Pattaya to become the next Miami and on a par with Singapore and Dubai, says mayor - Thai Visa

Pattaya to become the next Miami and on a par with Singapore and Dubai, says mayor

 

Miami. File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume has revealed ambitious plans to transform the resort into a truly world class tourist destination, on a par with the likes of Dubai, Singapore and Miami.

 

Speaking to Sophon Cable TV on Tuesday, Mr Sonthaya said that the project to develop the resort (dubbed Neo Pattaya) will play an important role in the Eastern Economic Corridor, which aims to spur business, investment and development throughout the eastern seaboard.

 

When tourism finally resumes, more quality tourists, generating even more income will visit the resort, Mr Sonthaya predicted.

 

Eventually, Pattaya will become not only a better place for tourists, but will be much improved for people living and working in the city.

 

The mayor cited Singapore, Dubai and Miami as examples for Pattaya to follow in its bid to become a world class resort, which eventually would include an exciting nightlife, lots of activities for families and a diverse economy.

 

The mayor added that Old Town Naklua, Koh Larn, Bali Hai Pier, Khao Thap Phraya, Pattaya Beach Walk and Jomtien Beach have all been earmarked for redevelopment, in addition to the upgrades planned for Walking Street.

 

The news comes as local officials and business leaders, including the mayor himself, were told Pattaya must end its reliance on foreign tourism. 

 

 

Anutin: Thai jab drive ‘has not failed’ - Phuket News

Anutin: Thai jab drive 'has not failed'

THAILAND: Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday (Feb 9) insisted that Thailand has not failed in its procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and demanded that the media stop comparing Thailand with other countries.

His comments followed criticism that Thailand was slow to procure vaccines while several neighbouring countries have already started their roll-outs.

The country has not failed in this regard as it has become a base for the production of vaccines with the same formula as the leading university in England, he said, referring to the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Thailand is part of a supply chain which will make it easy for procurement and distribution of vaccines in the future. This is better than waiting for vaccines produced by other countries, which may have an impact on the country's vaccination programme, Mr Anutin said.

"Thailand had devised a carefully planned vaccination programme. But when a second wave occurred, it was necessary to adjust the plan," he said.

"While the second outbreak was the result of violations of laws - illegal entry and gambling - some are trying to point the finger of blame at public health officials," Mr Anutin said.

"I don't want anyone to compare the Thai public health system with other countries because Thailand ranked high on the list of countries that are successful in containing the COVID-19 outbreak," he said.

He also said the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines is expected to arrive in the country this month and it will be administered to those who need it most, as planned. He said his medical teams and officials are working hard to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the country and they are highly concerned about the safety of Thai people.

Last month, the Lowy Institute ranked Thailand 4^th for its successful handling of COVID-19 in the COVID Performance Index of 98 countries worldwide.

Mr Anutin also hit back at critics of the government's vaccination programme, saying a lack of information will cause public confusion. He also rejected a claim by some media outlets that Thailand has not registered vaccines so they cannot be used.

"I once said vaccines are a delicate issue. Therefore, those who know nothing about it or do not have enough information but speak through the media will cause confusion among the public," Mr Anutin said.

Public criticism of the vaccination programme is mounting as countries which are part of the Covax agreement are now preparing to roll out their inoculation drives.

At the start of the pandemic, Thailand decided against joining the programme to pursue its own deals with vaccine manufacturers, as by law, the government is not allowed to spend money on vaccines which have not been proven to be effective.

In August last year, the Public Health Ministry and the National Vaccine Institute began seeking deals with vaccine manufacturers.

Covax is co-led by Geneva-based vaccine alliance Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to accelerate the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, and guarantee equitable access for every country in the world. It provides free or cheap vaccines to poor countries. However, Thailand is categorised as self-financing.

Mr Anutin also said yesterday local administration organisations and the private sector are not allowed to buy any COVID-19 vaccines by themselves for the time being.

Producers were testing their vaccines in human trials and agreed to sell them to governments for emergency use only, he added.

Vaccines would be used to prevent severe symptoms that may cause death, though whether they can prevent infections has yet to be confirmed, Mr Anutin said.

Asked how the government will screen imported vaccines, Mr Anutin said that producers will send information to the government and when the vaccines arrive, the Department of Medical Sciences will examine them to ensure they are in line with safety standards.

Mr Anutin said China has confirmed that it has approved exports of its COVID-19 vaccines to Thailand. China has registered the vaccines for emergency use and Thailand is also ready to do the same, he added.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday Thailand will have 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of April, beginning with 200,000 doses this month. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting at Government House, Gen Prayut said 800,000 more would be delivered next month. A further 1 million doses will arrive in April, Gen Prayut said. 

