#Pattaya ranked as 7th Best of the Best Destinations

 Popular online travel platform Tripadvisor ranked Pattaya in Thailand 7th in the Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destination for 2024, suggesting the beach city is the perfect choice for great resorts, outdoor activities, cabaret and cultural tours.

Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award Best of the Best for 2024, is divided into five categories including destinations, restaurants, beaches, hotels and things to do. The list is based on reviews and opinions from Tripadvisor users over the past 12 months.

Pattaya, on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast, was ranked 7th in the destinations category, with the website claiming that only 1% of Tripadvisor listings could make its name.

Tripadvisor highlighted Pattaya’s must-see attractions, including the famous Jomtien Beach, Khao Phrabat Temple, Sanctuary of Truth and the city’s lively entertainment venues. The Sanctuary of Truth was also recently chosen as the location for the action sci-fi film, The Creator.

The platform suggests that travellers to Pattaya, the second-largest city in the Chon Buri province and the eighth-largest city in Thailand, can expect great resorts, outdoor activities, cultural tours, and cabaret performances.

Source: The Thaiger

Bangkok - Why aren’t tourists returning to Khao San Road?

The past few years have been dark for tourism in Thailand and around the world. The Covid-19 global pandemic closed borders and killed tourism in so many crucial areas. Khao San Road, the vibrant, bustling backpacker haven of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok quickly fell into a desolate ghost town. Now, the last pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the government is constantly reporting floods of international tourists bringing Thailand back to life. But vendors on Khao San Road say they’re just not seeing the tourism numbers that were predicted even as all Covid restrictions have been lifted.

The popular tourist neighbourhood took a beating when restrictions started rolling out. Bars were among the first businesses to close, and authorities did everything they could to prevent poorly ventilated crowded places to operate in the face of airborne disease. So Khao San Road – packed densely full of eating and drinking backpackers and cafes, street bars, and shops crowding them for their business – was a prime target to be shut down for most of the pandemic.

The Bangkok Post recently interviewed vendors on the street now though, and they all say that they have not seen the crowds come surging back even as the last of the pandemic restrictions were lifted last month. They are calling on the government the launch tourism campaigns luring international travellers back to Khao San Road and the surrounding area. One vendor selling clothing in a street stall appealed to foreigners to return.

“We’re still waiting for them…. come back to Khao San. We still need all of you. There are few foreign customers today. Before the pandemic, I earned around 5,000–6,000 baht a day, but now I earn just 1,000–2,000 baht a day. After the pandemic, most foreign tourists are more careful with spending. It’s even harder to close a sale each time. They want me to give them a big discount.”

Vendors called on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to focus their efforts on raising awareness of unrestricted travel in Thailand. They also want help promoting that while many costs have skyrocketed in the industry, accommodation is still affordable on Khao San Road, and the area is linked to plenty of tourist attractions. The road lies just a short walk from the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo. Great shopping, dining, and other attractions are just a short hop away.

A pad Thai seller said she was happy to be back on Khao San Road for the first time since the pandemic, even though she is earning half as much as before. But she called on the government to support the area, promoting holidays and events. Before the coronavirus, Khao San was packed for every special event or holiday.

“We have not celebrated the new year and the Songkran festivals together for two years. So, the government must organise these two big events next year and should regularly promote events every holiday to encourage tourists to visit.”

Source - The Thaiger

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Khao San "busy" on first night of alcohol rule easing - patrons need to be double vaxxed or take 100 baht ATK test to enter

INN reporters went to Bangkok's famed tourism street of Khao San Road last night - the first night when approved restaurants were allowed to serve alcohol until 11 pm.

They found the area busy with operators thankful that their trade is increasing at last.

Both foreigners and Thais were enjoying the night out - albeit not a very late one when it comes to enjoying a beer.

Strict protocols are in place. To enter you need to be double vaccinated.

If not then you have to take a 100 baht ATK swab test and be negative to proceed inside.

INN didn't report on any positive cases though they did say that the local police were patrolling occasionally to make sure everyone was behaving themselves.

Source - ASIAN NOW

 

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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

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

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Cambodian Travel Partner

 

The tourism sector has not just been hit hard, but suffered a massive hammer blow from the Covid19 crisis. In Cambodia, the borders have been completely closed to international tourists since the end of March. 

