pandemic has past.
Enough Shutdowns
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 6:18 am
This virus doesnt care if your in a bar or school or public transportation or even in your own home. If its around, then its around… watch out its coming for you.
Enough of these shutdowns and lockdowns not just in Thailand, but world-wide. Just everyone be aware of this flu-bug going around and take care of your own health. If your afraid of going out or to a bar or working at a bar, then dont go. Stay in your stay-safe bubble.
Peaceful slavery or dangerous freedom?
I’ll take dangerous freedom, thank you.
Dreqo
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 9:23 am
Watch the procedural roll back when one of “vaccinated” elderly tourists tests positive.
dee lee
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 9:30 am
They won’t do it because it makes too much sense and because they are addicted to easy revenue , never mind the health of some poorly paid workers ANY place that serves alcohol AND ALSO offers entertainment of any sort should either choose one or the other or be closed down until 70% of Thai population is vaccinated Yes , I know , good luck with that !!! MONEY TALKS !!!