The province of Chonburi has stated they will be accepting the easing of Covid-19 regulations and measures as stated by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Bangkok yesterday but will be keeping strong provincial measures intact until further notice. Pattaya News



Chonburi, Thailand-

The province of Chonburi has stated they will be accepting the easing of Covid-19 regulations and measures as stated by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Bangkok yesterday but will be keeping strong provincial measures intact until further notice.

The CCSA announced the easing of measures in provinces yesterday, which you can read more about here. This includes Chonburi being downgraded from the strictest, maximum control zone to a control zone, or dark red to red.

The CCSA national measures, which governors can strengthen if they wish, included dine-in open until 11:00 P.M., later take-away, and allowing limited re-opening of educational facilities with strict measures and local government approval, primarily for limited in-person testing without large numbers of people. Food courts, cafeterias, banquet halls, similar places, can also be opened under these measures for dine-in. Alcohol sales are strictly prohibited. These measures take effect tomorrow, May 17th, 2021.

Bars, nightclubs, and similar entertainment venues remain closed at a national order in every province in the country.  A mask mandate remains in effect as well in public places across the country with strict fines of up to 20,000 baht for violators. This includes driving in a car with more than one person.

The national measures allow other "high-risk" places to open in "red" zones if the Governor chooses to do so, but at this time he has decided to "strengthen" the measures and they will remain the same as the past two weeks.

Essentially, this means gyms, massage shops, indoor sports centers, beauty clinics, swimming pools, most tourist attractions, snooker, bowling alleys, cinemas, arcades, and everything previously ordered closed will remain closed "until further notice" according to the Chonburi Governor.

Koh Larn remains closed to the public as well, the island council is expected to discuss the decision near the end of this week.

Supermarkets, Convenience stores, night markets, restaurants for take-away, etc closed from 11:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. Some may close earlier if they are members of retail associations, with most supermarkets closing at 9:00 P.M. and many local 7-11's, Family Marts, etc. closing at 10:00 P.M. Check with your local store for guidance. All must be closed by 11:00 P.M.

Beaches are open for "exercise-only" in Chonburi, although that can mean different things in different areas based on local law enforcement and leadership. In Pattaya and Jomtien, this means the actual beach area, including the water, is off-limits. Gathering on the beach to eat, drink, socialize, mingle, etc. is strictly forbidden.  Umbrella and beach chair vendors remain closed as officials do not want people to gather and socialize.

Shopping Malls remain open, with closing times between 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. depending on the mall and their retail association membership. All malls must be closed by 9:00 P.M., although some restaurants may provide take-away later if they are able to.

Gathering limits for official reasons, like work, government meetings, etc. is set at 50 people with approval.  Gathering for social reasons, like throwing a party, is forbidden and even two people could be considered an illegal gathering under the emergency decree. Chonburi has previously asked for cooperation from condos and apartment building owners to help stop and prohibit private home gatherings or "parties."

TPN media will keep you updated on any changes or further developments as the situation is fluid and can sometimes change on a daily basis. Questions about if your venue can open can be directed to 1337 at City Hall 24 hours a day.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reported on Monday a daily record of 9,635 new coronavirus cases, including 6,853 among prisoners, as the Southeast Asian country struggles with a third wave of infections. The combined cases bring the country's total infections to 111,082. Thailand's COVID-19 task force also recorded 25 new deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 614 since the pandemic started last year.



Bangkok Post highlights 17/5



State 'not obliged to save THAI'. In an online meeting between THAI's creditors and business rehabilitation planners last week, Chansin Treenuchagron, the airline's acting president and one of the planners, told the meeting that in the plan, the government is not obliged to bail out the airline. Nor it is required to act as a loan guarantor as it tries to get back on its feet. Bangkok Post

State 'not obliged to save THAI'

Chansin: Finding loan 'no problem'

There is no commitment to a state bailout in Thai Airways International Plc's (THAI) debt rehabilitation plan, according to a source close to people conducting the process.

In an online meeting between THAI's creditors and business rehabilitation planners last week, Chansin Treenuchagron, the airline's acting president and one of the planners, told the meeting that in the plan, the government is not obliged to bail out the airline. Nor it is required to act as a loan guarantor as it tries to get back on its feet.

