tisdag 29 november 2022

More than 50,000 Russian tourists have visited Phuket this month, number one tourist market. Phuket tourism officials say Russia is by far the biggest tourist market now, with India second, as Russians continue to pour into Thailand.- The Phuket Express

More than 50,000 Russian tourists have visited Phuket this month, number one tourist market

Phuket –

Russian tourists have hit the top of Phuket visitors with more than 50,000 visiting this month, November.

Our previous story:

Russian tourists have hit the top of Phuket visitors in the past ten days.

Now for the update:

The Phuket Immigration Chief Colonel Thanet Sukchai told the Phuket Express that Russian nationals are leading tourists in Phuket this month with more than 55,097 followed by Indians with 26,525, Australians with 13,868, British with 12,340, and Germans with 11,097."

The Director of the Tourism of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office, Nanthasiri Ronnasiri told the Phuket Express. "From January to October this year Phuket generated more than 119 billion baht. This number shows Phuket tourism has been increased 80 percent even if we don't have Chinese tourists."

Chinese tourists had previously been the top market for Phuket but due to China's ongoing Covid Zero strategy Chinese visitors have still not returned to Thailand due to strict quarantine rules on China's end.

Meanwhile, although Russians are limited in travel to many nations due to sanctions incurred from the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Thailand is officially neutral in this conflict and therefore is one of the easiest, most accessible, and most desirable countries for Russian visitors to come t



Raise your guard against dangerous new Covid wave, govt warns. Health authorities are urging people to raise their guard against Covid-19 as infections rise sharply and new strains multiply amid gatherings and an influx of foreign arrivals. Bangkok Post

Raise your guard against dangerous new Covid wave, govt warns
A nurse vaccinates an elderly woman against Covid-19 at the already-closed Central Vaccination Centre at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok in July. Health authorities are urging people to receive Covid-19 booster jabs as the disease is spreading faster. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
A nurse vaccinates an elderly woman against Covid-19 at the already-closed Central Vaccination Centre at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok in July. Health authorities are urging people to receive Covid-19 booster jabs as the disease is spreading faster. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Health authorities are urging people to raise their guard against Covid-19 as infections rise sharply and new strains multiply amid gatherings and an influx of foreign arrivals.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary for public health, said on Monday the number of Covid-19 inpatients had risen, but most of them had mild symptoms. The number of fatalities was also increasing, he said, although the average number of daily deaths was still 10 or below.

"We anticipate a rising number of small waves that will gradually fall in the New Year," Dr Opas said.

The growing Covid-19 count has prompted more people to seek vaccinations, and he ordered hospitals nationwide to administer vaccines to walk-ins as well as those with appointments.

Dr Chakrarat Pitayawong-anont, epidemiology director of the Department of Disease Control, said Covid-19 cases were rising again because people were resuming activities and many had not been inoculated reccently.

"Those who were vaccinated or infected more than three months ago should receive a booster shot to prevent severe illness. They should also reduce risks from activities such as sharing meals... especially with elderly family members, who should currently refrain from going out," he said.

Elderly people who contracted Covid-19 or had not been vaccinated in the past three months ago should see a doctor immediately to receive remdesivir or Paxlovid injections, because oral medications alone might not be sufficiently effective for them, Dr Chakarat said.

"During the long holiday period in December, people should protect themselves by wearing face masks in public places and avoiding risky activities," he said.

According to the Thai News Agency, Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said the BA.2.75 sub-variant of Covid-19 had caused 58% of new cases, fuelled by higher numbers of visitors arriving from India.

He said that as Europeans arrive in the next few months to escape their cold winters, cases of the XBB subtype could go up.

Dr Supakit also said that worldwide the disease was mutating to avoid antibodies and thus spreading faster. Previous cases could fall ill again, and vaccines might not be as effective in protecting recipients as they were before.

Under the present circumstances, people need at least four vaccine jabs, not three as previously advised, he said.



fredag 25 november 2022

COVID surge just a "new wave" which will gradually fade after the New Year. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has instructed all state hospitals to provide free vaccinations to members of the public, in the wake of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections, which they describe as a predictable “new wave.” | Thai PBS World

COVID surge just a "new wave" which will gradually fade after the New Year

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has instructed all state hospitals to provide free vaccinations to members of the public, in the wake of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections, which they describe as a predictable "new wave."

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong said today (Friday) that the increase in infections will gradually subside after the New Year and most of the cases are not serious and do not require hospitalisation.

Additional measures are not necessary at this stage, he said, adding that the number of patients requiring hospital admission has only increased slightly, while the fatality rate averages not more than ten a day, which was anticipated.

Dr. Opart said, however, that all state hospitals have been instructed to provide free inoculations to the public, including a walk-in service, and to publicise the times of the service. Mobile vaccination services should also be considered in case there is a large response, especially among the elderly in a community, so they don't have to travel to the hospital, he added.

He said that doctors should not be worried about unused vaccine having to be discarded because only a few people show up to be inoculated, noting that it is better to save a few lives than none at all.



