Thailand tourism situation

[PeteC]

I'm starting to regret that I asked the question. Let's just move on and forget it as the thread is getting clogged.

[lindosfan1]

I'm starting to regret that I asked the question. Let's just move on and forget it as the thread is getting clogged.

[HHTel]

Well done Pete. I'm regretting ever answering the question but more annoyed with myself for getting drawn into a stupid 'to and fro'. You'll hear no more from me!

[buksida]

Good call Pete, who gives a feck if Wales banned it for a month or so, the majority of countries haven't. Meanwhile back in lalaland ...

'Covid will determine' booze time
The 17 provinces taking part in the government's tourism reopening programme are expected to be the first to reopen pubs and bars, with licensing hours extended beyond 9pm if the Covid-19 situation doesn't worsen, National Security Council (NSC) chief Supoj Malaniyom said on Tuesday.

"At the moment, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will stick to the 9pm deadline for serving and selling alcohol while an evaluation of the compliance rate and the Covid-19 situation is carried out over the initial 15 days," said Gen Supoj.

He was speaking in his capacity as the chief of the CCSA's operation centre and after a meeting at Government House on Tuesday with a group of tourism and hospitality business operators who were lobbying for closing time to be pushing back to 11pm.

"The centre is closely monitoring the outcome of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions on alcohol selling and there are discussions on these findings every two days which are then summarised into a full CCSA report every 15 days."

There will be random inspections of venues to ensure compliance with alcohol sales restrictions, he said.

"Any businesses caught breaking the rules will first be warned and legal action will later follow against those which repeat the misconduct," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... booze-time

So ... a bunch of migrant workers or prisoners catch it and push numbers up ... and everything stays shut.

[Big Boy]

At the moment, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will stick to the 9pm deadline for serving and selling alcohol

It doesn't bother me either way, as I can't drink alcohol at the moment, but am I taking that 'selling alcohol' out of context? My son often nips down to 7-11 after work to pick up a couple of beers (finishes work at 9pm, 5 days each week). He hasn't had a problem yet, but is this saying he should have? Do we need to get his fix a bit earlier in the day?

[buksida]

I think that only refers to restaurants selling it. In other words, tourists wanting a glass of vino with their meal have to pile in early and watch the clock.

[Big Boy]

Yeah, both scenarios are harmless. It beggars belief.

I remember being very put out when one holiday here was going to encounter 2 dry days (back when my drinking would have been a big asset to Thailand's economy ). The current situation would have most definitely have sent me looking elsewhere.

[Stargeezer]

Maybe by December and the hoards of tourists are pouring into Thailand like rain drops
the Thai government in their wisdom will finally relax some rules. I have fond memories of having
a few drinks quite often at the place in soi 99. and a few places in Binta baht and
the other bar street. I hope that by the time I show up for my next vacation, a lot of
the places will be doing good business again. Good luck for the Christmas festivities.
Geezer

[Stargeezer]

Correction of my last message, I meant the bars on Soi 88, near the tracks.
I still enjoy soi 88 with its bars and pool tables, lost many a game there.
Since I usually stay along soi 94, I guess I will not have to go far to get to
the new bar area, I just hope it is not too noisy, but the place I stay is about 1 km
away, so here is hoping. 555.
Geezer

[buksida]

Just had 10 days on the road spanning 3 different provinces (Prachuap, Petchaburi, Kanchanaburi), some observations:

Nowhere was I asked or checked for covid vaccination status, I didn't take my passport either.
Was not asked whether I lived here or was on holiday at hotels either, but used ID to check in which is a giveaway.
There were zero tourists about in the places I visited, the only smattering of farangs are expats (its quite easy to tell the difference).
No bars were open anywhere, but you could drink behind a shutter in the dark if you knew the owner.
There was no music or entertainment and it was all very subdued.
About 20-40% of the restaurants were open and operating (depending on location), the rest shuttered.
Service has improved in the places that were open, they appreciate the farang dollar more now.
No problem getting a beer in a mug at any of them.
Pretty much everything had closed down by 10.30 pm and it had a curfew feel after that.
Mask wearing pretty much consistent everywhere.
Did not see or encounter police anywhere aside from Hua Hin.
Some areas were completely decimated, large restaurants were being taken over by the jungle, 90% of shops shuttered.
Only Bangkokians and their foo-foo dogs made up the visitors at the weekends.
There were more beggars and homeless people than before.
I was the only person staying in one hotel, there is plenty of choice and hospitality seems to have improved.


