This will become a shit show...
@ obe: Yes it will, and it's unfolding as we speak.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404658
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered an immediate 14-day shutdown of entertainment venues or restaurants where a Covid-19 infection is found, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri confirmed on Thursday.
Businesses on Khao San Road (this is a traditional spot for Songkran activities) are ordered closed until April 12. Songkran technically begins the 13th but who knows what will be mandated by then.
What's going on: as ever, no way to decode it 100%. But all mongers should take a look this video of the hostesses at the Krystal Club:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2dsSn5dj1g
That was posted March 21, 2021--about two weeks ago. Notice any facemasks or faceshields? Nope, because the clientele (wealthy Thais including of course gov't ministers) want a clear view of the women they might pay to sit with them, drink, and sing karaoke. These are upper-tier WGs, and they're crammed cheek-to-jowl in party dresses. All it takes is one infectee and we could get a superspreader cluster...hey wait a minute, that's exactly what happened!
No, the wives aren't stupid--if the husband is wealthy/powerful he will have a concubine, maybe two, and visit hostess clubs like Krystal. But during a global pandemic?? Remember that these are the people who make snap decisions that restrict or close bars and restaurants, decisions that may be necessary but cause economic damage to ordinary Thais.
This on the eve of Songkran, when ordinary Thais typically return to home provinces. As you might imagine, this is not going over well with the general public.
How did the virus spread? I don't know. It's clear that COVID is highly contagious, and it's mutating into new variants reportedly even more contagious. Thailand was under the impression that they had this thing cornered. Just blame some Burmese migrant workers and we'll have Songkran, everything is juuuuuust fine. Now high-level gov't ministers are on the hook, and no one much liked them before this anyway.
Expect more measures to be enacted in the name of public safety and to deflect attention. Will they close shopping malls and ban alcohol sales nationwide like they did a year ago? Unlikely. Will they order closures of entertainment venues, including go-go bars? Likely.
Attention is focused on Phuket as well, and I doubt the "Phuket Sandbox" scheme is going to become reality on schedule.
Mai pen rai, mai pen fucking rai.
JtB |