THAI & Bangkok Airways ordered to fix chaotic delayed luggage, or else! Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob warned Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways to swiftly deal with the delayed luggage problem at the kingdom’s airports within one month otherwise he will replace their baggage handlers with another company. | Thaiger

THAI & Bangkok Airways ordered to fix chaotic delayed luggage, or else!

Photo by Rach Teo on Unsplash

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob warned Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways to swiftly deal with the delayed luggage problem at the kingdom's airports within one month otherwise he will replace their baggage handlers with another company.

Saksayam visited Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday to follow up on complaints of crowded terminals, long queues at the taxi service counter, passport check-in counter lines, and the chaos caused by delayed luggage.

The 60 year old minister announced yesterday, November 24, that the problems involving crowded terminals and long lines at the passport check-in counters have been resolved. The average waiting time is 15 minutes per passenger with an officer spending about 60 seconds checking a passenger's passport.

Saksayam reported that the long queue at the taxi service counter at the terminal was also fixed. Suvarnabhumi Airport expanded its waiting area and opened more parking lots for taxi drivers. The waiting time was recorded at 10 minutes per passenger.

The delayed luggage, on the other hand, has yet to be fixed.

Saksayam acknowledged that the ground operation teams of each airline lack human resources. He identified that the nation's ailing tourism industry is still recovering from the pandemic, that all airlines reduced their staff and resized their businesses to cope with the consequential economic downturn, and need a bit of time to recruit more staff.

Saksayam revealed that Thai Airways (THAI) and Bangkok Airways were the worst offenders regarding the delayed luggage problem. THAI take over one and a half hours to get luggage back to their customers whereas Bangkok Airways take about 30 minutes.

The two airlines have been invited to a meeting with the permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry next week.

Saksayam said…

"Each airline will have one month to create an action plan and solve the delay issue. If they cannot solve the problem, the airport will allow other service providers to manage the baggage carousel.

Saksayam says he expects Suvarnabhumi Airport to welcome about 130,000 travellers per day in December, up 13% from November. The arrival process takes about 40 minutes per person.



Domestic car sales in Thailand, in the first ten months of 2022, were 698,305 vehicles, representing a 17.09% increase, compared to the same period last year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). 1,496,591 motorcycles were sold, an increase of 13.68% over the same period last year. PBS World

Domestic car sales in Thailand, in the first ten months of 2022, were 698,305 vehicles, representing a 17.09% increase, compared to the same period last year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
1,496,591 motorcycles were sold, an increase of 13.68% over the same period last year.
800,672 completely-built cars, worth about 497 billion baht, were exported during the January-October period, an increase of 12.40% over the same period last year.
The export value of cars, accessories and spare parts for the same period is estimated at 727 billion baht, an increase of 9.6%.
In October alone, 64,618 cars were sold, which is in line with the economic recovery, driven by increased foreign arrivals and economic stimulus packages, according to the FTI.
1,534,754 cars were produced in the first ten months of this year, which is an increase of 12.36% compared to the same period last year.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-car-sales-for-the-first-ten-months-jump-17/


onsdag 23 november 2022

Cannabis flower trade to be reined in - but no chance for marijuana to go back on narcotics list. From Thursday buds will be controlled herbs. ASEAN NOW


image.png

Picture: INN

 

Deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam spoke to the press yesterday after presiding over a meeting with heads of the Narcotics Control Board.

 

Wissanu said that the issue of marijuana being put back on the Class 5 narcotics list wasn't even discussed.

 

Such a matter is not their brief and it was clear this is not going to happen.

 

What is going to happen is that after an official announcement today in the Government Gazette the issue of what to do about marijuana flowers is being addressed, reported INN.

 

New rules will mean that this part of the plant that contains by far the major amount of THF will be considered a controlled herb.

 

From Thursday buds will be controlled herbs.

 

What this means for the recreational marijuana industry in Thailand remains to be seen. Such an industry undoubtedly already exists.

 

Wissanu was swift to point out that the trade in the flowers was something of a loophole that the Cannabis Act next year would address but needs to be tackled now.

 

He stresses that other parts of the marijuana plant like roots, leaves and stems are all 0.2% THC or less so can be grown freely.

 

image.jpeg

File photo: Wikipedia

 

He said that the meeting with the NCB was held after new rules were proposed by the MoPH in relation to the flowers being declared a controlled herb. 

 

The meeting lasted 3 hours. 

 

ASEAN NOW notes that the latest moves can be seen as making life more awkward for people wishing to trade in marijuana flowers.

 

Some have seen this as overt acceptance on the streets of recreational use of marijuana, something politicians were keen to keep under wraps.

 

Until the genie came out of the bottle on June 9th.

 

The rampant sale of flowers on the streets that has grown ever more prevalent since decriminalization in June has forced the hand of politicians.

 

However it is unlikely to change much and might be seen more as a typical Thai process of compromise on a thorny issue.

 

A kind of washing of dirty laundry in public until you come up with a nice clean pair of Thai made socks.

 

Critics have said that Thailand's marijuana policy was ill thought through which has resulted in these interim teething issues.

 

A lot is at stake. Big players whose interests will be protected have invested fortunes while many have invested in smaller scale start-ups such as shops and will want to continue trading in flowers to maximise profits.

