Thailand is entering the third wave of COVID-19 infections, with the disease spreading widely and most of those infected asymptomatic. By the time symptoms start, they will become very sick and have to be admitted for treatment, according to Professor Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Center for Emerging Disease Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in his Facebook post today. PBS World

 Thailand entering third wave of COVID-19 infections – Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha

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Thailand is entering the third wave of COVID-19 infections, with the disease spreading widely and most of those infected asymptomatic. By the time symptoms start, they will become very sick and have to be admitted for treatment, according to Professor Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Center for Emerging Disease Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in his Facebook post today.

He cited the drive-through COVID-19 screening, being conducted by the Ramkhamhaeng Hospital since April 1st, which shows that about 9% of those tested were infected, adding that most of the infected had visited entertainment venues.

Dr. Thiravat said that venues, such as pubs and bars, are ideal for spreading COVID-19 because most visitors do not practice self-discipline, do not observe social distancing and tend to spend long hours in the crammed space, which often has poor ventilation.

Public buses are also ideal for the spread of the virus, as most asymptomatic cases do not know they are infected and, hence, do not take COVID-19 tests.

Thailand wants incoming travellers to download tracking app before arrival -The Thaiger

THAILAND

Thailand wants incoming travellers to download tracking app before arrival

Published 

22 mins ago

 on  

 Tuesday, April 6, 2021

By 

 Ann Carter

Stock photo via Piqsels

Thailand is wanting incoming travellers to download its pandemic health tracking app before arriving in order to streamline safety procedures for its upcoming reopening. The request come along with a list of others including proof of a negative Covid test and the mandatory time needed to be spent in quarantine.

Thai officials say potential tourists should pre-register for their visits using Thailand Plus, which is a special Covid-19 tracker app that can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices (App Store or Google Play). To register, you can use your Certificate of Entry. The app will use QR codes to help you gain access to certain areas such as department stores and shops.

The app will track your location using your phone's bluetooth and GPS technologies. It will also use these to alert authorities if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. Despite privacy concerns, the app's developers say your location is confidential and can only be seen by the Department of Disease Control and Health Ministry.

Aside from registering on Thailand Plus, incoming travellers also need to follow certain steps in order to arrive legally. Those steps include undergoing a RT-PCR test on certain days during their quarantine periods. Travellers must also have the necessary documents required to enter the Kingdom.

Documents include: 

• A valid visa or re-entry permit (unless you are listed under the visa-free countries)

• A Certificate of Entry issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate

• A Covid-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000

• Confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking

• A medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that Covid-19 is not detected and issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

Thailand is also allowing those who are vaccinated undergo a shortened quarantine time of 7 days, down from the previous time of 14 days. Along with all other documentation, inoculated travellers must show proof along with registering at Thailand's Ministry of Public Health.

SOURCE: The Star 

Suvarnabhumi airport staff getting Covid shots - Bangkok Post

Suvarnabhumi airport staff getting Covid shots

A Suvarnaphumi airport employee receives Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine on Monday. The airport aims to inoculate all staff by the end of next month. (Photo: Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)

Suvarnabhumi international airport has begun an inoculation drive, aiming to vaccinate all 30,000 staff against Covid-19 by the end of next month and boost confidence in the airport's safety as it reopens to tourists.

The vaccination plan was announced by airport general manager Suthirawat Suwannawa.

W/Cdr Suthirawat and Lt Gen Preecha Benjakhan, chief of the airport's emergency operation centre, were among those inoculated with Sinovac vaccine as the campaign kicked off on Monday. 

The vaccine was provided by the Disease Control Department of the Public Health Ministry.

It is intended that all of the approximately 30,000 airport staff who provide services for passengers, both domestic and international, will be vaccinated by the end of May, W/Cdr Suthirawat said.

The vaccinations are being administered in zone A on the east wing on the 4th floor of the departure terminal by medical staff from Bang Phli Hospital and the Chon Buri-based 6th Disease Control Office.

This was part of the airport's preparations to reopen to tourists, who were expected to begin  arriving in Thailand this month, he said.

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is calling for vaccine doses to protect around 20,000 airline crew and ground staff before the country re-opens to international tourists. The CAAT says it’s vital that those working in the aviation industry are protected and has submitted its request to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The Thaiger / Bangkok Post



Aviation authority calling for 20,000 vaccine doses for crew, ground staff

Published 

23 seconds ago

 on  

 Tuesday, April 6, 2021

By 

 Maya Taylor

PHOTO: Christian Junker on Flickr

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is calling for vaccine doses to protect around 20,000 airline crew and ground staff before the country re-opens to international tourists. The CAAT says it's vital that those working in the aviation industry are protected and has submitted its request to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

According to Suthipong Kongpool from the CAAT, there are around 20,000 airline employees, including crew and ground staff, who will need to be vaccinated. As 2 doses are required, a total of 40,000 doses are needed to fully protect staff. The Bangkok Post reports that the CAAT will meet on Thursday to review the aviation sector's readiness for when the country re-opens without international arrivals having to quarantine.

