The president of the Alcohol Association expects about half of the country’s 10,000 pubs and bars will end up being closed permanently.
ALCOHOL ASSOCIATION BEGS GOVERNMENT TO RE-OPEN BARS & ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
The pandemic crisis and the ensuing Emergency Decree have caused immeasurable economic impact across the country.Probably no sectors has been harder hit than hospitality, entertainment and nightlife. Although alcohol sales appear set to resume in restaurants next week, around 10,000 pubs, bars and entertainment venues nationwide – and their many casual staff – are struggling to survive after being shut for nearly 3 months, and the alcohol industry is asking the government to allow a trial reopening of the entertainment sector.
So the president of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association says the government should relax restrictions to enable businesses to survive. Thanakorn Kuptajit proposes running a trial reopening of hotel bars and restaurants’ alcohol service, to gauge whether the rest of the sector can safely resume operations.
He expects about half of the country’s 10,000 pubs and bars will end up being closed permanently if they remain locked down for much longer, considering they are making zero revenue but still paying rent to intransigent landlords, and often wages.
The alcohol business, mainly beer, spirits and wine, is valued around 370 billion baht annually. Since the outbreak in February, that revenue has fallen by 40% year on year after on-site sales fell to nothing.
Thanakorn also suggested that the government temporarily allow online distribution of alcohol while venues remained closed.
“Online shopping would help reduce traffic at pubs and bars and could still be traced. However, under the current law, posting pictures and basic product information of alcoholic products is considered as promoting alcohol and therefore illegal. So, we want the state to be lenient, given the situation.” He said
Above; Beer Cheer waitresses (Beer Chang)
Thanakorn Kuptajit knows that either of his pleads are unlikely to happen. Even sales people promoting the sale of alcohol are not be allowed.
Taweeslip Visanuyothin, spokesman for the government’s COVID-19 crisis center, had already been very clear on alcohol promotions and what establishments could open.
“Cheer beer waitresses are not allowed. They promote people to stay and drink"
"Restaurants can sell alcohol again because people don't stay long after they've eaten"
"Drink up and go home" He said.
Above; Morning Night and the Stumble Inn, popular pubs on Sukhomvit Soi 4 Bangkok, remain closed.
MENZZOO MAGAZINE
12 June 2020
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