Health officials today will consider extending restaurant hours to 11pm in a step that could lead to the lifting of a ban on drinking out.
Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Kalin Sarasin said the COVID task force and cabinet could act as soon as Tuesday to provide relief to restaurant operators as urged by the Thai Restaurant Association, which petitioned for closing times to be extended past 9pm.
If the extension is approved, it would clear the way for allowing alcohol consumption to resume. If left in place through April, the present ban would cost around THB90 billion (US$3 billion) in revenue, said Thanakorn Kuptajit, president of Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association.
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Thanakorn said lifting the ban would stimulate the economy as shutting down entertainment venues and banning…