 

Further clarity will come with the Cannabis Act due next year though that is unlikely to have many surprises.

 

Cannabis is set to stay legal and available in Thailand - though watch this space as to what you can and can't do with weed. And watch out for how the RTP interpret the law. 

 

The two have been shown to be divergent in the past. 

 

asean_now_BB.jpg

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-11-23

COVID Cases Up as Thailand Expects Seasonal Wave. According to Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of Public Health, the number of COVID hospitalizations in the week of November 13-19 reached nearly 4,000 cases for a daily average of 565 cases. This was higher than the figure from the previous week, during which about 3,200 patients were hospitalized. ASEAN NOW


 

by Paul Rujopakarn
    
BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of severe COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Thailand is on the rise, reflecting the global situation as Thai health authorities expect a small wave of infections during this year's colder season.

 

According to Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of Public Health, the number of COVID hospitalizations in the week of November 13-19 reached nearly 4,000 cases for a daily average of 565 cases. This was higher than the figure from the previous week, during which about 3,200 patients were hospitalized.

 

69 fatalities were recorded in the same period, which was higher than the 49 reported for the previous week. 432 pneumonia cases were reported last week, along with 252 cases that required mechanical ventilation. These figures were also higher than the previous week, which recorded 329 pneumonia cases and 178 intubations.

 

Dr Opas said many countries around the world are now reporting higher cases, signaling the start of a new wave of infections.

 

Health authorities in Thailand had been expecting a small wave towards the end of the year as more people engage in group activities and events. Respiratory viruses also tend to spread faster during colder seasons when they can remain in the environment for longer periods.

 

The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging the general public to keep up with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as the majority of severe cases and deaths occur among the unvaccinated and those who did not get their boosters.

 

Concerning newer COVID variants, Dr Opas said more time is needed to determine if the strains are more transmissible or virulent. Newer variants tend to be more transmissible due to their ability to evade immune responses, though there is so far no evidence to suggest they can cause more serious symptoms.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221123060736428

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-11-23

måndag 21 november 2022

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that many large Russian airlines have resumed their charter flights to Thailand, which will result in an increase in Russian tourists in tourist areas like Pattaya and Phuket. Pattaya News

Russian tourists pack charter flights to Pattaya and Phuket

PHOTO: Prachachat

National —Russian tourists pack charter flights to Pattaya and Phuket

  Russian tourists packed Azur Airline and Ikar Airline flights to Pattaya and Phuket, with the expected number of Russian tourists flying to Thailand to reach one million people next year.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that many large Russian airlines have resumed their charter flights to Thailand, which will result in an increase in Russian tourists in tourist areas like Pattaya and Phuket.

The tourism atmosphere will become busier at the end of this year, according to Siripakorn, with the number of Russian tourists heading for Thailand expected to reach the pre-Covid-19 level at one million people next year.

Thanet Suparashasrangsi, chairman of the Chonburi Council of Tourism Industry, said Pattaya tourism will greatly benefit from the Russian charter flights to the U-Tapao International Airport.

He expected the hotel occupancy rate in the city will increase to 60% over its current average rate of 40-50%.

"The Azur Airline will start bringing in charter flights from November 26th on B757 carriers, which can hold about 202 passengers and will improve the number of tourists in Pattaya significantly," Thanet stated.



söndag 20 november 2022

The Meteorological Department has advised those living in 50 provinces to brace for heavy rain until Thursday. PBS World

An intensifying low pressure cell is expected to hit the southern tip of the Vietnam peninsula today (Sunday) or tomorrow, before moving into the Gulf of Thailand. This will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall to most of Thailand, including the capital.

The Meteorological Department has advised those living in 50 provinces to brace for heavy rain until Thursday.

Bangkok and its peripherals, as well as Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi and Trang will see downpours from Tuesday.

North-eastern provinces, such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin, will face heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
People living at mountain bases and close to rivers and canals are warned of possible flash floods and overflows.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/heavy-rain-forecast-for-most-of-thailand-this-week/

lördag 19 november 2022

APEC ministers have agreed a joint statement, described by a senior Thai official as the first such document issued for an APEC Summit with Thailand as the host. PBS World

APEC ministers have agreed a joint statement, described by a senior Thai official as the first such document issued for an APEC Summit with Thailand as the host.

Cherdchai Chaivaivid, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs, said today (Saturday) that APEC economic ministers and senior officials worked very hard on the draft joint statement, until it was agreed and released late last night.

The statement incorporates a post-COVID pandemic economic growth strategy, which addresses environmental and climate issues, the war in Ukraine and the cooperation between APEC's 21 economies in pushing for the creation of a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific region, or FTA-AP, to replace the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

On the war in Ukraine, the joint statement reads:

"Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy, constraining growth, increasing inflation, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity and elevating financial stability risks."

It also says, however:

"There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions."

North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile on Friday drew the attention of the leaders at the summit, with Japan, US, South Korea, Canada, Australia and New Zealand publically deploring the action by Pyongyang. An emergency meeting was held yesterday, at the request of US Vice President Kamala Harris.

APEC leaders met for the last time for this summit today and it is expected that a leaders' declaration will be issued at the summit's conclusion.

