Picture: Daily News
Daily News reported that Thailand was finally getting tough with the Omicron variant with orders issued by the prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
This comes more than a month after the emergence of the easily spread and fast spreading variant was identified in South Africa then swept through Europe and the US.
Many have said Thailand was slow to react because of a lack of testing despite the fact that Omicron soon showed up in the kingdom.
Now cases are surging in Thailand the Royal Thai Police has been instructed to ensure that Rule 9 of the emergency decree in particular is followed to the letter.
This was contained in a Government Gazette announcement to be followed as of yesterday, January 9th.
RTP spokesman Pol Col Krissana Patanacharoen said that chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk had instructed his deputies nationwide to make sure that everyone - especially businesses - were following established Covid-19 protocols.
This will mean that the loophole that allowed bars and pubs to act as restaurants will be scrutinized and prosecutions for law breaking will follow.
The serving of alcohol will be stopped in places and at times when it is illegal and vigilance in this matter will be a priority.
Many establishments in Thailand have sought to open under SHA and SHA+ rules - these will be closely checked.
9 pm closing will be strictly enforced.
Pubs, bars, massage places and the like will be closely checked to make sure there is no law breaking.
ASEAN NOW notes that there was a certain amount of laissez-faire going on in Thailand especially in tourist areas like Pattaya, nightlife areas of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
That attitude in the coming days is expected to end as law enforcement cracks down under established rules at least until the end of January.