Coronavirus pandemic in Thailand leaves Bangkok restaurants in turmoil

[webfact]

A food court in Bangkok, Thailand, operating at 25 per cent capacity. Photo: EPA

 

● Amid a third wave of infections, eateries have been forced to close, suspend or limit operations, while those that hobble on are banned from selling alcohol, which usually accounts for up to 55 per cent of takings

 

● With 50,000 restaurants thought to have closed and the same again on the brink, owners say the high-end Michelin-starred venues may be fine, but a famously eclectic scene risks becoming a little less eclectic

 

Vijitra Duangdee

 

Bangkok’s celebrated food scene is in turmoil as the kingdom struggles to control the coronavirus pandemic, leaving restaurateurs wheezing under the weight of overheads without customers and raging at a government that has imposed an alcohol ban but failed to support staff wages. 

 

In a city where a tangy, spicy bite is never more than a few metres away - from some of the world’s best street 

food to Michelin-starred restaurants - eateries have been forced to close, suspend or limit operations since a third wave of infections began in April.

 

Other businesses have hobbled on without alcohol sales - responsible for 35 to 55 per cent of takings - or resorted to selling booze illegally to entice customers to their tables, despite the risk of hefty fines by a government contending with the most severe outbreak of the virus yet. 

 

Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3137913/coronavirus-leaves-bangkoks-restaurants-need-stiff

 

-- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2021-06-21

 

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[eeworldwide]

“Bangkok will bounce back for sure,” said Naphalai Areesorn, former editor-in-chief of society magazine Thai Tatler.

“Everything will go back to what it was, because of the reputation of Bangkok, the attitude and mentality. Thais are very sociable people. We’re dying to get back out there."

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

With 50,000 restaurants thought to have closed and the same again on the brink, owners say the high-end Michelin-starred venues may be fine, but a famously eclectic scene risks becoming a little less eclectic

Don't expect the 120 day re-opening plan to change things either.

[Caldera]

It's saddening, hopefully they'll bounce back without too many permanent closures - variety is the spice of life after all!