It is still uncertain when we will be able to receive tourists again. Unfortunately, this crisis has led to guides and drivers are out of work. Hotels, restaurants and companies that depend on the tourists are struggling daily, and sadly many have folded. Everyone is still unsure about exactly how long this will last. In Cambodia just over 300 people have been infected by the virus, no one in the ICU and thankfully there have been no fatalities to date. These are the official government figures which some still question, but the fact is that there is no overcrowding of the hospitals, or mass infections like we can see in many parts or Europe. We sometimes wonder if the side effects of the COVID measures taken may be times greater than the results of controlling the virus itself.
Whatever the final outcome of the Corona Virus is, and how long it will continue remains to be seen as, sadly, many places are still in its grip. What we do know, however, is that many thousands, tens of thousands of Cambodians have been thrown back into poverty. It is so distressing to see that many hard-working people with a bright future are struggling again and are at the mercy of government assistance. Many have been left behind with huge debts, no income and with all the consequences that entails.

Also our travel agency has also been hit hard. We paid our staff 100% for the first few months even though there was no work. Well, no new work, just cancelling bookings. After that we continued to pay half of the salaries and the staff only worked 2 days a week, mostly helping us with jobs in the garden. In August, sadly, with no more work to do, we were left with no choice but to lay off our staff. Luckily everyone found other work, and 1 staff member stayed with us because we can now also rent jeeps to Cambodians.

Despite all the misery, we are still positive about the future and we have been working hard to give our websites a new look.  New inspirations and ideas to create a dream holiday for people when the situation allows. We would love you to have a look and let us know what you think.
Please take a few minutes and explore:
cambodia-travelpartner.com and cambodiajeep.com

We firmly believe that there will come a time when it will be possible to travel again. Maybe in a different way, and perhaps being more aware of how people travel. For us, not much will change; it has been our motto from the very beginning to offer special, responsible, small scale tours in Cambodia. Individual trips in boutique hotels and, whenever possible, off the beaten track.

What could be nicer to dream of your new holiday in the dark days in which we now live in? We would love to put together a nice program for you now, without any obligations, and when the travel is possible again, we will put everything into action to create your dream holiday.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Here’s to creating new, happier memories in 2021!

Andre and Lily Ruys
 
Recommended by ASIAN TRAVEL NETWORK

#Thailand - Nearly one-third of tourism-related businesses ‘may shut down permanently’

About one-third of tourism business operators in Thailand will run out of liquidity to keep their businesses afloat in the second half of 2020, Tourism Council of Thailand president Chairat Trirattanajarasporn has warned.

“The impact of Covid-19 will become most serious in the third quarter this year after many operators had tried to cut costs by letting some of their employees go, but after more than a million positions cut the situation still hasn’t improved, as no foreign tourists are allowed into the country yet,” he said.

“The council estimates that in the next three months up to 30 per cent of tourism-related businesses in Thailand are at risk of shutting down permanently.”

Chairat added that some operators are starting to sell their establishments, such as hotels, resorts, restaurants and gift shops to investors who wish to turn them into other business. “However, since the real estate business is also affected by the economic crisis, the hope of selling their properties is still bleak for these owners,” he added.

“The council had a meeting with Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday (July 10) and proposed five measures to help tourism business operators,” said Chairat. “These measures are: providing soft loans to tourism entrepreneurs; considering moving the schedule up to open the country to foreign tourists under a practice similar to the travel bubble scheme; offering discount on electricity bills, one of the main costs of hotel operators; having the Social Security Office extend the compensation payment to temporarily unemployed staff from June to December, and reducing the employer’s contribution to Social Security Fund from 4 percent to 1 percent.”

Chairat also added that the Tourism Council of Thailand has predicted the income from foreign tourists in 2020 will drop significantly from Bt2.2 trillion last year to only around Bt600 billion.

Source - Pattaya One News

Bars and Nightlife Venues to Finally Reopen in #Thailand

There are some agencies that insist on reopening entertainment venues to liven up the Bangkok nightlife as long as they get subjected to very strict safety measures.

The recent pandemic has halted the very active bars and nightlife of Thailand. Since international travel is banned in most countries and there are numerous restrictions in terms of movements and socialization. It has also gravely affected the busiest districts including the capital city of Bangkok.

One of the industries hit hard is the bars and other nightlife establishments because they heavily rely on human interaction and contact. Since nonessential activities are heavily monitored and establishments made to shut down, they do not have any much choice but to comply and make the party stop indefinitely.

With the possibility of the entertainment venues to be allowed to open again, most of the business owners and night workers are bracing themselves in anticipation of the changes that the pandemic has brought. Still, many are excited to get back out there and experience the shine of Thailand and its glam night once again.

Bars and Nightlife Movement Restrictions

The government of Thailand is slowly lifting some movement restrictions it has initially imposed at the early onsets of Covid-19. This is after infections rose to over 3,000 and almost 60 deaths, the government was able to slow the transmission of the virus so it has never seen a spike in reported cases.

The economy is slowly opening again with some of the most essential industries and businesses allowed to open but still need to follow protocols and restrictions. Tourism is seen to resume as they open their doors for people who would like to visit the country again. Although this is good news, the health ministry deems the nightlife industry to be among the last ones to open given the nature of its operations.

