Thailand Ministry of Health reports 3,854 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 26 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 6,031 patients recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
As many prepare to reopen this week, nightlife operators in Bangkok have expressed displeasure and anger with the limits on their operation hours.
After an extended closure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, numerous pubs, bars, karaoke venues, massage parlors, and similar nightspots in 31 provinces will be allowed to resume on Wednesday.
Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are among 31 provinces designated as green or blue zones, which will no longer require night entertainment outlets to be classed as restaurants in order to serve alcohol, however, the midnight closing hour will remain in effect.
For the time being, venues in the remaining 46 provinces labeled as high-surveillance yellow zones must continue to reclassify their operations.
Nightlife establishments will be obliged to implement Covid-Free Setting standards established by the Ministry of Public Health when they are allowed to reopen, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Thanupong Paensodsaicharoenkij, the owner of a nightlife shop on Khao San Road, said the recent relaxation of Covid-19 regulations was appreciated, but that it was seen as a half-measure to help a damaged industry in desperate need of help.
Due to Covid restrictions and entry requirements such as high-value insurance, many tourists are relocating their itineraries from Thailand to neighboring countries, he said.
“It has been more than two years since the outbreak and we here in Khao San are up to our ears in debt. Yet when the outbreak is easing the government gets nervous,” he said.