On February 22, it was reported that the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has eventually given a green light to restaurants and bars to serve alcoholic beverages after the lengthy ban started back in late December last year. Today (February 23) marks the date when all venues can restart their booze sales for customers, but the service can only last until 23:00.
It has been almost three months since Bangkok last saw lush nightlife when the COVID-19 outbreak re-emerged in Samut Sakhon and spread to many surrounding provinces. Now, with the number of cases starts to gradually drop in many areas, the government finally agreed to ease up the restrictions but still decided to prolong the emergency decree until March 31.
Apart from those in Samut Sakhon (where the whole area is still designated as the red zone), restaurants and bars in the eight orange-zoned regions—including Bangkok—can operate until 23:00. Live music can also be organized, but dancing is still not permitted in the premises. Meanwhile, other types of venues from tutoring schools, gyms, to department stores, can open to business as usual under strict preventive measures.
Edit: Government spokesperson Rachada Thanadirek tweeted that the date when the ban will be lifted is varied according to each province, but for Bangkok, the date could be as soon as tomorrow (February 23).
As of writing (February 23), spokesperson of BMA Pongsakorn Kwanmuang announced that serving alcoholic beverages is no longer banned. However, dancing is still strictly prohibited and no restaurants and bars are allowed to allocate a designated space for dancing, meaning that guests have to sit at the table at all times during dining and drinking.