The Finance Ministry joined the meeting on behalf of a creditor and its presence did not mean the government was obliged to save the airline, Mr Chansin was quoted as saying.

According to the source, some creditors expressed concerns about how the airline would secure a loan without the Finance Ministry's intervention, but Mr Chansin said if the debt-restructuring plan is considered as financially feasible, finding loans is unlikely to be a problem, despite the airline's heavy debts.

More than 15 creditors asked the rehabilitation plan to be amended during the May 12 meeting. As a result, the vote for the plan has been postponed to Wednesday.

According to the source, a no debt cut is proposed under the debt-structuring plan and several creditors, including the Finance Ministry, are also opposed to it. The airline is reportedly seeking a deferment of bond repayments.

On Wednesday, THAI's creditors will decide whether they will accept the proposed rehabilitation plan and the fate of the the national airline, burdened by debts exceeding 400 billion baht.

The airline needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan and if the vote is cast in favour, the plan will be forwarded to the Central Bankruptcy Court for consideration.

But if not, the airline could be declared bankrupt.



A senior medical expert has expressed concern over relaxation in containment measures coming into effect from Monday despite the high number of daily cases. He said the current situation in Bangkok and its vicinity remained worrisome due to the number of new cases daily, the number of patients seriously ill and using ventilators, as well as fatalities. The Nation

Siriraj doctor calls for strict monitoring as govt eases lockdown measures

A senior medical expert has expressed concern over relaxation in containment measures coming into effect from Monday despite the high number of daily cases.

Assoc Prof Nithiphat Chiarakun, head of the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Tuberculosis at Siriraj Hospital, shared his opinion on his personal Facebook page.

He said the current situation in Bangkok and its vicinity remained worrisome due to the number of new cases daily, the number of patients seriously ill and using ventilators, as well as fatalities.

He said there was limited availability of primary hospital beds for severe and critical pneumonia patients. There is also a rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in prisons.

He urged all parties to work together to stop these problems by speeding up proactive virus testing in vulnerable areas, then separating the patients from the community; enhancing access to all people without any restrictions on social, ethnic or religious grounds.

Nithiphat said the government sector must strictly monitor and enforce the law when easing measures, while warning that the medical sector was overwhelmed by the workload.

He said the government sector needed to quickly understand the situation and provide rapid and comprehensive vaccination of the population.

There have been concerns after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced relaxation measures, which will come into effect from Monday, as daily cases have remained in four digits. 

New risk levels Covid19. The Nation



Two travel pals have revealed how they were attacked by MASKED MEN on a beach in Thailand – at the same spot where Brits David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were murdered six years ago. Bangkok Jack



Carla and Sam were attacked on the same stretch of beach a year before pair were murdered

Two travel pals have revealed how they were attacked by MASKED MEN on a beach in Thailand – at the same spot where Brits David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were murdered six years ago.

Sam Venning and Carla Bartel said two men in V for Vendetta masks ambushed them on Koh Tao island a year before David, 24, and Hannah, 23, died.

They say they offered information to authorities probing David and Hannah's deaths – but were never interviewed.

They have now come forward to offer their help to lawyers for the two migrant workers found guilty of the killing.

They are trying to prove conviction is unsafe.

Brit tech firm boss Sam – 22 at the time – says he was smashed on the head with a rock as he chatted with 20-year-old Carla on Sairee beach.

He said of seeing TV footage after the murder in September 2014: "It was horrific, I was right there where their bodies were.

"It was where I literally face-planted the sand."

The Thai police get quizzed by the media (Image: Daily Mirror)

Hannah, 23, and David, 24, were both killed on the Koh Tao beach (Image: PA)

Koh Tao has since become known as Death Island after gaining a sinister reputation for deaths and disappearances.

And justice campaigners have raised doubts over the convictions of the two Burmese men – prompting fears the real killers may still be at large there.

Sam, an e-commerce boss who now lives in San Francisco, says he emailed the Thai embassy in London after the killings offering to give a statement but never heard back.

