Thailands newest wave of Covid, as well as the most virulent, and the lockdowns and restrictions because of it, is set to ruin hundreds of restaurants.
One restaurant owner, 79 year old Kamol Trisitthichet, who owns Arlek Ratchawongse, spoke to Thai media about his ongoing struggles. He says that his business has lost 500,000 baht since the pandemic started. Further, despite being open for take away, his traditional Chinese establishment is not ideally suited for take away.
"Take-away or online deliveries aren't recommended and my regular customers know well that I am against it".
The restrictions that have been killing the restaurant industry, such as dine in only (ending may 17), and restricted hours in "dark red" zones, and only allowing 25% of capacity, have meant that businesses have to compromise the dining experience, adding pressure to opening hours, and depriving the restaurants of potential customers.
According to some experts, the Covid-19 pandemic will eventually force an estimated 500,000 restaurant establishments to shut down across the country.
Dylan Jones, former co-founder of the Michelin starred Thai fine dining restaurant Bo.lan, was particularly blunt in his criticisms of the situation. From his Instagram…
"The current situation regarding the government's Covid response, and their collective incompetence in shepherding Thailand's hospitality industry through this pandemic, with an utter lack of financial and political support for small business owners (and in particular our hospitality industry) has certainly contributed to our decision to call it a day."
Other restaurant owners have chimed in on the invitation-only audio app Clubhouse to voice the difficulties they've experienced with having to rely on take away orders to keep their businesses solvent. Owners such as Sahaswas Chobchingchai have cited issues such as managing stock properly and how he's been forced to sell food at discount prices rather than just throwing it away.
I may lose money but it is better than 100% loss when the materials are spoiled.
Pattaya plans to welcome back foreign tourists, without quarantine requirements, in the fourth quarter of this year and seeks more COVID-19 vaccine doses to cover at least 70% of local residents.
The mayor added that the "Pattaya, Move on" project will be implemented under standard operating procedures for international arrivals, such as COVID-19 testing and guidelines for sealed routes.
The proposals will be presented to the Public Health Ministry, before being forwarded to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration for approval next month.
It doesn't sound like many people will queing up for a fun-filled holiday in Pattaya until the powers that be grow up a little.
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 62 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, May 31st with three new deaths, mostly driven by clusters at factories and migrant worker camps.
This makes a total of 4,669 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 992 still in medical care, and with a total of 28 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. Three additional deaths were announced this morning although details were not released.
Additionally, 3,649 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 41 people were released yesterday.
The district-level new cases were as follows today:
Mueang Chonburi with 39, Si Racha 14, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 2, Sattahip 1, Ban Bueng 1, Pan Thong 2, and three patients were transferred from another province to Chonburi for medical care.
The details on today's cases given were:
Cluster at Rattanakorn Market, 4 cases
Cluster at New Market, 1 case
Communities where Thai and migrants workers work in industries and markets live in the Bang Sai sub-district, 37 cases
Close contact from previous confirmed case from Bangkok, 1 case
Contact from previous confirmed cases
5.1 In families, 8 cases
5.2 In workplaces, 1 case
Close contact under investigation, 3 cases
Being investigated, 7 cases
In the last day, a total 151 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 1,093 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results.
Public health officials continue to urge people to not socialize outside of their direct household until the situation improves. Most cases have come from small social gatherings according to authorities.
Chonburi has significantly stepped up testing at industrial estates and their worker dormitories as well as workplaces in the province.
There were no new timelines for the second day in a row.
THAILAND: The Rural Doctors Society has accused the government of concealing information about the real situation facing supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine promised for this week.
Suphat Hasuwankit, president of the Rural Doctors Society, posted on the society's Facebook page that a source told him the government now has to order 500,000 doses of the vaccine from South Korea to supply its mass vaccination campaign which kicks off on June 7, instead of sourcing from local production.
The government had to pay a lot more money for the AstraZeneca vaccine from South Korea simply to fulfil its promise that the AstraZeneca vaccinations will be available on time, Dr Suphat said.
And as the government had previously promised up to 1.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive in the first batch in June, people who have already booked their vaccination appointments may end up getting Sinovac jabs instead, he said.
As COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain insufficient worldwide due to low global manufacturing capacity, vaccine makers are handling vaccine orders strictly in chronological order, while some urgent orders are accepted with extra charges. Currently, only the Sinovac vaccine has been obtained by Thailand in an "urgent" manner, he said.
Dr Suphat said that as the government has a limited amount of the AstraZeneca vaccine, it has instructed hospitals to get 12 doses from each vial, instead of the 10 doses that the label recommends.
