Songkran 2022: Bangkok allows “traditional water sprinkling”

Songkran 2022: Bangkok allows “traditional water sprinkling”
No foam parties or powder smearing will be allowed in Bangkok during Songkran next month, but when it comes to water splashing on the Thai New Year, known for massive water gun fights, the rules are a bit vague. “Traditional water sprinkling” is allowed, but officials did not go into detail about what exactly that means.

The Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee decided to allow “water sprinkling” in specific areas that have sought permission, and organisers must abide by “Covid Free Setting” measures set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Participants must stay at a Covid-safe distance of four metres and wear face masks. No alcohol is allowed.

The committee met yesterday to discuss petitions from local businesses to allow Songkran parties to beheld in popular tourist areas like Khao San Road. At the meeting, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority decided to permit “traditional water sprinkling” activities within a “Covid Free Setting.” Water splashing in public areas and roads is prohibited.

If a Songkran event is expected to exceed a thousand people, the event organiser must obtain permission from the BMA’s Health Department, while local district authorities will grant permission for events with less than a thousand participants.

So far, the administration has received no more than eight requests from private firms and temples seeking permission to hold Songkran activities on their private grounds. Meanwhile, 46 out of Bangkok’s 50 district offices had declared they wouldn’t hold Songkran celebrations, and the other four district offices have not yet announced their decision, the Bangkok Post reported.

Earlier, the CCSA had agreed that water splashing and traditional water pouring as a blessing would be allowed at organised events — as long as there is no alcohol and events are under “Covid Free Setting” measures. Water splashing is not allowed on public areas, like roads. The government is focusing on allowing water splashing and pouring as a blessing at traditional Songkran events rather than the massive water fights the Thai holiday is internationally known for.

On Thursday, business owners in Bangkok’s popular walking street, Khao San Road, teamed up with tourism professionals from Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai to draft and submit a joint petition urging the CCSA to repent of its party foul, fearing a loss of income.

The group has proposed a list of measures for screening and limiting Songkran party participants, according to the president of the association of business operators on Khao San Road, Sa-nga Ruangwatthanakul.

“We will put in place measures to handle party-goers on the 400-metre stretch of Khao San Road. We want to explain to the government that the country is trying to welcome tourists back, particularly in the summer when the Songkran festival will be held.”

“But the famous water splashing is banned. With such a ban, how can we attract them to the country? We ask the government to allow the activity on April 12 to 15 to promote the festival.”

Bangkok’s communicable disease committee met on Monday to consider their request and announced their decision on yesterday. Clerk Khachit Chatchawanit said the committee would “consider what is best for Bangkok residents.”

According to the law, provincial communicable disease authorities may ask the CCSA’s operations centre to remove the unpopular Songkran restrictions, which will then pass them on to the CCSA, according to the director-general of the Department of Disease Control, Opas Karnkawinpong.

The current Songkran precautions outlined by the Public Health Ministry say that festivities can still be held, albeit without the classic chaos of water fights and powder smearing in public, as well as no alcohol sales, according to a spokesperson for the CCSA, Apisamai Srirangson.

“Songkran events can still be held as long as the right precautions are taken, and people can travel to other provinces to visit their relatives and take part in traditional activities there.”

The CCSA’s current restrictions also encourage festival observers to practice traditional activities without water, such as bowing to elders at a distance of at least a metre, instead of pouring water on their hands as a sign of respect and blessing.

The restrictions, though well-meaning, fail to take into account the elderly’s desire to be blessed and honoured by their younger relatives, while also reflecting logical fallacies about the spread of Covid-19 among family members.

Notably, the water blessing ceremony usually takes place outside, where there is plenty of wind and UV light. Also, the ceremony only lasts for a moment, and everyone involved can wear masks, as is already normal practice in Thai society.

Source: Bangkok Post / The Thaiger

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS - TEST & GO

 

Tourism Council of #Thailand calls for PCR testing on arrival to be dropped asap

Tourism businesses in Thailand are struggling to survive and barriers to increasing the number of foreign visitors to the kingdom must be removed immediately. That’s the view of Chamnan Srisawat from the Tourism Council of Thailand, who says the Omicron variant, coupled with Russia’s war on Ukraine, has dealt a double blow to the sector.

“Tourism operators are still struggling to maintain business as the number of tourists has yet to fully rebound due to the current travel rules. This obstacle needs to be removed before more operators collapse.”

The Bangkok Post reports on the findings of a recent TCT poll that surveyed 200 overseas travellers in the period from February 20 to March 10. Of those questioned, 71% agreed the process around the PCR test on arrival is cumbersome.

Chamnan says if Thailand’s tourism industry is to survive, it needs to retain 40% of its 2019 level of business this year. That’s 1.2 trillion baht in revenue, from 16 million tourists and 75 million domestic trips. He adds that in order to achieve this, the onerous Thailand Pass registration process and PCR testing on arrival needs to go as soon as possible.

According to the Bangkok Post report, TCT’s tourism confidence index during the first quarter of 2022 stood at 44, which was a big improvement from 36 during the same period in 2021. However, it’s still down from 47 during the last quarter of 2021. Any reading below 100 indicates weak tourism confidence among those in the sector.

