Another one of the nightmares of this Covid pandemic is finally on the horizon. The fearful prospect of the collapse of the Thai public health system as it faces the same dire conditions as those of Europe and the US last year, or more recently in India, has arrived -- where the number of Covid patients overwhelms the capacity of hospitals and medical staff. Bangkok Post

Home alone info needed

Another one of the nightmares of this Covid pandemic is finally on the horizon. The fearful prospect of the collapse of the Thai public health system as it faces the same dire conditions as those of Europe and the US last year, or more recently in India, has arrived -- where the number of Covid patients overwhelms the capacity of hospitals and medical staff.

Thailand -- the former poster boy for effective Covid management -- is now walking down that perilous path. On Sunday, Covid cases hit a new record high. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) admitted that hospitals in the capital were maxed out, with 500 Covid patients, presumably in critical condition, still waiting in line for a hospital bed. The number on that waiting list continues to mount.

International team join hunt for boys missing in Thai cave

US forces and British divers joined the search for 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach believed trapped by floodwaters in Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai. - Reuter

The Public Health Ministry quickly announced a "home isolation" policy for target patients in the "green" group -- those showing no Covid-19 symptoms and who reside in dark red-zones in Bangkok and its vicinity areas.

Covid patients isolated at home will be monitored via an app downloaded by patients that contains essential details such as the patient's health data and treatment history. The data is relayed by the hospitals where the patients are registered with medical treatment.

In addition, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) will provide support in terms of medical-grade equipment for measuring oxygen levels as well as medicine including Favipiravir -- if the patient develops a mild fever. The NHSO will cover food costs at 1,000 baht per day; food will be delivered to the patient. If the patient's condition becomes worse, they will be referred to a hospital.

The policy, despite coming just in the nick of time, gives society some relief. At the very least, the Ministry of Public Health has a Plan B. Yet the home isolation policy requires more than just financial help and a good app. Efficient home isolation won't work without a well informed and cooperative public. Many Covid patients and relatives are clueless over how to take care of isolated patients at home.

Patients fear infecting family members and being shunned by their neighbours. Meanwhile, community members are afraid of living next door to a Covid patient, as it means possible transmission.

That may explain why many patients, regardless of the severity of their condition, frantically run to trustworthy hospitals, or pay a fortune to get admitted to a private hospital. This pandemic has shown how dysfunctional the state's PR machine can be. Home isolation might sound easy, yet it requires well-informed family and understanding neighbours.

Yet in the last 18 months, there has been no systematic PR campaign on home isolation to train people on how to compartmentalise isolated rooms, serve meals, dispose of infectious waste, prevent transmission and above all, make family and neighbours feel safe with home isolation.

All the public has heard from the state in the last 18 months are daily updates on cases from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Because of the virus' mutation, this pandemic won't be ending soon. If Covid cases in Thailand continue to soar, the government will not have enough resources to take care of Covid patients.

The government needs to prepare for this doomsday scenario. It needs to overhaul its communication system. Without a public that understands exactly what is going on, home isolation and the public health system alike will fail.

Hope, fears for 'Sandbox'. Reopening scheme scares Phuket locals. Bangkok Post

Hope, fears for 'Sandbox'

Life in Phuket on Wednesday evening. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)

The Phuket Tourism "Sandbox", a pilot phase of Thailand's ambitious tourism reopening plan, kicks off on Thursday on the resort island amid hope and fears.

As businesses expect a tremendous boost to the local economy, relying heavily on tourism, many locals fear the pro-tourism programme may end up sparking a new outbreak of Covid-19.

About 100,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit Phuket during the third quarter of this year from July to September, expecting to generate tourism revenue of about 8.9 billion baht.

This month, a total of 426 flights would serve 8,281 inbound passengers and 3,613 outbound travellers. The southern island province would average about 13 flights a day, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri on Wednesday.

A total of 249 tourists under the Phuket Sandbox programme are scheduled to arrive in Thailand Thursday on flights from Israel, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, said Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

These tourists will stay in Phuket for at least 14 days, during which two repeat Covid-19 tests will be given to ensure they are free of the coronavirus, he said.

From Thursday, Phuket hopes to strike a balance between driving the economy with tourism and controlling the spread of Covid-19, said provincial governor Narong Wunsiew on Wednesday.

