Thailand Provincial Reopening Zoning

[Sundance2020]

Zone Restrictions: Alcohol, Curfew, Restaurant Dining, Schools, Gatherings ...


Updated: March 18.2022

So the CCSA has radically revised the colour-coded zone scheme for Thailand ahead of the reopening, reducing the dark red zone to just 7 remaining provinces, reinstating the yellow zone for provinces under observation but not restricted, and adding a tourist blue zone that is less connected to Covid-19 stats than it is to economic stats of how it can benefit the relaunching tourism sector. But what can and can’t you do in each category? What are the restrictions for each zone? Here’s a breakdown of a few key rules and restrictions by zone.

THE ZONES
...

ORANGE	Tak, Nakon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Uttaradit, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Buriram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Udon Thani, Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Surat Thani
YELLOW	Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Narathiwat, Nan, Bueng Kan, Prachin Buri, Pattani, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phrae, Phetchabun, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Yala, Roi Et, Lop Buri, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Sisaket, Sakhon Nakhon, Singburi, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Ang Thong, Amnat Charoen, Uthai Thani, Ubon Ratchathani
BLUE	Bangkok, Kanachanaburi, Krabi, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi

..
THE RESTRICTIONS FOR EACH ZONE

• Alcohol Purchase in Restaurants etc.. ?
  • ORANGE: No.
  • YELLOW: No.
  • BLUE: Yes, in restaurants only. Entertainment venues remain closed.
• How abour Curfew ?
  • ORANGE: None.
  • YELLOW: None.
  • BLUE: None.
• Working from Home ?
  • ORANGE: Flexible.
  • YELLOW: Flexible.
  • BLUE: Flexible, except Bangkok which requires at least 70% of the workforce to work from home.
• Hosting Gatherings ?
  • ORANGE: Promote it online! Up to 500 people can attend.
  • YELLOW: Hold a convention – 1,000 people max can come.
  • BLUE: Invite LaLisa to play! You can have as many people as you want, with no capacity limit.
• Can Kids get back to School ?
  • ORANGE: Schools are allowed to reopen.
  • YELLOW: Schools are allowed to reopen.
  • BLUE: Schools are allowed to reopen.
• Restaurant Opening Hours ?
  • ORANGE: Yes, no time or seating restrictions in this zone.
  • YELLOW: Yes, no time or seating restrictions in this zone.
  • BLUE: Yes, no time or seating restrictions in this zone.

..

[Videoking]

Covid control zoning revised: No more “red” zones, Chon Buri now “blue” reopening area

With Covid-19 infection rates on a downward trend and active cases at the lowest it’s been since late-June, the CCSA revised it’s colour-coded zoning scale for managing the outbreak and now no provinces are classified as “red” zones under maximum control.

Under the revised zoning, there are now 39 provinces classified as “orange” controlled zones and 30 provinces classified as “yellow” zones under surveillance. The CCSA also added Chon Buri to the “blue” zone provinces and areas which have reopened under pilot tourism schemes. Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket are also classified as “blue” zones.

The CCSA also notes that more provinces and areas will become “blue” zones with pilot tourism schemes on January 1. Those areas include…

• Bung Kan in Northeast Thailand bordering Laos
• Nakhon Phanom in Northeast Thailand bordering Laos
• Khlong Yai district in Trat, a coastal province bordering Cambodia
• Mueang and Aranyaprathet districts in Sa Kaeo, an Eastern province bordering Cambodia
• Mueang district in Mukdahan, a Northeast province bordering Laos
• Mueang and Sirindhorn districts in Ubon Ratchathani, a Northeastern province bordering Laos and Cambodia

“Orange” Zones

**Alcohol sales and consumption at restaurants are still prohibited in “orange” zones.
Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Trang, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Prachin Buri, Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Lampang, Lamphun, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

“Yellow” Zones

Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Bung Kan, Buri Ram, Phichit, Phayao, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Roi Et, Loei, Si Sa Ket, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Ang Thong and Amnat Charoen.