And Carla contacted the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office in her native Canada – and received an email from a Bangkok-based officer at the UK National Crime Agency telling her the information would be shared with Thai police. She heard nothing more.

Wai Phyo, left, and Zaw Lin made a confession (Image: RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/REX)

Carla said of the island paradise: "Many tourists go there every year. I feel people need to know what goes on."

Curiously the pair have not provided any details of the attack, the extent of any injuries or who they reported the assault to at the time.

They have also not explained why it has taken them so long to go public with their information.

Especially during the high profile murder trial when two, presumably innocent, young men  had a death sentence imposed upon them for the latter murders.

At least nine European tourists have died or gone missing on the island in the last decade, including six Brits.

In 2018 a British teen reported being drugged, tied up and raped on the same beach.

In 2015, Burmese workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were sentenced to death for David and Hannah's murders.

But the case was mired in allegations of a cover-up and mishandled forensics.

The men claimed they were tortured by the Royal Thai Police into confessing.

Sam suffered a frightening attack at the same spot on the beach a year before Hannah and David were killed there

Human Rights Watch called the guilty verdicts "profoundly disturbing".

In 2017 the NCA admitted breaking UK law by sharing information with Thai authorities – as Britain opposes capital punishment.

Last year the death senten­­ces were overturned by Thai­­land's king Maha Vajiralongkorn, but the men remain in jail. Sam and Carla's ordeal emerged after both gave video interviews to Australian lawyer Ian Yarwood, who runs an online group about safety on Koh Tao.

Andy Hall, a migrant workers' rights activist and international affairs advisor to Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo's legal team, said:

"It's good this evidence has been brought forward, we can consider whether we can use it as a means to reopen the case."

The National Crime Agency said: "The NCA's assistance to the Thai authorities in 2014 was provided in good faith in the context of a fast moving investigation into the murders of two British citizens.

"We won't comment on the assistance provided but can confirm all relevant information relating to that investigation was shared with Thai authorities."

The Thai embassy did not respond to requests for comment.



Thailand’s national suicide rate has risen eleven percent since the pandemic began, according to figures released by the Thai Ministry of Health. The increase has been from 4,581 to 5,085 individual cases. The World Health Organization says that Thailand has 14.4 suicides per 100,000 people compared to 5.3 in Cambodia and 3.2 in the Philippines. Pattaya Mail

Thailand's suicide numbers leap, but explanations vary

Pattaya MailMay 16, 2021

Manoon Jaitong, a Sawangboriboon volunteer, has been collecting bodies for 20 years.

Thailand's national suicide rate has risen eleven percent since the pandemic began, according to figures released by the Thai Ministry of Health. The increase has been from 4,581 to 5,085 individual cases. The World Health Organization says that Thailand has 14.4 suicides per 100,000 people compared to 5.3 in Cambodia and 3.2 in the Philippines.



Admittedly not all Thai suicides are Covid-related. Pattaya Mail in recent months reported several suicides in Pattaya apparently caused by the breakup of relationships. As regards foreigner deaths, the misery of lifestyle diseases and the inability to fund hospital treatment have certainly taken their toll. Individual embassies keep a record of the death of their nationals, but there is no centrally-released data.

But, as the Lancet reported, there are well-founded fears that Covid itself and the restrictions brought in to contain it have led to a mental health crisis. Around two million Thais have lost their jobs in tourist-related industries in the past fifteen months, leading to isolation, the loss of social support networks and financial insecurity in many cases.

End Times News & Commentary with No ADS

visit watchpostblog.com/ to learn more

Bangkok-based Samaritan director Tarkan Chensy said that calls had doubled since the crisis began with lack of cash and allied economic issues accounting for about 80 percent of the 20,000 contacts made. He explained that the latest wave of infections had forced the charitable organization to close their call center with 80 volunteers now working from home.

The Samaritans use a call-back service, so callers have to wait up to 24 hours before receiving human support. The charity has opened up a new channel via the Facebook messenger app. partly because younger people in distress don't feel comfortable using traditional phone procedures.