Suthipong says they are seeking enough vaccine doses to protect employees of Thai-registered carriers.

"It's a confidence-building measure for tourists and those providing the services to them."

From July, the southern island of Phuket will be the first part of the country to waive quarantine for vaccinated international arrivals, subject to 70% of local residents being vaccinated. The "sandbox" project is a pilot programme that will be expanded to other areas if it proves successful. Between October and the end of the year, 5 other provinces – Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Krabi, Chon Buri, and Chiang Mai – are expected to adopt the programme. Officials hope to be able to re-open the country fully from January 2022.

According to the CAAT, the first foreign visitors expected to return to Phuket will be Chinese tourists, given that country's success in managing the pandemic. Meanwhile, the CAAT says Thailand will see a 7% increase in air traffic this month compared to last, with a total of 36,150 domestic and international flights.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post



Opinion: The recent nightclub cases of Covid-19 infecting groups of foreigners in Bangkok and Chonburi show why it is so important to also get foreign residents vaccinated, if they choose, before international tourism returns - Pattaya News



Bangkok-

Over the past several days in Bangkok and Chonburi, there have been a rising number of Covid-19 cases, many linked to foreign nationals from Japan, most of who are now permanent residents of Thailand. Most of these cases seem to originally stem from nightlife venues, like bars and clubs, in Bangkok and then the close contacts, friends, and family of those infected.

Some more information on the cases can be found here.

Authorities have not released all the timelines and information on the cases and people involved yet, but so far it appears to be places frequented by foreign nationals, especially Japanese, in Si Racha.

Even the Japanese Ambassador was confirmed with Covid-19, although the Japanese Embassy has not given specific details.

Of course, many Thai nationals who were with the foreign nationals were also infected and it is very important to not place "blame" on any one group as the Covid-19 virus does not discriminate on race, color, culture, sex, or any other factor. It quite simply just looks for a human host to infect and does so.

However, what is of concern is that currently, Thailand is ramping up, especially in Phuket, to get the local population vaccinated in advance of the return of foreign tourists. Unfortunately, foreign residents are not currently able to register for a vaccine, should they choose, and the registration is only in the Thai language. Hospitals are telling foreigners, even those married, with children, or working in the tourism industry that they cannot yet register for a vaccine. True, Thai Authorities have said that foreigners will be vaccinated, if they choose, "eventually" however, have not given a clear timetable or answered many questions about the process as seen in the link above.

PHOTO: AstraZeneca

If there is one thing the recent breakout shows, it is that foreign nationals should be included and given the opportunity to vaccinate before the Phuket sandbox trial in July, otherwise an outbreak in the foreign community could derail many of the Thai government's efforts to control the virus.

Let me be clear, nobody should be forced to take the vaccine if they don't want to. I am well aware many people are not happy with the current choices of vaccines available in Thailand. I am well aware that supplies are currently very limited and am NOT saying to prioritize foreign nationals over a Thai citizen. However, there should be clear communication as to when foreign residents can register, how they do so, and if/when they can purchase a vaccine privately if they choose from a private hospital. With so many unanswered questions around foreigners and vaccines in general, clarity is needed, otherwise what you are seeing now in the Japanese foreigner community could be repeated in other foreign communities.

Many foreigners tend to hang out with other foreigners, especially those from the same country. They tend to frequent bars with friends and acquaintances from their own culture, backgrounds, and countries and this won't change as international foreign tourism returns. If foreigners are not adequately protected (if they choose) from the Covid-19 virus when tourists are proposed to be let back into Thailand later this year, a breakout in the foreign community would be devastating, both for health, those infected, as well as the tourism image and face of Thailand. It's also highly likely as foreign tourists return and go to places where foreign ex-pats gather and reside.

Let us also face the fact that many foreign Thai residents in Thailand are among the highest risk groups-over 60, many not in the best of health, and likely to be susceptible to the virus even if other groups, like Thai nationals, are protected.

Hopefully, the powers that be understand this and ensure that the opportunity is given for foreigners to be vaccinated before international tourists return if they wish.



BREAKING: Health officials in Chonburi are this morning reporting 23 new #COVID19 cases, the biggest jump since January. Seventeen of them are in Sriracha district. Most of the new cases are linked to entertainment venues. They have now reported 39 cases in the last four days #Thailand - Richard Barrows



Bangkok and suburbs could be declared Red zones as Thonglor COVID cluster threatens to get out of control - Nine other provinces are to be declared Orange zones. These include Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Chumpon, Tak, Ratchaburi, Chon Buri, Suphan Buri, Narathiwat and Kanchanaburi.. | Thai PBS World

Bangkok and suburbs could be declared Red zones as Thonglor COVID cluster threatens to get out of control

views  1,135

Bangkok, and its four neighbouring provinces of Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom, are likely to be declared COVID-19 Red zones, under which stricter measures will be imposed, such as all eateries closing at 9pm and being banned from consumption or sale of alcohol.

