The new outbreak is being driven by the so-called “British variant” which is up to 1.7-times more contagious and packs a larger viral load. Because of this wave of new cases, Thailand entertainment places shut down effective yesterday.
All entertainment places in 41 provinces, including Bangkok, have been ordered to shut down for at least 2 weeks, starting at midnight Friday, April 9, 2021, as COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the country. Restaurants were still allowed to remain open, but they have to employ strict COVID-19 preventive measures. If any infection is found at any restaurant, it will be ordered shut for at least 2 weeks as well.
In Pattaya, bars, pubs, clubs, massage parlors, karaoke bars, and theatres are ordered to shut down starting at 24:00 hours Friday night until further notice. Restaurants are still allowed to open until 22:00 hrs. No need of quarantine when coming into Chonburi but travelers must check with their destination provinces for their respective regulations.
The 41 provinces where all entertainment venues – bars, pubs, clubs, massage parlors and karaoke bars – will be closed are: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chonburi, Chumphon, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Lamphang, Loei, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Ranong, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkram, Saraburi, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Tak, Udon Thani, and Yala.
As this new more infectious coronavirus British variant ravages the nation, one-third of Pattaya’s Songkran hotel bookings have been canceled. Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter President Phisut Sae-khu on April 8 estimated that 90 percent of Thai families had cancelled their bookings. Reservations from foreigners and Thais without children have remained steady, he said.
Chonburi and Pattaya certainly have seen fewer cases of COVID-19 than Bangkok, where 266 cases were reported April 9. Chonburi, by comparison, reported 34 cases, 9 of which were in the Banglamung District which includes Pattaya.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to cancel all Songkran activities in all districts to curb COVID-19 from spreading further after a new cluster of cases linked to entertainment venues in Thong Lo swiftly spread to other areas.
Phisut said that, while water splashing was prohibited, Pattaya offers many things to do over the long holiday, including a kite-flying event and the Kong Khao festivals.
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