The Thai government has introduced several schemes to provide cash for hard-hit individuals and families, but the results have been mixed. Registration can be difficult, or even impossible, for Thais who work informally or in the flesh trade. In response the Bangkok authorities have established a special operations team Hope Task Force which uses social media platforms including Facebook, Tik Tok and the Line app.



The Naklua-based Sawangboriboon Foundation, which transports corpses on behalf of the police, said that the main methods of suicide were hanging and poison. Bodies are autopsied prior to cremation or – if nobody can be found to take responsibility – in the Foundation's hillside graveyard. Most deceased foreigners are autopsied in the police forensics headquarters in Bangkok with a report submitted to the appropriate embassy.

Idag kan restauranger här i Bangsaen ha bordsservering igen och vara öppna till 23.00. Ingen alkoholservering. City Hall via Tik



48 confirmed and new cases of Covid-19 today in Chonburi Sunday, 16 May 2021, 10:48. Pattaya News

Chonburi, Thailand-

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 48 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 16th).

This makes a total of 3692 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,198 still in medical care, with a total of thirteen recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. 

Additionally, 2,481 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 109 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 2, Si Racha 5, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 29, Phanat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 5, Ban Bueng 2, and Phan Thong 2. One person was transferred from another province to Chonburi for medical care .

The details on today's cases given were:

1. 1.1 Eleven close contacts of previous patients in family members
   1.2 3 workplace co-workers who are close contacts of previous patients

2. Under investigation 34 cases

In the last day, a total of 120 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 979 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community.

All are pending results. Additionally, another 659 people were tested from Royal mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.

Chonburi officially is downgraded from a dark red zone to a red zone, meaning certain restrictions and measures like being allowed to dine-in at restaurants can return. This takes effect tomorrow, May 17th. Chonburi province should announce sometime today additional guidelines.

Chonburi Public Health officials are cautioning that although cases are falling due to proximity to Bangkok where cases remain high to stay on alert and if possible work from home and not to associate with people who are not members of your own direct household until the situation improves.

The official guidance is to stay home and not travel, although there isn't a curfew or stay at home strict order.

What the week ahead brings in Pattaya and Thailand news: Dine-in returns, zone changes, mass Covid-19 vaccination in Pattaya coming very soon, and more Saturday, 15 May 2021, 22:51. Pattaya News

Thailand-

The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the past week. We are focusing on what is happening for the third week of May, ending May 22nd, 2021.

As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.

1. Chonburi officially downgraded to a "red" zone from "dark red", restrictions eased

As of press time, not all the easing of restrictions have been announced provincially, as many are up to the Chonburi Governor, however, a big one, dine-in for restaurants, will be taking place effective Monday, May 17th, 2021. Restaurants have been closed since the beginning of the month for dine-in and restricted for takeaway until 9:00 P.M. The loosened measures will be welcomed by business owners and many staff alike who had been temporarily laid off with no pay. The change will also be welcomed by local residents who were tiring of early cutoff for take-away at 9:00 P.M. and not being able to enjoy a meal in a restaurant.

Thai Royal Gazette releases order changing Covid-19 color zones, new measures to start Monday, May 17th

2. Pattaya vaccination program to begin in earnest likely this week to the public, foreigner information possible this week

Pattaya City, despite a slight delay as you see in the below article, is expected to get 20,000 doses of Sinovac this week, enough to begin in earnest to vaccinate the general population, especially those working in tourism, ahead of an ambitious goal to get 70% of the population vaccinated in the next two-three months. According to Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume, this will be essential to re-open the city to both domestic and foreign tourism. Foreigners will be able to register and get a vaccine, if they wish, soon according to city officials also and are part of the plan, with concrete details possibly arriving as early as next week. The Ministry of Public Health stated earlier today they are developing an application for foreigners to register in English and that English-speaking staff will be available in areas with large foreign populations, including Pattaya. Walk-ins will likely be allowed in the very near future although so will registering through the mobile application or over the phone at 1337-but isn't quite ready yet.

