Doctors have warned against the government’s intend to extend the working hours of cafes to 4am to enhance the economy, citing the potential for more street accidents and the risk of further Covid-19 infections.
Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty associated with Medicine Siriraj Medical center, yesterday expressed his concern about enabling pubs and pubs to stay open later, saying that the present closing time of 2am is usually late enough provided the current Covid-19 circumstance.
Doctor Prasit said there was clearly no need to rush this kind of measure as night time socialisers may get contaminated due to the longer events and spread the condition to their families, particularly the elderly.
Dr Taejing Siripanich, secretary-general of the Do Drive Drunk Foundation, said the determine may help stimulate the economy but it could be at the expense of the health and safety of the general public.
In addition , Dr Taejing failed to believe many more foreign tourists would choose Thailand because of the expansion of the night enjoyment venues’ operating hrs to 4am since many come to visit visitor sites.
Citing road incident data in Thailand showing that the fatality rate in the 2nd half of this year has already been higher than last year, Dr Taejing suggested this particular rise correlated with the easing of restrictions for these venues and on alcohol sales.
Nevertheless, afterwards closing times are already trumpeted by Travel and leisure and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.
Mr Chadchart responded to the matter while reside streaming during his jogging routine each morning recently by saying the idea would assist spur the economy and increase openness as later licences have previously been awarded in a more random fashion prone to bribery.
“Besides the economic stimulus, the extension of operating hours would help to ease congestion with those venues plus lessen the need for pub owners to pay ‘tea money’ to remain open up later, ” he or she said.
Business operators upon Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani have already tossed their support behind the policy as they believe it will attract more tourists.