Reading the auspicious tea leaves of normalization

[Guest reader]

As alluded to by PaulSF earlier this week, it seems the return to normalized nightlife is steadily progressing. As I walked along Thaniya the other night, the ladies of the evening were populating one side of the soi like it was 2019 again. This, I told myself, has to be a very good omen.

This morning’s Bangkok Post reinforced this belief.

”The Ministry of Public Health will on Friday propose new Covid-19 zoning with some provinces to be classified as "green zones", according to its permanent secretary, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit. The ministry's proposal to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) involves the revised zoning of Covid-19 hit provinces only, with surveillance "green zones" added to the current high surveillance "yellow zones" and "blue zones" promoted for tourism in the colour-coded system, he said. 
 

Although no further easing of Covid-19 restrictions is proposed by the ministry, the provincial communicable disease committees in "green zones" can consider further relaxations and what activities may resume, he said.

When translated into the vernacular, this allows otherwise restricted activities to proceed without violating laws or sensibilities.

[flashbarryallen]

Related to this, Winner bar in Pattaya has posted on Facebook that entertainment can legally operate as of June 1st, so they will be opening fully as a gogo bar. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of guys NOT in jeans.

[jason1975]

That will be good news indeed! Jeans are so restrictive!

[Patanawet]

Some relaxation BUT only till midnight because, as we all know, Covid comes out at midnight.

[Travellerdave]

I’ve watched several threads on YouTube in which the producers go about the tourist areas of Pattaya making videos whilst walking, on motor bikes and even on a pedal bike. They try to film as many attractive girls as possible who are not wearing much, but are constrained by YouTube censorship. The commentaries express hope for more “opening up” and for more tourists to arrive, and one talked about a landmark being when girlie gogos are allowed topless dancing. I suppose that’s pretty much what us gays are hoping for ! - the day when the boys are on stage in briefs, g-strings etc and are available for offs. Maybe other boy bars will open following Winner’s example.