The governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan has appeared to relax the orders (Province Order 12236/2521) that were in place to prevent and control the epidemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) via restraining sales of alcohol
The new proclamation comes just in time for the festive season of Hua Hin. Hoteliers, bar & restaurant owners have been under significant strain from the loss of income due to no alcohol sales.
It reads that “Sales of food or beverages can be opened for consumption of food or beverages in the shop at normal times, with the consumption of liquor or alcoholic beverages allowed in the shop no later than 10 p.m. and only those shops that have passed the inspection Assessed according to the standards of sanitation safety (Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration) at SHA level, Ministry of Tourism and Sports and SHA” Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.”
Previously the government had began relaxing alcohol sales in so-called Blue Zones, but had limited these to 5 areas, causing dire consternation from other areas that did not have an excessive infection rate but were held back in terms. Hua Hin hospitality industry has railed for an extension to the relaxation to cover Hua Hin and has watched on as cities such as Cha-am and Ayutthaya
What is vital is that restaurants and bars become SHA certified in order to proceed to sell alcohol, with many venues already completing the process in the hope of an eventually opening of alcohol sales.