Thread: Pubs, clubs in Bangkok, 40 other provinces to shut for 2 weeks

THAILAND: All entertainment places in 41 provinces, including Bangkok, will be ordered to shut their doors for at least two weeks, as COVID-19 cases spawned by the Thong Lor cluster spread rapidly across the nation.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, said today (Apr 8) the closure would take effect when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signs the order at a meeting tomorrow.


Health and security officials agreed in talks today that a blanket closure in all provinces was not necessary. They opted for what Dr Taweesilp called “target therapy” in provinces with the potential to spread COVID-19.

Their prime concern was the spread of the UK variant of the virus, with cases detected in Thailand for the first time.


“It would be unfair to prescribe a strong dose to all provinces,” the CCSA spokesman said.


The target provinces were those plagued by new infections and those at risk because they were a gateway, or main passage, for travellers, he said.


The decision comes ahead of the long Songkran holiday next week, when millions of people will hit the roads for vacations or family reunions.


New cases linked to pubs, bars and clubs in Thong Lor area have leapt from yesterday’s report of 291 in 15 provinces to 504 cases in 20 provinces today, according to CCSA figures, which track infections since March 22.


The 41 provinces where all entertainment venues - bars, pubs, clubs and karaoke bars - will be closed are:


Bangkok


Ayutthaya


Buri Ram


Chachoengsao


Chaiyaphum


Chanthaburi


Chiang Mai


Chiang Rai


Chon Buri


Chumphon


Kanchanaburi


Khon Kaen


Lamphang


Loei


Lop Buri


Nakhon Nayok


Nonthaburi


Nakhon Pathom


Nakhon Ratchasima


Nakhon Si Thammarat

Narathiwat


Pathum Thani


Phetchabun


Phetchaburi


Phuket


Prachin Buri


Prachuap Khiri Khan


Ratchaburi


Ranong


Rayong


Sa Kaeo


Samut Prakan


Samut Sakhon


Samut Songkram


Saraburi


Songkhla


Suphan Buri


Surat Thani


Tak


Udon Thani


Yala


All 20 provinces hit by the Thong Lor cluster are included in the 41-province list.


The CCSA spokesman said there would be no U-turn on the closure decision. The centre decided to make it public ahead of the signing of the order tomorrow so that businesses could prepare in advance.

The meeting tomorrow would also announce a work from home policy for state agencies and encourage private firms to allow their employees to also work from home.


There had been 405 new infections registered, 391 of them local transmissions, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 30,310, the CCSA said today. No new deaths were reported.


Bangkok led the list with 48 cases reported by hospitals and 47 from mass testing. Fourteen cases were imported - from the United Arab Emirates, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Turkey.


The latest outbreak has already prompted two provinces, Buri Ram and Bung Kan, to issue orders that people coming from Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom must observe self-quarantine after arrival in the province. Buri Ram is on the list of 41 provinces; Bung Kan, which borders the Mekong River, is not.


Pubs, clubs in Bangkok, 40 other provinces to shut for 2 weeks

better stock up tonight.

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

better stock up tonight.

Done and Done...

I am off starting tomorrow until April 19th. Did me my rounds to a few places to stock up on all the beer I need and liquor for Mai Tai's, Margs etc . To note: Trust me there aint one Heineken Zero in it....

Why have you 'stocked up'?

There is no mention, AFAIK, of retailers being included in this new prohibition.

Originally Posted by misskit

as COVID-19 cases spawned by the Thong Lor cluster spread rapidly across the nation.

Just as everyone prepares to travel across the country unimpeded to party in groups of dozens in their villages and towns.

Read that the new strain that arrived from the UK spreads much faster and easier.


Not locking down provinces and interprovincial travel before and during Songkran is gonna result in a shedload of cases, bars closed or not.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Why have you 'stocked up'?

There is no mention, AFAIK, of retailers being included in this new prohibition.

With no bars or clubs open for the next two weeks, and songkran next week, what stock do you think is going to be available by the 12th?

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Why have you 'stocked up'?

