Thai AirAsia to fully operate its domestic flights in Thailand by April, under tourism cooperation with TAT - Pattaya News

 Thai AirAsia to fully operate its domestic flights in Thailand by April, under tourism cooperation with TAT

Saturday, 6 March 2021, 18:52

National –

Thai AirAsia plans to fully revive its domestic flights in Thailand by this April, expecting domestic tourism to be recovered by this March, an airline Chief Executive Officer stated yesterday, March 5th.

Airline CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya told the press that the demand for traveling in the country has been gradually increasing as being observed in their recent flight discount promotions, partly because the relaxation of travel restrictions between provinces had been implemented earlier this year.

The airline aims to be 100 percent operated as soon as April, especially during the Songkran festival. The routes include Don Mueang – Chiang Mai for 7 flights a day; Suvarnabhumi – Chiang Mai for 3 flights a day; Don Mueang – Phuket for 6 flights a day; Don Mueang – Hat Yai for 5 flights a day; Don Mueang – Khon Kaen for 4 flights a day; and Don Mueang – Udon Thani for 3 flights a day.

"We hope to be a part of the country's economic stimulation during the Covid-19 global pandemic. At the same time, AirAsia also emphasizes health and hygiene measures in its service to take care of all passengers. All service personnel are required to wear protective equipment such as gloves and face masks," Santisuk told the press.

Additionally. the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has also paired with the airline to promote safe traveling and boost the tourism industry by launching a special activity on Bangkok – Chiang Mai route.

TAT deputy governor Kritsana Kaewthamrong told associated Thai press: "After many Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed in most parts of Thailand, Thai people are allowed to travel more easily and freely while both major and minor entrepreneurs in the tourism industry are also ready to welcome tourists from all over the country."

"TAT, therefore, will promote tourism under the new normal policy under the SHA safety standards in order to create a good economic recovery while keeping all tourists safe from the Coronavirus." The TAT governor concluded.

16 king cobra eggs discovered in Si Racha village near religious snake shrine - Pattaya News

16 king cobra eggs discovered in Si Racha village near religious snake shrine

Saturday, 6 March 2021, 10:17

Si Racha, Chonburi –

Sixteen king cobra eggs have been discovered in a village in Si Racha, according to Si Racha animal control officials.

Local residents found the eggs under a wood pile at a village in the Borwin sub-district earlier this week. The eggs were found near a religious snake shrine, seen in the photo below, leading local residents to believe the eggs were a sign of good luck.

Some local residents said they saw two large king cobras in this area previously. Many days later they found the sixteen king cobra eggs.

According to animal control officials the eggs will be protected and monitored by relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the discovery of the eggs near a prominent religious shrine dedicated to snakes have brought curious Thai tourists to visit the area over the past several days, praying at the shrine for good luck and, of course, to win the lottery.

New plan for hotel quarantine. - The government will also consider a plan to allow visitors who have received Covid-19 vaccinations to enter Thailand without having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, the source said. Bangkok Post

New plan for hotel quarantine.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (Bangkok Post file photo)

A proposal to allow foreign visitors to leave their hotel rooms after the first three days of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period will be submitted to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

If approved, visitors next month would only be required to spend three days in their hotel rooms. Visitors could leave their rooms after three days but they must not leave their hotel for 11 more days.

The so-called Area Hotel Quarantine (AHQ) proposal targets at least five provinces considered to be the country's top tourist destinations: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and Chon Buri, a meeting was told yesterday.

Chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the meeting was held via video conference, attended by officials from the ministry, the Department of Health Service Support and tourism business operators.

With AHQ, visitors would undergo a Covid-19 swab test on the third day of their stay at designated hotels.

If a visitor tests negative for Covid-19, he or she will be allowed to leave their room, the meeting was told.

More swab tests would be conducted while a visitor is being quarantined, but he or she will be allowed to leave quarantine after 14 days after receiving a clean bill of health.

The AHQ proposal is part of the government's plan to begin reopening the country starting next month, said a source, noting that other travel arrangements, including the travel bubble agreements with other countries, may follow after the month of May as the situation eases.

The government will also consider a plan to allow visitors who have received Covid-19 vaccinations to enter Thailand without having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, the source said.

Some foreign visitors who arrived in Thailand on Feb 18 under the Golf Quarantine programme, which allows foreigners to quarantine in golf resorts to boost the ailing tourism sector during the coronavirus pandemic, tested positive for the virus, the source said.

