Thai authorities have not given up on attracting foreign tourists for the upcoming high season. But the emphasis is currently on European and Middle East recruitment as China declines to agree to the resumption of mass foreign travel, whilst India faces a devastating rise in new infections. In 2019 these two countries alone provided more than a third of all tourists arriving by air. Pattaya Mail

Thailand making new moves to attract foreign tourists in 2021

Pattaya MailApril 22, 2021

Some European countries are preparing again for mass tourism.

Thai authorities have not given up on attracting foreign tourists for the upcoming high season. But the emphasis is currently on European and Middle East recruitment as China declines to agree to the resumption of mass foreign travel, whilst India faces a devastating rise in new infections. In 2019 these two countries alone provided more than a third of all tourists arriving by air.



The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is now facilitating a new website Entry Thailand which it claims is a one-stop shop for potential visitors. It outlines the various steps required including the certificate of entry, issued by the Thai embassy in the country of departure, flight bookings, the arrangement of quarantine, the purchase of Covid insurance and immigration bureaucracies.

The closure of all bars and clubs in April 2021 makes Thailand look boring.

In a separate move, the government has announced it will adopt the so-called vaccine passport, a certificate for use with Covid-19 vaccination as an official travel document for those already vaccinated here and travelling abroad. However, to date, less than one percent of Thais have been vaccinated against the virus and virtually no foreigners. It is expected that most foreigners based here will have to wait until June before private hospitals offer vaccination on a paid basis.

So far two vaccines have been approved for use in Thailand. The Chinese Sinovac version "uses dead material from the virus" and is claimed to avoid most side-effects, according to a Bangkok-based health worker speaking to Deutsche Welle. The alternative is the British-Swedish AstraZeneca which has been linked to rare but potentially fatal blood clots. Thailand is currently battling a third-wave of infections after handling quite well earlier flare-ups.

Everyone wants holiday freedom, but it's proving hard to achieve amid the pandemic.

Many Thai provinces have banned public consumption of alcohol, forbidden group gatherings of people and restricted inter-regional travel. Although there is no curfew, many Thais and expats say this is only a technicality because all places of entertainment are closed. "You can't get a beer anywhere, except on a supermarket shelf, and restaurants all close at nine in the evening," complained one mournful Pattaya longstayer.

End Times News & Commentary with No ADS

visit watchpostblog.com/ to learn more

In other words, Thai developments are not encouraging for the resumption of international tourism. Meanwhile, Spain, Portugal and Greece are expected to welcome Brits and some EU residents with open arms because of relative success in mass vaccination. Covid passports are expected to be available by next month to a restricted number of destinations.



The UK government has confirmed that a traffic light system will be introduced, offering a three-colour guide to allow residents to return to some destinations as early as June. Travel agents say that Thailand will not be on the green list, but will be amber-related. This means a negative Covid test will be required prior to returning to UK plus two further tests once in the country and a ten-day quarantine at home.

Simon Hellier, spokesman for Global Costsaver, said the prospects for international tourism to Thailand remained poor in the near term. "The entry system is bureaucratic and expensive. The costs of applying for Thai embassy clearance, mandatory tests and Covid insurance, quarantine in Thailand and further testing before and after the return journey can add 2,000 pounds to the cost of a vacation. Add to this the fact that that nearly all entertainment in Thailand is closed and you have your answer."

End Times News & Commentary with No ADS

visit watchpostblog.com/ to learn more

He added that there was a pent-up demand for holidays in Thailand, but that now depended on the country rolling out a convincing mass vaccination program and opening up the leisure industry once again. In other words, 2022 is a better bet than 2021.

Jet fuel tax cut extended to year-end. The government has agreed to extend excise tax reductions for jet fuel until the end of the year, a move to help mitigate the plight of airlines hard hit by Covid-19 outbreaks which have almost wiped out cross-border travel and tourism. Bangkok Post

MÅNGA BÄCKAR SMÅ.....👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

Jet fuel tax cut extended to year-end

Aircraft of Thai Airways are parked at Suvarnabhumi airport due to travel restrictions to curb the spread of the covid pandemic. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)

The government has agreed to extend excise tax reductions for jet fuel until the end of the year, a move to help mitigate the plight of airlines hard hit by Covid-19 outbreaks which have almost wiped out cross-border travel and tourism.

Lavaron Sangsnit, director-general of the Excise Department, said yesterday the department -- with the cabinet's consent -- has announced an extension of the reduction of such tax until Dec 31 once the extension period is scheduled to end later this month.

The cabinet approved lowering the excise tax on jet fuel to 20 satang per litre from 4.726 baht in February last year as part of urgent aid measures for domestic airline operators during the pandemic.