740 tourism operators participated in the survey and its findings show that confidence is lowest among nightlife operators, who have been the most severely affected by Covid restrictions. The confidence level among those businesses is at 20, down from 41 during the same period in 2021.

According to Chamnan, 78% of tourism operators are struggling to increase their revenue, with 45% reporting a decrease and 33% only just managing to maintain the same level of income as during the last quarter of 2021. Entertainment venues were the worst affected, with around 44% planning to lay off workers in the second quarter of this year. They were followed by spa businesses, massage parlours, and tour operators.

Source - Bangkok Post / The Thaiger

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS - TEST & GO

Lufthansa reopens Bangkok Munich route

Lufthansa is offering customers daily flights between Bangkok and the Bavarian capitol Munich beginning with this year’s summer schedule on 27 March. These flights replace service to Frankfurt during the winter.

The initial Lufthansa flight schedule is as follows:

* Bangkok – Munich / Flight LH773 / departure: 11 p.m. local time, arrival: 5.20 a.m. local time
* Munich – Bangkok / Flight LH772 / departure: 10:45 p.m. local time, arrival: 2:10 p.m. Bangkok local time

The aircraft operating these services is the most modern in the world: the Airbus A350-900 that has set high standards in fuel-efficiency and passenger comfort. It offers 48 lie flat seats in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 Economy Class seats.

Munich – Bangkok, however, is not the only service Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group, will offer Thai customers. The Group’s other premium carriers, SWISS and Austrian Airlines, will also connect Thailand with the heart of Europe. In the summer schedule, SWISS will fly six times weekly between Bangkok and Zurich while Austrian Airlines will fly daily between Bangkok and Vienna.

READ MORE - Bangkok-Jack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS - TEST & GO

Thai Covid Center’s general in charge of day to day operations says no national Covid-19 lockdown after New Year

 The National Security Council Secretary-General, who also heads the Center for Covid-19 Situation Center’s “Small Panel” that runs daily operations and advises all restrictions and Covid-19 response measures, said earlier today that there will be NO national lockdown no matter how the Covid -19 situation will be after New Year.

The National Security Council Secretary-General Supot Malaniyom said today (December 31st). “We are preparing very hard to handle the Covid -19 pandemic after the New Year festival. Many people are going back to their hometowns and traveling.”

“We are requesting businesses and government offices to work from home if they can and do ATK (Rapid antigen) test when they come back to work.” Supot continued.

“If there are more Covid-19 confirmed cases found after this New Year festival, we don’t need a national lockdown. However it is possible to do some “small-scale” lockdowns for villages, sub-districts or districts if their local authorities wish to handle the Covid-19 pandemic in all areas.” Supot concluded.

His statements come as concerns, rumors, and speculation rise on social media about people concerned about potential restrictions or business shutdowns in response to the rising number of cases of the “Omicron” Covid-19 variant.

Although his statement rules out a national lockdown, it doesn’t rule out regional or provincial measures, TPN media notes.

Source - Pattaya News

 

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Thailand reinstates quarantine for foreign visitors

Thailand has reinstated its mandatory Covid-19 quarantine for foreign visitors and scrap a quarantine waiver from today (Tuesday 21st) due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The decision to halt Thailand’s ‘Test and Go’ waiver means visitors will have to undergo hotel quarantine, which ranges between 7 to 10 days.

Meanwhile, a so-called “sandbox” programme, which requires visitors to remain in a specific location but allows them free movement outside of their accommodation, will also be suspended in all places except for the tourist resort island of Phuket.

“After December 21, there will be no new registrations for ‘Test and Go’, only quarantine or Phuket sandbox,” said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhanadirek.

The announcement came a day after Thailand reported the first case of local transmission of the Omicron variant.

It also came weeks after Thailand reopened to foreign visitors in November, ending nearly 18 months of strict entry policies that contributed to a collapse in tourism, a key industry and economic driver that drew 40 million visitors in 2019.

About 200,000 visitors who had previously registered for the quarantine waiver and sandbox programme will still be eligible, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

“This is not to shut off tourists but to temporarily suspend arrivals,” he said.

The decision will be reviewed on January 4, he added.

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Maya Bay to re-open under strict conditions

 Picturesque Maya Bay in Thailand’s southern province of Krabi will reopen to visitors on New Year’s Day, 2022, but with strict conditions attached, including no swimming in the bay and the number of visitors at one time will be limited to no more than 375.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University and a well-known marine scientists, said in his Facebook post this week that the national parks committee, have approved the reopening of the bay.

Maya has been closed for three and a half years, after coral reefs and environment in the area sustained heavy damage from excessive tourism activities.

The national park committee agreed that restrictions must be imposed to protect the bay and its marine resources if the bay is to be reopened, said Dr. Thon.

The restrictions are as follows:

 No boats may enter the bay area through the front access and must use the opposite side, where a landing pier for landing visitors is already in place.

The number of visitors at any one time will be limited to no more than 375. The number of rounds of visits each day and the duration of each stay are yet to be decided by chief of the national park and tourism operators in Krabi province.

No swimming is allowed in the bay area, because there are many black-tipped reef sharks in the water which may pose a danger to swimmers. Swimming may also disrupt the sharks and coral in the area.
 