These measures were proposed by the Emergency Operations Centre and a committee of disease control experts at a meeting today, called to assess the pandemic situation in Bangkok and its peripherals, following the emergence of new clusters linked to entertainment venues Thonglor and Ekamai areas, and in Pathum Thani.

The measure will be proposed to the CCSA subcommittee for consideration on Wednesday.

Dr. Opas Karnkavinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said that the two new clusters, one linked to a prison in Narathiwat province and the other to entertainment venues in Bangkok and its suburbs, are a matter of very serious concern, necessitating the need for stringent measures to control the spread of the disease ahead of the Songkran festival, when a lot of people will travel all over the country.

Besides the early closure of eateries and the ban on alcohol in the Red Zones, entertainment venues, such as pubs and bars, will only be allowed to operate up to 9pm.

Department stores and malls will operate as usual, but under a "new normal" format, which requires all shoppers to wear face masks, observe social distancing, go through thermal scanning and to use tracing applications.

Nine other provinces are to be declared Orange zones. These include Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Chumpon, Tak, Ratchaburi, Chon Buri, Suphan Buri, Narathiwat and Kanchanaburi.

In Orange zones, all eateries are allowed to open until 11pm and alcohol can be served. Pubs and bars can stay open to 11pm, with live music but without dancing.

10 provinces will be classified as Yellow zones. They include Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Phetchaburi, Ranong, Rayong, Songkhla, Yala and Khon Kaen.

In Yellow zones, eateries and other entertainment venues can stay open until midnight.  Alcohol can be served in the premises, with live music but no dancing.

Dr. Opas stressed the most important element is cooperation from members of the public in following the safety guidelines. 

Here we go again. Health officials are proposing to move five provinces to the red zone as “maximum control areas”: Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom. More details about this is expected after the meeting tomorrow #COVID19 #โควิด19 #Thailand - Richard Barrows

  Here we go again. Health officials are proposing to move five provinces to the red zone as "maximum control areas": Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom. More details about this is expected after the meeting tomorrow #COVID19 #โควิด19 #Thailand

May MONSOON expected to be the heaviest for 30-YEARS - Bangkok Jack / The Nation

May MONSOON expected to be the heaviest for 30-YEARS

The Royal Irrigation Department has forecast an early start to the rainy season, in May, and it is expected to be the heaviest in 30 years.

April 5, 2021

Library image

Dr Thaweesak Thanadechopol, deputy director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), disclosed after the meeting of the subcommittee for monitoring and analysing the water situation that, according to the forecast of the Thailand Meteorological Department, this year's rainfall would be higher than the 30-year average.

The RID has instructed every concerned agency to be prepared for the water situation, inspect the condition of reservoirs and irrigation buildings that are under the responsibility for availability to their full potential.

As of March 31, a total water volume of 38,348 million cubic metres of water was reported in large and medium reservoirs across the country, accounting for 50 per cent of lreservoir capacity. It leaves about 14,419 million cubic metres of usable water.

Currently, the entire country has used 13,871 million cubic metres of water, accounting for 73 per cent of the water management plan

The four main dams on the Chao Phraya River (Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, Khwae Noi Bamrung Dan Dam, and Pa Sak Cholasit Dam) have a total water volume of approximately 9,417 million cubic metres, or 38 per cent of the reservoir capacity, with approximately 2,748 million cubic metres of usable water.

He confirmed that overall water management during the dry season of 2020-21 had gone according to plan, with sufficient water supply until the end of this drought season, ensuring enough supply until the beginning of the rainy season. – The Nation



Emirates has resumed daily Airbus A380 flights to Bangkok, making it the first carrier to operate the superjumbo jet to Thailand since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. Bangkok Jack

 Emirates resumes daily AIRBUS flights to Bangkok

April 5, 2021

Emirates Flight Attendants

Emirates has resumed daily Airbus A380 flights to Bangkok, making it the first carrier to operate the superjumbo jet to Thailand since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.

The airline will operate daily flights from Dubai to Bangkok before continuing onwards to Hong Kong.

The A380 returns to Bangkok

After more than a year of suspending A380 flights to Bangkok, Emirates will now resume daily flights to Thailand's capital.

Flight EK384 will leave Dubai at 02:50 and land in Bangkok at 12:15.

After a two-hour stopover, the flight will continue to Hong Kong at 14:15, arriving at 18:20.

Each flight will offer 14 first-class suites, 76 lie-flat business seats and 429 seats in economy.