THAI's debt rehab plan 'needs further review' - Bangkok Post

 THAI's debt rehab plan 'needs further review'

Thai Airways International plans parked at Suvarnabhumi airport. (File photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Thai Airways International's (THAI) debt rehabilitation plan needs a further review of critical points including the airline's ability to pay off its debts, according to Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.

Mr Supattanapong, as deputy premier in charge of economic affairs, on Tuesday attended a meeting to hear from the planners, among whom are the carrier's board members.

Emerging from the meeting, he said the government has instructed the Finance Ministry, in its capacity as THAI's biggest shareholder, to conduct a further study of the plan's key points such as the debt structure, cash reserves and its ability to service debt. 

THAI's total liabilities stood at 338.9 billion baht against total assets of 298.9 billion as of Sept 30 last year.

The study is picking up pace as the airline is expected to submit its rehabilitation plan to the Central Bankruptcy Court (CBC) by the deadline of March 2, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday.

On Tuesday, Mr Supattanapong said the next meeting with the planners would need to be held soon as the deadline was approaching fast. 

"We need to do a lot more homework and weigh the information we have carefully to pinpoint the airline's real debt servicing capacity," he said. 

The deputy premier said the reality has to be gauged after sifting through debt rehab information and recommendations put forth by consultancy firms. 

The bottom line was that the airline must prepare a plan which would win approval from creditors, he said. 

If necessary, THAI may require transformation into a privately owned company to ease implementation of the rehab, according to Mr Supattanapong.  

THAI lost its status as a state-owned enterprise when the Finance Ministry reduced its stake in the airline to below 50% when the debt rehab became crucial.

The CBC approved a recovery plan last year after the coronavirus pandemic grounded most of its fleet, compounding its already struggling finances. It is the biggest case accepted by the CBC since the Debt Rehabilitation Act went into effect in 1998. It is also the biggest in terms of the number of creditors, at 10 million.

Before Tuesday's meeting, Mr Supattanapong said if the rehab blueprint sailed through, THAI could emerge from the restructuring process in two years. Success with the plan could then be replicated and used to streamline financially ailing state enterprises.  

The government, which is one of the airline's creditors, is concerned about the vast amount of corporate bonds invested in by various cooperatives. This money belongs to ordinary people so the debt rehab plan must be designed and executed with prudence, he said.

Fewer tourists entered Thailand in the last six months than would normally enter in a single day pre COVID-19 - Thai Visa



Fewer tourists entered Thailand in the last six months than would normally enter in a single day pre COVID-19

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Stats on the number of foreigners who have entered Thailand since July last year reveal the devastating impact the pandemic is having on the county's tourism industry and economy as a whole. 

 

According to data released earlier this week by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary, Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdi, just 78,328 foreigners with Certificates of Entry (COE) have entered Thailand between 9 July 2020 and 6 February  2021.

 

Of those, 1,157 were Elite Card holders & 2,457 were Special Tourist Visa holders.

 

The stats are in stark contrast to the number of foreign arrivals Thailand would have typically welcomed pre-COVID-19.

 

In 2019, almost 40 million foreigners visited Thailand, which was more than in any other  year.

 

On average, that equates to around 110,000 foreigners entering the country every single day.

 

Despite Thailand launching its Special Tourist Visa scheme and allowing foreigners to enter the country on 60 day tourist visas and visa exempt entries, it hasn't been enough to tempt foreigners to visit the country in any significant numbers.

 

The vast majority of the foreigners with Certificates of Entry who have entered the country since July are likely those who work in Thailand, are married to a Thai national, a parent to a Thai child or foreign retirees. 

 

The news comes as leading figures in the tourism industry have called on the Thai  government to cancel the requirement for mandatory 14 day quarantine for foreigners who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

However, the proposal for the so-called 'vaccine passports' appeared to have been shelved, at least for now.

 



No one left behind: Thailand gives biggest hint yet that expats will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines - Thai Visa

No one left behind: Thailand gives biggest hint yet that expats will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand's health minister on Monday gave the strongest indication yet that expats residing in the country will be included in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination. 

 

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul  said that all  residents in Thailand, including foreigners could even be given the vaccination free of charge.

 

"The 63 million doses of the vaccination are enough to cover the public, and it's within our capacity to provide free vaccinations," Anutin said. 

 

"Our policy is to not leave anyone behind and we must inoculate anyone at risk of spreading the virus, not only Thais. So the vaccines will cover everyone that resides in Thailand."

 

Anutin was speaking amid growing criticism regarding Thailand's slow rollout of the vaccination. 