And even if both regular customers and workers are looking forward to this, they cannot do much given the situation that the whole world is facing. Most are saying that they are doing their best to practice and better their performances in preparation for their much-awaited comeback. Some are even accepting bookings for the future because of the still-growing tourist demand to visit the country.

Hygiene and Health Practices

The reality of the virus far from over is still at the back of people’s minds. A lot of business establishments are preparing for reopening by creating a better-equipped environment that will not compromise the health of their customers. Most areas are guaranteed to be cleaned and disinfected and more people are seen to carry their own hygiene kits which include their sets of sanitizers, alcohol, wipes, face mask, and so many others.

Many workers and entertainers alike are tasked to make a way on how they can do their job safely as well as protect themselves from the virus itself. Health restrictions are going to be imposed and people who are working in the nightlife industry are supposed to work around these rules.

The concern of most people is their own safety that they are seen to become more conservative in their activities even when normal operations will resume. It might be a slow start for the different bars and establishments, but it will surely improve as the new cases drop and medicine and vaccines will be created.

Changes in the Bangkok Nightlife Scene

A lot of places, including Pattaya and Phuket, have aired their grievances on how much the recent events have shuttered their once-thriving nightlife. A lot of people became unemployed and laid off. There has been a growing protest in reopening the business establishments because the new cases have been low in the past weeks.

Most experts are saying that problems may arise when parties become underground, attracting people who are craving to go back to their normal social activities. There are some agencies that insist on reopening entertainment venues to liven up the Bangkok nightlife as long as they get subjected to very strict safety measures.

This can be done by a constant meeting of the different agencies in order to assess the situation and address concerns as they happen. One of these is the mandatory wearing of safety facial masks and the checking of body temperatures for each customer. Additionally, face shields and gloves are required for all staff and workers. There will also be an imposed limit on how many customers can be admitted to each venue.

Changes in the Tourism Industry

The bars and nightlife of Thailand thrive on the consistent arrival of tourists from all over the world. And though the government is seen to ease its restrictions and allow for the resumption of their operations soon, the former crowded areas might not be as it was. This is due to the restrictions of other countries that prohibit the travel of their citizens to other countries for pleasure or vacation. They are more likely to rely on local tourism for now until more palpable solutions can be made. Tourism is expected to boom again once the cure is found and people are not afraid to interact and party anymore.

The Fight for Survival

Most of the business in the busiest night scenes around Thailand has been protesting about when they can reopen for the sake of their displaced workers and threats of bankruptcy to their business. The three months lockdown has forced a lot of people to strive for their survival and a lot of them are eager to come back to work for a chance to earn an income to support themselves and their families.

The reopening is seen to help with the economy and not really because things have become better. The Thai government is still firm in its decision not to risk a second wave even when the call for reopening is loud and very much needed.

There is still a lot of clamor for the reopening of the busy streets of Thailand, especially the areas with the lively nightlife. And though it is seen to be one of the sectors to reopen last, this industry is still very promising given how much demand it has on normal days. For now, your parties can wait and this is for the safety of you and the people who are working in the industry.
Source - Chiang Rai Times

#Thailand - Nearly 100 Koh Samui Hotels Up for Sale Due to Lockdown

Nearly 100 hotels on the tourism island of Koh Samui are for sale due to the negative impacts of the Covid-19 corona-virus lockdown. Tourism on Koh Samui died after the government ordered hotels shuttered on April 7th to control the disease.

Worasit Pongkampan, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said owners of nearly 100 local hotels announced plans put their hotels for sale. Above all because they lacked cash flow and banks won’t lend to them.

According to Worasit, their financial problems started late last year and picked up in January. The COVID-19 crisis struck them in February. Some hotel owner have been unable to collect overdue payments from big tour agencies for months.

Furthermore, during the temporary closure of their hotels, owners had no revenue but have to pay salaries and other costs.

Due to the circumstance its difficult for them to seek soft loans from banks to maintain their liquidity. Mr. Worasit said he would like the government to immediately help the hotel owners with soft loans. Above all before it is too late because hoteliers are in deep financial troubles.
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The impacts happen not only on Koh Samui but also nationwide,” Mr Worasit said.
Government of Thailand Promises Transparency in $58B Stimulus Package

After administration officials promised transparency, the Thai Government unanimously passed a U.S. $58 billion (1.8 trillion baht) stimulus package. The stimulus package is designed to resuscitate an economy expected to contract for the first time since 2009. Above all because of ripple effects from the corona-virus pandemic.

Except for a few abstentions, the 250-seat chamber voted in favor of the government’s counter-COVID-19 decree. It will be presented to the Constitutional Court before being passed on to the king for his approval. The action followed the Central Bank’s earlier prediction that the economy of Thailand could shrink by 5.3 percent this year.