Pattaya City Mayor encourages residents to receive Covid -19 vaccine, says faster area is vaccinated faster everything can reopen

Number of initial Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines for Pattaya and Banglamung area in mid-May decreased, inoculation date slightly postponed

3. Will Bangkok and the surrounding area be able to get the Covid-19 situation under control?

As much of the country improves in regards to Covid-19 cases, Bangkok remains the biggest driver of cases in the country, including a recent outbreak in the prison system.  Surrounding Bangkok provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani have also had outbreaks, the majority stemming from industrial estates, crowded neighborhoods like Klong Toey, and markets. The majority of vaccines are now going to support inoculating at-risk areas of the capital and get the situation under control. All eyes will be on Bangkok throughout the next few weeks, as if the situation doesn't improve there, it won't in most of the country either.

RECAP: Thailand announces 2,215 new domestic Covid-19 cases and 877 cases in Bangkok prisons with 17 new deaths

That is all for this week, have a safe week ahead!



Bangkok Post highlights 16/5



🔴 BREAKING: Thai health ministry reporting 24 deaths and 2,302 cases on Sunday. Full update at 12:30pm. 13 May: 4,887 - 32 dead 14 May: 2,256 - 30 dead 15 May: 3,095 - 17 dead 16 May: 2,302 - 24 dead <— TODAY



Thai Royal Gazette releases order changing Covid-19 color zones, new measures to start Monday, May 17th Saturday, 15 May 2021, 20:23. Pattaya News



Thailand-

The Thai Royal Gazette released an order this evening approving a proposal made by the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) earlier today to change zone coding in the country that regulates general restrictions and measures related to Covid-19 in the Kingdom.

The order, which takes effect on Monday, May 17th, 2021, reduces the highest and strictest control zones, or dark red, to four areas from six previously: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. Chonburi has been dropped to a "red zone" or controlled, and Chiang Mai has been dropped to an "orange zone", or surveillance.

Amongst other measures, the main measures reduced for Chonburi readers, the majority of our audience, is dine-in will be allowed with normal seating until 11:00 P.M. (Although the Governor could strengthen this rule if he chooses.) In "Deep Red" zones, like Bangkok, dine-in will be allowed at 25% capacity until 9:00 P.M. and take-away until 11:00 P.M. Orange zones allow dine-in as normal. Alcohol sales are forbidden at restaurants Kingdom-wide, and bars and entertainment venues must stay closed across the country.

TPN media notes that the Chonburi province will also need to release guidelines and orders, which should be over this weekend, and give guidance around their provincial restrictions. Governors are allowed to strengthen rules, but not weaken them.

Most measures and closures are regulated at a provincial level, so rules around items like gyms, pools, massage shops, beaches, and other venues will be released by the Chonburi government at a later time.

The order also contains an official waiver for mask-wearing at organized official meetings where someone may need to give an official speech or opinion and has either been vaccinated or recently taken a Covid-19 test and proven they are not infected but must follow disease control measures, be socially distanced, and only remove a mask if involved in discussions or speaking.

The seventeen red provinces are Kanchanaburi, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Yala, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, and Surat Thani.

The remaining provinces are orange.

We will update you on province-specific orders as soon as they are released. 

🔴 BREAKING: From Monday, restaurants in Dark Red Zone, can have dine-in customers up to 9pm as long as only 25% occupancy. Takeaway allowed until 11pm. Red Zone, can eat in restaurants until 11pm. Orange Zone as normal. The selling & drinking of alcohol still banned in all zones. Richard Barrow



Covid-19 cases in Chonburi plummets to 33 new and confirmed cases, lowest in over a month Saturday, 15 May 2021, 9:35. Pattaya News

Chonburi, Thailand-

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 33 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 15th), the lowest since April 7th, 2021.

This makes a total of 3,644 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,259 still in medical care, with a total of thirteen recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. Two additional deaths were sadly recorded in the past 24 hours.

Additionally, 2,372 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 97 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 5, Si Racha 2, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 18, Phanat Nikhom 1, Sattahip 2, Ban Bueng 1, and Phan Thong 4.

The details on today's cases given were:

1. Six close family member contacts of previous patients.
   -1 person who is a co-worker of a previous confirmed case.
2. In the process of investigation 26 cases.

In the last day, a total of 353 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 936 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community.

All are pending results. Additionally, another 250 people were tested from Royal mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.

