Bangkok and the virus: Major downtown shopping center deserted, shoppers in Tesco instead

[webfact]

Bangkok and the virus: Major downtown shopping center deserted, shoppers in Tesco instead

 

Picture: Daily News//Facebook Parinya Newws

 

Daily News reported that economic activity in Thailand - especially shopping in major department stores - was plummeting as effects of the coronavirus outbreak  worsened. 

 

The situation is now escalating, they said. 

 

To make their point they shared pictures from a Facebook user called Parinya Premchai who posted pictures from a deserted Siam Paragon on Sunday. 

 

The huge Pathumwan department store - one of the most famous and well-visited in Thailand - was deserted and devoid of both foreigners and Thais. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The post caused much comment with others saying the same was true of Central Chidlom a couple of kilometers further down the way in the direction of Sukhumvit Road.

 

A Thaivisa reporter in the northern part of the city notes that the streets and major stores were strangely quiet yesterday - but Tesco Lotus in Lad Prao was doing a roaring trade in the evening with lines ten deep of people stocking up on food and essential items. 

 

Villa Market in Ratchayothin had far more customers than usual yet a McDonalds outlet was all but empty save for a lone Grab guy collecting a delivery. 

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-03-16

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[spidermike007]

I am headed to Bangkok! Sounds like an utterly delightful week, to spend time there.

[NCC1701A]

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I am headed to Bangkok! Sounds like an utterly delightful week, to spend time there.

keep your helmet cam on, we will uplink your video to the command center.

good luck.

[drbeach]

Yet other shopping malls a bit further out still have plenty of customers. In fact, the supermarket was overflowing.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

keep your helmet cam on, we will uplink your video to the command center.

good luck.

Is that a piece of your current g/f's attire you're now wearing in the absence of face masks? 

[JayBird]

Umm.  It's been getting emptier with lack of tourists, and then lack of students (Who frequent this mall).

 

 

[DrTuner]

Open a new shop selling toilet paper in the middle and it'll be packed.

[Denim]

14 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Open a new shop selling toilet paper in the middle and it'll be packed.

 

I have a few rolls. Might start selling them for 10 baht a sheet on Lazada.

 

And no .....that is not a typo.

[madmen]

Be the first at opening time Camera rolling,. Next! 

[Mike Teavee]

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I am headed to Bangkok! Sounds like an utterly delightful week, to spend time there.

Supposed to be heading back to Bangkok next Monday after a 3 week tour around the islands but my mate is saying the local supermarket (On Nut Lotus/Tops) are rammed & starting to see empty shelves.

 

Will see if I can arrange online delivery for the day after I’m due to get back, if not just take my time & meander from Koh Samui across to Surat Thani then up the Coast stopping at places on the way.

 

 

 

 

[SpanishExpat]

Went yesterday to ICONSIAM and was prepared to see it emptier than usual. What I saw was truly shocking!

- the apple shop had 4 customers. 30 employees were sitting around in groups and playing with their phones.

- After You Dessert Cafe, where you usually have to wait 15-20min to get a seat on a Sunday was deserted. 1 table was occupied.

- the restaurants on the top floor had 0-10% occupancy rate. Employees again in groups chatting and playing with their phones.

- 90% of the few tourist I saw where the Russian tour-groups 

 

Sunday is THE shopping day for Thai people, as they enjoy walking around with their families, so I can imagine how empty it will be during the week. With all respect to the virus. If it continues like that ( and it will), many will loose their jobs in the next 1-3 months. No need for a restaurant to staff 10 people, if there are max 2-3 tables to be served at the same time.

[rabang]

33 minutes ago, Denim said:

 

I have a few rolls. Might start selling them for 10 baht a sheet on Lazada.

 

And no .....that is not a typo.

I will beat you for the price by 50%. Here is the caveat though, they might be used.

[userabcd]

The noise echo in the Paragon used to be deafening and off putting. Must be quite pleasant now that it is silent with less visitors.

[from the home of CC]

On 3/16/2020 at 11:09 AM, NCC1701A said:

keep your helmet cam on, we will uplink your video to the command center.

good luck.

this is who we should be sending in:

 

 

[unblocktheplanet]

On 3/16/2020 at 10:50 AM, spidermike007 said:

I am headed to Bangkok! Sounds like an utterly delightful week, to spend time there.

Stay home! Don't be selfish. Stay put. Movement kills all of us!

[spidermike007]

On 3/19/2020 at 8:43 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

Stay home! Don't be selfish. Stay put. Movement kills all of us!

I did end up staying home. And was glad for it. Bangkok is not someplace I want to be vacationing at the moment!