After the lower house approved the packages the Senate spent two days debating. Furthermore seeking confirmation from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s administration that there would be transparency in the spending process.

Source - Chiang Rai Times

#Thailand may take THREE YEARS to recover from COVID

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has forecast that Thailand is likely to take up to three years to return to normal. 

Speaking at a seminar titled “New Normal for Business Sector” held by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), Somkiat Tangkitvanich, TDRI’s president, said this economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus outbreak is expected to be bigger than the 2008 global financial crisis.

He said TDRI expects it will take a year to 18 months to make and distribute a vaccine, and up to three years for the Thai economy to return to 2019 levels.

According to Somkiat, Thailand is in a transitional period, with lockdown measures starting to ease and many businesses allowed to reopen. However, he insisted tight control measures are still needed to curb a second wave of the outbreak.

The business sector needs to come up with new business practices to adapt to a changing business environment.

Despite massive fiscal stimulus packages and monetary easing, CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) predicted the Thai economy could continue falling sharply this quarter, with GDP contraction possibly below the 12.5 percent seen in the second quarter of 1998.

Thailand’s full-year GDP growth contracted by 7.6 percent 22 years ago when the economy reeled from the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

“We project a sharp fall of GDP in the second quarter by 14 percent from the previous year,” said Amonthep Chawla, head of research at CIMBT.

Amonthep said exports could continue to plunge from weak global demand and continual lockdowns in major economies. The number of tourist arrivals in the second quarter should drop sharply from travel restrictions.

The private sector will likely remain weak for both consumption and investment, following a decline in both farm and non-farm income and a lack confidence among consumers and investors, he said.

Thailand’s economy contracted by 1.8 percent year-on-year and 2.2 percent quarter-on-quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis for the first quarter, mainly attributed to the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the lucrative tourism industry, external demand and domestic private consumption.

The economy could shrink by about 10 percent year-on-year in the second half, but quarterly growth could recover, he said.

Source Pattaya One News

Laos to Resume Domestic Flights, Schools, Other Restrictions Eased

Laos has announced it will resume domestic flights, begin to reopen schools, and ease other lockdown restrictions starting 18 May.

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced at a press conference held today nine measures that will be eased, and four restrictions that will remain in place, effective from 18 May.

Measures eased:

Government and private sector offices may now open and resume operations as usual, but prevention measures and guidelines issued by the taskforce must be strictly implemented.

Interprovincial travel is now permitted for all people throughout the country but prevention measures and guidelines issued by the taskforce must be strictly followed.

Interprovincial transportation via land, water, or air is now permitted but prevention measures and guidelines issued by the taskforce must be followed

Meetings, seminars, and training sessions may be held within the country, however, parties or social events remain prohibited, and all gatherings must implement social distancing and other guidelines issued by the taskforce.

The Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Public Security have been authorized to reopen schools on 18 May, but only grade levels primary 5, secondary 4, and secondary 7. All other levels including kindergarten, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions are authorized to reopen on 2 June. Social distancing and other measures must be strictly adhered to.

Certain indoor and outdoor sports or physical exercise activities are now permitted but prevention measures and guidelines issued by the taskforce must be followed.

Restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, massage parlors and spas, fresh markets, beauty salons, barbershops, shopping centers and malls, and tourism sites, are permitted to open but prevention measures and guidelines issued by the taskforce must be strictly implemented.

Construction projects, plants, and factories may resume operations but must follow the guidelines issued by the taskforce.

Lao nationals who are employed outside of Laos may now return to their place of work abroad, provided that the host country permits it, while foreign nationals who are employed in Laos may return to their home country.

Restrictions that remain in place:

Night markets, beer shops, nightclubs, online game shops, karaoke venues, cinemas, casinos, team sports tournaments are not yet authorized to reopen.

Unofficial or informal gatherings or other large events remain prohibited, while cultural festivals and weddings with more than 50 attendees are also prohibited. Gatherings must follow social distancing and other virus prevention measures.

Local, traditional, and international border checkpoints remain closed. People are forbidden from entering and exiting the country, except for drivers of cargo vehicles or those with prior authorization.

Entry visas will not be issued to visitors who come from or pass through countries that have experienced a Covid-19 outbreak, except for special cases whereby prior authorization has been issued.

The easing of restrictions remains temporary. If an infected case is confirmed in a particular province, then stricter measures will be enacted in that province. The provincial taskforce will announce all confirmed cases and measures. If a cluster of cases is found in two or more provinces, then the country may revert to stricter lockdown measures stipulated under Prime Ministerial Order No. 6/PM.

Source - Laotian Times

Visitors vanish from Asia's most visited sites

As dawn breaks the unmistakable tapered towers of Angkor Wat emerge from the gloom - but for once there are no tourists jostling on its steps to capture Cambodia's most famous sunrise.

