Beach “closures” in Pattaya, park closures in Bangkok, spark confusion and anger from local residents

[webfact]

 

By Adam Judd

 

Thailand - Recent closures of outside “attractions” like beaches in Pattaya and parks in Bangkok have driven widespread anger and even confusion on English and Thai language social media over the past several days.

 

This follows the announcements from both Bangkok and Chonburi that they will comply with CCSA guidelines to allow dine-in at local restaurants, with rules, but both areas opted to continue all other provincial restrictions, like the closure of gyms, tattoo shops, cinemas, etc.

 

Most notably, Chonburi kept their restriction of beaches open for “exercise only” while Bangkok kept an overall closure of public parks. Bangkok’s restrictions run until at least the end of the month while Chonburi’s rules are until further notice.

 

The Chonburi beach restriction, which is ordered as “open for exercise only” varies greatly depending on the beach. Some beaches allow people to walk on the sand or swim, and some, like Pattaya Beach, are closed entirely to people who wish to walk by the water with officials spending entire days chasing people off the beach.

 

On Jomtien Beach, trucks can be seen going by often with loudspeakers, asking people to stop sitting, keep moving, and get off the sand. Meanwhile, Bang Saray has taken a softer approach, allowing people in and around the beach area and water but not to eat, gather, or drink alcohol. These variances in rules and definitions of “exercise” have driven many comments and anger to The Pattaya News and on social media.

 

As for Bangkok, the ongoing ban on public parks in an area with little green space has driven particular anger from residents now forced to jog, walk, and run on city streets. 

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/05/17/beach-closures-in-pattaya-park-closures-in-bangkok-spark-confusion-and-anger-from-local-residents/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-05-18

 

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[Destiny1990]

What is the jail sentence for walking on a beach instead of the pavement right besides it?

[ezzra]

Signs of things to come and much, much worse,this country isn't going anywhere with this covid business UNTIL everyone will be vaccinated and that will takes years...

[Rampant Rabbit]

21 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

What is the jail sentence for walking on a beach instead of the pavement right besides it?

20 years to  life, although currently the life sentence may be curtailed by the prison outbreak.

[smedly]

I can imagine the blank face and empty expression if someone asked them to explain "why"  - that comical look and head scratching of utter confusion

 

[Pattaya Spotter]

These rules are unfortunate as all the pandemic science has shown that outside is the safest place to be...if done responsibly, I.e., individuals or small groups observing sensible physical distancing. There has been little to no documented cases of virus spread from being outside. It's really shameful policymakers around the world can't seem to grasp this fact.

Edited May 17, 2021 by Pattaya Spotter

[baansgr]

For anyone in doubt why beaches are closed...As soon as bar closures happen, groups of every nationality start partying on the beach....with acohol banned in restos beaches became like rave parties...even now, walking at 6am in Jomtien, groups of people with their Chang beers and Thai whiskey..what's hard to understand

[wadman]

5 minutes ago, baansgr said:

For anyone in doubt why beaches are closed...As soon as bar closures happen, groups of every nationality start partying on the beach....with acohol banned in restos beaches became like rave parties...even now, walking at 6am in Jomtien, groups of people with their Chang beers and Thai whiskey..what's hard to understand

 

Well said.  Contrary to popular believe of some people, the people in charge are not quite that stupid that they think that walking on a beach alone will cause infection.  It's all the liberties taken to socialize, drink and party that does.  It is much more difficult to closely monitor everyone to ensure no socializing, so the solution is to enforce a wider ban.  Call it collateral damage.

[Wuvu2]

I attend a support group of people diagnosed with both Alcoholism and Autophobia (Fear of being alone). Shouldn't we be granted a medical exception to the Covid laws?

[inThailand]

Do as they say, no exercising outside and start running and exercising in the Covid petri dish malls? 

[tonray]

55 minutes ago, baansgr said:

For anyone in doubt why beaches are closed...As soon as bar closures happen, groups of every nationality start partying on the beach....with acohol banned in restos beaches became like rave parties...even now, walking at 6am in Jomtien, groups of people with their Chang beers and Thai whiskey..what's hard to understand

Agree...but I've never seen anyone drink in the parks in Bangkok/Nonthaburi...especially in hot season. Pretty much the only people there would be exercisers and nature lovers such as myself. On a bright note...I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to eat a nice lunch at the Ikea restaurant yesterday afternoon....makes a world of difference instead of just going to the supermarket and right back home.

[inThailand]

1 minute ago, tonray said:

Agree...but I've never seen anyone drink in the parks in Bangkok/Nonthaburi...especially in hot season. Pretty much the only people there would be exercisers and nature lovers such as myself. On a bright note...I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to eat a nice lunch at the Ikea restaurant yesterday afternoon....makes a world of difference instead of just going to the supermarket and right back home.

The Swedish meatball dinner? 

[herfiehandbag]

58 minutes ago, baansgr said:

For anyone in doubt why beaches are closed...As soon as bar closures happen, groups of every nationality start partying on the beach....with acohol banned in restos beaches became like rave parties...even now, walking at 6am in Jomtien, groups of people with their Chang beers and Thai whiskey..what's hard to understand

Those practices can be prevented.