The Thai government expects that its "Bangkok Goals" on the Bio-Circular-Green economy concept will be adopted and incorporated in the leaders' declaration today.

According to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Bangkok Goals constitute a post-COVID pandemic growth strategy to move APEC economies towards balanced, sustainable and inclusive development and growth.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/apec-ministers-agree-on-a-joint-statement/

US to help Thailand develop small nuclear reactors | Thai PBS World

US to help Thailand develop small nuclear reactors

The United States will help Thailand develop nuclear power through a new class of small reactors, part of a programme aimed at fighting climate change, Vice President Kamala Harris announced on a visit Saturday.

The White House said the assistance was part of its Net Zero World Initiative, a project launched at last year's Glasgow climate summit in which the US partners with the private sector and philanthropists to promote clean energy.

Thailand does not have nuclear power, with the public mood on the issue souring after the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan.

The White House said it would offer technical assistance to the Southeast Asian country to deploy the developing technology of small modular reactors, which are factory-built and portable. Such reactors are generally considered safer as they do not need human intervention to shut down in emergencies.

"We really look forward to working with Thailand to take advantage of the benefits of small modular reactors and reliable clean energy sources," said a senior US official travelling with Harris, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A White House statement said that US experts would work with Thailand on deploying the reactors, which will have the "highest standards of safety, security and nonproliferation" and boast a smaller land footprint than alternatives.

US rivals China and Russia, as well as Argentina, are also developing small modular reactors, the prototypes of which are in the design phase.

The White House did not give a timeline but said it would support Thailand, which is highly vulnerable to climate change, in its goal of going carbon neutral by 2065.

Harris, who is visiting the US ally for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, will discuss the nuclear power initiative in a meeting later Saturday with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

The White House also announced an initiative with Thailand to boost the safety of fifth-generation internet and a project to build a "world-class" cancer treatment centre in eastern Chonburi province.

By AFP


måndag 14 november 2022

The Jomtien headquarters of Chonburi Immigration had its busiest Monday morning for months following a big increase in foreigners visiting the Pattaya area. Almost 1,000 persons were processed in four hours. The majority were seeking visa extensions or registering their Thai address on arrival. Pattaya Mail

Busiest day at Pattaya Immigration

The Pattaya-Jomtien headquarters of Chonburi Immigration had its busiest Monday morning for months following a big increase in foreigners visiting the Pattaya area.

The Jomtien headquarters of Chonburi Immigration had its busiest Monday morning for months following a big increase in foreigners visiting the Pattaya area. Almost 1,000 persons were processed in four hours. The majority were seeking visa extensions or registering their Thai address on arrival.



Most of those queuing were Europeans, especially Brits and Scandinavians, and Russians. Many reported that their flights to Bangkok were full and that the main problem in home countries was the shortage of flights. Not many Indians were seen as they tend to arrive in tour groups with all necessary immigration procedures sorted out by agents in advance. Chinese tour groups are still banned by Beijing, although individuals can still travel abroad as long as they submit to several days quarantine on return.


The Cambodian border post at Pong Nam Ron also reported increases in the number of visa exempt applicants seeking another 45 days entry to Thailand. The strong advice is to use a travel agency as passports have to be presented in advance of travel. Individual travelers report delays of several days if unescorted.





Serious COVID-19 infection cases on the rise in Bangkok and tourist provinces. COVID-19 infections in Thailand last week increased 12.8%, compared to a week earlier, and it is anticipated that the number of patients requiring hospitalisation is likely to increase in the next 2-4 weeks, according to Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Disease Control Department. | Thai PBS World :

Serious COVID-19 infection cases on the rise in Bangkok and tourist provinces

COVID-19 infections in Thailand last week increased 12.8%, compared to a week earlier, and it is anticipated that the number of patients requiring hospitalisation is likely to increase in the next 2-4 weeks, according to Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Disease Control Department.

Describing the rising number of infections as just a "small wave", he said that the situation was not unexpected, with the fatality rate remaining stable despite the increase in more serious cases, after Thailand designated COVID-19 as a "communicable disease under watch" on October 1st.

He disclosed that increased hospitalisations were reported in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, as well as in tourist provinces in eastern and southern regions, adding that more than half of the cases reported between November 6th and 12th are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated, leaving them vulnerable.

Meanwhile Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, the department's deputy director-general, said that they attach importance to the so-called "608" group, which includes those aged over 60 and those suffering from underlying diseases, by treating them with Long Acting Antibody (LAAB) after they develop symptoms and test positive for COVID-19.

He advised elderly people who are not fully vaccinated to try to avoid going out and their younger relatives and family members to avoid visiting night entertainment venues.

He offered an assurance that there is enough LAAB to cope with an increase in infections, especially for those who are immunocompromised, such as patients who have had an organ transplant or who suffer from chronic kidney disease.






Immigration ramps up checks on foreigners. The Immigration Bureau (IB) is tightening up security across all international airports in the country ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, which takes place later this week. Bangkok Post

Immigration ramps up checks on foreigners

The Immigration Bureau (IB) is tightening up security across all international airports in the country ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, which takes place later this week.