Asia's most Instagrammable sites - temples, promenades, shopping streets,

museums and mausoleums - are empty, victims of a virus keeping visitors at home.

The usual crowds have evaporated from Sensoji temple in Tokyo to Shanghai's Bund; abandoning the viewpoint at The Peak in Hong Kong and alleviating the pedestrian crush along Sydney Harbour.

Many of the now vanished visitors are from China - a country whose travelers have completely reshaped the tourist economies of Asia over the last few years, yet where only around 10 percent of the population hold passports.

At the Angkor Wat complex, a 12th century marvel of Khmer architecture whose unique crenellations and reliefs lure millions each year, high season has brought the lowest number of tourists on record.

Chinese-speaking Cambodian guide Hor Sophea has not taken any tours since late January. Several weeks on, money is getting tight.

"I've never seen so few tourists," said the 36-year, gesturing at the large moat inside the Angkor Wat complex, whose gangways normally bustle with selfie-taking hordes but are now empty.

"I am very worried... I don't know how much longer we can carry on like this."

The Angkor complex in Siem Reap province attracts the bulk of the kingdom's foreign tourists -- which hit a record 6.6 million in 2019, nearly half of whom were from China.

But the outbreak of the coronavirus has withered Chinese tourist arrivals by 90 percent.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced tax breaks for hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap for four months to offset the losses.

But the discovery on Saturday of the first Cambodian with the infection - in Siem Reap - is likely to cement the stay-at-home mentality among many travelers.

The economic impact is also cascading across Asia.

In Bali, piers once bristling with arrivals from China are now decorated with moored boats, while in Tokyo the slump in mainland visitors - as well as South Koreans - is hammering restaurants in tourist areas.

At the Tsukiji fish market some restaurants say their take is nearly 70 percent down.

"People stopped coming from China during the Lunar New Year... the streets and shops around here are near-empty," Hiroshi Oya, 61, a cook at a Japanese seafood restaurant told AFP.

"Then South Koreans stopped coming too. The tuna shop next to us decided to close temporarily to avoid running costs," he added.

But for those who are inured to the panic gripping the globe and choose to navigate travel restrictions and the morass of quarantine, a rare privilege of empty sites is their reward.

At the Angkor complex, even Ta Prohm -- the 'Tomb Raider Temple' famed for its embrace by giant tree roots and a Hollywood film franchise -- has only a smattering of visitors each day.

"We're very very lucky. Covid-19 has probably done us a favor," Australian tourist Andres Medenis, who came for sunrise at Angkor Wat, told AFP.

"But the economy is going to be really affected by that... so I feel sorry for the local people." 

The JakartPost

Online hotel booking sites may be duping travelers: Consumer rights group

A new study out of Britain shows that travelers could score better bargains if they go directly through the hotel rather than book with an online travel agent like Booking.com or Expedia.com.

That's according to Which?, a consumer rights group that found that when they contacted hotels directly they were able to score a better room rate compared to the prices listed on secondary travel websites or snag other incentives including free breakfasts or upgrades.

For the study, Which? contacted 10 hotels in Britain and asked if the hotels could offer a better deal than the ones posted by online travel agents (OTA) like Booking.com or Expedia.

In eight of the 10 cases, hotels offered discounts on rooms, food, spa treatments, or freebies like breakfast and parking. A hotel in Cornwall offered a discount of £20 (US$25.63), slashing the rate from £170 to £150.

"Customers shouldn't be duped into thinking they're getting the best price from a hotel booking site when more often than not, they can get a better deal by avoiding its commission and booking directly with the hotel," said Which? Travel editor Rory Boland in a press release.

"Hotel booking sites might be a good place to start your search, but you should always call or email the hotel for the best chance of getting the cheapest deal – even in cases where they can't offer a better price, there's a good chance they'll throw in a freebie or two."

Online travel agents typically charge commissions of between 15 percent to 25 percent on every booking, a fee that's often passed down to the consumer.

To get the best room rate, Which? editors recommend using an OTA as a starting point, and then calling the desired hotel directly. Quote the rate listed on Booking.com or Expedia.com, and ask if they can do better. A reasonable discount is between 15 percent to 25 percent. 

Source - TheJakartaPost

Discovering #Pattaya City and Enjoy the Best Golf Club in Pattaya

Joining a golf club in Thailand will cost a lot less than a golf club membership in other parts of the world. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy extra benefits along with preferred tee times.

On your next holiday in Thailand, why not enjoy a golf club in Pattaya? Experience something different than just lazing on a beach during your next trip to Thailand.