 

Beach and park closures  on the scale described are simply examples of small minded people in uniforms exercising power - because they have been given the opportunity to do so.

[Destiny1990]

1 hour ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

20 years to  life, although currently the life sentence may be curtailed by the prison outbreak.

 Could be a death sentence...????

[piewarmer]

Closing the beaches and parks is pointless. the latest W.H.O. statements walked this back weeks ago.. 

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, wadman said:

 

Well said.  Contrary to popular believe of some people, the people in charge are not quite that stupid that they think that walking on a beach alone will cause infection.  It's all the liberties taken to socialize, drink and party that does.  It is much more difficult to closely monitor everyone to ensure no socializing, so the solution is to enforce a wider ban.  Call it collateral damage.

If they are so afraid that people gather somewhere, somehow to eat drink or socialize than please close everything and let people stay home behind closed gates an d only 1 allowed to go to the market or shop to buy things to cook. That will solve all the problems.

[A Los for words]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

I attend a support group of people diagnosed with both Alcoholism and Autophobia (Fear of being alone). Shouldn't we be granted a medical exception to the Covid laws?

No, because you also have agoraphobia.

[Rampant Rabbit]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

I can imagine the blank face and empty expression if someone asked them to explain "why"  - that comical look and head scratching of utter confusion

 

 

"is  the rule" general response when pushed.

[malibukid]

Thailand needs to step up it vaccination program in conjunction with closing public places.  these two approaches together are the only way to resolve the pandemic here.  you can not do one without the other and succeed.  being Thailand they are doing what is cheapest and less labor intensive by just shutting down restaurants and public places and not instituting a vaccination program concurrently. 

[10baht]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

I attend a support group of people diagnosed with both Alcoholism and Autophobia (Fear of being alone). Shouldn't we be granted a medical exception to the Covid laws?

What about sexaholics? Exception, too?

[RobMuir]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

3 hours ago, webfact said:

have driven widespread anger and even confusion on English and Thai language social media over the past several days

 

 

Really? Any links to this widespread anger and even confusion on Thai social media about them closing Pattaya Beach?

 

What I am reading on social media is more concern and panic about 10,000 cases yesterday from the UK variant and anger at the government for the lack of vaccines and various other issues.

 

I am sceptical about the accuracy of this news from Adam Judd. 

 

 

[Locked in Oz]

Good idea close the beaches and open all the restaurants that will work every time.  Duh.

[SheungWan]

Its like listening to a bunch of sniveling kids: "Why can't I?"........

[chrissables]

4 hours ago, baansgr said:

For anyone in doubt why beaches are closed...As soon as bar closures happen, groups of every nationality start partying on the beach....with acohol banned in restos beaches became like rave parties...even now, walking at 6am in Jomtien, groups of people with their Chang beers and Thai whiskey..what's hard to understand

So its groups of people they want banned. Nothing to do with location. Strange as being outside hardly anyone catches covid, 

It's about control and governments around the world showing they actually have not got a clue what to do. Especially after agreeing to the WHO method of no lockdowns, then ignoring it.
But is it ok for a family to sit together and share a plate of somtam? They will never stop that.

What about groups of politicians with their Johnnie Walker Blue, is that ok?

 

Edited May 18, 2021 by onthedarkside
misinformation comment removed

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Signs of things to come and much, much worse,this country isn't going anywhere with this covid business UNTIL everyone will be vaccinated and that will takes years...

Absolutely correct, Mr Prayut has sold the country short in his inability to get the vaccination programme going.

He we are in the 3rd wave... YES THE THIRD WAVE Mr Prayut and to-date you've vaccinated about 3% of the population.

Dereliction of duty.

You call yourself the prime minister... the other day you toured around a facility like the messiah coming down the mountain to heel the sick, with your disciples following like sheep, ... lucky you didn't live in those times you might have been stoned in the street.

[Damrongsak]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

I attend a support group of people diagnosed with both Alcoholism and Autophobia (Fear of being alone). Shouldn't we be granted a medical exception to the Covid laws?

Can I hug you and lick your face? 

[dlclark97]

I recently visited a beach west of Ban Chang (just a drive by sightseeing).  At the road providing access to the beach areas I was temperature tested at the blocked off entrance and asked to show that I had a mask available.  All along the drive large groups of people were sitting together eating and drinking.  Without singling out a specific group I will just say there were several nationalities participating. 

[pagallim]

2 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

I attend a support group of people diagnosed with both Alcoholism and Autophobia (Fear of being alone). Shouldn't we be granted a medical exception to the Covid laws?

 

A former wife told me I was an alcoholic.   I told her no, alcoholics go to meetings, I go to parties.

[alant]

Pretty much the same in Chiang Mai, Local rules exclude places like the Gym. National parks and popular walking areas closed.

[Dukeleto]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

Signs of things to come and much, much worse,this country isn't going anywhere with this covid business UNTIL everyone will be vaccinated and that will takes years...

 

I think not, their economy and social structure will break long before that if the vaccine roll out is not spread up considerably.  The world will not remain in this state for years regardless of this virus. If however it mutates into something with a 30% or higher death toll then your scenario will probably play out. People are already fed up and Thailand hasn’t really experienced any major restrictions compared with the rest of the world.

Edited May 18, 2021 by onthedarkside
inflammatory comment removed