However, he admitted that it wasn't the foreign visitors arriving in Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox programme who are worrying the province in terms of outbreak containment. It's those who will come to the province by land from within Thailand.

Tha Chatchai security checkpoint, the main Covid-19 checkpoint on the road leading to Phuket, still needs more staff and technology to ensure everyone who will pass onto the island is thoroughly checked, he said.

"Only those fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and have proof of their vaccination will be allowed to enter Phuket,'' he said.

Patong beach appears to be the most popular destination for foreign tourists who have booked their hotels in Phuket under the tourism sandbox programme.

A total of 383 rooms have been booked at hotels in the Patong beach area for 1,671 visitors, he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be in Phuket on Thursday.

He will greet and welcome foreign tourists upon their arrival at Phuket international airport and visit the security checkpoint.

Citing findings from a recent online survey by a local health group of among 1,112 local residents, Manot Saithong, president of the group, said the most common concern shared by many is the possibility that tourists under the tourism sandbox programme could be carriers of a more virulent variant of the coronavirus and trigger a serious new outbreak in the province.

Survey respondents also doubted if foreign tourists will strictly follow the Covid-19 control measures imposed on them when they are here, Mr Manot said.

Doubts have also been raised over the efficiency of Covid-19 screening among Thai visitors to Phuket, he said, adding that if a new outbreak erupts in Phuket, young people will be affected as they are the only group of population that has not been vaccinated.

Don Limnanthaphisit, president of a club of residents in Phuket's old town, called for stricter Covid-19 screening at all schools for fear some students may have contracted the virus from their parents who have contracted the virus from tourists.

If all of the about 100,000 foreign tourists who have already booked their visits to Phuket in the next three months but have yet to confirm their travel actually come, about 13 billion baht in tourism-related income will be generated, said Thanusak Phuengdet, president of Phuket's chamber of commerce.



Regulatory chaos spoils Phuket's reopening. Bangkok Post

 Regulatory chaos spoils Phuket's reopening

The Phuket sandbox project kicks off with the Central Phuket Hotel Fair, which is being held until Sunday at Central Phuket and offers discount promotions of up to 70% on hotels.

The Phuket sandbox experienced regulatory chaos in the days leading up to its reopening on Thursday after an endorsement of the plan was published in the Royal Gazette published on Tuesday night.

Tourism operators have said that the scheme is not inclusive for all stakeholders, particularly small operators.

The long-awaited official announcement on Tuesday night came a bit too late as some tourists who had booked flights for today decided to cancel or postpone their trip as they were not confident whether approval of the certificate of entry (COE) would be done in time, said a tourism source who requested anonymity.

Even though the Foreign Ministry sped up the process and quickly granted COEs to a number of tourists after the official announcement was made, some tourists who had not obtained a COE before departure decided to cancel their trip.

Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, said that every inoculated tourist who applies for a COE will not have to stay in a local quarantine facility unless they registered for a COE before the Foreign Ministry opened the process.

He said the Foreign Ministry had prepared in advance by opening the registration process on Monday, however, approvals could not be made until an announcement was published in the Royal Gazette.

"We reassured travellers that their certificates would be approved and flights to Phuket were confirmed," Mr Yuthasak said.

He said moving forward, Phuket is ready to welcome international tourists with no additional obstacles and that the COE process may take three to five days.

At least 300 tourists from five airlines will form the first batch to enter the island today. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be at the airport to welcome vaccinated international tourists, mostly from Europe, the US and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, hotel bookings have also picked up after the reopening scheme was made official.

At least 24,972 room nights have been booked for July 1-15, up from 11,000 room nights reported on Monday.

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourism Council, said foreign guests alone are not enough to save the tourism industry.

"Most tourism benefits are likely to go to big players and will leave small and medium operators behind," he said.

Mr Thaneth added that Phuket still needs a boost from domestic tourists as this group is an important market for small operators.