Many airlines will not charge you extra for bringing your golf clubs on your flight with you. So there’s never any excuse to do without a round or two of golf when you’re on holiday. Experience the joy of teeing off in a tropical resort by the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. You’ll enjoy the sunshine and the soft breezes that blow in off the water.

Pattaya has many golf clubs around the city to choose from as well. A golfing holiday provides you with exercise, gets you out in the healthy sunshine, and gives you a chance to leisurely work on lowering your handicap.

Pattaya golf courses are of championship caliber. They’re well-maintained and offer a worthy challenge to the lowest scoring golf aficionados.

Annual Weather in Pattaya

There is really no bad time to experience a golf club in Pattaya. But the months between the end of October and the beginning of March offer balmy temperatures, cool and light breezes, days of sunshine, and low humidity. It’s the perfect time of year to tee up on one of the lush, tropical golf courses of Pattaya.

March and April offer hot and dry weather. But by renting a golf cart, you’ll scarcely notice the heat. You can also enjoy cold drinks out on the course while you play. Retire to the magnificent golf clubs after your round to enjoy more cold beverages and a deliciously prepared meal while you talk with your friends or family members about your day of golf in Thailand.

Between May and October, the rains come to Thailand. Yet it rarely for more than a couple of hours a day. Plus the well-maintained golf clubs of Pattaya are prepared for the annual rains. They are well-aerated, and the fairways and greens dry out quickly after it rains.

By checking out the local weather forecast before you schedule a tee time, you can avoid the rains entirely and play a round in the cooler weather that the rainy season also brings.

Become a Member of a Golf Club in Pattaya

If you frequently travel to Thailand on business, and are an avid golfer, becoming a member of a golf club in Pattaya is well worth doing. Entertain business colleagues and clients by treating them to a round of golf in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

Joining a golf club in Thailand will cost a lot less than a golf club membership in other parts of the world. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy extra benefits along with preferred tee times. Hire the clubhouse catering facilities and venue to host a business event or even a private party for your friends and family. You’ll enjoy impeccable service and warm, Thai hospitality to put smiles on your guest’s faces.

A golf holiday in Pattaya, Thailand, is an excellent choice to make for business or just for pleasure.

Source - Chiang Rai Times

Tokyo looks to entice foreign tourists to spend, enjoy nightlife

Businesses in Tokyo are looking to get foreign visitors spending their time and cash on the city's wide-ranging nightlife options.

Travel agencies are arranging special events for foreign tourists such as Japanese taiko drum performances, while hotels are extending their business hours to allow guests to socialize into the early hours.

But while efforts are being made to boost the after-dark economy, the lack of late-night public transport remains a major obstacle to tourists getting a taste of what Tokyo has to offer -- especially when the only option after 1 a.m. is waiting for the first train four hours later, or taking an expensive taxi to their hotel.

Since last year, travel agency JTB Corp. has joined with "Drum Tao," a world-famous Japanese taiko percussion and dance troupe, to entertain foreign visitors.

Performances of the traditional Japanese drumming were held in September and October 2017. Due to their popularity, the shows are being held from May through November this year, a fourfold increase in the number of performances from the year before.

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 According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, foreign tourists visiting Japan last year spent about 150,000 yen ($1,370) per person. This is well below the 200,000 yen amount required to hit the 8 trillion yen the government wants to be injected into the economy by tourists.

Designating tourism as a key growth area, the Japanese government aims to attract 40 million overseas visitors annually to the country by 2020, and 60 million by 2030.

In January, the Tokyo metropolitan government said it planned to survey foreign tourists on what they enjoy about the city's nightlife, including restaurants, theaters and sporting events, to better cater to their interests while encouraging them to part with their cash.

The central government is joining Tokyo's efforts to increase spending by tourists at night. Despite the rapid increase in tourism, the average amount spent per traveler has declined in recent years.

Read Continue ....

This untouched beach in central #Vietnam will take your breath away

Bai Dong, which literally means Eastern Beach, is located on the Nghi Son Peninsula in Tinh Gia District, 60km (37 miles) from Thanh Hoa Town. Every weekend, the beach is filled with visitors from the north of Vietnam. Photos by Hong Nhung

The newly-discovered Bai Dong Beach is wowing locals with its sparkling blue waters, white sands and delicious seafood. 

 The beach is with white sand and blue sea.

 Bai Dong is over 200km south of Hanoi. You can travel by coach from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa’s Nghi Son Economic Zone, then take a taxi or a motorbike taxi the next five kilometers to the beach.

 Restaurants located by the sea offer a variety of options.

 Resorts, hotels, and hostels are available to meet your accommodation needs. The cheapest hostel will cost you VND200,000 (less than $9) for a night.

