Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook features writer Nattatiti K. took up the plight of bars and restaurants in Thailand fighting to stay afloat in the third and most devastating wave of the pandemic. 

 

Shen listed several in the Thong Lo and upper Sukhumvit areas of the Thai capital Bangkok that had shut down.

 

She said the Thai government had overlooked the owners and were providing no help unlike in many foreign countries. 

 

As a result of them and their staff being largely ignored and facing having to shut or not serve alcohol, a group of owners have got together to form a pressure group called "Fire and Ice".

 

It is headed by writer and initiator of the BK Bar Awards Chonthanatkan Thanathirut.

 

The group plan to press the Seritham political party in an effort to be heard on behalf of owners and staff who are suffering.

 

Chonthanatkan wants to see money, help with rents and loans made available. 

 

He also said that delivery should be allowed 24 hours and that alcohol should be able to be served both in restaurants and bars and via home delivery.

 

He is also calling for alcohol to be sold online to help people in the industry, their staff and local producers. 

 

Thailand has some of the strictest alcohol laws and the pandemic with its draconian rules has only heaped pressure on those who serve it and those who would like to consume it, notes Thaivisa. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-05-28

 

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

He also said that delivery should be allowed 24 hours and that alcohol should be able to be served both in restaurants and bars and via home delivery.

another genius 

 

great idea, pay a bar 130baht for a beer you can buy in a 7/11 for 40baht lol

Bar and pubs are simply the whipping boys on every occasion.  The powers that be give no real consideration as to individual circumstances, it's just a simple, 'shut them down'.  Many small bars and pubs could safely open and engage in the appropriate social distancing and follow the registration and hygiene rules.  No consideration is given to the owners or staff employed in them and it's totally ironic that massage parlours, open markets, shopping malls and shops etc. etc. are allowed to continue trading, regardless.  Why should the owners of small bars and pubs suffer for the rich owners and hi-so clients of enormous social venues who caused this third wave in the first place?

4 hours ago, smedly said:

another genius 

 

great idea, pay a bar 130baht for a beer you can buy in a 7/11 for 40baht lol

130 baht plus the delivery... nah.

my local mom & pop shop will do nicely.... it's looked after me for the last year while Covid hits the bars.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

130 baht plus the delivery... nah.

my local mom & pop shop will do nicely.... it's looked after me for the last year while Covid hits the bars.

I'd personally like the option as I get bored of the usual ones here. The local craft beer place in our area sells some decent beers by the bottle that are not too expensive (200B). 

2 hours ago, alien365 said:

I'd personally like the option as I get bored of the usual ones here. The local craft beer place in our area sells some decent beers by the bottle that are not too expensive (200B). 

In my country of birth that would make it 5 quid a bottle... and you say not expensive?

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

In my country of birth that would make it 5 quid a bottle... and you say not expensive?

After living in London for several years I got used to those prices when out. That's where the London weighting allowance from my salary went! I've always been a support local kind of guy so I don't mind spending a bit more to help the little guys. That's why I'd be ok getting the beer delivered in the case of the OP. 

But, but, but we're told that the on-line sales of alcohol is against the law(s).

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/online-alcohol-sales-banned-from-today#:~:text=That ban on sales of,digital and social media channels.

 

 

The temperance league leader Czar says no.

Buying beer from your local ma and pa shop is fine but from time to time it is nice to wander down to your local and have a yarn with some of your mates over a cold beer. Personally I like to go to my local once a week to speak english to friends, it helps me to keep my sanity.

The Old English Pub just posted on Facebook 2 hours ago, "Come join us, we're open" with a pic of customers sitting at a table with some alcoholic drinks.

 

Can it be true?