Face masks may soon dropped in Bangkok

However, no date has been set yet. The Thai government may soon eliminate mask-wearing rules in select public venues, letting nightclubs to stay open until 2 a.m., according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

On June 1, several limitations were eased, allowing nightlife establishments (such as bars, karaoke bars, entertainment venues, and massage parlours) to "legally" remain open until midnight. Any additional opening hours extensions, however, will be based on infection statistics, with the CCSA reconsidering the Covid situation every few weeks. Today, only 2,224 confirmed Covid infections were reported, down from nearly 28,000 cases reported on April 1. Since the beginning of April, the negative trend has been on-going and maintained.

Supoj Malaniyom, the CCSA's chief, said authorities will meet on Friday to discuss whether the hours of nocturnal enterprises should be extended.

"Given Covid-19's current status and widespread public support for previously approved limit relaxations, more limits are likely to be eliminated."

Before the face mask restriction may be repealed in Bangkok, the CCSA must amend the edict requiring its use. The CCSA is looking to reduce Covid laws even more, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok's newly-elected governor, said during a meeting of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials yesterday that he believes the time has come for residents to quit wearing face masks in public places.

The mask-wearing restriction must be enforced until Bangkok has less than 500 new Covid cases, according to a BMA medical department official.