IB commissioner, Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjapan, said on Sunday authorities are taking a closer look at foreign arrivals, particularly those who may pose a security threat to the summit.

Since the start of October, authorities have barred over 2,000 individuals from entering the country, many of whom were already on the immigration blacklist, he said, adding authorities will also monitor the activities of foreign residents more closely during the summit.

"Those who are found to be involved in suspicious activities will be questioned and deported," he said.

The bureau is also coordinating with its foreign counterparts to ensure its officers have the latest data on suspected and/or wanted criminals that may attempt to enter the country, Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat said.

The IB chief said more officers will be deployed to staff the immigration checkpoint counters at Suvarnabhumi airport, as the airport will see an increased number of travellers as the summit takes place.

Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat said between Oct 10 and Saturday, 785 foreign migrant workers were arrested for overstaying their visa, while 1,249 others -- 770 from Laos, 349 from Myanmar, 108 from Cambodia and 22 "others" -- were arrested for illegal entry.

Among those arrested were two individuals on Interpol's Red Notice list, he said.

The first, he said, was a 27-year-old Chinese citizen, identified only as Li, who was arrested for allegedly defrauding more than 400,000 victims out of 50 million baht via a mobile application.

According to Interpol, Li and his accomplice launched an investment app to scam victims in China, before making off with the money.

A tip-off later led to his whereabouts at a house in Bangkok's Sutthisan area.

The other is a 40-year-old Chinese national, named by police as Hu, for the alleged possession of illicit properties and forgery.

An investigation showed the suspect had been hiding around Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan.

In addition, immigration police also arrested a Taiwanese national, known only as Zhang, who headed a call centre scam ring in the Philippines.

His arrest came after immigration police found his 24-million-baht Ferrari at a department store in Bangkok.

He showed his Cambodian passport to authorities, but a check showed his biometric information was linked to two counterfeit Taiwanese passports.






söndag 13 november 2022

Sjukförsäkringsjämförelse 2022 11 13 OBS! Rena sjukförsäkringar (ej reseförsäkringar mer än som jämförelse). Alla försäkringar jag kommer att tala om nedan inkluderar nuvarande nya Thailändska krav på medicinsk vård inkl. Covid-19 upp till 100 000USD / 3.0MB! Detta för att söka ett nytt Non O-A visa Retired från Sverige. (100 000 USD / 3.0 MB för vård inkl Covid!) Claes Ebler

Sjukförsäkringsjämförelse 2022 11 13

OBS! Rena sjukförsäkringar (ej reseförsäkringar mer än som jämförelse).
Alla försäkringar jag kommer att tala om nedan inkluderar nuvarande nya Thailändska krav på medicinsk vård inkl. Covid-19 upp till 100 000USD / 3.0MB!
Detta för att söka ett nytt Non O-A visa Retired från Sverige. (100 000 USD / 3.0 MB för vård inkl Covid!)
Även extension/förlängningen av sitt uppehållstillstånd med ett Non O-A visa i botten har nnumer kravet på en försäkring om minst 100 000 USD / 3.0 MB för vård inkl Covid. Det skall dessutom vara en "godkänd" Thailändsk försäkring!
OBS! Ett flertal immigrationkontor har fortfarande kvar de gamla kraven på 400 000B IP + 40 0000 OP och godkänd Thailändsk försäkring.
Först och främst ett stort tack till alla er som skickat in era olika försäkrings policys för olika bolag samt de som kommit med kommentarer på sina bolag såväl positiva som negativa!
Internationella heltäckande sjukförsäkringar 2022

För första gången på flera år halkar den tidigare ettan ner en placering.
Föregående år runner up WrLife anser jag helt själviskt är den mest prisvärda på den Thailändska marknaden för året.
Detta trots att den fortfarande är relativt ny på marknaden och vissa osäkerhetsfaktorer med detta inte skall underskattas!
OBS! Tar bara upp deras internationella policy Serenity / Elite!

WrLife
Har under senaste året fått en del frågor kring denna och har varit lite avvaktande i mina rekommendationer. Detta då det är ett helt nytt bolag på marknaden.
Med nästan för bra villkor för såväl kunder som mäklare. (Gäller deras Internationella planer.)
Sedan de startade för drygt ett par år sedan har jag haft fullt fokus på dem och kontinuerligt kollat med mäklare som sålt dem angående hur man hanterat kunder vid skador/olyckor.
Men so far har jag inte hört några klagomål eller sett några klagomål på nätet. Vet av vissa mäklare att det har fungerat bra.
Kan inte säga att jag fått in många kundomdömen trots att väldigt många har tecknat dem. Men har faktiskt fått in ett par positiva brev. Brukar alltid ramla in lite negativa men inte ännu.

När nu de som tecknat den för ett år sedan börjat få sina förnyelsebrev och detta med samma premie som för föregående år (om man inte haft en skada), så känns det nästan lite overkligt.
Känns som att tiden iaf är inne att berätta lite mer om dom så får man själv avgöra om man vill/vågar teckna dom eller ej.
För som sagt villkoren är minst sagt bra!
Vad sägs om detta!

