Panda dolls kick pandemic blues for Thai diners

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

People have dinner as they sit next to stuffed panda dolls, used as part of social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the Maison Saigon restaurant that reopened after the easing of restrictions in Bangkok, Thailand, May 13, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Can't bear to eat alone?

 

One restaurant in Thailand is ensuring it meets new social distancing guidelines, and providing lonely diners a bit of company, by seating stuffed pandas at its tables.

 

Thailand earlier this month relaxed some restrictions on businesses as the number of coronavirus cases slowed, allowing restaurants to reopen but with strict rules in place to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

 

"Earlier we had only one chair for the tables where the customer came alone. But for me, it felt strange, so I thought I'd give them some company," said Natthwut Rodchanapanthkul, the owner of Maison Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok.

 

Sitting opposite one of the panda dolls, diner Sawit Chaiphuek said he was happy to have some company as he stepped out to eat for the first time in months.

 

"The doll makes me feel less lonely eating by myself," said Sawit, 25.

 

Siriporn Assavakarint, another customer, said the new seating rules often bamboozled diners, and the army of plush pandas made things much clearer.

 

"It's a lot easier to understand compared to other restaurants where people always get confused about where to sit and end up sitting too close to each other."

 

Thailand reported one new coronavirus case on Thursday and no new deaths, bringing the total to 3,018 cases and 56 deaths since the outbreak started in January.

 

On Wednesday, it reported zero new cases for the first time since early March, before the lockdown began.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-14

 

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This is hilarious. The empty tables with the China pandas are a reminder of who caused this problem.

 

They will be gone within a couple of days, I'm sure the Chinese ambassador has already put a complaint in about this and action will be taken.

Edited May 14, 20206 yr by ukrules

 

... yep, the commie panda sure takes the cake, holy jumping sh.tballs ... they also supply vomit-buckets ...??

 

Can I take a Wilson Volleyball to a restaurant? 

16 minutes ago, jollyhangmon said:

 

... yep, the commie panda sure takes the cake, holy jumping sh.tballs ... they also supply vomit-buckets ...??

 

The commie panda......

 

Dear God........????

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

This is hilarious. The empty tables with the China pandas are a reminder of who caused this problem. //

Problem is said to have come from a pangolin, not a panda. 

5 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

Problem is said to have come from a pangolin, not a panda. 

The jury's still out on that but it definitely came from the same place pandas come from.

1 hour ago, Traubert said:

The commie panda......

 

Dear God........????

Either a commie or he is just wearing a commie hat?  Either way it is the CCPvirus

china is becoming a shining example for the rest of the world to follow and strive to be like. i for one applaud their efforts during this difficult time through their honest and transparent efforts regarding the virus. 

Edited May 14, 20206 yr by mr mr

The panda hat is a variation on Vietnamese flag, fwiw

Next up: bars in Pattaya can open if owner provides inflatable dolls to keep drinkers happy

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

This is hilarious. The empty tables with the China pandas are a reminder of who caused this problem.

My thoughts exactly.... sitting across the table a reminder of why I can't sit with friends or family.

since we forget too easily, it's a good reminder why we all are in this situation

13 minutes ago, Siamjim said:

since we forget too easily, it's a good reminder why we all are in this situation

 

16 hours ago, daoyai said:

Either a commie or he is just wearing a commie hat?  Either way it is the CCPvirus

CPC. The Communist Party Of China.

 

No wonder America is not respected around the world any more.

6 hours ago, Traubert said:

 

CPC. The Communist Party Of China.

 

No wonder America is not respected around the world any more.

more commonly referred to as CCP,  Chinese commie party

 

but hey dude bro,  we don't need your respect

21 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

No its not !

Its clear where the Restaurants loyalties lie, and it isnt with either American Apple Pie, or English Fish and Chips. 

Uhhh, I'm not in America or England, but I still find the chicom conical hat a funny addition and the idea continues to strike me as both inventive and entertaining. You just gotta' be a bit more descriptive of your disagreement before I can adequately respond to your criticism 

A post using a derogatory slang comment and the reply has been removed. 

Little things  please little  minds.