The return journey (flight EK385) will depart from Hong Kong at 21:30, first touching down in Bangkok at 23:45. The flight will then take off two hours later at 01:45, arriving in Dubai at 05:15.

All flights to Bangkok will land at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), located around 25km from the capital.

Emirates' PCR test partners in Bangkok

Passengers flying with Emirates can get a discount on PCR tests in Bangkok, as the airline has partnered with several leading hospitals in the city.

This includes 'Bangkok Hospital, Bangpakok9 International Hospital, Bumrungrad Hospital, Kasemrad Hospital Prachachuen, Phyathai1 Hospital, Phyathai2 Hospital, Piyavate Hospital, Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi Hospital, Sukumvit Hospital, and VFS Thailand.'

Before returning to Dubai, passengers will need a negative PCR test taken no later than 96 hours before your flight. Travelers purchasing a fare with Emirates will automatically be covered with COVID insurance at no extra cost.

Since July 2020, the airline has provided passengers with free COVID insurance, a world-first that many other airlines have since adopted.

Demand for the A380 picks up

Emirates is sticking by its A380s, with the double-decker jet still firmly in the carrier's plans.

In November, the airline claimed it expects to fly over 100 A380s by early 2022 and is already reintroducing the plane to its routes

Earlier this week, Emirates resumed daily flights with the A380 on its Dubai-Amman route. While the A380 was active on this route before this week, it was previously cycled with Boeing 777s and not flown daily.

In the same week, Emirates also operated the first-ever A380 flight to arrive at Jeddah's (King Abdulaziz International Airport) brand-new airport terminal. – SimpleFlying.Com

Hemresa

Hej Ola
Efter fantastiskt påskväder är det snöstorm och nollgradigt så blåsipporna fryser.

Min hemresa gick bra. På flygplatsen i BKK var de flesta ingångarna stängda, endast den första var öppen . Väl inne fick alla ett grönt klistermärke utan någon annan koll. Incheckning som vanligt, endast en person före mig. Alla bar munskydd. Flygplatsen tom och de flesta affärer stängda. Nästan tomt plan till Istanbul, om munskyddet åkt nedanför näsan kom genast en flygvärdinna och bad om att det skulle täcka både mun och näsa. Planet kusligt tomt, kanske 50 personer ombord. Jag sov hela vägen på tre tomma stolar.

I Istanbul, ny jättestor flygplats, bar alla munskydd, plakat med att tvätta händerna och tänka på social distansering. Munskyddet ska bytas var 4: e timme. Vid säkerhetskontrollen spritades alla plastlådor efter varje resenär.

Nästan fullt plan från Istanbul till Stockholm. Vad gör alla turkar i Stockholm?
På Arlanda hade ingen (kanske någon) munskydd. Inga avståndmakeringa fanns rulltrapporna. Däremot erbjöds boende i Stockholm och Uppsala gratis covidtest frivilligt.

I min taxi fanns plastskiva monterad mellan förare och passagerare.

Nu är jag på landet och hoppas på vaccin inom kort. Här känner jag mig ganska säker.

Hälsa alla

Elisabeth


Skickat från min iPad

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) – Numerous COVID-19 cases from entertainment places may force the government to review its disease control measures for the Songkran festival, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Spreading COVID May Justify Measure Review

5 April 2021 12:05

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) – Numerous COVID-19 cases from entertainment places may force the government to review its disease control measures for the Songkran festival, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Mr Anutin wrote on his Facebook account that the ongoing COVID-19 situation might prompt the reconsideration of disease control measures because of the high number of people contracting the disease at entertainment places.

Officials found that the infected people tended to spread the disease widely because they failed to comply with the disease control measures of the Public Health Ministry and their behaviors could cause the new wave of COVID-19 in the country, he wrote.

The Public Health Ministry asked operators and staff of entertainment places and their visitors to seriously comply with the measures and cooperate with active case finding and disease control processes to prevent the new wave of the disease.

If the COVID-19 situation worsens this week, tougher disease control measures will be highly likely to ensure the Songkran festival next week will be safe, Mr Anutin wrote. (TNA)

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Thailand's tourism minister hints at joining travel bubble with Singapore, Australia and NZ in October - Thai Visa



Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's minister for tourism and sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan told Daily Newsthat he would be discussing with Singapore about forming a travel bubble with the ASEAN nation next week.

 

He said that Singapore already has an agreement with Australia and New Zealand and he hopes that Thailand could join this for the mutual benefit of travel for all. 

 

He also said that many other low-Covid case countries are on his bubble radar.

 

These include Vietnam and Laos where the virus is largely under control.

 

He noted that sharing a land border in several provinces with the latter and creating a bubble with them would be good. 

 

He expects travel bubbles not to begin until October 1st and then facilitate travel for tourists who have had two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.