Hotels call on CCSA to scrap booze ban after long weekend failed to boost revenue

 

File photo for reference only
 

Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) has called on the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to lift the ban on being able to serve alcohol.

 

Hotels are among the businesses hardest hit due to a lack of foreign tourists as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Allowing hotels in to serve alcohol would help them generate some much needed revenue and help soften the financial blow felt due to a lack of room bookings, said Mrs Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA).

 

The ban on alcohol in the ‘high controlled areas’ is aimed at discouraging large groups from gathering, which in turn could increase the chances of exposure to the virus.

 

However, Mrs Nunbhakdi said this ban shouldn’t apply to those who simply want to dine at a hotel and enjoy a meal.

 

Last week the CCSA said it plans to keep the ban on serving alcohol in restaurants and bars in the high controlled areas, which includes Bangkok. 

 

But as with all COVID-19 restrictions, the measure will likely be reviewed later this week, with any chances presented to the cabinet for final approval.

 

The news comes as Mr Nunbhakdi also told Channel 7

that despite the recent long weekend, Valentine’s Day this year was the quietest for hotels she had ever known.

 

She described a desperate situation with 50% of hotels closed or facing closure.

 

Meanwhile, Thai Chamber of Commerce reported that people were spending 21.15% less this Valentine’s Day than previous years, with average spending of around 1,306 baht per person. 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-02-15

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

I have thought ban is still only in bangkok (and samut sakhon), the rest of red provinces, and everywhere else, were lifted at the end of january.

if drinks at hotels are allowed all the punters will move there.

and bars and restaurants will follow and also demand lifting ban.

the way for hotels is improving their service and lowering prices. Guests will stay longer, and come back.

I still pay at my favourite places same as before pandemic, but only because they are exceptional and reasonable priced

 

Looking at that photo, I'm guessing the joke was on the customer when he asked the waitress for a good head with his beer.

 

 

I can only assume it’s hotels in Bangkok that are complaining, as usual, the article is unclear. 
 

The whole ban is totally ridiculous, having spent the weekend in a seaside town, partying, drinking and doing whatever you want. You then return to Bangkok to live the sober life, which is somehow due to high risk of COVID in certain locations.

 

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Looking at that photo, I'm guessing the joke was on the customer when he asked the waitress for a good head with his beer.

 

 

Juvenile humor.

This ban is so asinine and causing so many businesses in the capital to shut up shop, that is makes me wonder if CP and the Generals are planning a massive venture into the hospitality business, shortly before things miraculously open up again.

 

In the meantime, I like many others will simply leave the capital for the weekend to go somewhere where the ban is not in place (for the third weekend in a row). How that is supposed to help stop Covid I have no idea.

 

  

and how about lifting the ban on online sales

 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

She described a desperate situation with 50% of hotels closed or facing closure.

 

This figure seems off, of the three dozen hotels in my neighborhood only one is open?

 

Are they including "curtain" hotels?

 

 

Meanwhile large groups gather all over the country to apply for the Rao Chana government subsidy  at Krung Thai bank branches and nothing is done.

Double standards everywhere.

I am sure a hotel bar would be far better policed in terms of social distancing.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Mrs Nunbhakdi said this ban shouldn’t apply to those who simply want to dine at a hotel and enjoy a meal.

The government have no ability for lateral thinking... next time you know what to do at the ballot box.

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

next time you know what to do at the ballot box.

 

Elect Senators?

 

Probably not.

 

 

is alcohol so overpriced that it is needed for survival of a hotel ?  

23 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The government have no ability for lateral thinking... next time you know what to do at the ballot box.

They knew what to do last time, but we all know how that went.

13 minutes ago, Mike Rodik said:

is alcohol so overpriced that it is needed for survival of a hotel ?  

 

The point is that many people won't go if they can't enjoy their favourite tipple with their meal.

 

I used to go to various hotel restaurants around Sukhumvit quite often e.g. The Huntsman under The Landmark hotel. A decent Sunday roast for me and the girlfriend, maybe a dessert and a few pints or a couple of glasses of wine. Spend around 2500 Baht all in.

 

If I'm going to be told I can't have a draught beer or a glass of wine with my food I simply won't go. It's part of the experience. May as well cook at home and save the hassle of driving and parking if I'm going to be treated like a kid and told that Uncle says I must have soft drinks with my meal. Just the principle is enough to stop me going, let alone the fact the meal experience is enhanced with a couple of nice drinks.

 

So they don't lose the sale of the alcohol. They lose the whole lot. And for what? I am more likely to get Covid because I have a glass of wine instead of a Coke? It's ridiculous.

Can't see the point of bars closed hotels and restaurants can't serve alcohol in Bangkok when it is available in shops and else where

Plus people can travel to other provinces and drink there

Looking at the Chinese New Year last week not many people travelled to Pattaya spending their money  as the Government hoped for 

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

They knew what to do last time, but we all know how that went.