Några höjdpunkter i WR Life-planerna:
WRlife International: täckning 100 000 USD till 2 000 000 USD (Elite) (Som sagt villkor och priser är väldigt bra.)
• Du kan ansöka i alla åldrar;
• Livstids förnybar;
• WRlife täcker Covid medicinska kostnader, endast asymtomatiska Covid kostnader kommer inte att täckas.
• Premierna vid ansökningsåldern kommer inte att ändras när du blir äldre! (Dvs har du köpt en som 60 åring så har du samma premie som 80 åring förutsatt att du inte haft någon claim för skada). Detta innebär dock att ju äldre man är när man nytecknar desto dyrare blir det eftersom deras risk då är mkt stor utan årliga prishöjningar.
• Maximal ökning efter en skadeanmälan är 3 %. (Gäller enbart för nästföljande års premie!)
• Möjlighet att försäkra även öppenvård / OP samt ett flertal tilläggsmoduler.
• Total frihet att välja sjukhus;
• Cancerbehandling (radio- och kemoterapi) omfattas i IP delen även om den utförs utan sjukhusinläggning, samt nödvändiga utredningar;
• Världsomspännande täckning (exkl. USA och Kanada) för medicinska nödsituationer under resor på högst 7 veckor i följd;
• Täckningen i landet där du är medborgare är begränsad till högst 3 månader per försäkringsår;

Finns några minus?

-Man inkluderar inte grå starr som tex April om man inte har Eye/Dental tillägget.
-Repatriering till Sverige ingår ej om man inte har Repatriation tillägget.
-Tar ett tag innan alla sjukhus känner till dem. Men har inte hört om några problem so far.
-Man har en 3 månaders väntetid för "specifika sjukdomar"*
*"Specifika"* sjukdomar: Hypertoni & kardiovaskulära sjukdomar, alla tumörer, polyp eller cysta, bråck, hemorrojder, prostatasjukdomar, diabetes, cancer, kolecystit, kolelithiasis, stenar i urinorganen.
För att få hela infotexten med övrig info så maila mig, se nedan.
Har ett par kontaktmän även från WR Life eftersom jag har haft frågor under året så är det något ni undrar över så ropa till.

I år får mao den tidigare mångåriga ettan April Thailand se sig förflyttad till en andra plats. Detta enbart pga av att priserna har sprungit iväg.
Den är fortfarande den bästa på flera plan men som sagt har börjat bli dyr.
-Andra platsen får de främst pga av deras utbudsalternativ, geografiska täckning och självrisk alternativ. Man erbjuder 4 nivåer av maxersättningar/år (3.275MB, 16.375MB, 32.750MB, 65.500MB). Mellan dessa nivåer skiljer sig även omfattningen till en viss del.
-Fortsatt gäller täckningen Europa + Asien exkl Singapore ingår i basutbudet. Sedan kan man välja till world wide.
-Man kan även välja att ha en självrisk för att få ner premien. Finns 5 nivåer från 16 375B – 327 500B, prisreduktionen från 10% - 65%.
-Är man fler än en har de mkt förmånliga familjerabatter i stegrande skala!
-Ett annat stort plus är att som medlem i "Skandinaver på Phuket" (300B årsavgift), erhåller man 10% rabatt.
-En nackdel är dock att senaste teckningsår är 65år (65år + 364 dgr), förlängning tom 99år.
-Utan extra kostnad har man även en tjänst som kallas TeleHealth. Där kan man ringa upp och be att bli uppringd av en läkare när man har frågor eller behöver hjälp av ngt slag.
-Även utan kostnad har man en tjänst där man utan kostnad kan få en "second opinion", tex när man har blivit rekommenderad en behandling eller operation och är lite tveksam.
-Värt att beakta är även deras servicenivå och transparens. Dom har ett stort kontor, akutcenter på olika språk och ersättningshantering i Bangkok.
-Klarar de nya extenison/förlängningskraven med ett Non O-A visa som bas.
Kan även säga att man av branschorganisationen för Asien gällandes försäkringsbolag utsetts bla som bästa sjukförsäkringsbolag i Asien 2020.

Efter dessa 2 kommer ett antal olika som i mina ögon inte riktigt når ända fram. Kan bero på prisbild (oftast), service nivå, ersättningsnivå mm. Därmed inte sagt att de behöver vara dåliga men kanske för dyra i förhållande till vad man erbjuder.
Vill ni ha mer information om dessa eller någon annan försäkring så maila mig enligt nedan.

OBS! Vill bara påpeka att mina rekommendationer är högst subjektiva så ni måste naturligtvis läsa igenom villkoren så ni själva kan avgöra att vald försäkring passar för just er.
Friskriver mig från allt ansvar för felaktigheter och ändringar i bolagens villkor.
Kriterier (ej i rangordning) som jag bygger mina bedömningar på:
-Max ersättningsbelopp (ev. begränsningar)
-Självrisk (utgår från 0 THB)
-Organ-/benmärgstransplantation (täcks det? Ev. Ersättningsnivå?)
-HIV/AIDS (kan fås på många sätt. Täcks det? Villkor)
-Hjälpmedel (ersättningsnivå?)
-Proteser/implantat (täcks det? Ersättningsnivå?)
-Lokalt kontor i Thailand?
-Ingår ngn reseförsäkring vad gäller olycksfall/akutvård (länder som täcks? Ersättningsnivå?)
-Finns möjlighet till valfri vård när man är i tex Sverige (samma vård som i Thailand? Antal dgr? Restriktioner?)
-Premiestorlek idag och imorgon (man blir ju äldre). Flera faller ifrån en topplacering här!
-Livslång förnyelsebarhet (vilken är senaste anslutningsålder?)
-Direct billing (dvs bolaget betalar direkt till sjukhuset?)