Bangkok Post highlights 1/7



A record high of 53 Covid-related deaths was reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 2,023. The vast majority of Covid patients died over the past 3 months with the daily fatality count in the 20s to 40s. 4,786 new Covid-19 cases were reported today, with most infections reported in Bangkok. - Thaiger

Wednesday Covid-19 Update: 4,786 new cases; provincial totals

By 

Caitlin Ashworth

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

A record high of 53 Covid-related deaths was reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic's death toll in Thailand to 2,023. The vast majority of Covid patients died over the past 3 months with the daily fatality count in the 20s to 40s.

4,786 new Covid-19 cases were reported today, with most infections reported in Bangkok. The CCSA has reported a total of 259,301 Covid-19 infections since the start of the pandemic last year. Of that number, 230,438 cases were reported since April 1 in Thailand's latest and most severe wave of infections.

The current wave of Covid-19 is on an upward trend with 49,799 active cases 1,911 are in critical condition, including 556 of those patients are on ventilators.

1,826 new cases in Bangkok. More than 100 clusters in Bangkok are being monitored, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun, who gives the daily Covid update in English.

"We are all facing emotional fatigue as well as general exhaustion in society, not only in Thailand but around the world. Now that's something that we have to continue to join hands, continue to fight off Covid together. Our efforts will pay off, for sure."

Cases remain high provinces surrounding the capital with 433 new cases reported in Samut Prakan, 253 cases in Samut Sakhon, 191 in Nakhon Pathom, 177 in Pathum Thani, and 155 in Nonthaburi.

"The trend continues to be in Bangkok and peripheral provinces. The factories, construction sites and construction workers camps are continued to be actively monitored as they contribute to the increasing number of infections and the active case findings have been ongoing at these venues, as well as other public health measures including the closure of these construction sites."

Thailand's Deep South provinces near the Malaysian border are also experiencing a rise in cases with 157 new cases reported in Songkhla, 106 in Yala, and 81 in Pattani.

Chon Buri also reported a high number of cases today with 208 confirmed Covid-19 infections.

Vaccine updates…

9.6 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Thailand since February 28, close to the Thai government's target of 10 million administered by the end of June. So far, 2.7 million people in Thailand have received both doses of the vaccine.

Japan will be donating 1.05 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand. The vaccine doses are expected to arrive on July 9.

Provincial totals from the government's news bureau… 



The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 208 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death on June 30th. Wednesday, 30 June 2021, 11:10. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 208 new and confirmed cases of Covid -19 with one new death

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 208 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new death on June 30th.

Wednesday, 30 June 2021, 11:10

Chonburi –

This makes a total of 8,426 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 2,946 still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 47 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 5,433 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 49 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 40, Si Racha 76, Banglamung 49, Panat Nikhom 9, Sattahip 6, Ban Bueang 12, Pan Thong 6, Bor Thong 4, Ko Chan 1, and 5 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Proactive testing, new market, Mueang Chonburi District, 30 cases
2. A migrant worker camp in Si Racha, 15 cases
3. Risky occupations that meet many people, 6 cases
4. Proactive testing at Supparuek Market in Si Racha, 5 cases
5. A cluster at a company in Rayong, 4 cases
6. Construction workers in Banglamung, 3 cases
7. Migrant workers in Si Racha, 2 cases
8. Proactive testing at the Pongsak New Market, 2 cases
9. New Market in Naklua, 3 cases
10. Back from risky areas in Bangkok, 3 cases
11. Lang Market in Mueang Chonburi, 1 case
12. Back from a risky area in Nonthaburi, 1 case
13. Close contact from a previously confirmed case at a party, 1 case.
14. Close contacts of previously confirmed patients: 64 family members and 30 co-workers
15. Close contacts under investigation, 23 cases
16. Currently under investigation in general, 15 cases

A total of 165 close contact searches were received today with 1,667 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending. Details on the deaths were not given by the health department.

The Chonburi Public Relations office released an order last night, June 30th, 2021, regarding the temporary closure of a dormitory and a construction worker's camp in Si Racha.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/06/29/chonburi-governor-orders-another-temporary-closure-of-a-dormitory-and-workers-camp-in-si-racha/

The rules for vaccinated foreign tourists to enter Thailand from tomorrow (July 1) under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ scheme have been published in the Royal Gazette, with some changes and clarifications to several important rules for tourists wanting to come to Thailand. Phuket News

Phuket Sandbox rules tweaked

PHUKET: The rules for vaccinated foreign tourists to enter Thailand from tomorrow (July 1) under the 'Phuket Sandbox' scheme have been published in the Royal Gazette, with some changes and clarifications to several important rules for tourists wanting to come to Thailand.

