PM happy with Thai reopening numbers - entertainment industry begs again after 100 billion baht hit

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday expressed satisfaction with the number of foreign tourists entering Thailand since the ending of Test and Go. 

 

Siam Rath said the number since May 1st was "more than 300,000", double what other outlets are reporting.

 

This came as the Covid numbers continued to show downward trends. 

 

Government House spokesman Thanakorn Wongbunkhongchana indicated it was now far easier for foreigners to visit Thailand. 

 

But the pressure is mounting on the PM to open Thailand's hospitality, restaurant and nightlife industry fully.

 

December 2021 was mooted, January 2022 was promised, now the latest dangling of the carrot is mid-year.

 

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A letter was delivered to the PM from a representative in the form of Sanga Reuangwattanakul, the business leader from the Khao San Road area. 

 

Ministerial aide Dr Mongkholchai Som-Udon received the letter on behalf of the PM.

 

As Thailand moves to declare Covid-19 endemic from July 1st the entertainment industry are pressing for a final pilot reopening in 28 provinces from June 1st.

 

16 provinces' tourist areas should be opened fully with 12 partially opened, is the proposal.

 

Sanga said industry wide that they had taken a 100 billion baht hit throughout the pandemic. 

 

Now that Test and Go has gone and Thailand Pass is the next onerous scheme to face the chop Sanga wants to see the country's entertainment scene get back to its vibrant best. 

 

 

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[RandiRona]

"PM happy with Thai reopening numbers"

 

Why this country need to depend on happiness of its premier?? Isnt it suppose to be what makes people happy?? 

Ohh I forgot...people here only serve the premier!

Long live the premier!!! 

[law ling]

It's no skin off the PM's nose to keep businesses closed (or restricted) - as here they don't pay compensation to the affected businesses or to their (now unemployed) staff.

[RafPinto]

At least, he has a "happy ending".

[mikebell]

Happiness to the people, ME FIRST.

[Thailand]

And he chooses to accept the highest estimate of entries, double that of most of the others, no surprise there.

 

Want real tourists to come back? Open up fully and no restrictions,

Bit of a no brainer, and plenty of that in government.

[4MyEgo]

Is he really that scared to open these venues, is he so concerned that they will spread Omicron, I think not, there is another hidden agenda, that's always been there, but he and his cronies have failed, can't they see that when one venue closes, another opens, why, because that is what people want.

 

Trying to clean up Thailand's image will only deter those that want to come here for those venues, naturally there is nothing wrong with them, lots of people have to eat, right, that and support their families, after all the government has failed miserably supporting it's own, because it's all for themselves IMO. 

[FinChin67]

Hospitality industry should just pay 5% "fee"  (or 10%) from income to these crooks and get the borders opened. That's the easiest way in this country.

[mommysboy]

Nightlife flattened.

 

Bars and parlors closed.

 

Small traders driven out of business.

 

From one peculiar person's point of view: it's a gift that keeps on giving!!

[Andycoops]

With the announcement of the 2 new variants that current vaccines have no effect against, his satisfaction might be short lived.

I fear more doom from the Too, no entertainment venues allowed to open, extension of the emergency decree etc.

[mommysboy]

13 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

With the announcement of the 2 new variants that current vaccines have no effect against, his satisfaction might be short lived.

I fear more doom from the Too, no entertainment venues allowed to open, extension of the emergency decree etc.

2 new variants? Care to share links!

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

But the pressure is mounting on the PM to open Thailand's hospitality, restaurant and nightlife industry fully.

Thailands ever popular hospitality industry has always been "open" for business, just not in the high street.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, RafPinto said:

At least, he has a "happy ending".

Please be careful what you post...

somethings you can't un-see.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Trying to clean up Thailand's image will only deter those that want to come here for those venues, naturally there is nothing wrong with them, lots of people have to eat, right, that and support their families, after all the government has failed miserably supporting it's own, because it's all for themselves IMO.

The biggest flaw in his plan was that to keep the "sex industry closed" he had to provide alternative employment to the workers.

There wasn't 2 million jobs going spare so it was doomed to failure.

The service providers have gone digital and may or may not return to go-go bars, to parade in front of customers to get the rent for the night.

Many establishments I think will go bankrupt as the girls have moved-on.

Instead of parading around a bar at night and sleeping on the beach all day they are now self employed and have found another lifestyle, with enough money to fund it.

The sex industry remains but the cat houses may be dying.

 

[sambum]

6 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Is he really that scared to open these venues, is he so concerned that they will spread Omicron, I think not, there is another hidden agenda, that's always been there, but he and his cronies have failed, can't they see that when one venue closes, another opens, why, because that is what people want.

 

Trying to clean up Thailand's image will only deter those that want to come here for those venues, naturally there is nothing wrong with them, lots of people have to eat, right, that and support their families, after all the government has failed miserably supporting it's own, because it's all for themselves IMO. 

