Expats in Thailand are living ‘healthier lives’

 

Aetna International has released a report saying Expats in Thailand are leading healthier lives and actively taking control of their physical health.
However many say they struggle with their mental health due to the coronavirus.

The data has been revealed in the Expat Experiences Survey, published by international health benefits provider, Aetna International.

The report, which surveyed 1,000 expats in the UK, the U.S., China, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE, explores the what impact the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has had on expat health and wellbeing. Also addressing both mental and physical health.

This latest report delves into the true challenges of living abroad, from how expats feel about their new home to how they think they are viewed by locals.

It also touches on expat opinions of locals as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of expats.

It was interesting to read that even though social distancing measures should be adhered to which would prevent them from meeting friends and families, 56.3% of the respondents agreed that, if they had the option, they would prefer to be in their own country during the pandemic.

Interestingly, Thailand had the highest number of expats who would wish to be home at this time, at 71%.

Thailand is the most affected nation on mental health
The survey’s published key findings referenced Worldbackpackers.com, which named Chiang Mai as a top three city for digital nomads, as a possible reason, stating;

“It may be the case that younger entrepreneurs do not set down roots — start or take families — and therefore have less in-country support network. These individuals may be more inclined to head home in times of crises.”

Interestingly too that Thailand is the most affected nation on mental health with 50% of expats reporting an impact.

Considering we have low COVID-19 death rates, this may be related to the fact that the country’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism causing economic stress.

The good news is that nearly 60% of participants admitted to eating more healthily since the pandemic, with only 21% eating less healthy.

Thailand takes the crown here with 80% of expats claiming to be eating more healthily. A whopping 43% of participants are exercising more with 27% of people drinking less alcohol and only 18% drinking more.

Another badge of honour for Thailand’s expats is the fact that you are all exercising more than anyone with 57% (versus the average of 30% in other regions) saying they are. – Aetna International

Source - BangkokJack

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Thailand must reopen soon if it wants to survive: FTI

With such a long time since tourists were welcomed into Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries fears that potential tourists may be wandering away from Thailand. The FTI chairman warned that the window may be closing to still attract these travellers.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but as Thailand’s closure to nearly all international tourism stretches to almost 2 years, tourists’ fond recollections of sun-drenched beaches, beautiful temples, great food, or wild nights may be fading away to a distant memory, and they may be tempted away by newer travel destination ideas.

The FTI chairman fears that Thailand has kept its doors closed and the tourism industry shuttered for too long already, and it’s time to rip off the bandage and reopen the country fully to international travellers.

He argues that now that 40% to 50% of the population of Thailand has been vaccinated, with injections continuing at a steady pace, the country is reasonably protected from Covid-19 outbreak if it were to reopen the borders.  The number of daily infections has dropped from its peak near 25,000 a day to consistently around the 10,000 per day mark.

Hospitals that were once overrun with incoming patients as authorities raced to set up hotel/hospital facilities, field hospitals, and community quarantine centres have now calmed and the previous bed shortages are no more. Thailand is prepared for the medical needs of future Covid-19 patients should a surge occur as the borders are reopened.

The FTI chairman did say that vaccination is still lagging and that before opening the country, a drive should focus on vaccinating the business sector so it is ready to open and operate safely for a full international reopening.

He stated that the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery and economic activity is fluttering to life though the Sandbox figures were disappointing, but that the gross domestic product will grow by only 1% this year and government assistance is still needed to help small to medium-sized enterprises stay afloat.

Source - The Thaiger / The Star

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The Thai holiday resort known locally as ‘Murder Island’

 

On the 15th of February 2017 Russian tourist Valentina Novozhyonova, 23, left her bungalow on Koh Tao and was never seen again.
The news of the young girl’s disappearance took almost 3 weeks to emerge from the tiny island now being dubbed ‘Murder Island’ by the press due to the extraordinary number of tourists who die in suspicious circumstances while holidaying there.

When it comes to strange goings on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Valentia is no exception.

While the residents of Koh Tao are appalled at the new nickname for the chunk of rock they call home, it is hardly surprising. ‘Turtle Island’ has a bad reputation when it takes three weeks for a search to be called when a young backpacker goes missing.

A post on the Koh Tao community page on Facebook even states that news of the missing girl should be suppressed to protect the already dwindling reputation of the island.

And now rumours are circulating that the body of a young girl was found six weeks ago partially burnt, eaten by animals and partially wrapped in T-shirts.

Unsurprisingly this information was never made public and never appeared in any police report and was never passed on to Valentina’s grieving family who have been told that the search for the girl still continues, despite there being no evidence to suggest that it is.

