Bangkok –
General Supot Malaniyom, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), gave an interview to the Associated Press this afternoon, November 10th, regarding the general situations, plans, and concerns of the Covid-19 situation during the country’s reopening.
The General is also prominent with the “small” Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, proposal committee that specifically proposes and deals with restrictions and measures in the country. These proposals are then sent to the “full” CCSA committee chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O’Cha.
Supot said that the overall situation is going well. There may be some minor problems since the reopening but related agencies have managed to solve them already.
When being asked if the government was worried about the upcoming Loy Krathong festival in many areas, Supot said that the authorities, especially the Ministry of Public Health and medical personnel, were concerned about the significant increase of daily infections and clusters, especially those possibly caused by people marking the holiday “untraditional” with alcohol or parties.
However, the provincial authorities have been informed and proceeded carefully under the public health measures to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19. The government believed that they would receive good cooperation with local authorities and all sectors in the provinces.
Regarding more relaxation of drinking alcohol in restaurants, the Secretary-General only stated that the allowance would depend on each Provincial Communicable Disease Committee in the areas who would order and cancel regulations after assessing the situations and people’s behavior in their area.
“Initially, the government has allowed four pilot tourism areas to sell alcohol in restaurants as well as some other areas in 13 provinces. Further approval in specific areas will be up to the Provincial Communicable Disease of the area submitted plans to the CCSA,” Supot added.
TPN media notes that Pattaya, despite being a tourism area, remains “dry” with alcohol sales at restaurants being banned and nightlife and bars closed for seven months currently as of today, November 10th, 2021. The bars were first closed on April 10th of this year. He did not specifically state if Pattaya easing the unpopular alcohol rule would be on the agenda this week at the scheduled “full” CCSA meeting at the end of the week.
There was absolutely no mention of entertainment venues or bars and rumors and speculation, as reported on some other media, about delaying any sort of opening for them until 2022. Previously, the Prime Minister had said they would be “considered” by December of this year in time for the holiday season.
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