"I think not, there is another hidden agenda, that's always been there,"

 

Correct, and the "(not too well) hidden agenda" could be that he does not want any street demonstrations against him or his Government - hence the ever continuing extensions to the "State of Emergency"!:-     "The 17th extension of the emergency declaration following the Covid-19 outbreak ..."

(Currently extended until 31st May)

Edited May 10, 2022 by sambum

[swm59nj]

From all the ongoing concerns about the “ hospitality “  industry not opening officially.  One would get the impression there really much isn’t else to do.  

[jimn]

Do you really believe the nightlife is closed. Here in Pattaya its in full swing. Gogo's are operating near normal as are the bars. Granted closing time is supposed to be midnight but even now this is being pushed back later. Even topless dancing is back.

 

Not bad for a bunch of restaurants is it.

[spidermike007]

Please, please. Can the leadership behave like adults, just this one time? Let us reopen. Since you are offering us nothing in the way of assistance, allow us to make a living. Booze does not cause Covid. Stupidity and highly selective lockdowns do cause the spread. Man up Prayuth. 

Edited May 10, 2022 by spidermike007

[Jiggo]

8 hours ago, law ling said:

It's no skin off the PM's nose to keep businesses closed (or restricted) - as here they don't pay compensation to the affected businesses or to their (now unemployed) staff.

Plenty of jobs for staff, restaurant's and bars in Pattaya and Jomtien are having a big problem to fill vacancies . 

[Ty Hareways]

Whilst i can't confirm this being as i'm not there myself, i hear Pattaya's nightlife (incl go-go bars) is thriving again.

Anybody know if this is correct?

[ThePugAndMe]

The Thai entertainment industry and the Thai people deserve what they're getting...

 

The minute Songkran passed without any noticeable rise in deaths, it should have been the time to tell Prayut to open the country or step down. The government is brute force keeping your job shut for no reason and you're not banging on the <deleted>'s house demanding he steps down? <deleted> is this nonsense. Nobody can prevent the power of the people except the ineptitude and laziness of the people.

 

 

[zzaa09]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailands ever popular hospitality industry has always been "open" for business, just not in the high street.

The current surface numbers are just an indication that the usual circles have more hands in the ill gotten pie. 

Same as it ever was - regardless of the pursuit or nefarious activities. 

 

Quite astounding as to the overwhelming and made up consciousness that still exist, from all sectors, by way of tourism and all that's associated.

[Thailand]

1 hour ago, Ty Hareways said:

Whilst i can't confirm this being as i'm not there myself, i hear Pattaya's nightlife (incl go-go bars) is thriving again.

Anybody know if this is correct?

You could refer to the post just three back from yours perhaps?

[NoshowJones]

10 hours ago, RafPinto said:

At least, he has a "happy ending".

I don't care whether his ending is happy or not, just as long as he has an ending, and the sooner the better.

[nexus99]

This would be great. I arrive for vacation June 14!

[jimn]

17 hours ago, jimn said:

Do you really believe the nightlife is closed. Here in Pattaya its in full swing. Gogo's are operating near normal as are the bars. Granted closing time is supposed to be midnight but even now this is being pushed back later. Even topless dancing is back.

 

Not bad for a bunch of restaurants is it

 

16 hours ago, Ty Hareways said:

Whilst i can't confirm this being as i'm not there myself, i hear Pattaya's nightlife (incl go-go bars) is thriving again.

Anybody know if this is correct?

You obviously missed my post, check it out @Ty Hareways

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by jimn

[hashmodha]

21 hours ago, mommysboy said:

2 new variants? Care to share links!

Look what I shared: TIME Health @MIUI| https://view.newsletters.time.com/?qs=c8b339c243a3e9a2dd8de51194f7f5470f6a4dbb7d42f90219c76a8a2878cbe6732c97c1c13560c31da366636d9bb4a3ec74669349658b485ad13f3aca5e1fa41b569bd48ce1fbbca0852e89639b2b07

[Heng]

23 hours ago, hotchilli said:

 

Many establishments I think will go bankrupt as the girls have moved-on.

Instead of parading around a bar at night and sleeping on the beach all day they are now self employed and have found another lifestyle, with enough money to fund it.

The sex industry remains but the cat houses may be dying.

 

Not quite.   The ONE major Bangkok establishment that has gone out of business (with the sale of property and land near Central Pinklao) was more of a retirement.  

 

Any of those with even minor connections are being run out of hotels and apartment blocks now.   The fishbowl is now simply digital.    

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Heng said:

Any of those with even minor connections are being run out of hotels and apartment blocks now.   The fishbowl is now simply digital.

As I said.

[zzaa09]

On 5/10/2022 at 2:09 AM, spidermike007 said:

Please, please. Can the leadership behave like adults, just this one time? Let us reopen. Since you are offering us nothing in the way of assistance, allow us to make a living. Booze does not cause Covid. Stupidity and highly selective lockdowns do cause the spread. Man up Prayuth. 

Shouldn't expect the reasoned learning curve to adjust accordingly.