Brits banned from travelling internationally - including to Thailand - Thai Visa

Posted 2 hours ago

Brits banned from travelling internationally - including to Thailand

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only//Credit: Wanderlust

 

Last week, the Thai government unveiled its so-called 'area quarantine' plan which it hopes will attract more foreign tourists to Thailand.

 

Set to officially launch in April in five destinations popular with foreign tourists - Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Koh Samui - greater freedom during quarantine.

 

The plans would require tourists to stay in their hotel rooms for the first three days. However, if they test negative for COVID-19 they will then be allowed to access the whole of the resort for the remainder of the 14 day quarantine period.

 

After 14  days they will then be tested again and if found to be negative they will be allowed to leave the resort.

 

But regardless of the plans the Thai government has for area quarantine, it is unlikely to include British tourists any time soon.

 

This is because British government has banned its citizens from travelling overseas on holiday.

 

Effective from today (8 March), anyone travelling internationally from England will need to present a form stating their trip is permitted under the UK's current national lockdown rules.

 

Those travelling internationally from England now need to complete and carry a Declaration to Travel document which can be downloaded from the Government's website.

 

Anyone who does not have the required documentation is likely to be prevented from boarding.

 

Those identified by police, who will be carrying out spot checks at airports, attempting to travel internationally without valid reason, such as for education or work, face being fined anywhere between £200 and £6,400. 

 

Different rules apply for international travel from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

 

The Declaration to Travel document also doesn't need to be completed for travel within the UK, to Ireland, and the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. 

 

Travellers are advised to print a copy of the completed form or save it to a mobile or other device. 

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) regularly updates its travel advice for Britons.

 

The FCO travel advice at the time of posting is that Britons must stay home unless they have a legally permitted reason to do so.

 

"It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes," the FCO website reads.

 

Legally permitted reasons to be outside of the home for international travel include essential travel for business or official work purposes as well as for academic studies where it is required you are overseas. 

 

This includes international students returning home.

 

Other permitted reasons include on medical grounds as well as for weddings and funerals.

 

British expats stuck in the UK are also likely to be permitted to return to Thailand for work purposes or to reunite with their families in Thailand.

 

But Britons simply wanting to visit Thailand on holiday are not currently permitted to do so. 

 

Visiting address:

Palmtree Residence. House A7

42/26 Bangsaen Sai 4. Nua Road

Bangsaen, Chonburi

THAILAND

Postal address:

P.O. Box 5

Bangsaen Post Office

TH-201 30. Chonburi

THAILAND

Mobile:+66848700117

               +46768195222 (if I'm in Europe)

E-mail: ola.jnsvd@gmail.com

Sent from Ola's iPad



Political violence now a ‘TREND’ in Thailand - Bangkok Jack / Bangkok Post

Political violence now a 'TREND' in Thailand

March 8, 2021

Funeral shooting adds to Thailand's trend of politically-motivated violence

Last week, a mayoral candidate was shot and killed and 6 others were wounded, including 3 people who were running in local elections and a local kamnan, a government official of a tambon, or sub district.

Police say they believe the shooting was politically motivated. Violence related to local politics has been a trend in Thailand over the past few decades.

The gunman, who police suspect is Wanchart Niamraksa, a member of the local provincial administration organisation, opened fire at a temple in Ratchaburi, a province west of Bangkok near the Myanmar border.

Witnesses say the gunman fired shots from behind a Buddha image, shooting Yingpan Kanket, the kamnan of tambon Don Sai, was lighting candles and incense sticks to start the funeral. Yingpan is now in critical condition.

Varaporn Niamraksa, who was running for mayor in the March 28 municipal election, was shot and later died at the hospital.

Wanchart's wife was Varaporn's main competitor in the mayoral election. He's also Varaporn's brother-in-law. Wanchart has since surrendered to police.

The gunman shot and wounded 5 others, including 3 who are all running for the municipal council of tambon Don Sai.

Police say they plan to charge Wanchart with murder, attempted murder, illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and carrying them in public.

While the story was covered in Thai media, it wasn't a major headline, according to a Thai reporter.

He says there's been a pattern of politically motivated violence in Thailand. Just this past January, police arrested a man for allegedly planning to kill a local election candidate in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Local politics in Thailand were described as "bloody" after the passing of the 1997 Constitution, leading to what the media calls a "decade of decentralisation."

More than 362 local politicians were murdered between 2000 and 2009, according to date reported by Thai media.

There were around 100 other murder attempts on local politicians. Around 73% of the victims who were either killed or wounded were sub district administration organisation representatives. Most were shot.

The majority of cases were in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla, province's in Thailand's deep south near the Malaysian border, plagued with violence for decades due to the religious separatist insurgency.

In recent years, there's also been a number of reports involving violence among local politicians in Thailand.

In 2019, an MP for the Isaan province Khon Kaen was sentenced to death for hiring 2 former police officers to kill the assistant chief of the Khon Kaen provincial administration. – Bangkok Post 

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Swede admits to running multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang - Thai Visa

Swede admits to running multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang

 

Image: Karlsson being arrested in Koh Chang in June 2019. Manager Online

 

A Swedish man who was charged with running a multi million dollar investment fraud from a villa on Koh Chang has pleaded guilty in a US federal court.

 

Roger Nils-Jonas Karlsson, 47, was arrested at his home on the popular Thai island in June 2019 and extradited to the United States.

 

This week, Karlsson pleaded guilty to securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering charges. In total he defrauded more than 3,500 victims of more than $16 million.

 

Prosecutors in the United States describe a long-running scheme by which Karlsson and his company, Eastern Metal Securities (EMS) used a website to commit wire fraud against thousands of victims.  

 

He used several aliases including Steve Heyden, Euclid Deodoris, Joshua Millard, Lars Georgsson, Paramon Larasoft, and Kenth Westerberg to carry out the fraud, prosecutors said. 

 

From November 27, 2012 to June 19, 2019, Karlsson and EMS used www.easternmetalsecurities.com to make fraudulent representations and convince victims to send funds using a virtual currency exchange.  

 

During the same period, Karlsson and EMS used deceptive "devices and contrivances" to sell securities and then tried to conceal the proceeds of the wire fraud and securities fraud.

 

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Karlsson admitted that he used the website to invite potential investors to purchase shares of the plan for less than $100 per share, promising an eventual payout of 1.15 kilograms of gold per share, an amount of gold which as of Jan. 2, 2019, was worth more than $45,000.  

 

Karlsson advised investors that, in the unlikely event that the gold payout did not happen, he guaranteed to them 97% of the amount they invested. Karlsson admitted he had no way to pay off the investors.  Instead, the funds provided by victims were transferred to Karlsson's personal bank accounts and he then used proceeds to purchase expensive homes and a resort in Thailand, understood to be the Elysium Resort on Koh Chang. 

 

 

 

Karlsson also used a second website, www.hci25.com, to make multiple false communications to potential investors.  Karlsson brought the investors in HCI25 together with the investors in the "Pre Funded Reversed Pension Plan" and posted multiple communications to delay the moment investors would realize there would be no payout.

 

For example, on one occasion, Karlsson explained that a payout had not occurred because releasing so much money all at once could cause a negative effect on financial systems throughout the world.  Karlsson also falsely represented that EMS was working with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to prepare the way for a payout.

 

Karlsson directed his victims to make investments using virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin.  Karlsson admitted he defrauded no less than 3,575 victims of more than $16 million. 

 

Karlsson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine for the wire fraud and securities fraud charges, and 20 years in prison and a $500,000 maximum fine for the money laundering charge.
 

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."



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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.