The possibility of a lockdown proposal and tougher Covid-19 restrictions in Bangkok is now the talk of the town as Covid-19 infections in the capital surge, with more than 1,000 new cases in recent days.
The Bangkok Post talked to some Bangkokians about their feelings towards the proposed lockdown and whether it will help bring spiralling Covid-19 infections under control.
Chutamas Premchaiporn, a 52-year-old housewife, says she would have no problem if the government puts Bangkok into lockdown, but what she is more worried about is how people, mostly street vendors and daily wage workers, will make ends meet.
"They must have trouble making ends meet because street vendors can't rely on office workers as customers when scores of offices are closed due to the work-from-home policy and daily wage workers can't find work -- we just want to make ends meet,'' Ms Chutamas said.
She said these groups stand to be most affected by the government's lockdown.
Some funding or government assistance would be helpful for them.
Ms Chutamas says she learnt the term "lockdown" from the government's lockdown last year.
Measures can include a curfew, restrictions on some businesses and places, and a ban on the movement of people within the capital and from the capital to other provinces.
As for her daily life, she says it stands to be little different from the way she spends her time during this latest wave of Covid-19.
She stays at home most of the time. Occasionally, she goes shopping at a supermarket nearby.
She said she does not want the government to shut down fresh markets, food shops and restaurants, saying food takeaways and deliveries are still necessary services for city people.
Chumporn Butrkotr, a 78-year-old grocery shop owner, said he would agree with a lockdown if it could put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In parallel with the lockdown, the government should come up with a raft of measures to help affected people, especially poor people so they will have money to spend for daily expenses, Mr Chumporn said.
Small and medium businesses should also be entitled to receive the government's financial assistance, he said.
"I don't know exactly if the lockdown will be helpful in ending the disease.
"Actually, it should have been imposed when the number of Covid-19 cases rose to almost 3,000 nationwide,'' Mr Chumporn said.
Mr Chumporn said he has a heart problem.
He hopes the government will put more effort into curbing the spread of Covid-19 as quickly as possible as he is afraid that he won't be able to have a heart operation scheduled for next month.
"I don't know if there will be any postponement. I am just waiting to see what happens next. Many other people are in a similar situation as me," he said.
However, Surapoom Kaosumphan, a 47-year-old staff member of a car insurance company, said the government should think carefully before imposing a lockdown as many people will be affected.
Some are worried government help won't reach everyone in need or might come too late.
Mr Surapoom said the government must be sure it can stop people's mobility during a lockdown otherwise it would be useless to impose such an order.
Chalothorn Kaewkuae, a 51-year old office worker at an education company, said she is certain the government will come under fire from people from all walks of life whether it imposes a Bangkok lockdown or not.
"I'm confident a lockdown is not the right solution to put an end to this disease crisis as the disease situation is now out of control," she said.
"I think that the best way to deal with the crisis is that people must follow doctors' advice to prevent ourselves from being exposed to the disease.
"Surely this measure will help reduce infection rates in the country. More importantly, everyone must receive full doses of Covid-19 vaccines as quickly as possible."