There is no mention, AFAIK, of retailers being included in this new prohibition.

So I do not have to drive and get it later. I wasn't worried about retailers although one thing as we all know around here, when Songkran hits, EVERYTHING stops. Inventory could get low unless you like Chang, Leo and Singha.

Originally Posted by JPPR2

nventory could get low unless you like Chang, Leo and Singha.

Any port in a storm...

Also, while not overly concerned about Covid, I do not plan on going anywhere except to my pool bar and back to my pool floater then to my BBQ pit.

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

Any port in a storm...

Amen....although, Leo for 10 days?.......come KW, you understand....

I meant just in case you ran out right at the very end and are forced to drink Singh or Leo for a day (or maybe an hour) not for the whole 10 days!

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

I meant just in case you ran out right at the very end and are forced to drink Singh or Leo for a day (or maybe an hour) not for the whole 10 days!

I know...I am LMAO. Sooner drink Ya Dong... Speaking of that, wonder if anyone has tried a "Boiler Maker" using Ya dong and a Thai beer. Bet its nasty.. But......

Originally Posted by JPPR2

Speaking of that, wonder if anyone has tried a "Boiler Maker" using Ya dong and a Thai beer. Bet its nasty

Bet Mendip's Gardner shared some with him...

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

Bet Mendip's Gardner shared some with him...

I remember seeing the shot glass with either Lao Khao or Ya dong with a Leo next to it, but did he drop it in and chug it all.

Originally Posted by Edmond

Read that the new strain that arrived from the UK spreads much faster and easier.

It's rare to see the Brits import something, improve it, then export it..

Originally Posted by JPPR2

I remember seeing the shot glass with either Lao Khao or Ya dong with a Leo next to it, but did he drop it in and chug it all.

I just chanced upon this thread and saw my name used in vain.

I never drink Lao Khao but do enjoy the occasional Ya Dong chaser when having a Leo or two. My understanding is that Ya Dong has a Lao Khao base but has added cough mixture and aromatic herbs which dilute the alcohol somewhat and also add to the health benefits. I think the red colour comes from the cough mixture... and I haven't had a cough in ages.

To be honest the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret which hasn't even been shared with my gardener, and he drinks with the local Ya Dong proprietor pretty much every night. I just get the occasional (old Hong Thong) bottle for 100 Baht.

And JP... before you mention 'floaters' in your pool too often, in the UK a 'floater' is a persistent turd that just won't flush down the toilet!

17 days until (in theory) I am released from ASQ.

Let's hope they stick to it.

Originally Posted by Mendip

And JP... before you mention 'floaters' in your pool too often, in the UK a 'floater' is a persistent turd that just won't flush down the toilet!

We are both from northern California. I am pretty damn sure he knows floaters are turds. I am going with a typo. He meant a float, or floats, as I did not see the original quote. Back in my time we had air mattresses made to play in the ocean with. Not slippery and almost like a canvas coating on them.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Let's hope they stick to it.

What, we're supposed to care too?

Originally Posted by Edmond

Just as everyone prepares to travel across the country unimpeded to party in groups of dozens in their villages and towns.

Read that the new strain that arrived from the UK spreads much faster and easier.


Not locking down provinces and interprovincial travel before and during Songkran is gonna result in a shedload of cases, bars closed or not.

The end is near.
But, not quite.

Like I said: Shit show.

Already some concerns have emerged. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday that travellers from Bangkok and other at-risk areas will not have to quarantine when they head to other provinces.


His statement was contradicted by the public health offices in Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima which announced that travellers from the five "red zone" provinces will have to quarantine for 14 days.

Get the Covid act together

Originally Posted by Mendip

in the UK a 'floater' is a persistent turd that just won't flush down the toilet!

I always thought they were known as 'toilet salmon' due to the fact that they always return back to their place of spawning.

Originally Posted by cyrille

What, we're supposed to care too?

Fucking right you are.

We are yet to be contacted by our local constabulary regarding closure but if they do we will pull the restaurant card.