Violators of social distancing measures and other rules deployed to fight the coronavirus outbreak will face immediate legal action, the security chief of the Covid-19-fighting agency warned yesterday after fans mobbed a cinema.
The warning was issued by Defence Forces chief Pornpipat Benyasri after fans thronged Paragon Cineplex on Friday evening for a promotional meet-and-greet event with Anan "Yin" Wong and Wanarat "War" Ratsameerat. The acting duo has appeared together in many TV series, with En of Love the latest.
Photos on social media showed fans of the pair crowding to take photos with their idols without regard for social distancing rules.
Gen Pornpipat, who is in charge of security for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), stressed that all businesses must comply with the rules on screening visitors and enforcing social distancing standards to prevent a return of the virus, according to Maj Gen Theerapong Patamasing Na Ayutthaya, the Royal Thai Armed Forces spokesman.
Any businesses violating the measures will face the maximum legal penalty, Gen Pornpipat said.
Siam Piwat Co, the operator of Siam Paragon, on Saturday ordered the cinema complex in the shopping centre to close for three days from yesterday to improve safety and health measures for moviegoers in the wake of the incident.
It also apologised for the "inappropriate" use of the space, resulting in safety rules set by the company being ignored.
The theatres at Siam Paragon are owned by Major Group, which rents the space from Siam Piwat.
Major Group posted a Facebook message apologising for the event and saying it placed great importance on the welfare of moviegoers.
Cinemas are among the moderate-risk businesses that were allowed to reopen on June 1 after a decline in coronavirus patients and deaths in the country. But they have been ordered to maintain safety measures as the restrictions are eased.
The CCSA plans to open higher-risk businesses such as daycare service centres and nightclubs in the next stage, providing Covid-19 numbers remain low.
Pol Maj Sorasak Champarod, an inspector attached to Pathumwan police, said yesterday the incident at Paragon Cineplex violated the emergency decree and various other laws.
In light of this, the police have summoned those involved in the organising the event for questioning, Pol Maj Sorasak said, adding the operators of Siam Paragon and the cinema complex told police they will meet investigators at Pathumwan station today.
They will also be called in by the Pathumwan district office, the officer said.
Thira Woratanarat, a health expert at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, posted on Facebook yesterday, saying the incident at Paragon Cineplex was a threat to the health and safety of people trying their best to protect themselves during the outbreak.
If a new cluster of infections breaks out from the event, it will have wide repercussions, Dr Thira said.
"It [the incident at Paragon Cineplex] was caused by a lack of discipline and self-indulgence. If the government cares about the health and safety of the majority of people, it should take tough legal action against those involved to discourage copycats,'' Dr Thira wrote.
"If the government fails to act, in the near future we will see a repeat of the incident and if a second wave comes, we will be in more trouble,'' he added.
Meanwhile, a tour bus company was in hot water after photos on social media showed one of the company's buses was packed with passengers seated together without physical distancing.
The incident came to light after a Facebook user wrote saying the company overcharged her mother for a trip from Khon Kaen to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Piya Yoma, the Khon Kaen transport officer, said an investigation found that Chantour Co, the tour bus operator, illegally overcharged the passenger and it was fined 10,000 baht for the offence.
The normal rate from Khon Kaen to Hua Hin is 865 baht, but the ticket seller charged 1,300 baht which is the rate for a trip to Surat Thani, Mr Piya said.
Regarding the photos of passengers sitting together rather than apart on the bus, Mr Piya said the probe found the incident took place in Nakhon Ratchasima, and the Khon Kaen transport office has forwarded the matter to the Nakhon Ratchasima transport office to take action.