 

And while the government has outlined the stages for which Thai nationals will receive the vaccination, information on if or when foreigners will be included in the rollout had not been forthcoming, until now. 

 

Anutin said that 200,000 doses of the Chinese CoronaVac will arrive in Thailand later this month, followed by a supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Bangkok Biz News reported. 

 

Thailand will then begin domestic production of  61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Officials have indicated that production of the vaccine will begin around May or June. 

 

By the end of April, a further 2 million doses of the Sinovac will arrive in Thailand, which will be given to those deemed most in need,  such as front line health care  workers and those with underlying health conditions. 

 

 

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Thailand's Disease Control Board approves 63-million dose inoculation plan | Thai PBS World

 Thailand's Disease Control Board approves 63-million dose inoculation plan

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Thailand's Disease Control Board has approved the COVID-19 vaccine management and distribution plan for 2021. The country's health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Thailand will receive 2 million doses of vaccine from Sinovac soon, and AstraZeneca will deliver another 26 million doses in June. Additionally, Thailand has reserved a further 35 million doses, bringing the total available to 63 million this year.

The first phase of inoculations will begin in February and last until May, with 2 million doses for people in Samut Sakhon's red zones and nearby provinces, where the number of new cases is still rising, such as Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Rayong, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Trat and Tak. The second phase will begin in June and last through December, using another 61 million doses.

Anutin said, Thailand will have limited supplies of vaccines during the first phase, so inoculations of the public will be targeted at critical cases and reducing the fatality rate.

The first groups to receive vaccines will, however, be medical and public health personnel from both the public and private sectors, people with chronic conditions, such as severe respiratory diseases, people with heart conditions, kidney failure, stroke, people undergoing chemo-therapy, diabetics and the morbidly obese.

The inoculations will keep the economy going, strengthen national security and help to build herd immunity. The vaccines will be distributed to the general public, industrial workers, tourism workers and frequent travellers, among others.

THAI grounds aircraft, lays off 395 pilots as part of rehab plan - The Nation

THAI grounds aircraft, lays off 395 pilots as part of rehab plan

Thai Airways (THAI) has decided to ground three kind of aircraft in its fleet, namely Airbus A-330-300, Airbus 380 and Boeing 747, as part of its rehabilitation plan.

The national carrier explained that this decision was made based on the current and expected situation of the airline industry, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The airline also plans to bring the number of pilots in its workforce down to 905, and to achieve this it is considering laying off 395 pilots. Thai Airways said it does not plan to hire more pilots between 2021 and 2022.

The airline has also called on aircraft lessors, engine manufacturers and service companies to reduce their charges. 

First swimming elephant show at Khao Kiew Open Zoo - Thai Residents

First swimming elephant show at Khao Kiew Open Zoo

Songpol Kaopatumtip

February 8, 2021

Khao Kiew Open Zoo in the eastern Thai province of Chon Buri opened its first "Swimming Elephant Show" today (Feb 8, 2021).

An 18-year-old elephant will display its swimming skills and walk on its two hind legs in the pool that is four metres high and 30 metres wide, according to the Thai-language daily Khao Sod.

Tourists can see the elephant in motion through a wide water-resistant mirror.

There will also be a parade of 40 penguins. Tourists can see giraffes, zebras, a white rhino and hippos up close every day.

For more information, call 038-318444.



A majority of people are satisfied with the government’s handling of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, but almost a quarter of the population will not seek to be vaccinated, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. - Bangkok Jack

Almost 25% of Thais don't want vaccination: poll

February 7, 2021

Credit: PA

A majority of people are satisfied with the government's handling of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, but almost a quarter of the population will not seek to be vaccinated, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted by telephone interviews on 1,315 people aged 15 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country from Feb 1-3.

Asked what they would do regarding vaccination against Covid-19, 63.12% said they would accept a free jab provided by the government, but almost a quarter — 23.57% — said they don't want to be vaccinated at all.

A further 7.98% would rather seek a jab from a private hospital with permission from the government at their own expense while 5.33% had no comment or were not interested.

Asked whether they were afraid of being infected with the virus, a majority said "yes", with 25.86% saying "very much" because the virus was spreading very quickly, elderly people were at risk of being infected and some people were not protecting themselves while vaccines were not yet available.

Another 37.79% saying they were moderately afraid as more people had been infected than in the first wave, but many were asymptomatic and had not isolated.

Of the rest, 18.86% were not particularly fearful of the virus, reasoning that most people knew how to protect themselves, and 17.49% were not afraid at all because they lived in low-risk areas.

On their satisfaction with the government's handling of the second round of the pandemic, 27.60% were very satisfied and 42.13% moderately satisfied, saying that measures had been swiftly taken to contain the virus and zones clearly designated to indicate the severity of the outbreak.