Victims & Timeline

Nick Pearson, 25: January 1, 2014

Hannah Witheridge, 23: September 15, 2014

David Miller, 24: September 15, 2014

Dimitri Povse, 29: January 1, 2015

Christina Annesley, 23: January 21, 2015

Luke Miller, 26: January 8, 2016

Valentina Novozhyonova, 23: February 11-16, 2017

Elise Dallemagne, 30: April 21-28, 2017

Yann Naquin, 31: August 10, 2019

Olha Frolova, 32: May 25, 2020

Uthen Ruangnon, 47: June 8, 2020

Source - BangkokJack

Our VISA AGENT

Thailand must reopen soon if it wants to survive: FTI

 

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is concerned that tourists may not be interested in Thailand if the country takes too long to open its doors.

Also, he said, the number of daily cases has dropped, and Thailand has the facilities to treat Covid-19 patients. However, he said, the authorities should speed up the vaccination rate in the business sector before reopening the country.

Suphan predicted that Thailand’s gross domestic product will grow by less than 1 per cent as the number of tourists visiting under sandbox schemes was lower than expected.

He said that though the economy is showing signs of recovery and economic activities have resumed after the lifting of lockdown, the government still needs to lend a helping hand to small businesses. He said most SMEs cannot reopen due to liquidity problems.

Source - TheNation

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Thailand removed from the UK “red list”, list reduced to only seven countries

 

Thailand/UK-According to the UK government, only seven countries will remain on the so-called “red list” that requires mandatory quarantine at a government quarantine center upon return and is a major deterrent to travel

Thailand, a previous country on the list, has been REMOVED, despite rumors earlier in the day (which TPN media did NOT report on) that it wasn’t being removed. This means visitors from the UK can now travel to Thailand without a mandatory quarantine upon return, only having to take a Covid-19 test on the day after their arrival back into the country.

Only seven countries will remain on the UK red list from a previous list of 54.

The seven countries that will remain on the red list are Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela.

This will be effective from Monday, October 11th, 2021, according to the UK government.

Source - Asian Now

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Thailand targets $26 billion in local tourism revenue next year

 

 

 

 BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand aims to generate at least 882 billion baht ($26 billion) in domestic tourism revenue next year, from government measures to revive the struggling sector after a major slump in foreign arrivals.

The Southeast Asian country's economy suffered its deepest fall in more than two decades last year, with the key tourism sector devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The country plans to soon welcome more vaccinated foreign tourists.
 
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working with businesses on plans to promote travel, including more flights to key tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai and Phuket later this month, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said in a statement.

"The move is to meet higher demand for travel during the high season, as the outbreak situation has improved and measures to support travel have started," she said.

In the first eight months of 2021, Thailand recorded 127 billion baht in domestic tourism, despite incentives to encourage more local travel

Last year, domestic tourism revenue dropped 55% to 482 billion baht, compared with an 83% plunge in foreign tourist receipts to 332 billion baht.

Thailand received nearly 40 million foreign visitors who spent 1.91 trillion baht in 2019. Its strict visa and quarantine requirements during the pandemic have until recently deterred foreign tourists.

The government last week reduced the quarantine period, however, and will from next month waive that for more vaccinated visitors, expanding a pilot scheme in place on Phuket and Samui islands.

 

Source - Asian Now

 

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Thailand’s Air Asia flies back into business

 AirAsia increased flights and routes starting 1 October 2021, from its Don Mueang Airport home base.
The services are now in place serving Phitsanulok, Nan, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Krabi and Trang.

It is also taking a gamble with an untested route Chiang Mai-Hua Hin starting 15 October. A service from Chiang Mai to Phuket will start on 16 October.

These new routes are in addition to 11 routes that were relaunched in September. AirAsia in Thailand has 20 domestic routes as of this month.

‘We saw an encouraging response across all of our routes in September, achieving a load factor average of 75-80% during weekdays and 90 to 95% at weekends, especially for flights to and from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai.’

‘With our guests now getting more familiar with the different travel requirements imposed by each province, we believe tourism industry operators will begin to see a stronger recovery during the final quarter of this year.’

However, strict health and safety measures are still in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 through contactless services and social distancing.  The airline is promoting a Digital Health Pass provided by the Mor Prom application, which displays vaccination records and Covid-19 test results, despite the app’s shortcomings.

It often displays vaccinated records missing important data such as the name and surname.

The airline says it is working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to develop new service standards to provide passengers peace of mind. It should start with a total overhaul of the Mor Phrom app.

AirAsia encourages all guests to check-in via the AirAsia Super App. Guests should make full use of the AirAsia Super App, the only all-in-one app that guests would need for their journey – from flight to hotel bookings, checking in, through to boarding with the e-Boarding Pass except of course Mor Phrom, which is very unreliable.

Direct flights available for booking in October 2021 from Don Mueang Airport serve the following destinations” Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Nakhon Panom, Roi Et, Narathiwat, Nan, Loei, Sakon Nakhon and domestic cross-country connections Chiang Mai-Hua Hin and Chiang Mai-Phuket.

Source - BangkokJack 

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