Maya Beach was the prime location for the Hollywood film “The Beach” in 2000, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. – Thai PBS

Source - BangkokJack

 

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Thailand set to approve Special Tourist Visa for digital nomads

Thailand is preparing to accommodate an increasing number of “digital nomads” with eyes on Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai as work and vacation destinations.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the three cities were ranked by Germany-based vacation search engine company Holidu on its list of the best ‘workation’ cities in 2021. One of the groups included in the survey comprised workers who travel to different locations, using mobile devices to perform their jobs remotely at coffee shops or public libraries.

A recent survey by the Adventure Travel Trade Association found Thailand to be among the most popular destinations for these digital nomads. Respondents cited blazing internet speeds, affordable living costs, and scenic tourist attractions are some of the factors that attracted them to the Kingdom, especially with so many others now working remotely due to the global pandemic.

The spokesperson said the government is working to accommodate the increasing numbers of digital nomads by approving a Special Tourist Visa (STV) that allows foreigners to stay for 90 days.

The visa can be extended twice, meaning tourists can stay up to 270 days at a time. The government hopes that STVs will help revitalize the tourism industry under effective COVID-19 control and prevention measures.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has commended relevant agencies and the Thai people for making Thailand one of the best destinations for travelers. He also assured that the government would be ready to listen to all constructive feedback in order to draft policies that benefit everyone.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Business operators rejoice after alcohol sales and drinks are allowed in qualified restaurants in Pattaya, what is the next step?

Business operators have rejoiced in Pattaya after alcohol sales and drinks were finally allowed in qualified restaurants yesterday, after an 8-month ban/prohibition due to Covid-19 regulations in Chonburi.

The Chonburi Governor released new orders last night through their Public Relations Facebook page yesterday allowing (December 4th) alcohol sales and drinks which are now allowed in the Chonburi ‘Blue Zone’ areas including Pattaya, Koh Larn, Sattahip, and Banglamung.

The orders came only a few hours after a rally on Walking Street by a large group of business owners and tourist associations, although it was not immediately clear if the two were directly connected.

Business owners had been putting increasing pressure on the government to lift the ban for over a month.

Last night many restaurants, cafés, and buffet restaurants reopened or allowed the sales of alcohol in Pattaya. Officially, the order only allows SHA (Safety and Health Administration) Plus venues to sell alcohol, which requires over 70 percent of staff to be vaccinated and going through a certification process, meeting many standards, with the Department of Public Health.

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/04/business-operators-rejoice-after-alcohol-sales-and-drinks-are-allowed-in-qualified-restaurants-in-pattaya-what-is-the-next-step/

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Entertainment SHUTDOWN is ‘likely’ to be extended

The government will not impose a national lockdown despite overseas concerns about the Omicron variant of Covid-19, but the closure of entertainment venues will likely be extended, the prime minister said on Thursday.
Prayut Chan-o-cha said a nationwide closure was unnecessary. The government would cope by continuing to test arriving travellers for the new variant.

“Harsh measures are not necessary. There are RT-PCR tests and quarantine is required pending test results,” he said.

The government needed to prioritise both public safety and the national economy. It was not easy to keep the balance. Under the circumstances, the government would delay its plan for antigen testing of arrivals instead of the RT-PCR tests, the prime minister said.

In the interests of public health, the government might also have to further delay the reopening of pubs, bars and karaoke shops, he said.

“We would like to wait and see for a month. In this matter, we must listen to doctors and health authorities,” Gen Prayut said.

“Enclosed venues where crowds gather and drink pose high risks. That will be put on hold. Assistance measures will be proposed to the cabinet soon,” the prime minister said.

When there is a new disease, there must be measures to cope with it, he added.

Gen Prayut confirmed that the government was tracing arrivals from southern Africa for Covid-19 tests, because Omicron infections were detected from that region.

He asked the public to inform the government if they know of the whereabouts of such people.

He said no Omicron case had been detected in Thailand to date. – Bangkok Post

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

Thailand eases entry rules from 16 Dec

 Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved the easing of entry rules for international arrivals, including returning Thais and foreign residents, under all three schemes – TEST & GO, Sandbox Programme, and Quarantine – effective from 16 December, 2021.
Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO)
What’s New: In addition to arrival by air, travelers will be allowed to enter by land (at Nong Khai’s border checkpoint, starting 24 December, 2021) and sea provided that they meet the vaccination and testing requirements.

The current 1-night waiting period in a hotel and a confirmed payment (for 1-night stay at SHA++ hotel, 1 RT-PCR test, and pre-arranged airport transfer) will no longer be required.

On arrival testing will be changed to an ATK method.

Travelers under 6 years of age, traveling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have saliva test when entering to the Kingdom.

Travelers 6-11 years of age, traveling with parents, must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling.

Travelers 12-17 years of age, traveling with parents, are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling. Those unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine and must have a negative RT-PCR test result.

Travelers previously infected within 3 months before traveling must have a medical certificate of recovery or get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine for an unspecified period of times before traveling.