[Sundance2020]

69 provinces now “orange” zones with ban on alcohol sales at restaurants



Restrictions are tightening in a number of provinces. Thailand’s Covid-19 task force revised its colour-coded zoning based on local infection rates and decided to classify 69 of Thailand’s 77 provinces as “orange” zones under tight control to curb the spread of Covid-19. The new zoning goes into effect on Sunday.

The other provinces will remain classified as “blue” zone provinces, which are approved for pilot tourism programmes, are remaining the same. Blue zones include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket.

Alcohol sales at restaurants in “orange” zones are prohibited while in “blue” zones restaurants can serve booze until 9pm each night. To serve alcohol, those “blue” zone restaurants must abide by the government’s “Covid Free Settings” measures and be certified under SHA+ standards.

[Sundance2020]

Restrictions ease, 25 provinces reclassified as “yellow” zones

Restrictions are easing in 25 provinces following a revision to the colour-coded zoning based on local infection rates. Starting January 24, those provinces will move from “orange” controlled zones to “yellow” zones under surveillance. In the “yellow” and “blue” zones, alcohol sales will be allowed until 11:00 pm.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation decided to relax some measures today at its general meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. A spokesperson says the decisions were taken under careful consideration, and while the infection rate has risen, the number of severe infections and Covid-related fatalities remain fairly low.

The “blue” zones, which are approved for pilot tourism programmes, have remained the same. Blue zones include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Several areas and districts, including the area in Samut Prakan by the Suvarnabhumi Airport, are also designated as “blue” zones.

Alcohol sales at restaurants are still restricted in provinces classified as “orange” zones. Large gatherings in “orange” zones must also not exceed 500 people.

[Sundance2020]

Chiang Mai seeks CCSA approval to fully open province to foreign arrivals



Only a few districts in Chiang Mai are open to foreign arrivals, and now the northern province is seeking approval to open all 25 districts to travellers entering Thailand from overseas. There are 20 districts in Chiang Mai still closed off to international arrivals and the deputy governor says he wants them all open by Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrated with massive water fights from April 13 to 15.2022

Chiang Mai must seek permission from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and the deputy governor says a plan will be proposed this week. The next CCSA general meeting is this Friday and the officials are expected to discuss regulations for Songkran.

At the moment, only five districts in Chiang Mai are allowed to welcome travellers entering Thailand from overseas. Those districts include Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Mae Taeng, Chom Thong, and Mueang.

The daily number of new Covid-19 infections in Chiang Mai have been fairly low in comparison to other provinces in Thailand. Today, the province reported 276 new Covid-19 cases while Bangkok, which is fully open to foreign arrivals, reported 2,904 new cases.

So far, 66% of Chiang Mai’s 1.7 million citizens are fully vaccinated with an additional booster dose. The province hoped to give everyone the booster dose by the end of March so that they would be prepared for the full reopening.

[Sundance2020]

Zoning revised: Chiang Mai open to tourism, restrictions ease in several provinces



Restrictions are easing across Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. The northern province is now fully open to international tourism and can welcome travellers entering under the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes. Restaurants in Chiang Mai can also serve alcohol until 11:00 pm.

A number of provinces have been reclassified on the Thai government’s colour-coded zoning scale based on local Covid-19 infection rates. The majority of provinces in Thailand are classified as “yellow” zones with less stringent measures than “orange” zones.

Chiang Mai and Petchaburi have been reclassified as “blue” zones to allow international tourism. Chiang Mai has had five districts approved to welcome overseas tourists, and local officials have been pushing for the entire province to be open to travellers.

Bars and nightclubs across the country are still ordered to remain closed, unless they had applied to reopen as restaurants or have found a loophole in the system. (Because – clearly – many bars are open.) In orange zones, alcohol sales at restaurants are still prohibited and gatherings are also limited to 500 people. In yellow zones, restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages until 11:00 pm.