In short, not really a welcoming environment for tourists, but living here its not so bad.

restaurant.jpg (203.13 KiB) Viewed 599 times

Large seafood restaurant now consumed by nature.

chaam.jpg (147.25 KiB) Viewed 599 times

Cha-am nightlife, 10pm, Friday night.

[berlinmichael]

I'm thinking of driving down to Phuket for a break and to take advantage of the attractive hotel rates. I've had my jabs and got my certificate (courtesy of BCCT). Does anyone know if there is any other requirement for driving onto the island eg testing or similar?

[Ratsima]

I'm thinking of driving down to Phuket for a break and to take advantage of the attractive hotel rates. I've had my jabs and got my certificate (courtesy of BCCT). Does anyone know if there is any other requirement for driving onto the island eg testing or similar?

My wife has work on Phuket next week. We are flying down on Sunday. According to the Nok Air website, you need to register to travel to Phuket on this website: Go Phuget (yes, that's how they spell it). But if you go to that page you will see pretty much nothing but Thai. You can select another language, but you would only know that if you can read a bit of Thai: เลือกภาษา -> choose language. But, if you manage to find that, you will be presented with a list of languages, all written in Thai. If you manage to find English (อังกฤษ) you will then get a page that is mostly in English. The registration page asks for lots of information, including the address of your hotel and the address you're coming from as well as whether or not you've had a Yellow Fever vaccination. The address fields are drop-down, but most of the names are in Thai. In addition, you need to upload a passport-type photo, your Covid 19 vaccination certificate and a recent antigen test result.

I'm not convinced that all of this is really necessary. The page dates from 2020.

Does anyone know with any certainty that registering via this website is really a current requirement?

[Ratsima]

Large seafood restaurant now consumed by nature.

That Sakthong Restaurant used to be one of our favorites. Good food and good service. It shut down five or six years ago and has been steadily deteriorating ever since. The interior was quite stunning at one time. Since the pandemic, that street has suffered mightily. As you note, at least half the shops shuttered and almost no tourists to be seen.

Cha-am nightlife, 10pm, Friday night.

Did Cha Am every have much of a nightlife? Aside from Soi Bus Stop and The Chicken Coop, the place has been pretty quiet after dark as long as I've been going there.

We have a condo just south of the main Cha Am beach which we visit for five or six days every month. In normal times it's a ghost town, except for long weekends and holidays. During the week we are often the only ones around. However, in the last few months the place has been much busier with lots of people in permanent residence who seem to be Bangkok refugees. (Escaping Covid, or what?) The associated hotel (BaBa Beach Club) has also been busier than normal, mainly with drivers of vehicles that probably cost more than all the cars I've ever owned put together.

We're headed back at the end of this month. I'm anxious to see how things have shaken down.

[huahin4ever]

I guess covid has closed down one of Bangkok's main attraction, The Sky Bar at Lebua (the bar from the movie Hangover 2). I'm currently doing 7 day Sandbox quarantine here and was thinking what a great time to visit this bar. Not too many people, not much waiting in line etc. but guess what closed as of now. Strangely many places open and restaurants/bar like restaurants are open and serving until at least 22-23. Some other places keep open even longer, so a bit strange such places as Lebua not opening up.

[handdrummer]

I guess covid has closed down one of Bangkok's main attraction, The Sky Bar at Lebua (the bar from the movie Hangover 2). I'm currently doing 7 day Sandbox quarantine here and was thinking what a great time to visit this bar. Not too many people, not much waiting in line etc. but guess what closed as of now. Strangely many places open and restaurants/bar like restaurants are open and serving until at least 22-23. Some other places keep open even longer, so a bit strange such places as Lebua not opening up.

The more upscale the establishment, the more they show up on the radar and the higher the fines and tea money. There probably aren't enough customers to warrant the risk.