Remain Unchanged: Travel from the approved countries/territories (currently 63) where travelers must have stayed for 21 days or more. Returning Thais and foreign residents, who previously traveled from Thailand, are exempt from this requirement.

An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.

Everyone 18 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand, and must have a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before the travel date.

Living in the Blue Zone (Sandbox Destinations)
What’s New: In addition to arrival by air, travelers will be allowed to enter by land (at Nong Khai’s border checkpoint, starting 24 December, 2021) and sea provided that they meet the vaccination and testing requirements.

The mandatory stay will be reduced to 5 days from the current 7 days within one of the Blue Zone Sandbox destinations. This also means a confirmed payment for 5 nights at SHA+ accommodation is required.

On arrival (the first) testing will continue to use the RT-PCR method, but the second testing by an ATK method will be done sooner on Day 4-5 from currently Day 6-7.

Travelers under 6 years of age, traveling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have saliva test when entering to the Kingdom.

Travelers 6-11 years of age, traveling with parents, must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling.

Travelers 12-17 years of age, traveling with parents, are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before traveling. Those unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine and must have a negative RT-PCR test result.

Travellers previously infected within 3 months before traveling must have a medical certificate of recovery or get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine for an unspecified period of times before traveling.

Remain Unchanged: Travel from any country or territory in the world.

An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.

Everyone 18 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand, and must have a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before the travel date.

Happy Quarantine Nationwide
What’s New: Travelers will be able to entry Thailand at all points of entry: If fully vaccinated, 5-day quarantine (currently 7 days); if unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, 10-day quarantine, and for the rest of the arrivals, a 14-day quarantine. This also means a confirmed payment for 5 nights or 10 nights at quarantine facilities is required.

Testing will continue to use the RT-PCR method for on arrival (Day 0-1), while the second testing will be done sooner on Day 4-5, or Day 8-9, or Day 12-13, depending on the length of the quarantine period.

Remain Unchanged: Travel from any country or territory in the world.

An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement. – Source – TAT Newsroom

Kindly note that travelers under any of the entry schemes are still required to register for a Thailand Pass here

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

BREAKING: CCSA confirms easing of entry restrictions to Thailand from Dec 16

 Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has confirmed the easing of restrictions for people entering Thailand.

From December 16, 2021, people arriving in Thailand as part of the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes will only be required to take an ATK test on arrival and will no longer be required to take a RT-PCR test.

Furthermore, people arriving as part of the Test & Go scheme will only need to book transportation to their hotel of choice and take an ATK test.

They will no longer be required to book a hotel room for one night.

People arriving under the Sandbox scheme will now only book a hotel room for five days.

** The CCSA initially announced the new measures would be in place from Dec 1st. However, the CCSA has since released an update to say the new measures are from Dec 16th. This post has been updated to reflect the change.

Source - ASIAN NOW

 

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Thailand vows to start HUNTING for the un-jabbed

The authorities will have to start looking for people who have not been vaccinated yet to ensure Thailand achieves herd immunity soon, the Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Kiattibhoom Vongrachit told the press yesterday.
It is believed that some 10 million people in Thailand have not yet received their first jab

He also said that a large swathe of the population has been double jabbed, though the real numbers are not available yet because the database needs to be updated.

As for whether Thailand is moving towards herd immunity, he said he has tasked the Department of Medical Sciences with conducting a study to see how much of the population has developed an immunity to Covid-19.

In terms of those who have been vaccinated, he said the ministry may have to take measures to ban them from participating in activities that may spread the virus.

However, he said, the ministry has still not decided whether it will implement the Communicable Disease Act to control people.

Meanwhile, medics will try to administer up to 100 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by December 5, he said. – The Nation

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

It’s expats, not tourists that are visiting Thailand: Business leader

A key figure in Thailand's tourism industry pulled absolutely no punches when commenting on the country's supposed "reopening".

Thanet Supharothatrangsi, chairman of the Chonburi Tourism Business Association, echoed what people online have been saying for weeks if not months.

In an interview with business media he said there are virtually no tourists coming into Thailand despite the rhetoric of the government after their much vaunted reopening claims.

The only arrivals are not true tourists at all. Just business people, property owners or those with families.

The tourism industry is hardly benefitting at all. He blames all the obstacles put in the way of potential tourists, says Thailand shot itself in the foot when it had the opportunity to do better and now is even lagging behind neighbor Cambodia.

He slammed the petty and baffling alcohol and nightlife restrictions saying tourists couldn't even celebrate New Year with a drink.

Thanet's comments come as leading ministers wax lyrical about 50,000 visitors since November 1st and millions more to follow praising their wonderful Thailand Pass scheme as a simple panacea to reignite the tourism industry.

Thanet says it's all smoke and mirrors.

"The reality," he said," is that tourism recovery is slight in the extreme. In Chonburi we are seeing 200-300 tourists a day.

"Not even 10,000 have arrived - normally pre-pandemic it would be a million.

"Thailand has shot itself in the foot despite being the first country in SE Asia to open its borders to international tourists".

Opening up should have meant really opening up, not this half baked reopening, he said.

An RT-PCR test from their home country within 72 hours would have been sufficient not being tested again on arrival, he said.

They should have been allowed to come in and go anywhere immediately without restrictions, he noted.

