The Facebook page Ratchasee Jitasa has recommended 12 essential items that people should take with them if they test positive for Covid-19 and sent to a field hospital.

The essentials recommended are as follows:

1. Power strip
2. Personal items, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, towel and hairdryer.
3. Power bank
4. Wet wipes
5. Items to help relieve loneliness
6. Pillow, blanket and mattress
7. Eyeband
8. Food supplements, such as Vitamin C
9. Thermos bottle
10. Snacks
11. One set of clothes to be worn before returning home
12. Underwear for 14 days

I can think of a few more…

13. Condoms
14. Notebook / tablet
15. Books / mags
16. Headphones
17. Earplugs
18. Coffee
19. A few tinnies
20. Airfreshener

Confusion reigns down on Bangkok business owners and patrons regarding what can open when following the news the CCSA will meet this week to discuss a Ministry Of Health proposal to recategorise the capital to category red, a highly controlled area, due to the cluster of new Covid cases from nightlife spots in Thonglor.

Following this news on Monday information started spreading online that bars and restaurants would be allowed to open until 9pm but no sales of alcohol would be permitted.

Later on Monday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ordered closed 196 entertainment venues across 3 districts – Khlong Toei, Wattana, Bang Khae – for 2 weeks starting today (April 6).

The official order did not state the number 196, nor did it list the entertainment venues they had ordered shut until April 19. Only that pubs, bars, karaoke, and massage parlours were to close.

Also of note was the use of the words “similar to” when referring to pubs, bars, etc.

Today we were supposed to have an announcement at 10.30am from the governor to clarify the situation but so far not a peep.

Now what we are left with is a complete mish-mash of inaccurate information with the CCSA proposal and the confusing BMA order being snowballed into not one but dozens of different scenarios – none of which are correct.

Dozens of bars have already been informed by local police they must sell only soft drinks and close at 9pm – under orders from who or where? There is currently no such order in place from either the BMA or the CCSA.

Right now if you are allowed to open, you can legally close at 11pm and sell alcoholic drinks until an official order is announced stating otherwise.

As always, I will update the Stickboy Twitter and Facebook pages with the latest info as it is announced.

On Monday the Prime Minister insisted that Songkran celebrations must be held this year to revitalise the struggling tourism industry.

Inter-provincial travel will be allowed, mass gatherings and street parties at places such as Khaosan Road would be given the green light all the while telling us it would be celebrated under strict guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration chimed in too saying Songkran would be celebrated as a “new normal” festival, with the goal being to preserve Thai culture while containing the virus.

So, after a year of tight restrictions, shutdowns, provincial lockdowns, the tourism industry strangled almost to death, the entertainment and nightlife industry left in tatters, and the hospitality sector barely breathing, we are about to let millions of people pack their bags, head home to the provinces, party together for a week, then head back to their jobs in the city and all of a sudden this is alright?

I’m not the only one left scratching my head at this sudden u-turn to basically let the country run wild for the best part of a week after a year of being told to stay at home and keep as far away from everyone as you can.

Thai friends, family, and social media users are all dumbfounded too with the vast majority believing it is a huge mistake on the part of the government to allow Songkran celebrations to go ahead.

Of course, they know the economy is in dire straits. Many of them are way down in their incomes or out of work since last year but still, they are of the opinion this is a bad move and feel missing Songkran this year is for the better good in the long term.

The other question on the lips of many is, with such a horrific 12 months for millions, where is all this cash coming from to boost the tourism industry?

With millions having been hit hard in the pocket what will they be spending? Monopoly money?

I can’t say I disagree with anything that has been said.

Yes, we all need things to pick up and get back to normal as soon as is safely possible but until they unlock the airport and allow free movement in and out of Thailand, nothing much is going to change as far as the tourism industry is concerned.