The reduction expired on Sept 30 last year, but it was later allowed to be extended until April 30 this year as the impact of the pandemic on the airline industry persisted.

According to Mr Lavaron, the extension of the excise tax reduction for jet fuel will not only alleviate the financial burden of airline business operators, helping enable them to continue their business but also resuscitate the overall tourism industry which is instrumental to driving economic recovery after the pandemic eases.

Mr Lavaron said the government is committed to providing Covid-19 vaccines to cover not less than 60% of the population in preparation to reopen the country for international tourists by October while it is expected that international tourist arrivals will commence from the third quarter.

The tourism sector contributes around 16-17% of GDP. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, the number of foreign tourists reached nearly 40 million, but once the spread of Covid-19 began during early 2020, the number of international tourist arrivals plummeted to 6.7 million for the whole of 2020, down 83% from the previous year.

The Excise Department earlier said the extension of the jet fuel tax cut is unlikely to affect its tax revenue collection as it contributes a mere 1 billion baht per year.



22/4

 

Omkring 2,4 milliarder passagerer forventes at rejse med fly i 2021, og det er et godt stykke under rekordåret i 2019 med globalt 4,5 milliarder passagerer. Europæisk luftfart bliver hårdest ramt i 2021. Check-in.DK



Omkring 2,4 milliarder passagerer forventes at rejse med fly i 2021, og det er et godt stykke under rekordåret i 2019 med globalt 4,5 milliarder passagerer. Europæisk luftfart bliver hårdest ramt i 2021.

I 2019 var der hver eneste dag i gennemsnit 12,5 millioner passagerer, der foretog en flyrejse svarende til 128.000 flyvninger om dagen og samlet 4,5 milliarder i hele året. Sådan så det ikke ud i 2020, og sådan kommer det heller ikke til at se ud i 2021.

IATA (International Air Transport Association), der repræsenterer omkring 290 flyselskaber og i omegnen af 82 procent af den samlede flytrafik i verden, forventer omkring 2,4 milliarder passagerer vil rejse med fly i 2021, og det noget flere end de 1,8 milliarder, der blev registreret hos flyselskaberne i 2020.

Dermed ventes passagertrafikken i 2021 at nå op på 43 procent af 2019-niveauet, hvor det især er i slutningen af 2021, at genopretningen for alvor tager fart.

"Denne krise er længere og dybere, end nogen kunne have forventet. Tabene reduceres fra 2020, men smerten ved krisen øges. Der er optimisme på hjemmemarkederne, hvor luftfartens kendetegnende modstandsdygtighed demonstreres af genopretning på markeder uden interne rejsebegrænsninger. Regeringspålagte rejserestriktioner fortsætter med at dæmpe den stærke underliggende efterspørgsel efter internationale rejser," siger nytiltrådte Willie Walsh, generaldirektør for IATA.

Tab i 2021 mindre end i 2020
Trods fremgang i forhold til 2020, så kan det ikke forhindre endnu et år med store tab i luftfarten. Nettotabet for hele luftfartsindustrien forventes i 2021 at beløbe sig til 47,7 milliarder dollars, hvilket svarer til 295 milliarder kroner. Det er dog noget bedre end i 2020, der sluttede med et samlet tab for flyselskaberne på 126,4 milliarder dollars (780 milliarder kroner).

IATA opfordrer derfor regeringer over hele verden til at implementere planer for genopretning af luftfarten samt at igangsætte eller forlænge eksisterende beskæftigelsesstøtteprogrammer for flyselskaberne.

"Effektiv genstart af luftfart vil give energi til rejse- og turistsektoren og den bredere økonomi. Da virussen bliver endemisk, er det vigtigt at lære at leve, arbejde og rejse sikkert. Det betyder, at regeringer skal fokusere på risikostyring for at beskytte levebrød såvel som liv," lyder det fra Willie Walsh.

Europa hårdest ramt
IATA-direktøren bemærker også, at de indenlandske markeder forbedres hurtigere end internationale rejsemarkeder, og fokuseres der på Europa så er regionen kendetegnet ved en situation, hvor hjemmemarkederne blot repræsenterer 11 procent af trafikindtægterne.

En særlig udfordring for Europa er den uensartede vaccinationsudrulning, og en langsommere vaccination i Europa vil også begrænse genopretningen af det europæiske marked samt markedet til og fra Nordamerika.