Instead ridiculous obstacles have been put in their way with all the Thailand Pass documentation and tests on arrival and one day quarantine to wait for results.

He said that Cambodia opened up after Thailand but they had no silly obstacles so people were going there instead.

"Real tourists are not bothering to come to Thailand", he continued in a controlled and measured set of statements completely mirroring what netizens have been saying.

"You can see by the hotel bookings. They are just staying one night in a hotel to wait for their test result  then they are going elsewhere.

"They are not tourists, they are business people, home and condo owners or people with families in Thailand".

Apart from a few souls "tourists are simply not coming to Thailand" said the business leader.

He called for the hoops and hurdles facing potential tourists to be removed but especially the on- arrival RT-PCR test.

He said the country's tourism businesses were ready for visitors and it was time for the authorities to get real, stop making the big claims and get people visiting Thailand again.

They were ready since the start of the Phuket Sandbox months ago but since then there have been delays after delays as the authorities chopped and changed their minds confusing everyone.

He also attacked the decision not to reopen nightclubs, pubs and bars and the issue of not allowing alcohol to be served or having drinking restricted.

"Tourists won't even be able to have a drink to celebrate the New Year," he continued. "They have been told they can't do that until at least January 15th".

He cited the Pattaya Music festival with all its restrictions and banning of alcohol as yet another pathetic example of the obstacles in place.

"People can't have a drink and can't even get up out of their seats to dance to the music," he said pointing out that such restrictions only applied inside the restricted area.

Outside this people were buying alcohol and enjoying the sounds.

"What sort of control is that?" he fumed clearly exasperated by his country's measures.

As further evidence of his claims he pointed to a leading German tour company that would normally be sending 3,000-4,000 tourists a month.

He said they were sending just 20 a day and not to Pattaya - they were nearly all going to Phuket, he lamented.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Bangkok lifts more restrictions on booze sales

More restaurants and eateries will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages from today(Tuesday), after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) agreed to lift restrictions at venues certified by the Department of Health.
As of Tuesday, venues with “Thai Stop Covid Plus” certification will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages in the same manner as businesses that have SHA (Safety and Health Administration) certification from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the BMA announced on Sunday.

While this means while more venues will be allowed to serve alcohol, the sale of such beverages will still be restricted after 9pm.

In the same announcement, the BMA said game shops and internet cafes will be allowed to reopen as long as they strictly enforce Covid-19 control measures, as most children in the capital have been fully vaccinated against the disease.

The relaxed restrictions will apply until Nov 30, when authorities will meet again to discuss the impact of the easing on infection numbers.

According to the director-general of the Department of Health, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, the move was intended to help more businesses reopen.

However, he said, the majority of these venues are actually capable of managing Covid-19 risks, as shown by their Thai Stop Covid Plus certification.

As such, Dr Suwanchai said, they should be allowed to serve alcohol again.

The Thai Stop Covid Plus certification was developed by the Department of Health to help businesses assess if their health and safety measures are up to standard amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businesses, Dr Suwanchai said, must have a good ventilation system and regularly conduct testing using antigen test kits, the frequency of which should be determined by the risk of exposure to infection sources.

Restaurants and eateries must immediately clean tables and chairs after use, frequently disinfect physical contact points and restrooms, and provide separate cutlery for each customer. In addition, Covid-19 tests must be carried out periodically to ensure the safety of service providers and consumers.

“The [Thai Stop Covid Plus] focus is on the providers and recipients of services and the practices of the businesses,” said Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

As of Nov 10, 6,579 businesses in Bangkok had obtained SHA certification, while 700 had received SHA Plus certification.

An SHA-certified venue has public health measures in place to prevent contagion, while SHA Plus certification means at least 70% of the staff are vaccinated.

The Thai Restaurant Association welcomed the latest announcement and urged business operators to strictly adhere to disease control measures to keep the virus at bay.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said more than 30,000 restaurants and eateries are certified as Thai Stop Covid Plus venues, as they have been preparing for the reopening since May this year.

She said that personally she does not see a huge difference between Thai Stop Covid Plus and SHA/SHA Plus systems and urged the government to raise public awareness about the labels and what they mean.

She also called on the government to allow operators to serve alcohol until 11pm, after recent infection figures showed the easing of restrictions did not cause an uptick in new cases.

Currently, restaurants and eateries in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket with SHA certificates are allowed to serve alcohol until 9pm.

Khao San Business Association president Sanga Ruangwattanakul said the most businesses have put in place Covid-19 control measures that are on par with Thai Stop Covid Plus, even before they were mandated by the government. – Bangkok Post

Source - BangkokJack

Thai Government considers easing entry rules, antigen testing may replace PCR test

In anticipation of more international arrivals in the coming months, the Thai government is reviewing current entry requirements. According to a Bangkok Post report, officials may replace the PCR test with antigen test kits and rules could be relaxed for people unfortunate enough to have sat near an infected passenger during their flight. Any amendment of the current rules would need approval from the national communicable disease control committee and the CCSA. The PM will chair a CCSA meeting later today.