Later today officials with the Thai government are expected to meet around reviewing zone designations and restrictions, although there is no guarantee of changes.

Chonburi Public Health officials are cautioning that although cases are falling due to proximity to Bangkok where cases remain high to stay on alert and if possible work from home and not to associate with people who are not members of your own direct household until the situation improves. 

The official guidance is to stay home and not travel, although there isn't a curfew or stay at home strict order. 

Thailand on Saturday (May 15) reported 3,095 new COVID-19 cases, and 17 additional deaths over the last 24 hours. ● 2,218 new infections ● 877 prison / prison infections Saturday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 99,145 with 565 deaths. Thai Visa



PM denies B50bn Thai Airways recap plan. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday denied reports that the government, through the Finance Ministry, would allocate 50 billion baht to recapitalise financially struggling Thai Airways International Plc (THAI). He was responding to reports the carrier would again become a state enterprise through the re-acquisition of the ministry's majority stake in the airline. Bangkok Post

PM denies B50bn Thai Airways recap plan

Thai Airways International planes are seen at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday denied reports that the government, through the Finance Ministry, would allocate 50 billion baht to recapitalise financially struggling Thai Airways International Plc (THAI).

He was responding to reports the carrier would again become a state enterprise through the re-acquisition of the ministry's majority stake in the airline.

The prime minister said THAI is currently moving through the debt rehabilitation process.

"I have decided that the government will not involve itself in the work of the rehabilitation plan administrators.

"The government will not provide any financial support... When the rehabilitation plan begins to be implemented, we'll then decide how to proceed," Gen Prayut said.

The airline lost its state-owned status last year when the Finance Ministry reduced its stake to under 50%, to help ease the debt-rehabilitation process.

Previously, several cabinet ministers were concerned the government would need to guarantee a loan worth billions of baht to prop up THAI if it were to come under the state enterprise umbrella again.

Reportedly supporting THAI's reinstatement as a state enterprise were Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, who also heads the government's economic team.

They argued reinstatement, which would require the Finance Ministry to become the majority shareholder again, would boost the airline's financial strength and its bargaining power with creditors.

On Wednesday, creditors postponed a vote on THAI's debt-restructuring plan until next week.

The vote, to be held next Wednesday will decide whether the airline, burdened by debts exceeding 300 billion baht, can stay in business. The airline needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan.

Pantip Sripimol, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office, said this week's vote was delayed after more than 10 creditors called for the plan to be amended.

One issue involves getting the Finance Ministry, still THAI's biggest shareholder, to guarantee loans for the airline to make it easier for it to borrow and more viable to sustain the company.

But before the ministry can act as a loan guarantor, it must boost its take back to over 50%, which would make THAI a state enterprise again.

Calls to reinstate the Finance Ministry as the majority shareholder have come under fire from critics who fear it would be too much of a financial burden.

Currently, the ministry and the Government Savings Bank together hold 49.9% of THAI's shares.

The airline, which suffered a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, is reportedly seeking a deferment of bond repayments for six years and a waiver of unpaid loan interest.



Travel restrictions in many parts of the world caused by new outbreaks triggered by virus mutations and differing paces of vaccination threaten recovery prospects for the aviation industry, which is suffering its worst crisis. Industry foresees slow recovery, perhaps not until 2024, while mass inoculation trudges along. Bangkok Post

Airlines bemoan lack of coordinated approach to Covid effort

Industry foresees slow recovery, perhaps not until 2024, while mass inoculation trudges along

Thai Airways International jets are grounded at Suvarnabhumi airport.

Travel restrictions in many parts of the world caused by new outbreaks triggered by virus mutations and differing paces of vaccination threaten recovery prospects for the aviation industry, which is suffering its worst crisis.

The lack of standards and coordination as well as the manner in which Covid-related restrictions are enforced is making recovery less predictable or sustainable, said Jeffrey Goh, chief executive of Star Alliance.

Travel is vital to being human and travel policies should support this movement through responsible and risk-based assessments, using testing and controls to protect populations and prevent further spread of the virus, said Mr Goh.

He said inoculations are key to restarting international air travel as well as avoiding quarantine, which is a threat to the recovery of the aviation industry.