Under the programme, visitors are isolated in hotel rooms for the first three days of their visit, and those who test negative for the virus can leave their rooms to play golf.

As for the group of visitors who came to Thailand on Feb 21 under the Villa Quarantine programme, an initiative similar to the Golf Quarantine programme, at the Sri Panwa Phuket Luxury Pool Villa Hotel, none of the visitors were found to have been infected with Covid-19, the source said.

Phisut Saekhu, president of the association of hotels in the eastern provinces, meanwhile, urged government officials to extend its State Quarantine programme, which is joined by 12 hotels operators in Pattaya city in Chon Buri province.

The programme is due to end by the end of this month.

D-day for Thailand to reopen next month: Area Quarantine hailed as foreign tourists set to return - Thai Visa

D-day for Thailand to reopen next month: Area Quarantine hailed as foreign tourists set to return

 

Image: Thai Rath

 

Thailand's billionaire minister for tourism and sports has reiterated his commitment to Area Quarantine saying that the scheme could start next month, certainly by May.

 

His brainwave is set to replace the Villa Quarantine that was a bit too pricey.

 

Area Quarantine - AQ for short - is all the rage right now in Thai tourism circles.

 

Under this scheme the foreign tourist will no longer have to endure 14 days of prison like conditions in their quarantine room.

That will only last for the briefest of periods - 72 hours.

 

Thereafter the tourist will have the total freedom of the resort.

 

Yes, they will be able to utilize the grounds and effectively go ANYWHERE they please so long as they don't go outside. 

 

When 11 more days have passed and health checks have been confirmed the tourist will then be free to travel absolutely anywhere in Thailand they wish.

 

The whole kingdom with its wonderful people and bounteous culture awaits to be discovered in total freedom. 

 

Pipat Ratchakitprakan, whose assets declaration suggested he has 2 billion baht, has been criticised for not having the intelligence to match his wealth. 

 

Some have cruelly suggested that his IQ does not match his AQ plan. 

 

But the minister and related agencies and operators are pressing ahead with the scheme in Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Surat Thani - where tourists will have quaratine facilities in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. 

 

When the Area Quarantine has run its course then it is hoped that the full scale of Thailand's vaccination program will kick in meaning that foreign tourists will not have to quarantine at all.

 

Pipat expects five million to flood into Thailand before the end of the year.

 

Long stay Russians and high spending Indians desperate to get married, will be in the vanguard of the rush to get back to the kingdom.

Many European tourists are expected to stay up to three months enjoying the great climate and escaping harsh conditions in their homelands. 

 

Book your tickets now, conditions apply.

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

 

Royal Gazette announces ban on protests, assemblies, and mass gatherings in Bangkok, five other provinces to "prevent the spread of Covid-19" - The Pattaya News

Royal Gazette announces ban on protests, assemblies, and mass gatherings in Bangkok, five other provinces to "prevent the spread of Covid-19"

Saturday, 6 March 2021, 10:57

Bangkok-

The Royal Gazette, Thailand's official news post for announcing new laws and regulations, announced an official ban on protests, assemblies, and mass gatherings late last night in Bangkok and five other provinces.

The announcement was ahead of a scheduled protest by the pro-democracy group "Redem" that is set to march to the Thai Criminal Court today in a 'leaderless protest."  A similar protest last weekend that attempted to march to the home of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha broke out into violent conflicts until early in the morning.

However, Thai Government officials claim the ban on protests is not political but is designed to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and protect the health of all residents.

As a note, the Emergency Decree to control the Covid-19 coronavirus essentially banned mass gatherings as well, but this new law gives the government additional legal ammunition, so to speak, against potential offenders. The penalty for breaking the law is up to a 40,000 baht fine and/or up-to two years in jail.

Besides Bangkok, the order also bans gatherings, protests, and assemblies in Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Pathum Thani province. Essentially, this is the area all around and near Bangkok. The order is effective "until further notice."

Meanwhile, protest groups on social media and activists have stated in comments and postings that the new regulations will not stop scheduled future protests.

Phuket reopening up for discussion - Bangkok Post

Phuket reopening up for discussion

The plan to open Phuket to international travellers on Oct 1 must win public consensus to avoid the snags of the previous Phuket model.

Tourism operators in the Andaman province have started a reopening plan called "Phuket First October" to prepare for a fast recovery within this year.

