Entertainment Venues Reopen in Thailand as of June 1, 2022

Entertainment venues including, pubs, bars, and nightclubs will be reopened in 31 provinces in Thailand including Bangkok as of June 1, 2022.

Their hours of operation and serving of alcohol will be extended until midnight.

The latest relaxation of public health measures comes as the Covid-19 situation has improved steadily.

In response to the reopening, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued guidelines for entertainment venues in the capital.

Khachit Chatchawanit, the city clerk, signed the guidelines at a City Hall meeting.

Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus certified venues and those granted permission by the local district offices will be permitted to resume operation under a Covid-free setting.

Alcoholic beverages can be purchased until midnight at entertainment venues, however, crowded events are not allowed on the premises.

It is the venue owner’s responsibility to ensure all staff has received booster shots for Covid-19 and that they wear face masks all the time while on the premises and serving customers.

Covid-19 Testing at Entertainment Venues

The Health Department requires all staff to regularly complete antigen tests and self-assessments on its Thai Save Thai app.

Furthermore, venue owners must conduct health screenings for their customers. The customer must have received a booster shot and strictly follow all universal prevention measures.

Members of at-risk groups who may be infected with Covid-19 must refrain from entering premises.

In addition to entertainment venues, other businesses like barbershops, beauty salons, nail salons, massage parlors, tattoo shops, gyms, theatres, folk shows, and saunas are allowed to operate under disease control measures, the report said.

In Chiang Mai, deputy governor Vorawit Chaisawat said that only entertainment venues that meet the province’s guidelines and are permitted to reopen by the province’s communicable disease control committee can reopen.

In addition to having booster shots, owners, musicians, and everyone working at the venues must undergo self-testing every week.

Over 30 nightlife venues have submitted requests to the committee for permission to restart their businesses, Mr. Vorawit said.

Customers entering a nightlife venue must strictly follow universal prevention measures, he said.

In Phuket, Koosak Kookiatkul, the provincial health chief, said the province is ready for entertainment venues to reopen.

Dr. Koosak said venue owners can request an appointment with the tambon or district health authorities for a health safety assessment.