The idea is to increase the number of people who receive the vaccine by 20% while using the same amount of the vaccine, he said.
Given the vaccination situation, Thailand's COVID-19 outbreak will remain serious for several more months, while June is likely to be particularly chaotic in terms of vaccination management, he said.
INN reported that 22 Thai provinces were now in the white zone meaning there are no Covid-19 cases at all.
Just four provinces including Bangkok remain in the red zone with more than 100 cases.
Five are in orange, 12 in yellow, and 34 in green.
*Virus cases as of 30th May
* Red - more than 100: Bangkok, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi
* Orange - between 51 and 100: Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Narathiwat, Chachoengsao and Samut Sakhon
* Yellow: - between 11 and 50: Trang, Songkhla, Ayutthaya, Prajuab Khiri Khan, Yala, Saraburi, Chanthaburi, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Ratchaburi.
* Green: - between 1 and ten: (includes) Rayong, Chiang Rai, Udon, Korat, Phuket, Khon Kaen.
* White: No cases reported: Chiang Mai, Phatthalung, Ubon, Chaiyaphum, Lamphun, Lampang, Phichit,Nakhon Phanom, Trat, Nan, Sukhothai, Phayao, Loei, Phrae, Uttaradit, Chainat, Phangnga, Amnat Charoen, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan and Satun.
As of May 6, the Thai government restored the mandatory 14-day quarantine for both vaccinated and unvaccinated arrivals in the country, regardless of their nationality.
Thai embassies and consulates are issuing a Certificate of Entry (COE) for all travellers to Thailand, including those in the visa exemption list, as well as 60-day tourist visas and special tourist visas (STV).
Foreigners entering Thailand are required to have an ASQ hotel reservation and Covid-19 insurance.
At present, only semi-commercial flights are allowed to land in Thailand.
Foreigners allowed entry include diplomats and foreign workers, including their families, business representatives and experts invited by the government, permanent residents, foreigners with Thai families, students and their guardians, medical tourists and their attendants, business visa holders, Thai Elite Visa holders, APEC cardholders, STV and tourist visa holders, non-immigrant O retirement visa, non-immigrant OA and OX holders and migrant workers with official documents.
All foreigners are required to get in touch with their local Thai embassy to apply for a COE and for more information.
Until September 30, 2021, Thailand will allow a limited number of long-stay tourists under the STV programme. This long-stay visa is open to foreign nationals travelling to Thailand with the intention of staying long-term as a tourist.
Those eligible can get in touch with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Office or Thai embassy in their current location for more information.
Visa amnesty/extension
What is visa amnesty?
As of May 29, 2021, all foreign nationals living in Thailand affected by the Covid-19 crisis will be granted a 60-day visa extension.
Who is covered by the visa amnesty?
All foreign nationals living in Thailand legally with a visa exemption entry stamp, tourist visa, non-immigrant visa or yearly extension of stay.
What are the rules related to visa amnesty?
Visa or permit to stay that is still valid and updated by the local immigration office.
Foreigners holding long-term visas, such as a work visa, marriage visa or retirement visa are required to apply for their yearly extension at the immigration office as usual.
Foreigners do not need an embassy letter to be granted the automatic visa extension due to Covid-19.
Is the Covid-19 visa extension free of charge?
No, the Covid-19 extension of visa costs 1,900 baht.
Will the visa amnesty be extended?
There is no indication that this visa amnesty or grace period will be extended.
What happens when the visa amnesty is lifted or not extended?
When the situation is resolved and returns to normal, foreigners must leave Thailand on or before the permit to stay date in their passports is up or must apply for the proper type of visa at the immigration office.
Travel Ban
Most international flights are banned, though some semi-commercial flights are allowed to land in Thailand.
Foreigners qualified to enter Thailand must apply for a "Certificate of Entry to Thailand" before they book a seat on the available repatriation flight.
90-day reporting
If you are a foreigner staying in Thailand for a period longer than 90 consecutive days holding a Non-Immigrant Visa or Extension of Stay, you are required by Thai Immigration to report your current address every 90 days. You may file for the TM47 notification in person, by mail, online, or through an agent.
Consequences of visa overstay
During this Covid-19 crisis in Thailand, some foreign nationals may find themselves overstaying in Thailand either by mistake, miscalculating the length of stay, forgetting their visa expiration date or by unforeseen cancellation of their flights due to travel restrictions.
As a foreigner, you are strongly advised to avoid overstaying in Thailand. But if you do find yourself in Thailand on an expired visa it is very important that you act fast and in the right way.
Cancellation of Visa on Arrival
Travellers from the following countries are no longer allowed visa on arrival: Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.