Under this scheme, Phuket must build up herd immunity by having 70% of its residents inoculated against Covid-19, starting from June.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said while the agency agrees with companies trying to welcome back foreign tourists as soon as possible, even earlier than October, the main concern remains mutual understanding in the local community.

Next week the Tourism and Sports Ministry and TAT plan to visit the province to follow the development of the reopening plan. Phuket was designated one of five target destinations to reopen to the foreign market. The authorities want to assess the reopening plan.

"If we want to establish Phuket as a sandbox, we have to hear from the local community clearly before proceeding. This means whether they agree with the plan, or to what extent they can accept relaxation on entry," said Mr Yuthasak.

He said a clear stance from the supply side is necessary as tourism demand started to pick up significantly based on positive forward booking trends and tourism survey results.

"If the majority in Phuket, not only stakeholders in the tourism industry, agree with the plan, we can speed up the policy implementation," said Mr Yuthasak.

The Phuket Model created a panic across the island as residents disagreed with the ministry's idea to let international tourists travel freely within designated areas.

Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, president of the Thai Hotels Association's southern chapter, said Phuket First October is different from the Phuket Model because it has more elaborate, practical procedures and risk management.

Under this plan, Phuket will gradually open in phases, starting from April and May with relaxation of quarantine, which is regulated by the Public Health Ministry. Tourists can stay for three days in a room and spend the rest of the quarantine within hotel areas.

The second phase, which starts when 70% of the population is vaccinated, offers a shorter quarantine for tourists, while vaccinated visitors may travel freely without quarantine.

He said the government should provide a clear timeline of the vaccine roll-out by April because international markets are following mass vaccination programmes in Thailand closely.

"We will miss out on the entire high season at the end of this year if we don't have a timeline as travel agents in Europe have to plan their package sales in advance," said Mr Kongsak.

"Just 1-2 months delay can cost us a tremendous loss."



6/3



Many private hospitals ready to offer quick Covid-19 jabs - expect to pay 2,000 baht a dose - Thai Visa

Many private hospitals ready to offer quick Covid-19 jabs - expect to pay 2,000 baht a dose

 

FILE PHOTO: Small bottles labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe are seen in this illustration taken taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

Sources in the Thai business media have suggested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will likely soon give approval for private hospitals to offer their own Covid-19 vaccinations.

 

The hospitals say there is huge demand - as much as 10 million doses - for people to pay rather than wait for the government to get its act together and jab people for free.

 

Hospitals are queuing up to offer the service - and of course make money in the process. 

 

Some of the biggest names are among those interested.

 

They will present documentation to the FDA whereby they will act as legal  importers of vaccine. 

 

Among the hospital groups believed to be onboard are the Thonburi Group, Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, Bangkok Hospital (BDMS) and Kasemrat Group. 

 

All manner of vaccine will be available including Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sputnik and Johnson and Johnson, suggested the sources.

 

Hospitals want to offer a variety to give patients choices.

 

A source at Thonburi suggested that they would buy vaccine at a cost of $17 to $40 a dose.

 

When the cost of sending it and service charges are added they expected to offer the vaccine to patients at 2,000 baht per dose.

 

Having the recommended two doses would therefore cost 4,000 baht or a little under 100 UK pounds or about $US 133.

 

 

New Buzzword: Area Quarantine - Thailand set to open resorts and islands as three ministries tackle tourism crisis - Thai Visa

New Buzzword: Area Quarantine - Thailand set to open resorts and islands as three ministries tackle tourism crisis

 

Pipat Ratchakitprakarn (File photo for reference only)

 

There is a new buzzword on the lips of every Thai in the tourism industry from the minister down through the ranks. 

 

Area Quarantine.

 

This is now being hailed as the answer to Thailand's tourism crisis after the pandemic saw the 3 trillion dollar industry that is 17 % of GDP decimated. 

 

Here's how it will work come next month then progress later from July.

 

In the first phase long stay tourists will be targeted for the main tourist areas.

 

Then "travel bubble" countries will be identified from the third quarter. That is as early as July.

 

These are countries that have been as successful as Thailand in controlling the pandemic and delivering vaccine. 

 

The selection of areas where tourists have been well known to stay at least one month and possibly as long as three is seen as vital to success. 

 

These will be Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, and the three islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. 

 

All these are ready and willing and able to cope with the anticipated numbers who will be beating a path to Thailand's door. 

 

Importantly, THREE ministries are working on the plans, tourism and sports minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan told the Thai media yesterday. 

