Thailand’s Bars, Clubs to Stay Closed Until 2022 Under Proposal to CCSA. Bangkok Herald

Thailand's Bars, Clubs to Stay Closed Until 2022 Under Proposal to CCSA

10 November 2021

Nana Plaza, the red-light bar complex popular with tourists on Sukhumvit Soi 4, continues to be closed while straight-up watering holes masquerading as restaurants are back to normal business. Nightlife complexes such as Nana would remain closed through the new year under a proposal to be made to the CCSA Friday. (Photo: Bangkok Herald)

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Friday will consider a proposal to keep Thailand's bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues closed thrugh the new year, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha admonishing operators not to be "selfish".

Thai media reported today that at the weekly Cabinet meeting, ministers discussed the idea of keeping entertainment businesses, including karaoke clubs and soapy massage parlors, shuttered until 2022 in order to prevent another major coronavirus outbreak over the holidays.

Despite the holiday worries, the Cabinet moved forward with plans for five large regional new year's "countdown" events.

Previously, Prayut had told the nation that the resumption of alcohol sales in restaurants and the reopening of bars would be considered in December.

The alcohol ban was lifted in parts or all of Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Phangnga provinces when they were designated "blue" tourism zones this month and 17 more blue zones likely will be announced for December.

Bars, clubs and parlors appear to be another matter, however. Those who aren't paying off crooked cops – such as the many straight-up watering holes on lower Sukhumvit Road and Khao San Road – remain closed.

The same is true for nightclubs. Big nightspots in the RCA area or on Soi 11 continue to be shut down while Thai clubs paying bribes or owned by police are back to normal, such as Top One in the Rachada area, which has bottle service, live bands and discos lights going nightly.

While nearly every other business owner is again earning coin – even if they have to pay off the cops to do it – law-abiding bar owners are now being chastised by the former general in charge for being "selfish" for wanting to reopen legally.

Prayut is reported as saying during the Cabinet meeting that the entertainment sector must be "selfless" and that only by not generating income "carelessly" can the country defeat Covid-19.

He said the government does not want to impose another lockdown, so restrictions cannot become lax. Thailand, Prayut said, must be "careful with Covid".