Maybe just maybe some hard lessons have been learnt, and this time around people will vote a bit more wisely as they can see it will affect their lives... unlike last time it was done without forethought.

41 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The government have no ability for lateral thinking... next time you know what to do at the ballot box.

 

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, listen to these selfish idiots and lift the ban in red zones, then why bother having a red zone at all? The next demands would then be to drop quarantine and completely reopen to foreign tourists, because some rich hoteliers aren't getting richer as quickly as they would like. These people only have one interest at heart - the health of their own bank accounts and wallets. The health of the Thai people is of no concern to them, so the CCSA should feel free to ignore their pathetic bleating.

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

This ban is so asinine and causing so many businesses in the capital to shut up shop, that is makes me wonder if CP and the Generals are planning a massive venture into the hospitality business, shortly before things miraculously open up again.

 

In the meantime, I like many others will simply leave the capital for the weekend to go somewhere where the ban is not in place (for the third weekend in a row). How that is supposed to help stop Covid I have no idea.

 

  

You shouldn't be going anywhere if you live in a red zone. Responsible person NOT. 

Enough is enough. Please, lift this silly ban already. The Thais are kicking back Leos in front of 7-11. They’re throwing parties in their condos. I see the chicks coming down all dressed up and tipsy, making beer runs for more. People are drinking and socializing anyway.

 

Meanwhile, look over in the recent teacher haircut child abuse news thread. The farangs are going stark raving mad being cooped up for so long. Keyboard warriors coming to blows. Let them have their pubs again.

19 minutes ago, Keesters said:

You shouldn't be going anywhere if you live in a red zone. Responsible person NOT. 

 

I'm simply following the government guidelines and supporting domestic tourism.

 

They are actively encouraging it with extra holidays etc. 

 

Who am I to question the government's policies? I suggest you follow them as strictly as I do if you're as responsible as me.????

I recently went to Hawaii.

They have a system that Thailand could learn from.

In my humble opinion, as long as you follow the rules, it's a Win-Win situation for both visitors and businesses.

You have to follow the directions to the T but it's not difficult.

Basically, you have to be tested only through the testing company listed the Hawaii Safe Travel Hawaii website and you must test within 72hr and of course, not be covid positive before entering. It was kind of a hassle to upload all the information onto my phone and do a zoom meeting but I'll take it over having to do a mandatory quarantine any day.

 

https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/getting-to-hawaii/

 

17 hours ago, internationalism said:

I have thought ban is still only in bangkok (and samut sakhon), the rest of red provinces, and everywhere else, were lifted at the end of january.

if drinks at hotels are allowed all the punters will move there.

and bars and restaurants will follow and also demand lifting ban.

the way for hotels is improving their service and lowering prices. Guests will stay longer, and come back.

I still pay at my favourite places same as before pandemic, but only because they are exceptional and reasonable priced

 

Yes, high risk, high control areas only...as it states in the report

It really doesn't make sense to allow restaurants to be open, but ban any

alcohol.  I've talked to a number of restaurant owners and they've all

said the same thing, it essentially reduces them to mostly takeaway orders. 

People by and large don't get wildly drunk in dining establishments of any kind,

hotels or individual restaurants.

2 hours ago, Mike Rodik said:

is alcohol so overpriced that it is needed for survival of a hotel ?  

I doubt it, likely the thousands of missing tourists is the main problem.

The alcohol ban will damage what limited trade remains though.

 

My local Bangkok restaurant/bar has been completely shut since mid January. I can only assume it makes more economic sense to close than be open without alcohol on offer. It’s not only loss of revenue on alcohol but likely also customer numbers dropping, as some wont go if no alcohol is available and others might be uneasy to socialise whilst we are still officially in code “red”.

Let's stop this nonsense please and allow hotels/bars/restaurants to serve alcohol. If you can buy alcohol at 7/11 come on. Use your heads.

Off topic troll posts removed.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

The point is that many people won't go if they can't enjoy their favourite tipple with their meal.

 

I used to go to various hotel restaurants around Sukhumvit quite often e.g. The Huntsman under The Landmark hotel. A decent Sunday roast for me and the girlfriend, maybe a dessert and a few pints or a couple of glasses of wine. Spend around 2500 Baht all in.

 

If I'm going to be told I can't have a draught beer or a glass of wine with my food I simply won't go. It's part of the experience. May as well cook at home and save the hassle of driving and parking if I'm going to be treated like a kid and told that Uncle says I must have soft drinks with my meal. Just the principle is enough to stop me going, let alone the fact the meal experience is enhanced with a couple of nice drinks.

 

So they don't lose the sale of the alcohol. They lose the whole lot. And for what? I am more likely to get Covid because I have a glass of wine instead of a Coke? It's ridiculous.

The logic of a bunch of tinpot soldiers in "government" playing at being politicians. 

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The government have no ability for lateral thinking... next time you know what to do at the ballot box.

The ballot box????????????????????????

Reminder that there is another booze ban a week on Friday (26th) for the 3-day ‘holiday’ weekend