When is a curfew not a curfew? Business chief slams latest COVID-19 measures

[webfact]

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's government has been blustering for days that they will not announce a nationwide lockdown and curfew.

 

But Daily News reported that it's immaterial. The people are in lockdown and there is nothing for them to do at night anyway.

 

They based their assessment - patently obvious to anyone who lives in Thailand - on comments from the chief of the Federation of Thai Industries, Suphan Mongkhonsuthee.

 

He said yesterday that the government don't need to issue a lockdown or curfew order. The people are locked down and under curfew already.

 

People are scared to go out far more than in other waves of the virus and with bars shut, and malls and restaurants closing early there is nothing for them to do at night anyway.

 

He urged the government to reassess the situation every 3 days and not wait the standard 14 before coming up with something new. 

 

And he reiterated what countless others are saying - the only way out of the mess is to ensure that 70% of the Thai population are vaccinated by the end of the third quarter - the end of September. 

 

People have already been advised to delay returning from Songkran trips and work from home. 

 

Meanwhile the vaccine rollout has been criticized as very slow - less than 1% of the population so far - with repeated announcements that it will only get going at pace in June. 

 

Whatever the government says it is hard to get away from one inescapable conclusion, notes Thaivisa:

 

Thailand is in a state of lockdown and under curfew at night in all but name. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-17

 

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[DaLa]

Since the situation with Covid -19 started 15 months ago I have noticed globally that the definitions of certain English words have changed markedly from what I believe the meaning to be.  Now I'm not in lockdown I will use some of my spare time to consult my trusty Oxford English Dictionary. 

[smedly]

exactly what I posted yesterday and got slated for it

 

 

this is a lockdown - go out after 9pm for what- everything is shutdown

 

shutdown = lockdown 

 

and I guarantee if you are out after 9pm the police will stop you and want to know why

[robblok]

4 minutes ago, smedly said:

exactly what I posted yesterday and got slated for it

 

 

this is a lockdown - go out after 9pm for what- everything is shutdown

 

shutdown = lockdown 

 

and I guarantee if you are out after 9pm the police will stop you and want to know why

Ok lets try that ill go out tonight after 9 and if i don't get stopped i will come for your guarantee.

 

Basically its an lockdown but your allowed to be out and the police cant fine you for it that is the difference.

[canopus1969]

15 minutes ago, robblok said:

 

 

Basically its an lockdown but your allowed to be out and the police cant fine you for it that is the difference.

Errr therefore it is not a lockdown

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Errr therefore it is not a lockdown

No not a real one but as close to one as you can get without calling it a lockdown. 

[smedly]

37 minutes ago, robblok said:

Basically its an lockdown but your allowed to be out and the police cant fine you for it that is the difference.

up to you - enjoy

[robblok]

Just now, smedly said:

up to you - enjoy

No just testing if your information aboutt he police is false or not. I guess its false but want to confirm and report back on your (possible) misinformation. I think your a bit too paranoid.

[internationalism]

bars, restaurants and malls are a very small part of life. In fact I never visit them.

 

Businesses, factories, offices can run 24h, with 3 shifts and workers are not restricted from travelling.

Supply chains can process orders overnight.

7/11, familymarts etc, petrol stations are constantly opened. As well as mom&pop shops on small sois and alleys.

People can visit families, socialise at homes, even drink in public places (on the beaches, squares or even at parkings outside 7/11 all throughout night).

You can walk, exercise, do sports (including group sports), swim in the sea and open waters. That if it was not enough daytime, as all sport clubs are opened.  

 

the 3rd wave is well underway, nothing can stop it - shortening by 1h malls, by several h restaurants, barring alcohol sale won't do much.

Those measures in the 1st wave were excessive, those in the 3rd wave came too late and not strong enough, as this time is much more serious.

 

Hence I do suspect harsh restrictions will be coming shortly after holiday season end, when ravellers come back home around Monday

 

[Salerno]

4 minutes ago, internationalism said:

bars, restaurants and malls are a very small part of life.

 

Your life, not "life" in general.

[smedly]

36 minutes ago, robblok said:

No just testing if your information aboutt he police is false or not. I guess its false but want to confirm and report back on your (possible) misinformation. I think your a bit too paranoid.

like I said

[canopus1969]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

No not a real one but as close to one as you can get without calling it a lockdown. 

If it is 'not a real one' then it is not a lockdown - period

[Senechal]

The only real question is whether they extend the bar shutdown past the initial 14-days.

 

Place your bets.

 

 

[KannikaP]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

People have already been advised to delay returning from Songkran trips and work from home.

Try tending you rice field and buffalo in Issan from where you are in Chumporn!

[2 is 1]

Lockdown or not everything is lock after 9 pm. Yes you can go running middle of night if you like but cant buy coffee or get gas!

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

7/11, familymarts etc, petrol stations are constantly opened. As well as mom&pop shops on small sois and alleys.

 

I think you're going to be in for a bit of a shock come 11pm Sunday night when everything closes, including the 7/11, family marts, etc.

 

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, 2 is 1 said:

Lockdown or not everything is lock after 9 pm. Yes you can go running middle of night if you like but cant buy coffee or get gas!

Here in Pattaya, 7s are closing at 11 or 12, but up til then their coffee is definitely well drinkable. Large capu for 45 THB! Can drive around town, hardly any traffic. The odd joint here and there is still open. Massage still available after 12pm. Small groups of Thais on the beach, Thai style. Life goes on!

[natway09]

This man is obviously way out of the loop, making tongue in cheek comments or is

just not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

If the malls stay open it will not be because of his influence

[8OA8]

4 hours ago, robblok said:

No just testing if your information aboutt he police is false or not. I guess its false but want to confirm and report back on your (possible) misinformation. I think your a bit too paranoid.

As it just so happens, last night about 11.30pm I went out for a walk, I walked all over the place. 20 kilometres in total, I passed many police vehicles sitting or moving slowly with their flashing lights on, or they passed me. Amongst those vehicles was their Smart car the BMW, actually I see it almost every time I'm out walking late at night, neither that police vehicle or any other vehicle stopped me. I think the last one I passed was just after 2.30am, for clarification yes I'm in Bangkok

Maybe next time, but certainly not been stopped up until today.

[cocoonclub]

Ridiculous. Closing 1 hour earlier constitutes a lackdown? 
 

These new measures are so light touch they will do nothing to curb the spread of the virus. It’ll now be up to the people to practice self-discipline by working from home and staying at home as much as they can and practice social distancing and wearing masks when they have to leave their homes. At least in this regard I hope the guy is right when he says that Thai people will stay at home. It’s nice to see that we don’t have all those Covidiots here that our western nations must endure. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile the vaccine rollout has been criticized as very slow - less than 1% of the population so far - with repeated announcements that it will only get going at pace in June. 

Woefully slow.