Travellers from these countries are required to obtain a proper visa to travel to Thailand.
Though the visa on arrival for Russia has been cancelled, Russian passport holders may still enter Thailand for 30 days under the bilateral agreement. – The Nation
The future of the Smooth as Silk airline is still mired in controversy.
Travel agents say they are simply being overwhelmed by numerous questions of potential holidaymakers considering vacation choices this summer. Companies such as Discount Travel, TUI and Siam Tours say there has been considerable interest in Thailand as other neighboring countries – Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines – have more or less banned pleasure visits altogether. But the situation is becoming more muddy rather than less.
The latest question mark is the future of Thai Airways International plc following the decision of the Bangkok Bankruptcy Court on May 28 to defer a decision on a bailout plan by creditors until mid-June. The airline would need a cash injection of at least 50 billion baht (1.65 billion US) to continue its "Smooth as Silk" tradition. Currently, most THAI planes are parked idly on runways, although the company does undertake semi-commercial repatriation flights for Thais and non-Thais stuck abroad.
Most THAI aircraft are furloughed at Bangkok airports.
A spokeswoman for Siam Tours said, "The delay about the future of the national carrier, coming on top of a third wave of Covid-19 infections here, has unnerved many would-be vacationers from Europe who are frightened of losing their money or falling ill far from home." The Tourist Authority of Thailand has confirmed that the most likely source of income this year will European as both China and India have de facto banned their citizens from pleasure trips pending the coronavirus pandemic.
Defenders of THAI say that the airline in recent years has already taken gigantic steps to reduce losses. They include massive staff redundancies, the slashing of routes and huge reductions in the privileges enjoyed by executives. But critics say that the airline made heavy annual losses since 2013 (except for a small profit in 2016), has long suffered from blatant corruption and made awful choices when buying new planes in the 1990s. THAI's current liabilities are in the region of 400 billion baht (13.2 billion US).
Brits worry that Thailand's amber light might turn red.
Other worries that would-be travellers to Thailand raise are the complex visa procedures required for the certificate of entry from Thai embassies, confusion between specific Covid-19 insurance and more general illness and accident cover, lack of clarity about the Sandbox concept for quarantine-free visits and concerns that bars, clubs, beaches and tourist sites will still be closed when they get here.
British tourists thinking of long haul have the extra worry about their government's weird traffic lights identification of foreign countries into green, amber and red. Thailand is an amber-designated country and official government advice is not to come here. Brits returning are expected to self-quarantine at home, but will need to be isolated in hotels at their own expense if amber turns to red. Thailand's recorded infections are rising daily at the moment.
Arnold Reese, a Manchester travel agent, said, "A few diehards will always get through, but there can be no mass tourism to Thailand with all the doubts swirling around. With long distance airfares, entry requirements and travel insurance all becoming more expensive, Thailand's tourist reopening is more likely next year. People here have already booked their summer holidays in big numbers and the choice is Europe in 2021."
Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic — Request for Strong Support for Hospitality Sector in Face of COVID-19 Pandemic
Amid the third wave of the pandemic, which recorded over 2,000 infections a day and daily deaths climbing to double digits, I understand that the government is facing the monumental task of pulling the country out of its COVID-induced economic crisis. In the meantime, Thailand has no international travelers and the hospitality industry is struggling to survive on the domestic market alone.
Minor International operates in the tourism sector, so I can offer some specific thoughts and speak on behalf of this critical industry that accounts for up to 20% of Thailand's economy. I would like to make the following specific comments and suggestions:
Accelerate vaccine rollout for both Thai and foreign nationals: The mass immunization program must be accelerated at full speed. Not only is it essential for most Thais to be vaccinated by the end of this year, but foreign nationals in the country must also be vaccinated without delay. The Chinese government has already sent vaccine doses to Thailand to inoculate Chinese citizens living here. The government should encourage other foreign embassies (e.g. the United States, Australia and other European nations) to assist their citizens urgently, especially those nations with excess COVID-19 vaccine supplies. Once their home populations have been inoculated, foreign countries should also provide vaccines for their citizens abroad. The Thai government's urging through the foreign ministry can help achieve earlier herd immunity in Thailand.
The recent news citing a potential delay of the second dose appointment for AstraZeneca is already causing concern about slippage in vaccination timeline. The government should ensure that the country has procured sufficient vaccines from multiple sources, to vaccinate accommodate the population as scheduled. Different varieties of vaccine brands should be considered as the outbreak situation in the country is still evolving.
