The government has voted against a proposal that would have allowed entertainment businesses to proceed during the national mourning period so long as they operated as normal as possible while bearing in mind the appropriateness to situation. Instead entertainment venues and televisions stations will be allowed to resume on 14th November as originally planned.
The cabinet discussed the issue with relevant sectors, local media reported. When entertainment activities and television shows, including popular Thai dramas, are allowed to operate as normal, the government has requested they use polite language. It has also been requested that TV shows instill knowledge and information about His Majesty The King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his great merits and royal activities.
Instead of returning to business as usual, it has been requested that all entertainment venues and outlets take a more measured approach. The government is encouraging gradual transition in order to respect those who may still be mourning the loss of The King after 14th November.
“We believe all stations know how to gradually gear back to normal,” Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told media outlets. And while television stations are allowed to show normal programming, he added TV outlets should avoid showing any content that could hurt public feelings or caused other issues.
The country has been observing an official period of mourning since His Majesty The King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away on 13th October, which features the local population wearing black and white as a mark of respect.
Entertainment outlets throughout the country have been forced to keep a low profile, which has hurt business as tourists have stayed away from bars and clubs. Sansern explained that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha was aware of the fact that the economic sector needs to move ahead, but decided against letting them operate fully in order to observe the 30-day mourning period.