 

This three pronged approach is crucial, he said. His own ministry will grinding down into the nitty gritty of the obstacles.

 

The transport ministry under Saksayam Chidchob - from a well known family in the north east not unfamiliar with getting things done - will handle the all important flights and travel arrangements.

 

While the ministry of public health under Anutin Charnvirakul - who has masterminded Thailand's Covid-19 response strategies - will handle health and vaccine matters making sure that each and every Thai and foreigner is as safe as can be. 

 

Pipat said they were also looking into the possibility of even stopping two week quarantine at some stage this year for foreigners who have had two doses of vaccine. 

 

Pipat has been busy this week on all his plans.

 

Thai media reported that he had a "video conference" with the Department of Health Promotion of the MoPH and 216 tourism operators to present his ideas and plans.

 

Nothing is set in stone just yet - that will come when PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and his cabinet rubber stamp the plans. 

 

But it is hoped that as early as next month and certainly by May "Area Quarantine" will be in full swing in the tourist areas.

 

The media reported that tourism was 17% of Thai gross domestic product pre-pandemic raking in 2 trillion baht from foreign tourists annually and a further trillion from the domestic tourism market. 

 

Critics of the minister's gung-ho stance suggest that few foreign visitors have much appetite for travel just yet and only this week a tourism Thai business leader said it was all pointless if 14 day quarantine stays in place. 

 

Others point out that the tourism ministry and TAT(Tourism Authority of Thailand) plan to promote long stay tourists already flopped not even meeting unambitious targets.

 

The Thais seem to be pinning their hopes on vaccines creating confidence though many have criticized the slow rollout of vaccination in the country.

 

A process that has already been mired in allegations of smoke and mirrors and flip-flopping. 

 

 



5/3

 

Thai Health Minister to chair panel on travel bubbles, vaccine passports - The Thaiger



  

Thai Health Minister to chair panel on travel bubbles, vaccine passports

By 

Maya Taylor

Friday, March 5, 2021

Thailand's Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, will chair a meeting on Monday, in which a vaccine passport scheme and potential travel bubbles will be discussed. Anutin says those who've been inoculated against Covid-19 will be issued with a book to confirm their vaccination. It's hoped this will make international travel easier, as well as boosting the public's confidence and helping life return to some kind of normality.

"The Public Health Ministry is making preparations to bring life back to normal, restore businesses and revive the Thai economy."

A number of groups and industry representatives have added their voices to growing calls for a vaccine passport policy. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is urging the government to implement the scheme without further delay, while also calling for private companies in Thailand to be allowed purchase and distribute vaccines.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is also pushing for a vaccine passport policy, while the Tourism Ministry has urged the Health Ministry to approve one. Meanwhile the PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked the Foreign Ministry to carry out a study on vaccine passports, adding that the jury is still out as to their effectiveness. They also have their critics, primarily among rights' groups and doctors, who argue that there is not yet enough evidence that vaccination prevents transmission.

At Monday's meeting of the National Communicable Diseases Committee, the Anutin-led panel will also discuss the idea of travel bubbles. Thailand has been considering entering into reciprocal travel arrangements with countries with a high take-up of Covid-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, Anutin says the public must continue with the practice of mask-wearing, noting that the number of Thais doing so has recently slipped. He says that recent data shows the number of people wearing masks has dropped below 80%, compared to 90% last month.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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Thai Air Asia urges government to re-open the country to foreign tourism

  

Thai Air Asia urges government to re-open the country to foreign tourism

By 

Maya Taylor

Friday, March 5, 2021

The low-cost carrier, Thai Air Asia, is calling on the government to accelerate the re-opening of the country to international tourism. TAA chief executive Santisuk Klongchaiya says Thailand risks losing its status as a regional hub if the country does not re-open soon in order to re-ignite tourism and airlines. According to a Bangkok Post report, he warns that Thailand could lose out to places like Vietnam, should international carriers decide to move direct flights to other countries.

"After facing the pandemic for a year, the key factors that can strengthen Thai tourism are re-opening borders and financial aid such as soft loans to help airlines maintain their business and save jobs. If the plan to welcome foreigners is not ready, Thailand may lose those potential tourists to other competitors that have prepared to attract them with a practical scheme."