Yuthasak Supasorn from the Tourism Authority of Thailand says the time it takes to get results from PCR testing could see the method replaced with ATKs in order to better manage the flow of arrivals during the coming months. He adds that the CCSA will also review the rule that currently requires travellers who sat 2 rows behind or in front of an infected passenger to be moved to quarantine facilities. According to the Bangkok Post report, officials are considering a change that would mean only people who sat next to an infected passenger would be quarantined, meaning a maximum of 2 people for each patient.

Other proposed changes include ditching mandatory hospitalisation for infected arrivals who are asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms. Instead, they would be given a choice of alternative quarantine or a “hospitel”, with the period of stay reduced from 14 days to 10. As of November 9, just 28 of the 28,021 travellers who entered the country following the November 1 re-opening have tested positive for Covid-19.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi from the Thai Hotels Association says that if the number of foreign arrivals continues to rise, problems such as congestion at the airport and insufficient airport transfer vehicles could arise. Currently, only transportation services with the SHA Plus accreditation can transfer arriving passengers to their accommodation.

She adds that while SHA Plus hotels in Bangkok are benefiting from the mandatory 1-night stay to await Covid test results, hotels in Pattaya and Hua Hin continue to struggle, with fewer guests than expected. Ditching the PCR test in favour of antigen testing would mean tourists would be free to immediately travel to the destination of their choice. The current rules require them to stay at a hotel that is within a 2-hour drive of their arrival airport until they receive a negative result from their PCR test.

Cource - The Thaiger

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

Tourists entering Thailand CONFUSED by travel rules

Just over a week after Thailand began a phased reopening to tourists, some international visitors are struggling to conquer the travel admin involved.
The country announced on 22 October that it would open to tourists from 46 countries on 1 November, starting initially with fully vaccinated travellers who apply for entry through the Thailand Pass.

In what sounded like a relatively simple system, arrivals must show a negative PCR test result before and after flying to the country, take one further test on arrival, self-isolate for one night in a hotel while the results are turned around, and – assuming the result is negative – may then freely continue their travels.

But online forums, Facebook groups and frustrated tweets tell a different story.

First, travellers to Thailand must store their proof of vaccination, passport info, health insurance document, hotel and flight bookings in the Thailand Pass, a one-stop digital system that the country brought in to replace its lengthy Certificate of Entry (CoE) process.

Once the criteria are met, the Pass generates a QR code that is scanned upon entry to the country.

However, in its first week, the Pass was so fraught with glitches and unresolved user questions that it made headlines across the country.

“Thai officials are working to fix and improve the Thailand Pass entry system for incoming passengers by air following a growing number of complaints during the week as users encountered bugs and difficulties in using the system and getting the appropriate approval in time to meet flights and bookings,” reported the Thai Examiner on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported on “complaints by some tourists that they had either experienced delays in receiving QR codes or in some cases had not received them at all, following the approval of their travel applications.”

Travellers on Facebook group Thailand Reopening reported issues ranging from never receiving a QR code despite multiple applications; the system requiring upload of a one-page insurance document when most policies are several pages long; and being rejected for including a middle name not displayed on their NHS Covid Pass.

Users of the system also reported challenges chasing up their applications once submitted, with no clear communications centre behind the digital system.

“Just sent our 10th request for the Thailand Pass, departure in 10 days (SF-Bangkok) – more than €1,200 already committed in this trip, starting to become crazy!,” tweeted Paris-based Lucie Hardy, tagging Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“My Dad finally received his QR code from Thailand Pass about 24 hours before his flight. We got there in the end but was a stressful experience,” tweeted James Goyder.

For UK-based travel writer Lucie Grace, however, who applied last Wednesday, the Thai Pass worked like a charm.

“Lots of people are getting in a flap about the Thailand pass, but mine did what it said on the tin,” she told The Independent ahead of a trip to Chiang Mai this week.

“I applied on 3 November, received it on 7 November and I’ll fly on 10 November. No complaints from me.”

She did identify one technical faff which could cause problems for less digitally confident travellers.

“It only accepts jpeg files of all your documents, which were emailed as pdfs, so I had to run everything through a converter. That could be challenging for some people.”

Meanwhile, some tourists have fallen foul of Thailand’s testing-on-arrival policy, with families forced into hotel quarantine when they tested positive.

Thailand-based journalist Richard Barrow published a newsletter earlier today about the consequences of testing positive while in the country, citing the case of a father separated from his family when he tested positive on arrival.

The man estimates that he will have to pay 350,000 Thai Baht (£7,882) towards hospital and quarantine fees if his insurance provider won’t cover it – and his wife and children may have to fly home without him as he will still be in isolation.

“I knew that I was taking a gamble when I chose to buy plane tickets as soon as the Thailand reopening was announced,” the father told Barrow.

“We lost that bet.”
Another man, James, interviewed by Barrow tested negative, but the friend he shared a car from the airport with tested positive, so he has found himself stuck in hotel quarantine regardless.

With this in mind, as her trip approaches, Lucie Grace remains anxious about the possibility of testing positive.

“My biggest concern is that I test positive on arrival. I’m doing the ‘test and go’ scheme – one night in a quarantine hotel and a PCR test. If I test positive but am asymptomatic, it’s a grey area as to whether the mandatory health insurance covers the expensive 14-day hospital stay,” she says.