Source - VN Express

BMA bans all street food across #Bangkok this year

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Despite international acclaim, Yaowarat and Khao San Road next targets of cleanup

STREET FOOD vendors will disappear from Bangkok by the end of the year in the interests of cleanliness, safety and order, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says.
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In the capital, which is internationally recognised for its street food, famous locations such as Chinatown/Yaowarat and Khao San Road would be cleared of vendors in a bid to beautify Bangkok.
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 A month after the city was named the finest street food destination in the world by CNN for the second year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) continued its operation to reclaim the pavements for pedestrians and announced that vendors would be banned entirely from the capital’s streets.
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 The CNN report said that “it is impossible to avoid street food in Bangkok, where sidewalk vendors in different parts of the city operate on a fixed rotation. It said that some take care of the breakfast crowd with sweet soymilk and bean curd, others dish up fragrant rice and poached chicken for lunch. The late-night crowd offers everything from phad thai noodles to grilled satay”.
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Wanlop Suwandee, chief adviser to Bangkok’s governor, said yesterday that the internationally recognised areas of Yaowarat and Khao San Road would be the next target after they successfully cleared the pavements of food vendors in areas such as Siam Square, Pratunam, and the flea market under Phra Phuttayotfa Bridge.
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“The BMA is now working to get rid of the street vendors from all 50 districts of Bangkok and return the pavements to the pedestrians. Yaowarat and Khao San Road will be our next goal in clearing out illegal vendors,” Wanlop said.
‘No exceptions’
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While Wanlop said he was grateful for CNN’s recognition of Bangkok as the world’s best street food city, he said cleanliness and safety in the streets were the BMA’s priorities.
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“The street vendors have seized the pavement space for too long and we already provide them with space to sell food and other products legally in the market, so there will be no let-up in this operation. Every street vendor will have to move out,” he said.
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Piyabutr Jiuramonaikul, president of the Khao San Business Council, said he did not know about the BMA’s plans to manage the street vendors in Khao San Road and there would have to be further discussions with the city authority.
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“There are more than 200 street food vendors in Khao San Road and they are the uniqueness of our district that attracts many tourists from around the world,” Piyabutr said.
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Bangkok resident Romdheera Phruetchon said that while she agreed with the BMA’s efforts to create clean and tidy pavements, this could coexist with the preservation of city’s world-famous street food.
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“The BMA should set up a zone for the street vendors, so they can keep their jobs and preserve the charm of Bangkok’s street food,” said Romdheera. “The people can benefit from selling goods, while the tourists can enjoy the unique street food of our city.”
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First Soi 38 closed, soon there’ll be no street food in Thong Lor, Ekkamai or Phra Khanong either

 

First Soi 38 closed, soon there’ll be no street food in Thong Lor, Ekkamai or Phra Khanong either

The government has directed all street food vendors to halt sales on a popular section of Upper Sukhumvit. 

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By April 17, stalls in Ekkamai, Thong Lor and Phra Khanong will be forced to shut down, despite the fact that Bangkok was recently named, for the second year in the row, the city for the greatest street food in the world by CNN. 

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One vendor in Thong Lor told BK Magazine that a City Hall police officer handed him an announcement advising him about the forced closure and made him pose for a photo with the paper. 

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The order, which apparently comes straight from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), will affect Soi Thong Lor, Soi Ekkamai, and Soi Pridi Banomyong (aka Sukhumvit Soi 71, the main street in Phra Khanong).

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 It’s a sad situation for everyone, but especially for the vendors themselves, who are being pushed out all over the city by the BMA and may not find new places to set up shop where they can make a living. It’s also difficult for the construction workers and others on low salaries working in the area who will have very limited choices for where to eat if the food stalls must close.

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A meeting was held between vendors and officials recently but they could not reach any compromises and, as it stands now, vendors will not be allowed at any time of day on any sidewalks on those streets. The BMA claims the ruling is because pedestrians have complained about the congested sidewalks. Those that are not technically on a sidewalk may be allowed to remain. 

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So, with no street food vendors in those neighborhoods, you may be able to walk more freely but there will be far fewer tasty places to go. 

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Source - Coconuts 

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Turning away from shark fin soup

Shark fin shop in China
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Manila - A former fan of shark fin soup shares why he has stopped patronizing the popular delicacy. 