-En annan mycket viktig faktor är hur de agerar efter ersättning av skada! (Finns fler bolag som efter ersättning av skada kraftigt höjer premien för nästa år, vissa har även nekat förlängning av försäkringen).
Tänk på att premierna baseras på åldern, sjukdomshistorik, ersättningsnivåer och olika tillval.
Kan inte nog poängtera detta trots att Thailändare har "fri" vård där de är skrivna.
OBS! Se till att era fruar/sambos, barn även tar en internationell försäkring. Oftast inte dyrare än en Thai försäkring och har en helt annan ersättningsnivå!
Slutligen om ni kikar på andra försäkringar så glöm inte att fråga hur stora premierna är om 5/10/15/20 år (beroende på nuvarande ålder). Man blir ju äldre och vill gärna ha råd att ha kvar försäkringen så länge som möjligt. Här finns stora skillnader hos bolagen!! Man kan som tidigare sagt välja en självrisk för att få ner premierna!

Snälla gör mig och er själva en tjänst och vänta inte tills det har inträffat något allvarligt! Var och varannan dag får jag en förfrågan om hjälp med att hitta en bra försäkring därför att man just råkat ut för ngn sjukdom/olycka. Då är det oftast försent, har man en försäkring kan man normalt uppgradera eller nedgradera den. Att byta försäkringsbolag i detta läge innebär att den nya försäkringsgivaren givetvis friskriver sig från det ni råkat ut för om dom ens godkänner en!

(Samma text som tidigare år men minst lika viktigt)
Många har frågat om man bara har en IP (inpatient försäkring, täcker enbart om man är inlagd på sjukhus) får man ngn hjälp vid ingrepp som kan göras utan att bli inlagd på sjukhus?
De allra flesta seriösa bolag inkluderar ingrepp/operation som kan utföras som dagpatient, med lite olika begränsningar så kolla vilken som passar er bäst, själv anser jag April är bäst på denna punkt, men här spelar givetvis även nivå på premien en viss roll.

Skillnad mellan reseförsäkring och sjukförsäkring, kort sammanfattning

Reseförsäkring:
-En reseförsäkring täcker i normalfall inte existerande tillstånd!
-Kan endast tecknas om man är mantalsskriven i Sverige. (Undantag tex Coris)
-Har man den via sin hemförsäkring måste man givetvis ha en adress/hem i Sverige.
-Den ersätter normalt ett antal olika saker förutom olycka/sjukdom. Tex vid flygförsening, bortkommet bagage, stöld mm.
-Den ersätter normalt både vid läkarbesök och när man blir inlagd på sjukhus vid olycka eller sjukdomsfallsamt läkarbesök vid akuta besvär även om man inte behöver läggas in på sjukhus.
-Vid allvarligare åkomma är deras prioritet att transportera hem en till den svenska vården så fort som tillståndet medger. Undantaget tex Luma Thailand pass som ger vården i Thailand samt Coris, se vilkoren!
-Den kan tecknas för olika tidsperioder
-Innehåller normalt endast en liten livförsäkringsdel om man avlider (Gouda tex ca 80 000B). Undantaget tex Luma Thailand Pass som har en livförsäkringsdel på mellan 1-3MB om man avlider!

Sjukförsäkring:
-Oftast kräver de olika bolagen att man tillbringar mer än 185 dgr i Thailand/Asien för att få teckna den (inte alla).
-Man kan nästan uteslutande endast teckna dem på årsbasis. Skulle man behöva avbryta den tidigare tillåter de flesta en återbetalning för återstående tid om man inte har haft några krav på dem tidigare under perioden.
-De flesta innehåller en liten del som livförsäkring om man skulle avlida eller förlora en kroppsdel. Ca 100-200 000B.
-Normalt sett ingår även en reseförsäkringsdel, för akut sjukdom eller olycka, stora variationer här!
-Man får vården i Thailand även vid allvarligare tillbud, hos vissa kan man välja land där man vill få den godkända vården beroende på den geografiska täckningen.
-Man får välja om den skall gälla för IP/OP eller båda (vård som inlagd på sjukhus / öppen vård vid vanliga läkarbesök). OBS! De Thailändska long stay Visa försäkringarna inkluderar både IP och OP.
-Ersättningsnivåerna (inte bara maxersättningen utan även vad de ersätter varierar kraftigt mellan bolagen och de flesta bolag har olika nivåer).
-Det viktigaste! De inkluderar medicinskt nödvändiga men inte akuta ingrepp/vård så kallad planerad vård. Tex grå starr som inte är akut men utan behandling blir man blind eller Cancer mm.
OBS! Alla sjukförsäkringar jag har hjälpt till med går via AA Insurance, då bolagen vill att man skall gå via agent/mäklare. Jag brukar säga låt inte mäklare/agent rekommendera er en sjukförsäkring för de måste givetvis främst tänka på var de har högst kommission. (Gäller givetvis även för AA).
Men jag har valt AA då de är väldigt stora och seriösa, vilket är viktigt för er om ngt skulle hända och ni behöver hjälp mot försäkringsbolaget. De får som sagt en kommission så ni är under deras vingar. Har själv bra kontakt med de flesta bolag men alltid trevligt med en stor drake i ryggen!
-Som vanligt gäller att behöver ni en offert från April, Cigna mfl. så har vår förening Skandinaver på Phuket fått egna kontaktpersoner som gör livet så mkt lättare. Det går givetvis att kontakta bolagen direkt.