Phuket Governor Naron Woonciew announced the publication of the Sandbox rules in the Royal gazette during a live broadcast online this morning (June 30).

"From the measures announced by the Royal Gazette yesterday, there are three main topics, which are the measures for tourists before coming to Thailand, the measures for tourists while staying in Thailand, and the measures for tourists before leaving Thailand," he said.

"Before coming to Thailand, they must avoid going to risk areas for at least 14 days [prior to travel]. They must come from the 66 countries which have been presented by the TAT [Tourism authority of Thailand] and stay in the country of origin for at least 21 days before coming to Thailand. They must register through official website [https://entrythailand.go.th/journey/1], he added.

"They must have a COE, a COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours [prior to travel], insurance covering US$100,000, a booking with a SHA+ hotel in Phuket for 14 days, as well as pay for RT-PCR tests," Governor Narong continued.

Of note, thePhuket Official COVID-19 Information Center, operated by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior, this morning confirmed that 300 Certificates of Entry have already been issued.

"If they stay less than 14 days, they also need to present their return flight booking," Governor Narong continued.

"They must have a vaccine certificate which has been approved by the World Health Organization or a Ministry of Public Health. Tourists who are younger than 18 years old and unable to be vaccinated must be RT-PCR tested before coming," he said.

"After arriving at the airport, they must have their temperature checked. Then they need to present documents and go through the immigration and customs processes. Then they will be RT-PCR tested and directly go the hotel they have booked.

"At the hotel, they are not allowed to leave their rooms until the test result has been issued and the result is negative. They will be tested again on day 6/7 and day 12/13. If a tourist is found infected, hotel staff must inform the contracted hospital to come and pick the tourist up. All the cost of treatment must be paid by themselves [the travellers]," Gov Narong said.

"For those who test negative, they are allowed to leave the hotel, but they must come back to stay in the hotel ‒ even if they have their own house in Phuket. We have an SHA+ manager in each hotel who will inform us of the number of tourists returning to the hotel every day," he cautioned.

"They need to stay on the island for 14 days if they want to go to other provinces. There is no need to stay 14 days if they want to leave the country [from Phuket]," he said.

"Before leaving [Phuket], they need to present the documents to officers at Phuket Check Point [at the bridge leading to the mainland] or the airport. Right now, the seaports are not ready for checking tourists' information," he noted.

"This is what was explained in the announcement, which we have been asked about many times. The announcement also explained about the duties of each official, which is much clearer than before," Governor Narong noted.

The Phuket Official COVID-19 Information Center, operated by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior at 9:10pm last night posted a copy of the rules published in the Royal Gazette in Thai, along with a letter from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed and dated yesterday (June 29).

"The national government realizes about necessity of opening a pilot area to welcome foreign tourists which will be beneficial for tourism and other relevant industries," PM Prayut said.

"The government has prepared measures and cooperated with officials to properly follow the measures under the Emergency Decree and to move forward our economy and society which will be along with effective public health measures," he added.

As explained by Governor Narong this morning, the post by the Phuket Official COVID-19 Information Center last night explained several of the key sectionsof the rules "for persons permitted to enter the Kingdom in the area designated as a tourism pilot province for economic benefits tourism or other activities according to government policy" published in the Gazette, as follows:

Measures before entering the Kingdom

1) Avoid risk areas or community places for at least 14 days.

2) Must travel from a country/region that the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) or other centre of operations for implementing measures for travel and taking care of Thai people abroad approved in accordance with the criteria prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health by the proposal of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand and has been registered through the system or website specified by the government. 

The traveller must stay in the said country for at least 21 days before departure, except for those who reside in the Kingdom who have left the Kingdom and have traveled to the above approved countries/regions.

Documents used for entering the Kingdom:

- A letter certifying that a person can enter the Kingdom (Certificate of Entry - COE).

- Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected by RT-PCR method up to 72 hours prior to departure.

