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Pattaya Ghost Town Or Not


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Sonthaya, the Pattaya mayor, "accepts" the demands from the Pattaya bar industry to open bars before NYE, writes Channel 7 today:

"Progress in the case of Pattaya Walking Street operators requesting relief from opening entertainment venues."

"The entertainment venues such as pubs, bars, karaoke will be proposed to be considered open during the New Year."

(Google Translate)

https://news.ch7.com/detail/531835

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Walking Street bar owners met at the King seafood restaurant to petition for the reopening of bars:

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Bryan Flowers mentions he's told by the (restaurant and bar) licensing guys that December the 10th will be the day bars could reopen:

Khaosod on November 25th, 8:23 a. m. mentions December 16th as a possible reopening date:

https://www.khaosod.co.th/newspaper/newspaper-front-page/news_6749729

Let's hope for good news for the Pattaya bar industry on Friday (CCSA meeting).

Edited by Papa Sam
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At tomorrow's CCSA meeting, they will apparently also discuss the opening of the land borders in December. 

Of course, the opening of entertainment venues, such as pubs, bars, but except karaoke on December 16th in the 17 tourism pilot areas will be discussed as well. 

Preliminary guidelines:

No karaoke and no open communal dance areas are allowed. Guests must refrain from getting close to other people.

Employees must do a covid19 check every 3 days. Customers must show evidence of being fully vaccinated and (or?) present covid test results before entering the bars.  However, these guideline are only preliminary. The Ministry of Health will give details later on, writes:

https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/สุขภาพ/161238

(via Google Translate)

So do I get this right:  karaoke style places won't be allowed to open? -> Not the expected good news then for many gogo bar owners in Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, Walking Street & Soi 6 Pattaya and so on... Or does "no communal dance areas" mean gogo girls can show off their bodies on the stage but can't sit with a customer??? 

news-b29746d1fb.webp

Basically the same story can be found here:

https://www.brighttv.co.th/news/politics/open-country-phrase-two

Staff must refrain from getting close to the guests...

And Khaosod writes on 25 Nov 2021 8:23 p.m. that there will be 4 rules for the reopening of bars on December 16th in the 17 tourist pilot areas:

 1. No karaoke.

2. No public dance area.

3. No serving drinks that use the same glass and

4. No service close to customers.

https://www.khaosod.co.th/covid-19/news_6751526

 

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Sex workers in brothels, bars, karaoke clubs, a-gogos, massage parlors, and freelancers wrote a letter to the government. They are asking for compensation from government because they closed the entertainment venues where they used to work.

The sex workers from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi and the Empower Foundation also demand more safety at work and want to be protected by labor laws and they don't want to be discriminated against and stigmatized.

The compensation received from the government so far was insufficient and inconsistent, especially for workers without social security and for migrant workers and ethnic groups they say.

Everyone hoped that on December 1st they will be able to return to work. But they were disappointed because this date was postponed and now no one believes the government anymore they say...

They demand 5,000 baht compensation per month.

Campaign to send shoes to the Government House: 

https://siamrath.co.th/n/300772

(Date of publication: 25 November 2021, 7:37 p m.)

38f52b4df4d7ca266d1192036753fbcbcd701b65

Prachatai also reports on the initiative by the sex workers to send shoes to the government to raise attention to their fate:

https://prachatai.com/journal/2021/11/96114

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Edited by Papa Sam
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Stop dreaming:

272AF5820520762D3A4F326CC7A5B303.jpg

CCSA meeting today, no decision to reopen bars before January 2022:

Today there has not been a resolution to relax and open entertainment venues faster due to concerns about the Covid-19 situation.

However, government has been tasked with finding remedial measures to help entrepreneurs and musicians. If any entertainment venue violates the rules and opens illegally it may be closed for a long time. At the same time, government has also imposed a ban on travel in and out of Africa after a new mutation was found. " said Gen. Prayut.

https://www.tnnthailand.com/news/covid19/97655/

Starting January 16th:

"entertainment venues, pubs, bars can sell alcohol until 11 p.m. and open until midnight. Conditions:

1. No karaoke.

2. No public dance area.

3. No shared drink glasses.

4. No promotional activities or activities that involve crowding and close contact with customers.

:(

The emergency decree will be extended for two more months until January 31st. There are no more dark red zones. 

https://thairath.co.th/news/politic/2251262

https://www.tnews.co.th/Social/554696

https://www.komchadluek.net/news/494344

https://www.posttoday.com/social/general/669181

https://www.prachachat.net/politics/news-809864

 

Shoooot... Bars remain closed until mid-January!

But: The BBC writes today:

"However, a spokesman for the government said that the meeting acknowledged the suffering of entrepreneurs and workers in this business. Therefore, if operators follow the measures to prevent infection well they may open sooner than January 16th"

A shimmer of hope? Guess we'll have to wait another 2 weeks or whenever the next CCSA meeting will be...

https://www.bbc.com/thai/Thailand-59426568

The Bangkok Biz News also still sees an opportunity for entertainment venues to open before January 16th - if they strictly follow the rules:

https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/social/974132

"No need to stick to the original schedule, which is January 16, 2022, if the entertainment venues fully cooperate. They may be able to open before January 16, 2022" said a government spokesman according to

https://www.matichon.co.th/covid19/thai-covid19/news_3059584

(via Google Translate from Thai to English, so please bear with me)

Maybe they are concerned about this:

FFECnaLXEAMtWdc?format=png&name=900x900

What do you think, guys? Any chance to see the bars legally open before January 16th, despite the disappointing CCSA meeting today?

This post may be updated...

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3 hours ago, Papa Sam said:

What do you think, guys? Any chance to see the bars legally open before January 16th, despite the disappointing CCSA meeting today?