Tabet i den europæiske luftfart ventes derfor alene at beløbe sig til 22,2 milliarder dollars, eller lidt mere end 137 milliarder kroner. Det sker på baggrund af en forventning om en efterspørgselstilbagegang på 66,3 procent i forhold til 2019. Dermed er Europa og Mellemøsten de regioner, der er hårdest ramt i 2021, mens nordamerikanske flyselskaber blot forventer en tilbagegang i efterspørgslen på 41,5 procent.

From today in Phuket - Richard Barrow



  Phuket started their strict screening measures this morning for travellers entering Phuket. Anyone who doesn't have a vaccination certificate or a covid-free certificate must do a Rapid Test. Thais are free and all foreigners are 500 baht. 📷 @pleunpit_Ch9 #Thailand

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, newly-elected Atta president, said the reopening plan in July will be difficult to execute without effective vaccinations as Thailand is still recording over 1,000 infections every day. Bangkok Post

Atta pins hopes on Q4 for rebound

Travellers are seen wearing face masks at Suvarnabhumi airport amid the new surge in infections across the country. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is banking on the country to reopen by the fourth quarter as the tourism industry faces another setback following a new wave of infections, which has dampened the outlook for Phuket's sandbox model due to start in July.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, newly-elected Atta president, said the reopening plan in July will be difficult to execute without effective vaccinations as Thailand is still recording over 1,000 infections every day.

Therefore, tour operators have pinned their hopes on the fourth quarter, during which there is more chance for tourists to return to pilot areas.

Mr Sisdivachr said it was important to reopen the country as soon as possible but that the plan cannot be accomplished without earning the confidence of tourists.

If the number of infections drops to double digits in the next two months, there might be a chance to continue with the Phuket sandbox as scheduled.

However, an effective vaccination plan, including procuring more doses, distribution, and communication is needed to boost confidence amongst locals. Moreover, this will also help ensure the industry does not stumble again in the future.

"A rapid vaccination programme is the only effective way to exit this crisis," said Mr Sisdivachr. "The government has to take decisive actions to allow the country to move forward."

In terms of a travel bubble arrangement, the government has to hold discussions with potential countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and other neighbouring countries. It should not wait until the number of domestic cases reaches zero.

According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the number of international arrivals in the first two months of this year dropped 99.77% year-on-year, from 5.9 million in 2020 to only 13,435.

Between Jan and Feb, tourists from mainland China -- a major market for the Thai tourism industry -- numbered only 931, a stark contrast to the 1.2 million visitors who entered during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, travellers from Germany were the most common with 1,432 visitors, followed by the US (1,425) and the UK (1,180).

Mr Sisdivachr said the number of inbound tourists this year is difficult to predict given current circumstances remain volatile. He said there would be a clearer picture by July.

'Entry Thailand' online information centre launched for vaccinated international visitors. TAT



 

Providing six steps of arrangements, from COE registration and flight bookings to quarantine and insurance, for entering Thailand

TAT Newsroom

 

Bangkok, 21 April, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce the launched of the "Entry Thailand" online platform under integrated efforts by related government agencies to facilitate vaccinated international visitors.

 

Available on www.entrythailand.go.th/journey/1, the one-stop platform enables all arrangements, specifically for international visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are eligible for a shorten mandatory quarantine period per the Royal Thai Government's announcement, which takes effect from 1 April, 2021.

 

The landing page entails 'Preparation Step' with overview on Thailand's latest entry policy.

 

International visitors who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine, approved, and registered with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), no less than 14 days before the travelling date, will be eligible for the reduction of quarantine to seven days.

 

Unvaccinated visitors will be subjected to no less than a 10-day quarantine, while any visitors from the 11 countries with SAR-CoV-2 virus mutations and variants, as announced by the Ministry of Public Health, will be quarantined for 14 days.

 

After understanding the overview of the rules and conditions, fully vaccinated international visitors can then proceed on the six simple steps.

 

Step 1: Registration for the Certificate of Entry (COE). Results for pre-approval may take three days.

 

Step 2: Flight booking on either a repatriation flight or semi-commercial flight. Tickets must be purchased within 15 days after receiving the pre-approved COE.

 

Step 3: Book and submit confirmation of the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking within 15 days after receiving the pre-approved COE. Any ASQ accommodation booked via the "Entry Thailand" system will automatically report the booking status to the COE system, or upload proof of confirmation in the "Entry Thailand" system.

 

Step 4: Purchase and submit proof of a COVID-19 health insurance policy within 15 days after receiving the pre-approved COE. Any COVID-19 insurance policy booked via the "Entry Thailand" system will automatically report the booking status to the COE system, or upload documents in the "Entry Thailand" system.

 

Step 5: Check the COE status and prepare additional documents before travelling.

