Hua Hin Forum

Amnesty International urges Thai government to guarantee extension of SOE will not violate human rights
Amnesty International issued a statement on Thursday requesting the Thai government’s guarantee that the extension of the State of Emergency (SOE) will not violate human rights or freedom of speech, and only restrict them when necessary.

The statement came following the government’s decision to extend the SOE on Thursday.

The SOE currently restricts travel, peaceful assembly, privacy, and freedom of expression with punishment in both imprisonment and fines.

While the government reviews the measures needed to combat the spread of COVID-19, the non-profit organization calls for these restrictions to be proportional and necessary.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/13695/amne ... an-rights/

Related:
Student and labour unions push for an accessible aid program and the end to the SOE
https://www.thaienquirer.com/13682/stud ... o-the-soe/

I'm sure Thailand will take a lot of notice of Amnesty International.
Regardless of whether there is a SOE or not, human rights and freedom of speech will remain curtailed.

11 new Coronavirus cases reported today, and all from Thais returning from overseas and already in quarantine

That makes 34 cases over the last 4 days (11-11-9-3) and all from quarantine giving a net zero.

It makes the quarantine regulations worth while.

At cinemas, no food or drinks and 3 seats apart

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... eats-apart

Cinemas will have to place single or pairs of customers three seats apart, and they will not be allowed to eat or drink during the movie, when they reopen next week.

Cinemas are among a wide range of businesses and activities allowed to resume on Monday, when the government will further ease restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Panpimol Wipulakorn, director-general of the Health Department, said on Friday that adjacent seating would be limited at two people, and occupied seats must have three empty seats to the next occupied seats in the same row.

Occupied seats in rows in front and behind will be positioned diagonally.
"This is to keep customers distant from each other, as they will be watching a movie for 2-3 hours," Dr Panpimol said.

While inside the theatre watching a movie, viewers will be prohibited from eating or drinking, and be required to always wear a face mask, she said.

"Otherwise, people might remove their masks to eat or drink. And they might touch their face, or spray droplets of saliva."

Food and beverages could be sold in cinema zones outside theatres, but sales and consumption will have to follow social distancing rules already imposed at restaurants.

Sanitisation of the premises will be compulsory after each screening. Health officials will check the cleanliness of airconditioning and ventilation systems at cinemas, Dr Panpimol said.

Customers must also be screened on entry, and use the Thai Chana QR phone scan when entering and leaving the cinema.

Let's wait for the review of the new movie, "They Threw a Party and Nobody Came". Why bother even opening.

Lockdown eased from Monday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rom-monday

Curfew hours shortened, more activities allowed

The government has announced the third stage of the easing of the business and activity lockdown, effective from Monday.

It allows restricted activities at schools, theatres, beauty parlours, fitness clubs, sports fields, recreational ponds, ballroom dancing venues, convention halls and zoos.

The curfew is also shortened to 11pm to 3am from June 1.

Gen Somsak Rungsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said on Friday that school buildings can reopen for admission examinations and short training sessions, but not for normal classes. Private tuition schools for vocational training, arts and sports can resume.

Malls could remain open until 9pm. Exhibition and convention venues could also open until 9pm, but activity space at each would be limited to 20,000 square metres.

Buddha amulet markets will reopen, as long as operators prevent visitors crowding together.

Barbers and hairdressers will be allowed to dye hair in addition to hair cutting, washing and drying, but their services are still capped at two hours at a time and customers are not allowed to wait on the premises.

Child daycare centres can open only for the preparation of food and beverages for parents to take home to their children.

Beauty clinics and salons and tattoo and piercing parlours can reopen, but not provide facial services, and staff and customers must wear face masks.

Health-oriented massage parlours can reopen for two hours of service at a time. Sex massage parlours, steam and herbal saunas remain closed.

Fitness clubs in and outside malls will reopen from June 1 but visitors' numbers will be limited and sauna services are still suspended.

Stadiums for football, futsal, basketball and volleyball will resume for exercise and practice, on the condition the number of non-players is capped at 10.

Bowling and skating centres and the like can reopen for exercise and practice only. Ballroom dancing centres will reopen.

Ponds for sports and recreational activities - for jetskis, kitesurfing, banana boats and such-like - can reopen as long as the number of people is limited, but not for competition.

Theatres, including movie theatres, will reopen but the audience is limited at 200 at each place. Everyone must wear face masks, and double-seating is allowed. The ban on concerts continues.

Zoos can reopen but visitors must not gather for activities. Curfew hours will be shortened to 11pm-3am to facilitate more businesses.

I read a couple of days ago that although the cinemas would like to open, they can't as they have no movies to show!!

I hope this is the correct place to ask this. Can someone who has just driven north of Cha-am on Phetchkasem, confirm what is needed to pass the north-bound checkpoint tent? I saw it earlier, located close to Texaco, quite a way before reaching Factory Outlet. As I shall need to pass that way in due course, can someone confirm what is needed please. Is there is requirement to substantiate the purpose of the journey, for example? Thanks.

thebears wrote:I hope this is the correct place to ask this. Can someone who has just driven north of Cha-am on Phetchkasem, confirm what is needed to pass the north-bound checkpoint tent? I saw it earlier, located close to Texaco, quite a way before reaching Factory Outlet. As I shall need to pass that way in due course, can someone confirm what is needed please. Is there is requirement to substantiate the purpose of the journey, for example? Thanks.

Notting. I drove to BKK and back yesterday. Wasn't stopped anywhere.

thebears wrote: ↑Fri May 29, 2020 11:13 pm I hope this is the correct place to ask this. Can someone who has just driven north of Cha-am on Phetchkasem, confirm what is needed to pass the north-bound checkpoint tent? I saw it earlier, located close to Texaco, quite a way before reaching Factory Outlet. As I shall need to pass that way in due course, can someone confirm what is needed please. Is there is requirement to substantiate the purpose of the journey, for example? Thanks.

Yesterday we also drove through without stopping - nearly a week before we had to wind our windows down and have our temperature taken but no documents requested so no need to worry.

thebears wrote:I hope this is the correct place to ask this. Can someone who has just driven north of Cha-am on Phetchkasem, confirm what is needed to pass the north-bound checkpoint tent? I saw it earlier, located close to Texaco, quite a way before reaching Factory Outlet. As I shall need to pass that way in due course, can someone confirm what is needed please. Is there is requirement to substantiate the purpose of the journey, for example? Thanks.

I passed there yesterday. All staff busy at the tables with their mobile phones

Yesterday's easing announcement:

I wonder what that means "massage parlours can reopen for two hours of service at a time". After two hours they have to close the shop and reopen 5 minutes later?