Parks, malls and eateries gradually reopening on first day of eased restrictions

[snoop1130]

Lumpini Park

 

A semblance of normality has started to return in Bangkok’s two popular public parks, Lumpini and Rodfai (railway), in beauty salons and barber’s shops as well as eateries inside and outside malls, although the number of customers is still small.

 

At the Rodfai Park, several joggers showed up as early as 5am, despite overnight rain and morning mist, when the park’s gate opened.  Some joggers told Thai PBS that they are happy the park is open again, because it is more fun and relaxed to exercise in a spacious and green environment than at home.

 

Lumpini Park, which is a favorite location for many elderly Thais of Chinese descent to practice Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese form of exercise, chat and drink morning tea together, sprang to life this morning with regular joggers and exercise enthusiasts returning. The ban on social gatherings is, however, being strictly enforced, as is social distancing and mandatory wearing of face masks at all times in the park.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/parks-malls-and-eateries-gradually-reopening-on-first-day-of-eased-restrictions/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-09-01

 

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[webfact]

Hair cuts and dining in as Thai malls reopen after virus cases ease

 

A staff member prepares to open a restaurant on the first day of coronavirus restrictions lift on retail and dining in Bangkok and other high-risk areas to revive the economy, as the country battles its worst coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand allowed shopping malls in the capital Bangkok to reopen on Wednesday and restaurants to operate at half capacity, after nearly three months of tough restrictions aimed at containing the country's worst coronavirus outbreak.

 

The move comes after infections numbers started falling in the middle of last month and with the government under pressure to ease lockdown measures due to the impact on the economy.

 

"Thai citizens like me...will come back to normal life," said Wanvipa Luepromchian, who was getting her hair cut in a salon in the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok.

 

The government in July started imposing strict measures including closing malls and prohibiting restaurant dining as the number of new infections surged due to the Delta variant.

 

At its peak, authorities reported over 23,000 new cases in a single day in mid-August.

 

On Wednesday, the health ministry reported 14,802 new cases and 252 additional deaths. Thailand has overall reported 1.2 million cases and 11,841 fatalities.

 

"If you (the government) lockdown everything that's so dangerous for the economy in Thailand," Wanvipa said.

 

Last week, the government also allowed some domestic flights to resume.

 

Restaurants dining can also restart, but at half the capacity to allow for social distancing.

 

"Customers need to get temperatures checked before entering and keep social distancing with only two people on one table, but if they are family, they can be seated together," said restaurant manager Nichapha Jiwvaganont.

 

While a night time curfew remains in place in Bangkok, the partial reopening will be supportive for Thailand's struggling economy.

 

A joint business group on Wednesday raised its 2021 economic forecast from between a 0.5% contraction to 1% growth from a contraction of 1.5% to 0% growth as curbs were relaxed.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-09-02

 

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

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(Reporting by Jiraporn Kuhakan and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Ed Davies)

[SooKee]

And the obsession with the the 'demon' alcohol continues.  Time for a new dress code maybe.....

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, SooKee said:

And the obsession with the the 'demon' alcohol continues.  Time for a new dress code maybe.....

Alcohol is available... just where you can consume it is limited.... 

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Hair cuts ............ as Thai malls reopen

[SooKee]

39 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Alcohol is available... just where you can consume it is limited.... 

We all know it's available.  Shouldn't take a rocket scientist to work out the context in which the comment was made given the topic!  Then again, there's always one (or more!).  Some people just go out of their way to not get the point ????