However, robust testing protocols remain important while the world waits for people to be vaccinated.

"The role of government is to support the industry and prepare for recovery. This is critical," Mr Goh said. "Beyond financial support, recovery of air travel is dependent on travel restrictions that governments adopt. These measures should be based on medical evidence."

Subhas Menon, director-general at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), said different travel requirements have to be streamlined through bilateral travel bubbles or corridors for clarification and a more coordinated approach.

Mr Menon suggested all parties in the aviation industry including governments work together to prioritise travel and tourism for global recovery.

He said smart travel solutions have become even more important to make travel seamless because of confusing health and travel requirements.

Testing procedures and certificates of vaccination need to be digitised to facilitate the travel process, via the form of a digital pass.

BRACE FOR TURBULENCE

Mr Menon said the pace of vaccinations in Asia-Pacific is uneven and slower than in Western countries.

This region can expect to achieve herd immunity by 2023 unless vaccine rollouts are accelerated, he said.

"We thought with Asia being the first to encounter the virus, it would be the first to recover," Mr Menon said.

"But Asia-Pacific border restrictions are the most stringent."

He said India is still struggling with a catastrophic virus situation, meaning the region must wait and see for a few months until the new waves and variants subside. The whole region has to simultaneously rebound for a meaningful recovery to take root, said Mr Menon.

The AAPA estimates the aviation industry will take until at least 2024 before it fully recovers.

In terms of passenger growth, Mr Goh said leisure travel will start to shift in the near term, but business travel will remain depressed throughout this year and improve in 2022.

He said the outbreak has made customers expect more flexible air tickets, which are adjustable based on their travel plans in case of emergency travel restrictions.

There is also greater demand for hygienically safer travel experiences.

PRIVATE OPTION

As a result of Covid fears, families and companies may consider booking private jets to avoid crowds on commercial flights.

Demand for private jets will double by next year, said Luzi Matzig, chief executive of VIP Jets, a Don Mueang-based private jet provider.

This growing trend comes from wealthy Asians who are more open to private jet services, both for business and leisure, not only within the region but also to the Middle East and Europe.

Meanwhile, expatriates in Thailand tend to book services to visit their home country, he said.

However, due to travel restrictions, the number of flights has been lowered to 50-60 per year, mostly serving as medical evacuation flights from Cambodia and Myanmar, compared with 75-100 flights a year in the pre-Covid era.



The government is set to relax Covid-19 restrictions, including allowing dine-in services to open until 9pm in maximum and strict control "dark-red zone" provinces. Bangkok Post

Govt set to back easing of curbs

Sit-in dining returns to 'dark-red zones'

The government is set to relax Covid-19 restrictions, including allowing dine-in services to open until 9pm in maximum and strict control "dark-red zone" provinces.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as director of the CCSA, has ordered agencies to find ways to ease the plight of operators of eateries and restaurants and food vendors affected by the restrictions.

The relaxation of restrictions is in line with recommendations made by the Public Health Ministry's Emergency Operation Centre, he said.

In maximum and strict control areas, shown as dark red on public information material, sit-in services can resume until 9pm while takeaway sales will continue to cease operation at 11pm and the ban on alcohol sales will also be retained.

However, dine-in restaurants will only be allowed to operate at 25% of their capacity, so what was previously a table for four will only seat one diner under this round of easing, Dr Taweesilp said.

Schools will remain closed, except for examinations and lot-drawing procedures requested by the Education Ministry to organise some primary and secondary school admissions.

In the light-red zones governed by a second, less severe set of restrictions, dine-in services will be permitted until 11pm. Alcohol sales will also remain prohibited.

Learning activities involving large crowds at schools, universities, and tutorial schools may be permitted but will require permission from provincial communicable disease committees.

In third-tier orange zones, dine-in services can resume normal operating hours with a continued alcohol sales ban and learning activities involving groups can recommence without restriction.

Prior to the green light being given, each province will also have its current colour-coded classification reassessed to ensure public safety, said Dr Taweesilp.

