Pattaya City Mayor says current checkpoints will go through May 4, end May 5

Pattaya-

The Pattaya City Mayor, Mr. Sonthaya Khunpluem, spoke with local news media in Pattaya today and stated that the checkpoints which close Pattaya City to the general public will run through May 4. The city is planned to be returned to normal access on May 5.

The Mayor told the press that the results of the checkpoints and proactive tests for the Covid19 Coronavirus have exceeded expectations but they wanted to keep the checkpoints through May 4, which would be roughly a full three weeks as originally planned.

Additionally, if no new cases of Covid-19 emerge before May 5 in Pattaya it will also be close to three weeks without a single new case in Pattaya City proper.

The Mayor also mentioned that Pattaya City was no longer considered a red, or high risk area and would be considered low risk, or white, when the checkpoints are scheduled to be lifted on May 5.

Pattaya News

by Mark KellyMay 3, 2020

Nongprue police raided a small bar located near Village Number 6, just outside of Pattaya City, at 9:00 PM last night for being open and selling alcohol which is against current restrictions in place meant to help control the potential spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

Led by Mr. Pornchai Sungiad, the permanent secretary of the Banglamung Security Division and Police Col. Kengsart Nuanphong of the Nongprue police station, officers responded to a call at the Pussycat club at 9:00 PM last night made by a concerned citizen who stated that the bar had been secretly open and selling alcohol.

Thailand is currently under an Emergency Decree to control the Covid19 Coronavirus which has force closed all entertainment venues in the country. Additionally, sales of liquor are forbidden from any bar related establishments.

Nongprue police found the front of the Pussycat Club was closed and not lit, with a sign on the door stating it was closed. However, Nongprue police heard voices inside and entered the establishment suspecting a violation of the Emergency Decree. Inside, Nongprue police found 8 people, 5 Thais and 3 foreigners, socializing and drinking alcohol. Gatherings of any size, especially based around alcohol, are also forbidden under the current Decree rules.

The owner of the premises, Miss Chanita Kiddee, 41, allegedly admitted the shop was secretly open without permission. She and the other seven people present were all arrested and taken to the Nongprue police station.

All eight suspects face stiff legal action of fines up to 100,000 baht and up to two years in prison, which are part of the enforcement penalties under the Emergency Decree.

The suspects will face mandatory court appearances in the near future and were in custody under the supervision of the Nongprue police as of press time.

Source: Pattaya News

Fan va gott de va att handla  he he

 

Chonburi residents rush to purchase alcohol as sales open for the first time in weeks

Chonburi-

Local residents flocked to supermarkets and department stores this morning, some lining up well in advance of the legal selling time of alcohol at 11:00 AM, to purchase alcohol today across the province of Chonburi after the national and local government allowed sales for the first time in about three weeks.

Here is a video our team took:

https://youtu.be/EKgbHeEWrWU

The ban on alcohol sales has been an area of contention for days now as the Thai government has seemingly gone back and forth on whether to sell alcohol or not several times despite the majority of the public seeming to be against the ban based on vehement social media comments.

However, the Thai Government decided to reverse any national ban over the weekend and allowed provincial governor’s to make the decision on if they would allow sales of alcohol once more. Some provinces kept the alcohol ban, like Sa Kaeo and Buriram, but Chonburi decided to allow sales.

The decision came nearly last minute with a post at 6:30 AM this morning from Chonburi Public Relations stating no decision had no yet been made. However, at around 10:00 AM orders were published allowing the sale.

The reason for the ban, according to authorities, was concern over people throwing parties and having gatherings which could potentially spread the Covid19 Coronavirus.

Hundreds crowded into local stores, raising concerns online about physical distancing, as people stormed the stores to purchase booze. Many were apparently small shop owners restocking their own shops after weeks of no deliveries or sales being allowed.

Sales of alcohol are for take away only and one cannot drink in restaurants which also opened today, at least in terms of smaller venues. Public drinking also remains against the law at this time and people can only drink from the comfort of their own home.