-Vill ni ha kommentarer på er försäkring.

-Har ni sjukförsäkringsfrågor i största allmänhet.

-Genomgång av en gällande försäkring. (Vet att många fortfarande har onödigt dyra och inte helt bra försäkringar, så jämför!)

Så mailar ni mig på "clas.007@hotmail.com" Bifoga gärna födelsedata, år mån dag så kommer ett eller fler förslag.

Ha en riktigt skön vinter! Så hörs vi snart igen.

Mvh

Clas

Ps. Friskriver mig för ev felaktigheter i priser eller text men vore tacksam om ni ville höra av er om ni upptäcker ngt fel så jag kan rätta!

Why Thai roads are among world’s deadliest. Poor social values, governmental neglect and superstition are among the reasons Thailand consistently has one of the world’s worst traffic safety records, which recently prompted a renewed campaign to improve the country’s road culture, according to an expert. Bangkok Jack

Poor social values, governmental neglect and superstition are among the reasons Thailand consistently has one of the world's worst traffic safety records, which recently prompted a renewed campaign to improve the country's road culture, according to an expert.

Thailand currently suffers Asia's highest traffic-related fatalities, according to the World Health Organization, culminating in last month's death of a doctor, whose killing at a zebra crossing by a speeding police officer caused nationwide anger.

"I think road safety is related to things such as urban planning and public transportation. When the state doesn't see the importance of its people, something like road safety is then neglected," Pinyapan Potjanalawan, social sciences professor at Lampang Rajabhat University, told EFE in a recent interview.

The death of Waraluck "Kratai" Supavatjariyakul, killed following a hit-and-run incident by Lance Cpl. Naravich Buadok as he was riding his Ducati motorbike is one of thousands. According to the Thai Road Accident Data Center for Road Safety Culture, Thailand recorded 13,479 deaths and 880,578 injuries from road accidents in 2021.

World Health Organization data shows it ranked as high as first in the world's traffic fatality rates in 2011, consistently featuring among the top 10 countries this past decade.

Pinyapan, whose focus on Thai transport dynamics includes research on road accidents, said such incidents are related to society's values, and that people in Thailand aren't valued much.

He said the high volume of cars on the road not only increases the likelihood of accidents but turns pedestrians into a minority group, as in the case of Waraluck, who was pronounced dead in hospital.

Naravich, later arrested after fleeing the scene, was charged with multiple offenses, including reckless driving causing death, not stopping at a zebra crossing and speeding. Investigators found he was traveling at up to 128 kmph. His motorbike had no rearview mirrors or license plate.

Public outcry led police to push for law reforms, with an amendment to the Land Transport Act expected in July, whereby motorists will now be fined THB 4,000 ($ 122) instead of THB 1,000 for failing to stop at crossings, according to National Deputy Police Chief Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapat.

"Traveling from one point to another is being pushed to be something personal instead of public. This causes people to purchase their own car," Pinyapan said. "The more cars on the road, the more accidents happen, since we cannot expect humans to be able to control safety 100 percent."

He said the high number of car users make Thais blame people's discipline, such as in the case of drunk drivers, adding that inebriated people have few public transport methods available to them, so they drive. Pinyapan said Thailand's transport system doesn't support people to travel safely.

In his work, the professor wrote about truck drivers and motorcycle riders being portrayed as "villains," since accidents often involve them, but said the real cause of road incidents is the lack of transportation policies.

"In a way, it's our system of roads that is the villain," he said, adding that superstition in Thailand also feeds the idea of ghosts causing accidents.

"When people die on the road, we throw in beliefs in the supernatural. We often hear about the 'Haunted Curve' or '100-Death Curve,' [whose defects] could be caused by construction errors. People blame ghosts instead of engineering errors," Pinyapan said, adding that the solution to Thailand's high rate of traffic-related fatalities is research.

"I think it's essential to do research on accidents, whether it's engineering research or social studies research," he said, adding that it should be conducted in parallel to the highway department's work to balance their power.

Zebra crossings and overpasses should be tailor-made for each spot and the "distance from traffic lights and other factors should all be calculated. All this needs research," he said.

Pinyapan said affordable public transport would be a long term solution, especially for those traveling outside Bangkok, and that the government had a vital role in improving Thailand's road safety, adding that to reduce accidents, calls for discipline had to match a good transportation system. – EFE

<null>