 

Step 6: Prepare for the journey by downloading and registering with the "Thailand Plus Application", complete the Thailand Health Declaration, or T.8 Form, as well as prepare other relevant documents for entry into Thailand.

 

Learn more about the "Entry Thailand" online platform at www.entrythailand.go.th/journey/1.

 

TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (www.tatnews.org); Facebook (tatnews.org); and Twitter (Tatnews_Org).

 

For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand's tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/04/entry-thailand-online-information-centre-launched-for-vaccinated-international-visitors/

 

 



Thailand will procure an additional 35 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from other 2 or 3 companies, on top of the 65 million from Sinovac and AstraZeneca, according to a post on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Facebook on Wednesday morning. PBS World

Thailand to buy another 35m doses of COVID-19 vaccine from other companies

views  298

Thailand will procure an additional 35 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from other 2 or 3 companies, on top of the 65 million from Sinovac and AstraZeneca, according to a post on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's Facebook on Wednesday morning.

The decision to buy the additional doses was reached at a meeting of the working committee, tasked with procuring COVID-19 vaccines.

Chaired by former public health minister Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, the committee comprises representatives from the Public Health Ministry, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, the Food and Drugs Administration and the Association of Private Hospitals.

Of the 35 million doses to be purchased, the prime minister said that the private sector, led by the Board of Trade of Thailand, has offered to ease the government's financial burden by funding the purchase of between 10 and 15 million doses, for employees of private companies.

He also said that officials have been instructed to distribute all the available vaccine doses, so that they can be administered by the end of this year. 

21/4



When to get a COVID test and what to do if you test positive | Thai PBS World

When to get a COVID test and what to do if you test positive

views  279

With the number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand rising on a daily basis, many people are worrying about whether they have contracted the contagious virus. In fact, even simple cold symptoms can be scary.

While health authorities are encouraging people at risk of catching COVID-19 to get tested, they are also trying to allay fears by providing more information on exactly who is at risk.

High risk vs low risk

Disease Control Department director-general Dr Opart Karnkawinpong recently said that anybody who has been within close proximity of a confirmed COVID patient should get tested immediately.

People at highest risk are those who live in the same house as the patient and were in close contact when the patient was developing symptoms; medical workers who handle a patient or their specimen while not wearing protective gear; and patients sharing a room with someone who has tested positive.

Also at high risk are people who have met symptomatic COVID-19 patients and may have been exposed to their body fluids, including via coughing or sneezing.

Standing a meter from a confirmed COVID patient without a mask for more than five minutes or sitting a couple of rows from the patient on an aircraft or bus also carries high risk.

"Being in a badly ventilated room with a patient without a mask for 15 minutes is risky," Opart explained.

Working or studying in the same room as a confirmed patient is less risky provided everybody wears a mask and is not exposed to bodily fluids.

What should those at risk do?

People at high risk are advised to immediately seek a lab test and then quarantine themselves at a medical facility or at their own home. However, they cannot walk free even if the first lab test does not detect the presence of the virus. A negative result on the first day only means that the people they came in contact with before the test are safe. They should keep a mask on at all times and isolate themselves for 14 days. During isolation, they may be required to undergo tests a few more times.

Khanngoen Nuanual, a lead singer of Thaitanium band, for instance, was considered to be at high risk because he performed at The Emerald Thonglor 13 on April 2 where infected patients had been present. Seven days later his test came back negative, yet 15 days later he tested positive.

State hospitals are providing free COVID-19 tests for people who are at risk, though private hospitals are charging a fee. However, the National Health Security Office has started covering the cost of COVID tests at private medical facilities for high-risk cases.

People at low risk are still recommended to isolate themselves for 14 days, during which time they can run their daily errands, provided they stay away from crowded places.

Tested positive?

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 should contact health authorities via hotlines 1330, 1668 or 1669 and have their national ID and test results ready. They must wear a face mask, isolate themselves and avoid leaving home while waiting to be admitted to hospital.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk

Forget drink-drivers, focus on halting COVID, cops told - Phuket News





THAILAND: Police have suspended the use of checkpoints to test motorists for drink-driving, citing the need to concentrate on stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The order was signed by deputy police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, on behalf of the national police chief, and came into force on Sunday (Apr 18).

It represents a U-turn after police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk issued a directive last month that drink-driving checkpoints should resume operations nationwide from April 1, albeit with strict new guidelines.

The checkpoints were suspended last October, soon after Pol Gen Suwat took office. He promised their operations would be made more transparent.

Pol Gen Damrongsak said the new order applied to all police units and was being issued under the state of emergency to stem the latest surge in infections.