“Some horror stories are coming out of £7k hospital bills, insurance companies saying ‘You’re not sick so it’s not covered’. That is my nightmare.”

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

.

New rules for re-opening in Thailand

Bangkok restaurants that want to serve alcohol must have SHA (Safety and Health Administration) certificates and service must end at 9pm, City Hall said on Saturday as it detailed regulations for the lifting of many Covid restrictions starting on Monday.
Nobody has been prepared to explain just what this has to dpo with preventing any new virus outbreak or people’s health and welfare. Worse still, it appears nobody is asking these questions anymore either.

Many other types of businesses, including gyms and cinemas with certain conditions, will be allowed to resume as the capital prepares to welcome international tourists. However, entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke shops will remain closed.

The communicable disease control committee of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced the new rules a day after the central government designated Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket as tourist-oriented “blue zones” as part of the tourism and economic revival plan.

Disease control officials stressed that businesses allowed to open or conduct some activities must continue to abide strictly by universal Covid prevention guidelines and must have Covid-free settings.

The eased restrictions will be in effect from Nov 1-30 but authorities reserve the right to make changes as needed.

Officials advised restaurants that want to serve alcohol to improve their venues in line with the new normal conditions brought about by the pandemic, as a way to boost the confidence of customers including tourists.

Businesses that can resume operations and conditions are:

Nurseries, child development centres and special-needs child centres (The BMA Health Department will consider the opening of facilities based on suitability);
Care centres for the elderly (Both service recipients and officials must be fully vaccinated and random checks must be conducted every week);
Restaurants/eateries can open normally, but alcoholic drinks are allowed only at shops that meet SHA standards set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and consumption must not extend beyond 9pm;
Cinemas can open with audience capacity limited to 75% of seats;
Convenience stores, fresh markets and flea markets can open normally;
Libraries and all kinds of museums can open, but food and drinks are not allowed and activities must not be organised;
Beauty clinics, beauty salons, nail salons and tattoo shops can open via appointment . Customers at tattoo shops must be fully vaccinated or have RT-PCR or ATK results within 72 hours;
Spas and Thai massage shops can open via appointment. Customers at tattoo shops must be fully vaccinated or have negative RT-PCR or ATK results within the previous 72 hours;
Public parks, sports grounds, stadiums, swimming pools and water activities can resume operation;
Gyms and fitness clubs must strictly abide by disease-control measures. For spas, customers must be fully vaccinated or have negative RT-PCR or ATK results within the previous 72 hours);
Stadiums can stage events but all spectators must be fully vaccinated or have negative RT-PCR or ATK results within the previous 72 hours);
Hotels, exhibition halls and convention centres can open, but alcohol consumption is prohibited. There must be break times for air ventilation and meals must be served to guests separately;
Shopping malls and community malls can open normally but activities with large crowds are discouraged;
Playhouses and theatres require permission from the BMA Health Department;
Boxing and martial arts schools and dance schools require permission from the BMA Health Department;
Weight-control services, amulet centres, zoos and animal shows can open;
Children’s playgrounds require permission from district offices in their areas;
Water parks and amusement parks can open.
Businesses that will remain closed are entertainment venues, pubs, karaoke shops, massage parlours, game arcades, internet shops, cockfighting rings and horse racing tracks.

Activities with more than 1,000 people are not allowed, unless permission has been obtained from the Health Department.

This final ruling appears to be little more than an attempt to curb anti Lockdown protest groups from gathering.

Source - BangkokJack

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS 

.

Tourists looking to enter Thailand past November 1 still told to book quarantine accommodations

Foreign travellers looking to enter Thailand after November 1 are still being told by overseas Thai embassies to book quarantine accomodations, multiple sources told Thai Enquirer this week, despite statements by the government saying that the country was partially opening up.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said earlier this month in a nationally televised address that Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries starting November 1.

The prime minister said that it was time for the country to gradually reopen in accordance with his government’s plans. Prayut said that the decision was made with the economy in mind even though Covid-related repercussions were likely.

The United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Germany were among the countries mentioned by Prayut as being on the list. He said more countries would be announced within days but so far no more additions to the lists have been revealed.

According to multiple travelers looking to enter the kingdom, Thai embassies overseas have told visa applicants that they have received no instructions from the foreign ministry in Bangkok about the lifting of restrictions for vaccinated travellers.

“The embassy told us we will still need a certificate of entry and still need to book quarantine accomodations,” said one foreign traveller looking to enter Thailand from the United States.

Another tourist shared a email from the London embassy which reads:

“We have not been officially advised regarding November yet. If you are planning to travel to Thailand soon, you may prepare as if you are going into a quarantine hotel.”

The tourist said he was unable to obtain a visa without booking accomodations.

Queries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were not immediately answered. It is unclear why a key communication delivered by the prime minister to the nation was not forwarded to foreign mission overseas.

Source - Thai Enquirer

Our VISA AGENT

Thailand pins hope of recovery on tourism

Reopening the tourism industry to vaccinated foreigners from November will help drive GDP growth and sustain business confidence of Thailand, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on October 11 stressed that Thailand should not lose the “golden time” to earn revenue during the end of the year, insisting the reopening date will be on November 1.