I admit it, I used to enjoy shark fin soup. Not anymore.
My wife and I stopped consuming shark fin soup after learning what sharks had to go through before a bowl of shark fin soup is served to humans.
Reasons why we should say no to shark fin soup:

First, shark fins have low nutritional value.
Second, shark fins have no taste. They get their taste from the other ingredients.
Third, shark fins are expensive.
Fourth, shark fins have no proven medicinal value. In fact, they contain high levels of mercury (made more concentrated by the treating and drying process), plus hydrogen peroxide, which is used to make the color more appealing.
Fifth, many shark species are on the brink of extinction.
Sixth, humans do not need shark fin soup to live but sharks need their fins to survive.
Finally, shark fins are harvested through a barbaric process known as shark finning.
Barbaric process
How are shark fins gathered?
First, sharks are caught.
Second, the fins are removed while the sharks are still alive. And because sharks have as many as six big and small fins, they agonize six times over.
Third, they are dumped back into the ocean and are left to die an excruciating death. Without their fins, they cannot swim properly, they cannot catch prey for food, they cannot defend themselves, and they cannot get oxygen, as water needs to be forced through their gills as they swim.|
Why are sharks dumped back into the ocean after finning?
1. Space - The shark’s body is huge and takes a lot of space in the boat
2. Price - The fins are worth much more than the rest of the shark’s body.
3. Spoilage - Ammonia produced by a decomposing shark body may contaminate other catch.
Why people eat shark fin soup
In many countries, including China and Hong Kong, the consumption of shark fins has declined after government interference, like banning the dish in state banquets.
However, since there is no law (yet) banning shark fin soup/dishes in the Philippines, some people still have the appetite to order them because of one or all of the following reasons:
1. Culture or habit - Some people still believe shark fin is delicious, a delicacy, an aphrodisiac, has medicinal or nutritional value.
2. Show of affluence - A bowl of shark fin soup costs a lot of money and being seen ordering or serving shark fin soup in a wedding or banquet sends a signal that the host is successful and has money.
3. Ignorance - Most consumers do not realize the barbaric process involved in removing the fins.
4. Indifference - They do not care about marine conservation or the fate of the sharks.
Why restaurants still serve shark fin soup
In the Philippines, many big, multinational hotels like Shangri-La and Peninsula have stopped serving shark fin soup since 2011 because they understand the bigger picture.
Their business continued to be brisk without shark fin soup.
Others, unfortunately, are still serving them because of one or all of the reasons below:
1. Brand association - Dishes with shark fins are core products.
2. Marketing - Customers ordering them have money, which means they can cross sell other expensive items as well.
3. Fear of losing to competition - Some feel that if they stop, business will go to the competition.
4. Apathy - They have no idea about shark finning or do not care to know anything about it.
5. No social implication - They have not been pressured enough to stop.
6. Law of foolish fellowship - If others are serving it, why should they stop? They failed to look into the possibility that stopping and publicising their reason for doing so can reposition them as a caring restaurant and a leader in seafood sustainability.
Citizen action requests
Now that you have read up to this point, I have three requests.
1. Please share this information with others.
2. Stop consuming shark fin soup or shark fin dishes. When you are served shark fin soup during weddings, banquets or meals, do not consume it.
3. Write to restaurants serving shark fin soup to ask them to stop.
If there is no demand, then hopefully the cruel practice will stop. When restaurants know we are vigilant, they will likely stop serving shark fin soup.
Action requests
To restaurants - Please stop buying shark fins and phase out this dish. Do not wait for people to hold placards or boycott your restaurant before you remove this dish from your menu. Offer alternatives.
To party hosts - Please refrain from including dishes with shark fin in your banquet order.
To guests and consumers - Again, please stop ordering and consuming dishes with shark fin.
. Source - TheNation

Diner Alert: Nine Thai foods you should avoid in summer

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The Department of Disease Control has issued a list of nine Thai dishes that could potentially cause diarrhea during the summer.

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According to the Department, the number of diarrhea patients between Jan. 1 to Mar. 10 totaled 191,515. One patient reportedly died from complications resulting from the condition. The Department warned restaurants across Thailand to pay more attention to hygiene in the kitchen and warned diners to wash their hands before each meal.

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Below is the list of Thai foods that easily go bad in the hot weather, subsequently posing a risk to the health of diners.

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1. Larb/Koi or spicy Isaan meat salad: This dish is a combination of ground meat seasoned with fish sauce, limejuice, chili and herbs. Both dishes are similar except that Koi uses raw meat.

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2. Yum Goong Dten or “spicy shrimp salad”: This dish’s Thai name literally means “Dancing Shrimp Salad,” suggesting that live shrimp are main ingredient to the dish.

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3. Yum Hoy Krang or “spicy cockle salad”: Diners need to make sure that cockles are given a good rinse before eating them.

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4. Fried rice topped with crabmeat

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5. All coconut milk recipes: Phanaeng curry, Massaman curry, chicken green curry, coconut custard, Bualoy, Saku Biak, you name it.

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6. Kanom Jeen or “fermented Thai rice noodle”: Since Kanom Jeen is made from rice that has been fermented for three days, it can rot quickly.

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7. Khao Man Gai or “chicken rice”

8. Som Tam or “spicy green papaya salad”

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9. Green salad

The Department also warns diners of ice and suggests them not to eat food that has been left out overnight.

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Source - Coconuts 

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