If restaurants can serve booze and bars can metamorphosize into restaurants by simply getting the proper license then I guess you could say bars will be open.

Last night Treetown was packed; big crowds at every table.  The Cocktail Cart openly had booze bottles on display.  Some cute ladyboy streetwalkers in the area.

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Yep, Tree Town last night I guess:

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Pics from Twitter

 

Many sex workers will have to wait before they can get back to their old place of work again:

As a sign of protest they're sending their shoes to the government with a letter telling them:

No money, no honey, no GDP:

%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A3%E0%

https://www.khaosod.co.th/politics/news_6753132  Dated 26 Nov 2021 4:25 p.m.

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On 11/29/2021 at 12:06 AM, Lefty said:

Has the Thai govt been doing any better about getting people vaccinated? 

About 62 % of the population in Thailand is fully vaccinated. Compare that to:

USA: 58%, UK 68%, European Union: 67%, Singapore: 92%, Vietnam: 50%, Asia: 48%, World excl. China: 37%.

https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-people-fully-vaccinated-covid

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Pattaya entertainment venues ask the state for permission to open before the New Year festival, hoping to incentivize tourism.

Published 30 Nov 2021 16:00

Mr. Damrongkiat Pinijkan, secretary of the Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association said at a meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel the government should consider easing the current nightlife restrictions and should take measures that will allow entertainment venues to open before Christmas or New Year.

The Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association therefore proposes the easing of restrictions for pub and restaurant operators including beer bar operators that operate in open air and that can assign guests a seat that is socially distanced from others.

Many hotels have an occupancy rate of less than 50 % because most tourists choose to stay in 4-5 star hotels with discount programs.

If the situation doesn't improve during high season which ends in February, there may be SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) that will have to close.

He pointed out that the vaccination rate in the area is more than 80%.

https://mgronline.com/local/detail/9640000118785

(translated from Thai into English using Google Translate so please bear with me)

564000012129404.JPEG.webp

https://www.topnews.co.th/news/174103

 

Edited by Papa Sam
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The PM was asked today about the prospects of reopening bars sooner. Seems he's moved away from any thoughts of relaxing the rules he might have had one or two weeks ago:

https://www.brighttv.co.th/news/politics/pm-bar-postpone-bar-open

https://www.khaosod.co.th/politics/news_6762372

Published 2 Dec 2021 11:31 a.m.

Naewna says, the PM wants to wait another month before deciding on the reopening of bars:

https://naewna.com/politic/619593

Published Thursday, December 2, 2021, 11.41 a.m.

The Post Today writes that the PM is apologetic about postponing the reopening of bars but that he listened to health officials:

https://www.posttoday.com/politic/news/669665

Published 02 Dec 2021  12:10

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Pattaya Walking Street demonstration today:

https://fb.watch/9FEjeI8fQ0/

907419.jpg

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https://www.matichon.co.th/economy/news_3070867

 

"Very good news is coming out. Will wait for Aj to announce the Pattaya News. It is clear, but needs to be clarified exactly."

writes:

https://www.facebook.com/BryaninBangkok

Happy ending finally for Pattaya (pun intended)?

Edited by Papa Sam
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Breaking news:

Pattaya Booze ban lifted

Drinking alcohol allowed from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. -  11 p.m.

Venues must have a sanitary safety standards certificate such as SHA.

Entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke, massage parlors remain closed. Shops that sell alcoholic beverages must strictly comply with COVID-19 prevention measures.

https://www.khaosod.co.th/covid-19/news_6765458

Published 3 Dec 2021 5:51 p.m.

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This website provides a list of SHA certified restaurants in Pattaya:

https://www.thailandsha.com/shalists/index?type=1-Restaurants+%2F+diners&province=20-Chon+Buri&keyword=pattaya

Although the proprietors of non-SHA certified, but real restaurants could get in trouble for selling booze, I doubt there would be unpleasant ramifications for customers.

We will see what bars get SHA certified as restaurants.

 

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15 minutes ago, Quietguy said:

So it's only for SHA certified restaurants, not bars.

Unless a bar gets a restaurant license.

Remains to be seen how it will be enforced.

Quote

Only restaurants in the blue zone and with SHA certificates are allowed alcohol sales and drinks inside. Alcohol sales are allowed from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and from 5:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. These restaurants must clearly show their certificates.

Nightclubs, pubs, bars, karaoke, soapies remain closed.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/03/pattaya-and-other-chonburi-blue-zones-officially-allowed-to-sell-alcohol-in-restaurants/

But even before the latest decree lots of paper cups around Treetown with patrons packed around tables like sardines whooping it up.

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Pattaya bar owners happy:

More and more establishments such as restaurants, cafes, grilled pork places etc are gradually opening up.

Ms. Amittra Klaidaeng, a restaurant operator, revealed that she was very satisfied with the order because most restaurants sell food to pair with alcoholic beverages. When it's okay to drink alcoholic beverages in a restaurant, more customers will come resulting in more sales and profits. After being closed for several months causing losses and an increase in liabilities, she believes that after this order establishments will recover faster.

Mr. Wasan Sanguangkham, the boss of a cafe, revealed that both SHA Plus and Covid Free Setting rules are being followed by the operators and that they will fully cooperate with the provincial and national authorities.

Customers and tourists are cooperating very well, he said, including wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing, not more than 5 musicians playing and so on.

Translated from Thai into English using Google Translate so please bear with me...S__70295565-1024x616.jpg

Source: https://www.matichon.co.th/news-monitor/news_3071662

Published December 4, 2021 - 11:48 a.m.

In Chiang Mai however, only restaurants in five selected districts are allowed to sell alcohol, starting December 6th:

https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/975678

Published 04 Dec. 2021 9:28 a.m.

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