Allow vaccinated tourists to enter the country without quarantine: Nationwide quarantine- free entry will be crucial to the success of Thailand's re-opening to tourism. Merely shortening the length of mandatory quarantine will not be sufficient to revive tourism. Moreover, quarantine-free entry should not be limited to specific areas (e.g. the top-six tourist zones) but should be applied throughout the country. Fully vaccinated travelers from safe countries have much lower risk to transmit the virus and should be allowed to travel freely, as long as they have negative test results, remain masked and are tracked. Any quarantine requirement for such travelers will make Thailand uncompetitive against other tourism destinations that allow convenient entry.
The re-tightening of quarantine rules back to 14 days was unwarranted, considering the lack of evidence or reports that the third wave of COVID-19 was a result of the recent easing of quarantine rules to 7-10 days. Most new infections are comprised of local transmission (e.g. from entertainment clusters, prisons and high-density communities).
I also hope that the government will still adhere to the Phuket Tourism Sandbox scheme, which is scheduled to welcome fully-vaccinated, COVID-19-free travelers to Phuket without quarantine on July 1st. With the vaccination drive well under way, the initiative should be able to launch on schedule. The success of this pilot scheme will be the turning point for our country's reopening.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should initiate reciprocal travel agreement with low- to moderate-risk countries for quarantine-free entry by vaccinated travelers. Such reciprocal agreements are a necessary stepping stone to eventual full-scale re-opening.
Speed up vaccine passports' approved list and ease visa measures: The government should immediately establish a clear system on acknowledgement of vaccine passports from international visitors. As a global travel destination, Thailand should accept proof of vaccination from as many internationally endorsed COVID-19 vaccines as possible. Process of entry should be simplified and streamlined, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborating with international airlines and other related parties. Process of entry for foreigners from countries that were allowed to enter Thailand without visa requirement since pre-COVID-19 period should now return to the same condition as long as they possess vaccine passport and negative COVID- 19 test result. Certificate of Entry (COE) and other documentation for entry application may no longer be necessary.
Provide free or low-cost COVID-19 testing for the public: Knowledge is key to fighting COVID-19. The cost of testing should not be an impediment to safeguarding the health of individuals and communities. Knowing who, when, and where someone is infected is essential to stemming the spread of the disease. Testing international travelers will also act as a first line of defense.
Promote public confidence in the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines: The success of mass vaccination depends largely on public trust in COVID-19 vaccines. The government should work with partners and support community organizations to enhance public knowledge on the importance, urgency and safety of vaccination. Vaccine information should be released timely and with full transparency to enhance trust and confidence.
Rollout co-payment scheme for hospitality staff with monthly salary:The government should use the Social Security Fund (SSF) to assist employees in the hospitality sector. Although technically employed, many hotel staff are struggling with significant losses of income caused by COVID-19 and considerable numbers resort to increasingly unsustainable personal debt.
Hotel operators are doing their best to stay afloat and not laying off staff. They want to retain skilled workers who will be in high demand when the sector recovers. However, under current rules, the only way for hotels employees to receive financial aid from the SSF is to resign or be laid off. During this ongoing third wave, the heavily hit tourism sector has yet to receive any social security compensations which was previously given during last year's lockdown.
Allow corporate losses to be carried forward for ten accounting periods: On top of the current five-year tax loss carry forward, the government should consider allowing an additional five years to carry losses forward for businesses devastated by COVID-19. This pandemic has triggered the most serious economic crisis since World War II. It will take many years to recover and resume normalcy. Allowing losses to be carried forward for ten years would hasten recoveries. Some countries in Europe such as the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have already allowed business to carry over their losses for an unlimited number of years.
Moreover, other measures that the government may consider implementing include reduction of utility charges for medium to large businesses, especially those in the tourism sector as well as extension of tax cut on land and buildings by 90% for two additional years. Value-Added Tax for hospitality sector should also be waived or reduced in order to boost domestic tourism. Adjusting VAT is ideal for its convenience and immediacy. Last year, the United Kingdom cut its VAT on hospitality services from 20% to 5%. Similar measures were applied in Germany and Austria.
The impact of the pandemic is still ongoing, and many countries are further extending the period of relief measures to ensure that the sector does not collapse. Such policies will give tourism businesses the much-needed helping hand in surviving COVID-19. The National Economic and Social Development Council recently predicted that it could take up to five years before Thai tourism will fully recover, indicating that all help and support must gear toward this fragile but critical sector.
Once again, thank you for your consideration of my comments. My suggestions are offered in good faith and with the best interest of Thailand at heart. I pledge my full support as Thailand makes the critical next steps of reopening the country and re-starting the economy. I look forward to doing what I can to support your government's efforts to tackle this unprecedented crisis.
Yours Sincerely,
William E. Heinecke Chairman Minor International PCL.