Revenue from tourism, which makes up 10 percent of Thailand’s GDP, is a quick way to boost the domestic economy, said the FTI.

The federation expects foreign arrivals would help Thailand reach its GDP growth target of 0 – 1 percent this year.

Local media on October 13 quoted FTI Chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree as saying that Thailand must learn to live with COVID-19 and let everything run by itself.

It is time for Thailand to bring back bustling business activities, while maintaining necessary measures against the pandemic, he said.

Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Sanan Angubolkul said the agency supports the government’s plan to fully re-open to vaccinated tourists from countries deemed low risk from November 1, saying the decision is a good sign for the country’s economy.

Source - BangkokJack

Our VISA AGENT

WHO backs reopenings: Cambodia rep says new normal possible if adopted safely

 

WHO in Cambodia has requested the Ministry of Health to consider reopening all sectors, especially businesses in the Kingdom, after observing a sustainable and well-managed response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

World Health Organization Representative to Cambodia Dr Li Ailan told Khmer Times yesterday that Safe & Sustainable reopening is possible, if well managed.

“We need to apply a good risk management approach in all the sectors, especially the business sector for business reopening. Individuals need to make right choices on Covid-19 measures. Implementation & Monitoring are key,” Dr Ailan said.

“We have indeed learned some lessons to realize the  safe-reopening ambition,” she added.

She cautioned however, that if reopening is rushed without good planning and risk management in place, cases will surge, hospitals are highly likely to become overwhelmed and businesses may close again.

“I think that it is the right time to consider reopening the economy and our society safely and responsibly. The current Covid-19 response strategies need to be adjusted towards the New Normal and relevant policies must support all sectors to invest in balanced, risk-based public health and social measures,” she said.

Dr Ailan added that it is crucial to have functional monitoring of implementation and compliance. Policies should support the health sector to shift toward less intensive, more sustainable Covid-19 operations and improving health care and public health surveillance systems for early detection and rapid response to any future outbreaks.

She noted that the virus, especially the Delta variant, is circulating in the community and can still cause a surge in Covid-19 cases to overwhelm health care, even if the vaccination coverage is high, if reopening of businesses is not well managed.

Dr Ailan said WHO advises and encourages the application of a risk-based approach in reopening all the sectors as well as to shift mindsets and efforts in “learning, adjusting and sustaining” to a new way of working and living.

She also said that Cambodia’s high vaccination coverage provides a good basis for reopening the economy and society safely and responsibly. However, vaccination alone is not enough.

“We are working to provide our policy advice and technical support in moving towards “living with Covid-19” as an endemic disease in the future,” she said.

“We need a good combination of “vaccination”, “public health & social measures (PHSM)” and “health care capacity,” she said. “As we move forward in this situation of higher vaccination coverage, we will have to test our new ways of living. We must try, learn, adjust, and sustain new measures and behavior.”

She said each sector can open safely and responsibly with balanced, risk-based policies on public health and social measures that incorporate guidance from the health sector, monitoring of implementation and compliance with the measures, and engagement and communication with the members of the sector.

Investments in these measures are investments in the lives and livelihoods of the people of that sector, Dr Ailan noted.

Regarding recent irresponsible behavior by some holidaymakers during Pchum Ben, she said communities should also play a part by adopting measures that reduce disease spread.

“I regret that there are some who were not taking this responsibility seriously. We have seen images in some places and social media of crowding and maskless gatherings. These are the kinds of situations that can send Cambodia over the Red Line and back into prolonged social disruptions,” Dr Ailan said.

“We should not revert the progress made so far in Cambodia.  WHO is grateful to those who are working hard and who are monitoring the situation during their holidays? We thank the local authorities for taking some quick action to prevent a tragedy. This kind of monitoring and quick response, not waiting for cases to occur, is exactly the kind of try, learn, adjust, and sustain approach that Cambodia needs,” she added.

Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine said yesterday that she is hoping to get out from the Covid-19 box as soon as possible, if people continue to practice the  3 Do’s and 3 Don’ts correctly and regularly.

“Learning to carefully exercise necessary preventive measures allows us to live with a new normal when reopening businesses safely,” Vandine said.

On Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that Cambodia will be capable of  reopening its economy across all sectors if the Covid-19 situation post Pchum Ben remains stable at current levels for at least 10 consecutive days.

“If the situation remains as it is for the next 10 to 15 days, then I think it is time to reopen the economy, and society, across all sectors under the new normal concept,” Mr Hun Sen said.

In another development, Hem Sinareth, the capital’s director of the Department of Education, said on Saturday evening that from October 8 to October 9, 6,000 teachers were tested for Covid-19 and 11 were found positive.

He said the remaining 1,000 teachers in the capital will be tested today.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health yesterday reported 239 new cases of Covid-19 using PCR testing, bringing the total number in the country to 107,857. Of the new cases, 25 are imported and the rest are linked to the February 20 Community Event.

The ministry also announced 24 new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 2,506.

At the same time, it also recorded 481 new recoveries, bringing the total number to 107,857.

Source - Khmer Post

Our VISA AGENT