Currently, an average infection rate above 50 cases per day mandates that provincial administrations must impose the toughest curbs. Re-zoning proposals will be announced sometime today, Dr Taweesilp said.

The CCSA yesterday reported 30 new domestic deaths, with the toll now at 548. There were also 2,256 new cases, raising the total to 96,050.

The day's latest batch of cases included 2,068 local infections in 61 provinces, 1,523 of which were confirmed at hospitals and 545 via mass testing, 183 infected prison inmates, and another five Thai returnees from foreign countries.

Bangkok logged the most with 1,087, followed by 157 in Pathum Thani, 131 in Nonthaburi, 121 in Samut Prakan, 64 in Chon Buri, 52 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 46 in Samut Sakhon, 33 in Rayong, 29 in Ayutthaya and 25 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

"The number of new cases in Greater Bangkok was three times as many as those in other provinces," Dr Tawee­silp said.



Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha along with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Tourism & Sport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn are to arrive in Phuket tomorrow (May 15) to see firsthand the COVID situation on the island and to hand over 100,000 doses of COVID vaccine to be used in the mass-vaccination campaign.

Prayut coming to Phuket as July 1 reopening assured

PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha along with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Tourism & Sport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn are to arrive in Phuket tomorrow (May 15) to see firsthand the COVID situation on the island and to hand over 100,000 doses of COVID vaccine to be used in the mass-vaccination campaign.

Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol confirmed the news following the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee at Phuket provincial Hall today (May 14).

"Tomorrow (May 15), the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Health and the Minister of Tourism and sport will come to hand over 100,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine. Another 100,000 doses will come on May 18," Dr Chalermpong said.

"I would say it is our good luck to receive the number of vaccines to accomplish our Phuket Sandbox plan. We receive vaccine doses faster than other provinces," he added.

"We will start administering the vaccine doses [that will arrive tomorrow] from May 18-28," Dr Chalermpong said.

"We will receive doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in early June to give to elders. The vaccine will be given to those who are older than 60 years old and to those who have dangerous diseases [medical conditions] over three days, from June 7-9," he explained.

"Then we will administer a further 140,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people from June 10-16," he continued.

"After that, we will give the second injection of the Sinovac vaccine to those who received their first injection in May. That will complete our 300,000 people vaccinated with Sinovac.

"For the 140,000 people who will get the AstraZeneca vaccine, they will develop immunity after two weeks. They will get the second injection in August," he said.

"So, that will be 440,000 people in Phuket vaccinated for the virus; 300,000 people will be fully vaccinated with Sinovac and 140,000 will have had their first jab of AstraZeneca. That means we will be able to open on July 1," Dr Chalermpong assured.

"For foreigners, migrant workers, or expats working in Phuket, we will arrange the vaccine doses and give them to you before the end of June for sure," Dr Chalermpong said.

"We are living and working in Phuket together. We will achieve herd immunity together," he added. 

Buriram province to penalize high-risk groups refusing COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals aged 18 and older in Buriram province deemed by the local authorities to be at risk of COVID-19 infection who refuse to get vaccinated, will be penalized, according to a provincial order published recently. | Thai PBS World :

Buriram province to penalize high-risk groups refusing COVID-19 vaccine

views  3,181

Individuals aged 18 and older in Buriram province deemed by the local authorities to be at risk of COVID-19 infection who refuse to get vaccinated, will be penalized, according to a provincial order published recently.

Buriram Governor Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul urged every individual, aged 18 or more, living or working in Buriram, to submit their COVID-19 risk assessment form and apply for vaccination through the publicly available channels by May 31st.

The channels include door-to-door approach by public health volunteers, online registration or personal visits to hospitals or health offices in the province. Failure to apply by May 31st is liable to one month in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 Baht.

If, during the application process, health officials or officials from the Disease Control Department find that the applicant is deemed to be at risk of getting infected, they can order them to get vaccinated at a specific venue and on a specific day.

Those who refuse to receive vaccine jabs, as ordered, may face a maximum fine of 60,000 Baht – 20,000 Baht for a violation of the Communicable Diseases Act and 40,000 Baht for a violation of the emergency decree – and/or two years in prison.



Bangkok Post highlights 15/5