kinyara

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

To mongers yes. Definitely a non essential business and also a very high risk business as far as social distancing. People seem to be having some kind of strange delusion that's it's possible to instantly go back to normal. You're talking many months for that and it won't be the same normal as before.

Plenty of bar/restaurants adapted their seating arrangements very well and effectively to ensure social distancing pre the complete ban on both eating in and serving alcohol. They were no different to the likes of banks for example with spaced seating and probably more effective than queuing at supermarket checkouts. Not an instant opening but I see no reason why a gradual reverse opening with common sense applied shouldn't happen for restaurants and bars. People need to have social contact, this forum is as good an example as any of the dangers of social isolation enforced or otherwise. 

24 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

They will be shut today !!

Indeed, from boom to bust at the flick of a switch. A week and a half of good business followed by nothing for the next two and a half weeks in what may traditionally have been one of their best months of the year in Pattaya. 

30 minutes ago, Leaver said:

I understand your point. 

 

I am simply saying, sell retail beer to people, so they may enjoy at home, and "crackdown" on those congregating in groups, either in public, or holding parties.

So far so good in Pattaya in relation to your point, picked up my supply at one of the several independent wholesalers within easy drive of my Condo this morning. Prefer them to the big outlets, no queueing and I like to support smaller convenient local businesses where possible. Will top up if a ban actually happens rather than speculation. 

Ordered 2 items and transfered money to a shop in Bangkok on Tuesday 4pm, Kerry delivered to me here in Pattaya 11am Wednesday, excellent service and only 200 baht shipping fee. 

14 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Has that been signed as an official rule?

Yes, part of the package of measures associated with the restriction of movement into the City starting 2pm today. Noticed only a handful of people not wearing a mask this morning on a drive around Jomtien. 

Clear today, no queues at 10-10.30 am. Good news.. 

Just been past twice between 10-10.30am and no queues and very few people under the outside covered tents. New location opening today and April amnesty announced yesterday seems to have had an immediate positive impact. 

These numbers shouldn't be confused with the official TAT International tourist arrivals that are the numbers usually reported and that we discuss re tourism. Those were 3.8 million in January and 2.1 million in February, haven't seen March's yet but I can't imagine it will take long to compile them. The 2019 annual figure of 39.8 million was revised downwards by TAT last month to a 33 million reforecast. I'd suggest that is now grossly optimistic and I guesstimate 25 million would now be an ambitious annual target. 

8 hours ago, jacob29 said:

Yes visa agents told me you cannot avoid the queue as well. The new office is only for the CV19 extension with embassy letter. Except the new office wasn't open today (nobody can do CV19 extensions today), so nobody can say what it's going to be like. Jomtien is much improved, but you see most people (myself included) getting turned away at the gate, being told to go to the new office tomorrow.

I know official Songkran festivities are cancelled but if it's still classified as a public holiday then this new facility will be open for 2 days then closed all next week bar Friday. I would imagine with a 4 day Songkran office shutdown next Friday and the following Monday will still experience big queues at both locations as a result. Wonderful timing. 

45 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Is everyone riding on the buses at least wearing masks? Of course masks are not a replacement for distancing but crowded buses plus no masks is really bad.

 

Anyone out and about from tomorrow has to wear a mask. 

2 hours ago, murraynz said:

The baht bus to jomtien,is same as usual...they wont depart pattaya sth until at least 14 people are crammed in..lucky im not reliant on that baht bus...very scary.

As I said start walking along South Pattaya past the fill up point and you'll be able to hail many of the empty ones heading up the hill to Jomtien desperate for customers. Its really not that difficult. 

I wonder what local government jurisdiction they are under, if its Pattaya then no doubt Pattaya City Council had generous budgets earmarked for festivals that didn't happen like the music one. How about they step in and provide some basic funding with the savings. 

Well they are not enforcing the ban on Jomtien Beach, just bad a drive along it and around the immigration Soi area still a good few people sunning themselves on the beach. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Not practical for very far destinations. So you walk from Jomtien to Naklua? 

Even before we were in total lock down the majority of baht buses I saw were empty. I walked from Foodmart in Jomtien to the Beer Garden in Pattaya a couple of weeks ago and just for the hell of it counted the baht bus situation coming out of Pattaya up to Jomtien, 20 out of 27 were completely empty and only 4 were full. Don't get on at the fill up points and choose an empty one riding along. 

It was a non issue 2 weeks ago and it's definately a non issue now. 

19 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Who is "he"? The Nightwish Group is not a person. 

If you check the original publicity release it should answer your question. 

I can't believe this pimp in shining armour <deleted>. Portraying some sort of moral high ground in the sex industry really is lipstick on a pig. It really is the least he could do given these girls are the source of his profits in the first place. 

4 hours ago, Banana7 said:

There is a meeting planned for Monday March 16, to discuss the option to close all bars in Thailand because of CV19.

 

Bars in parts of Germany have already been closed, like in Berlin and Cologne

I was thinking Pattaya would be really quiet by the end of this month when the Russians depart and there is no Songkran boost, but if they actually did that it would most definately resemble a ghost town. There would be toilet rolls on the supermarket shelves but I think there'd be a run on beer!!