TAA is one of 7 local carriers that have been calling for a 14 billion baht soft loan since March last year. In 2020, the airline reported 16.2 billion baht in total revenue, a year-on-year decrease of 61%, with a 57% drop in passenger numbers. Santisuk says the carrier is planning for similar numbers this year, with 15% of total passengers expected to come from the international market in the last quarter of the year. He is also hopeful that cost-saving initiatives, such as placing some staff on furlough, should help lower operational costs by up to 20%.

In other tourism-related news, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says it will add a further 2 million room nights to the "We Travel Together" domestic tourism stimulus campaign. TAT is also planning another scheme aimed at tour operators, between now and July. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn says the scheme will be put to cabinet for approval next week. TAT is proposing a "buffet-style" ticket scheme for airlines, aimed at frequent travellers. Passengers receive their subsidy once they use the first flight that is linked to a hotel booking at their destination. Each tour operator can have up to 3,000 customers.

"These additional stimulus measures will boost travel sentiment for the upcoming regional holiday in the North on March 26, as well as the Songkran festival."

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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A: Muang. T:Saensuk

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Postal address:

P.O. Box 5

Bangsaen Post Office

TH-201 30 Chonburi 

Thailand 

Phone:

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Private firms may get vaccine import nod - Bangkok Post

 Private firms may get vaccine import nod

A panel of advisers at the Public Health Ministry on Thursday suggested private companies be allowed to import another 15-20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the end of this year.

Dr Sopon Mekthon, vice-minister at the ministry, said a panel of advisers to the public health minister had agreed that Thailand still needed more doses of Covid-19 vaccines, in addition to the planned 63 million doses, some of which have already arrived.

The government on Thursday reported one new Covid-19 death, raising the toll to 85, as 54 new cases, 44 local infections and 10 imported, lifted the total to 26,162.

Thailand has a population of about 65 million. If about 15 million teenagers were subtracted from the sum, the number of those eligible for vaccines would be about 50 million, plus another five million foreign migrants, Dr Sopon said.

With a calculation based on 80% of the 55 million people, about 40 million would receive two jabs of vaccines each which would require about 80 million doses, he said.

Apart from the planned 63 million doses, about 15-20 million more should be procured, though details regarding the prices had yet to be discussed, Dr Sopon said.

Dr Paisarn Dunkum, secretary-general of the FDA, said yesterday the private sector was welcome to import vaccines, though they needed to register with the FDA first. So far, no private hospitals have applied for registration, Dr Paisarn said.

Apart from Sinovac and AstraZeneca, other vaccine producers such as Johnson & Johnson and Bharat Biotech have applied for registration, Dr Paisarn said.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said yesterday that an idea has been mooted to procure coronavirus vaccines for around 2.3 million foreign migrant workers under the social security system.

"However, this is just an idea. The board of the Social Security Office is studying its possibility. No purchase has been made yet," Mr Suchart said.

He said that if the vaccination for migrant workers is to materialse, it will take place only after most Thais receive vaccines.

The Public Health Ministry yesterday reported that another 99 people who had received Covid-19 vaccines experienced unpleasant conditions or side-effects, taking the accumulated number of cases to 119.

Of the 99 vaccine recipients, 59 had localised soreness while 19 experienced nausea; 11 had chest tightness; six had body chills; two had fevers, one felt fatigue and one had body aches.

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass - The Nation

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass

Even after the country reopens, the number of tourists visiting Thailand this year will remain low because family vacations are not yet possible, Krungthai Compass research centre said.

Kittipong Rueanthip, a senior economist at Krungthai Compass, pointed out that there is still no Covid-19 vaccine for children below the age of 16, and all tourists will have to get a Covid-19 jab before travelling.

"Many countries have agreed to issue a vaccine passport for tourists who have already received the Covid-19 vaccine," he said.

He added that most tourists come to Thailand with their family, relatives and friends, citing a Tourism and Sports Ministry survey.

"Some 73.2 per cent of all foreign arrivals in 2015 had travelled with their family and friends, and this rose to 78.5 per cent in 2018. Also, 85 per cent of the tourists who travelled with their family brought their children too," he said. "Hence, there will be a big change in tourism this year and next as we will see more solo travellers or couples."

He added that Krungthai Compass expects some 2.4 million foreign arrivals in Thailand this year as many people will not have received their Covid-19 jab by the third quarter.

"Hence, the government should promote other types of tourism, like medical and wellness tourism, which have gained popularity among foreign tourists. Tourism businesses should also support their marketing strategy to support other types of tourism as well," he added.