Just a few days after a prominent official with the Ministry of Public Health, who also advises the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, stated that if the rules were followed restaurants could play live music it appears Bangkok authorities have put a stop on any such activity.
Dr. Phannphimon Wipulakorn, Director-General of the Department of Health, part of the Thai Ministry of Public Health, spoke with the Associated Thai press on Friday about live music at restaurants and had stated that if hygiene and rules were followed on physical distancing it would be allowed.
However, after a meeting of the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee this afternoon, District Governor Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, Bangkok spokesman, said that the committee had decided to strengthen the rules (which they are allowed to do) and ban live entertainment, performances, shows, DJ’s, etc from restaurants.
Pongsakorn stated that concerts at concert venues could take place but must be ticketed. Music could be played at restaurants but not live and just be at a reasonable volume.
Pongsakorn continued by saying that restaurants were intended for eating, not an entertainment venue at this point as those venues are still banned under the current emergency decree rules to control the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. He said concerns that people would dance or get close to the band were high and so the allowance for live bands at restaurants was killed.
In Thailand it is very common for restaurants, especially Thai style BBQ Restaurants, to have live bands and performers.
The Pattaya News notes the announcement was only for Bangkok, but the other provinces and remainder of the country generally follow the rules set down by Bangkok.
Source: The Pattaya News
