A group of musicians and performance artists filed a class action lawsuit today (Friday), against Thailand’s Finance and Public Health ministries and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), demanding compensation for losses incurred due to lockdown restrictions imposed in the past two years to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The group is supported by three MPs from the opposition Move Forward Party, namely Sirikanya Tansakul, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn and Pakornwut Udompipatskul.

Sirikanya told the media today that the Move Forward party has previously helped operators of massage parlours affected by lockdown restrictions.

A similar case was filed, with the help of the party, by operators of eateries, pubs and bars, said Sirikanya. She says she is optimistic that the Civil Court will accept the case.

Pakorn Poseangda, a member of the “IHEAR” band, said that musicians have been without work for the past two years, since the pandemic broke out, and the situation is not improving despite Thailand reopening for foreign arrivals.

“We have tried to look for other odd jobs, but the income is not sufficient for our families,” he said.

Sirikanya said that the compensation being sought from the state is based on the revenues of the affected artists and musicians in 2019, adding that people in the entertainment business are hoping that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will ease the lockdown measures quickly, to allow the sector to resume normal business.