People shop for gifts for the festive season at Sampheng market in Samphanthawong district, Bangkok, last Friday. The rule relaxation by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) was welcomed by tourism operators and other businesses in these major tourist destinations. A meeting was called on Wednesday to brief business operators on what they can and cannot do during the New Year festival, said Bun-anan Phatthanasin, president of Pattaya City's business and tourism association. Sa-nga Ruangwatthanakul, president of the association of business operators on Khao San Road, now expects some 10,000 people, twice the usual number of visitors on a busy night. Phuket aims to offer revellers the maximum time limit in terms of celebrating New Year's Eve with alcohol.

Source: Bangkok Post December 16, 2021 10:31 UTC