This followed 18 provinces being designated red zone "maximum control areas" and 59 provinces as "control areas".

Police units should instead focus on monitoring mass gatherings and activities deemed to be at high risk of spreading the virus, he said.

The order said checkpoints for alcohol tests and strict enforcement of minor traffic infringements were being suspended, especially in areas of maximum COVID control.

Checkpoints for crime prevention, drug interception and border security could continue to operate but they must not cause the public too much inconvenience, it added.

Police must also stop all social activities being held purely for entertainment purposes. Traditional ceremonies can go ahead but should have adequate disease control measures in place.

Officers must themselves follow disease control measures strictly while on duty, including wearing face masks at all times.

They must have their temperature taken before going out to work, practise social distancing and use the ThaiChana and MorChana apps.

They should also refrain from misconduct, such as heavy drinking and frequenting venues deemed at high-risk of spreading disease, the order said.

The 'Thong Lor' clusters have now spread to all parts of the country. The Thaiger / Bangkok Post

 THAILAND

Entertainment venues the source of 6,020 Covid-19 infections

Published 

1 hour ago

 on  

 Wednesday, April 21, 2021

By 

 Neill Fronde

FILE PHOTO: Nightlife entertainment venues were responsible for over 6000 Covid-19 infections this month.

As the Covid-19 third wave reaches in Thailand's provinces, the main culprit in the spread of the infectious new strain is entertainment venues such as bars, clubs and pubs. With around 1,000 – 1,500 new daily infections over the past week, 71 provinces throughout the country have traced Covid-19 infections back to clusters in bars and nightclubs.

The CCSA announced yesterday that in April alone a total of 6,020 Coronavirus infections were connected to evening entertainment venues.

They confirmed that 40% of all people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Bangkok this month could be traced back to nightlife locations, a total of 1,583 infections. In the other provinces, entertainment spots were also the source of a quarter of all Covid-19 infections.

Young people make up over half of these third-wave cases, with 3,432 Covid-infected people 20 to 29 years old according to the CCSA. While all of Thailand's 77 provinces now have Covid-19 infections, only 6 provinces don't have any cases traced to these entertainment venues. Just Chai Nat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Ranong, Satun, and Yala are currently free of Coronavirus infections linked to these nightlife clusters.

1,157 patrons along with 364 bar staff and 348 other people thought to be in close proximity to people who were infected with the Coronavirus came forward and were identified and tested from these entertainment venues. But the CCSA says that accounts for only 27% of the infections connected to nightlife locations, while the majority of people did not cooperate and withheld pertinent information, making the identification and containment of the Covid-19 outbreaks from entertainment venues more difficult.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

Thailand adopts use of jab passports - Bangkok Post

Thailand adopts use of jab passports

The front cover of the 'vaccine passport' which the government is adopting for those travelling overseas.

The government has announced it will adopt the so-called vaccine passport, a certificate of vaccination, for use with Covid-19 vaccination in Thailand as an official travel document for those already vaccinated against Covid-19 and travelling to other countries.

The Royal Gazette on Tuesday published a copy of the format of the vaccine passport along with an order by the Disease Control Department authorising a number of disease control officials to issue the vaccine passport.

Both the format of the vaccine passport and the order were approved by department director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong.

On the cover of the approved vaccine passport format there is Thai-English text that reads "Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand", a garuda emblem and more text reading "Covid-19 Certificate of Vaccination".

The name of the vaccination certificate holder and his or her passport or national identification number is typed in English certifying that the certificate holder has already been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Only vaccinations using vaccines registered in Thailand or ones certified by the World Health Organisation will be issued with the vaccine passport, while the signature of an authorised disease control official is required to validate the passport.

The vaccination certificate is intended for an individual holder only, not for group use. Children aged under seven must have their parents' signatures on their vaccine passports, while those who are unable to write are required to give a fingerprint on the passport instead.

Six disease control officials meanwhile are now authorised to sign a vaccine passport when it is issued.

They are Rom Buathong, a senior medical doctor with the department's international communicable disease control checkpoints and quarantine division; Sirirak Thanasakunprasoet, a senior medical doctor with the same division; Rawinan Soma, another senior medical doctor with the same division.

Others are Ranida Techsuwanna, a senior medical doctor with the department's general communicable diseases division; Kamonthip Atsawawaranan, a senior medical doctor with the department's Institute of Urban Disease Control; and Parinda Watthanasi, a senior medical doctor with the department's Institute of Preventive Medicine.

These officials are assigned to work in line with an announcement by the national communicable disease committee regarding the issuing of Covid jab certificates, published in the Royal Gazette on March 31.