I think your last statement may be a little narrow minded. We need to look at who works and runs bars and restaurants. Those low income earners that eat in large groups, live stacked together in rooms to save money and spend most of their free time In groups.
Now throw in the farangs that like to sit around for a few hours in groups, with these locals who spend a lot of time in their groups, plus the slow but sure degradation of ‘infection controls’ as more alcohol is consumed, I feel it’s pretty obvious why they consider banning of alcohol in restaurants and closing of bars to be considered a pertinent decision.