A young Thai traditional dancer is back to her stage at the world's famed Erawan Shine with a "New Normal" lifestyle, wearing a mask while keeping social distancing following the state instructions against the spread of Covid-19 in May, and a smile, still.
Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad
The week has started with change; from abnormality to a “New Normal” way of living
For a month or so, Thai people have lived in an “abnormal” circumstance as the state of emergency was declared and restrictions imposed against their normal livelihoods in attempt of the state to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the trend that is also occurring in several parts of the world.
As the country had observed a declining trend of the spread of the virus, with the number of new confirmed cases having fallen from over a hundred to one digit over the past week, the government then decided to put a plan to ease some restrictions on the table, by which the Cabinet endorsed on last Tuesday.
Under the new Cabinet resolution, extension of the state of emergency which was first enforced from March 26 to April 30 was approved, enabling four key restrictions to remain in place for another month including the curfew between 10 pm to 4 am.
However, the Cabinet also approved the easing of some restrictions for some businesses and acitivities so that social and economic activities could be resumed to some extent.
This will be divided into four phases, based on epidemiological risks and needs. The first six picked for the first phase largely involve people’s basic needs, ranging from markets and supermarkets to restaurants and beauty salons. (Read: “New Normal” officially instructed )
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA’s spokesperson called this as “the turning point”, “the transition”, “change”, “the New Normal”, but whatever it is, it has now become a new way of living that Thai people are trying to live on while still much struggling, as seen in the past few days.
A documentary photographer residing in Bangkok, Thailand. Captivating and vibrant, his images capture and tell stories of everyday people living alongside the challenges of development, environment, and social changes in the Mekong region.