Of the rest, 20.99% were not particularly satisfied, reasoning that some activities — such as parties, travel between provinces and arrivals of migrant workers — had not been properly controlled, and 9.28% were not satisfied at all, saying the whole country should be placed in lockdown.

Asked about the relaxation of restrictions against Covid-19 which began from Feb 1, 43.57% of the respondents fully agreed with it, saying it would allow people to resume their occupations while students and teachers could resume classes and other activities, while 34.68% were in moderate agreement, saying the medical system could now cope with it.

A further 14.75% were fairly opposed to the relaxation, saying the pandemic was still continuing unabated; 6.39% totally disagreed, reasoning some people were still not doing enough to protect themselves; and 0.61% had no comment or were not interested.



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Second wave of Covid all under control except for Bangkok and two provinces, top doc -Thai Visa

Second wave of Covid all under control except for Bangkok and two provinces, top doc

 

Source: Sanook

 

Thailand's top Covid doctor Opas Kankawipong has declared that everything is under control except for Samut Sakhon, Bangkok and Tak.

 

In the central Thai province of Samut Sakhon the authorities were subjecting Myanmar migrants to the "Bubble and Sealed Factory Accommodation Quarantine" strategy keeping the migrants in factories and homes and treating them if they fall sick.

 

In Tak in the north west of the country there was still evidence of transmission between Thais and Myanmar people and strict measures were still in place to monitor this. 

 

In Bangkok the main problem was asymptomatic Myanmar people working in homes spreading the virus to Thais. Contact via friends was being limited. Lack of mask wearing was a problem. 

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

Sex, drugs and Sia Po: Thailand’s bad boy rocked by more legal trouble - PBS World

Sex, drugs and Sia Po: Thailand's bad boy rocked by more legal trouble      

• February 6, 2021
 
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Born to a wealthy family, Apirak "Sia Po" Chat-anon could have made money without courting legal trouble. But this 28-year-old macho internet celebrity chose a different path – one that led to heavily armed police officers showing up at his home this week.

Police arrived with handcuffs and a long list of charges for Sia Po, who boasts more than 1.2 million Facebook followers and a lifestyle that has fascinated the Thai public over the years. The charges included money laundering and running an online gambling network – the very subject he advised a House panel on last year. 

Faced with armed police officers, Sia Po remembered his audience and began live-streaming the search of his house. Fans must have been disappointed when police told him to stop recording.  

Attention seeker 

Sia Po is famously fond of the limelight, never running short of gimmicks to grab public attention. He often goes shirtless to show off the elaborate tattoo on his chest, even stripping down to his pants when marketing his skin products or "genital boosters". 

He also likes to pick public fights with other bad boys, some of which turn into celebrity boxing matches. 

Though officially married, Sia Po has a well-deserved reputation as a ladies' man, having dated women like murder convict Preeyanuch "Preaw" Nongwangchai and Wipakorn Sukpimai, the on-again, off-again muse of hellraising singer-songwriter Sek Loso. 

But Sia Po has caught most attention for acts of generosity and philanthropy. In Facebook Live broadcasts he often shows off bundles of cash before handing it out to the needy. 

However, despite these publicity-grabbing demonstrations of his wealth, acquaintances including former girlfriend Wipakorn claim Sia Po is "fake rich".   

'Gangster with a heart of gold' 

The second son of a family that owns a large international garment business, Sia Po's name itself reflects his wealthy background. "Sia" means rich man in Thai. 

Describing his childhood, Sia Po said he was a polite boy who always removed his shoes when entering a house and refused to fight back against bullies. However, he claims a turning point came when his father told him to stand up to his tormentors. 

"Dad said if I fought back, I wouldn't be the only one with injuries," he explained, adding that this advice led to him raising his own gang. With so much money in his pocket, Sia Po had no problem attracting followers and by the time he turned 18, he had dozens of men under his command.

His next step was to set up a gambling den, but his gambling habit quickly drained his pockets. He turned to trafficking narcotics, though he now says his drug-dealing days are behind him. 

As for gambling, he advised the government to legalise online gambling to boost its tax revenue.   

Powerful friends 

Sia Po is known to have been close to Pheu Thai MP Wan Yubamrung, before their relationship soured in 2018. These days, he has another powerful friend to rely on. 

Pol Lt-Colonel Santhana Prayoonrat, former deputy chief of the Special Branch with a record of allegations against him that includes extortion, has promised to help secure Sia Po's bail. 

Though he has been in trouble with the law before, Sia Po has always managed to stay out of jail. On Friday, he told media that the current charges against him had already been dismissed earlier. 

"The courts will give me justice," he said.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk