Thailand: Schools to reopen, restaurants can serve alcohol from Monday

Novice monks wearing face shields as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus attend religious studies at Wat Molilokkayaram Buddhist temple in Bangkok on April 20, 2020. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

BANGKOK — The Thai government has revealed which businesses and activities can reopen when the fourth phase of relaxed lockdown restrictions begins on June 15 (Monday).

Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesman of the government’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), announced on Friday (June 12) that educational institutes would be allowed to reopen on June 15, and alcohol could be served in restaurants and hotels – but not in pubs, bars or entertainment venues.

On the education front, international schools and tuition schools are permitted to resume operations on Monday. Private and government schools can open for a maximum 120 students at a time. Other educational institutes, including universities, can begin seminars and workshops.

Meanwhile, gatherings for ceremonies, meetings, exhibitions, concerts, performances and events are permitted under the following conditions:

Meetings and seminars must provide a space of 4 meters square per participant.

Spectators at events, exhibitions, contests, or sports competitions must sit or stand at least one meter apart. And music performances or concerts must provide 5 meters square per attendee.

Alcohol can be sold in restaurants, hotels and retail stores but entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke joints remain closed in the fourth phase of easing.

Daycare centers for young children and seniors can reopen but need to provide 2 meters square per child and check body temperatures.

Science centers for learning can open to a limited number of visitors.

Film or TV shoots will be allowed a maximum 150 crew members while studio audiences are capped at 50.

Massage shops spas and saunas will also be permitted to reopen on Monday, but with mandatory mask-wearing, hand cleansing, and social distancing of five square meters between customers

Group exercise in parks will be allowed for groups of up to 50 people, with five square meters between participants.

Amusement and water parks can also reopen, but customer numbers are limited to one per four square meters while ball pools and bouncy castles must remain shut.

Sports competitions are now allowed without any audience in the stadium but okay to broadcast.

Game booths and game centers are now available with shop operators to clean and prevent the virus from spreading.

Domestic flights face no seating restrictions, though all passengers must wear face masks on board.