 - An insurance policy that covers the expenses of healthcare and medical treatment or any other insurance, including the case of COVID-19, throughout the duration of the traveller's stay in the Kingdom in the amount of not less than $100,000

- Proof of payment for accommodation and RT-PCR testing by specifying a period of stay of not less than 14 days in a hotel or accommodation which has been registered according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism of Thailand. For the case where the traveller has been staying in the Kingdom for less than 14 days, a ticket of the airline specifying the duration of departure from the Kingdom shall be provided. Proof of payment for accommodation and the detection value by RT-PCR method during that time.

- Documents or evidence certifying vaccination (Certificate of Vaccination) has been completed in accordance with the criteria prescribed by the vaccine manufacturer, which must be a vaccine that has been registered under the law for medicines or certified by the World Health Organization or as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health, for not less than 14 days before departure

For persons under 18 years of age who are not eligible for vaccination and traveling with a parent or guardian must have a medical certificate Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected by RT-PCR method up to 72 hours prior to travel.

3) Screening for respiratory symptoms and checking for fever at the international port of entry and exit of the country/area of ​​origin.

1) Symptomatic screening measures and immigration formalities

   1.1) In the case of entering the Kingdom by an airline that has a direct flight to an international airport located in a tourism pilot province, [the traveller will be] screened for respiratory symptoms and checked for fever and will submit documents to the competent official or the communicable disease control officer including carrying out immigration formalities at the international entrances and exits before [being approved for] entering the Kingdom.

   1.2) In the case of entering the Kingdom by an airline that does not have a direct flight and must travel by air to the airport located in the area tourism pilot province, the traveller shall perform one of the following actions before entering the Kingdom:

1. Screened for respiratory symptoms and checked for fever and submit documents to the competent official or communicable disease control officer, including the immigration formalities, at the first international entry and exit point that provides entry into the Kingdom beforecontinuing to the airport of destination that is [located in] a pilot province for tourism [in Thailand].
2. Screened for respiratory symptoms and checked for fever and submit documents to the competent official or communicable disease control officer, including conducting immigration formalities, at the international port of entry or in the area of ​​the airport of destination that is a tourism pilot province. 

2) Use a tracking system or install applications as specified by the government, by enabling such tracking system to be on all the time, to monitor for symptoms [of infection] during the traveller's stay in the tourism pilot province

3) To depart from the airport to a hotel or accommodation by a specially arranged vehicle. without stopping or stopping at any place before arriving at the hotel or accommodation

4) To have a COVID-19 test by RT-PCR method at the place specified by the government. The traveller is responsible for the expenses according to the following criteria:

   4.1) To have a test for COVID-19 by RT-PCR method one time upon arrival in the Kingdom. It is forbidden to travel outside the hotel or accommodation until there is a test confirming that there is no COVID-19 infection.

   4.2) To be tested for COVID-19 by RT-PCR method in addition to item 4.1) as follows:

1. In the case of staying in the Kingdom for not more than 7 days, a second infection test shall be conducted between days 6-7 of the period of stay or as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health.
2. In the case of staying in the Kingdom for a period of 10-14 days, the second test is between the 6th-7th day and the third time between the 12th-13th day of the period of stay, or as required by the Ministry of Public Health.

In the event that a traveller is found to be infected with COVID-19, the hotel or accommodation will coordinate the transfer of the traveller to a medical facility. Contract parties in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health or the government will urgently provide further examination or treatment where the traveller is responsible for all medical expenses or in accordance with an agreement on expenses between the hotel or accommodation and the traveller.

5) In the case of a traveller who leaves a hotel or a place of residence after the result of a test that has confirmed that there is no COVID-19 disease, the traveller must report on his return to the hotel or accommodation every day according in accordance with the orders of the Communicable Disease Control Officer or as prescribed by the Communicable Disease Control Officer. It is forbidden to stay overnight in a place other than the hotel or accommodation that has been specified, and [the traveller must] comply with public health measures prescribed by the government strictly at all times while staying in the pilot province for tourism.

6) In the case of a traveller staying in a tourism pilot province for less than 14 days, the traveller is strictly prohibited from leaving the tourism pilot province, and upon the expiration of the said period for travellers is to leave the Kingdom immediately.

7) In the case that a traveller has been staying in a tourism pilot province for at least 14 days, he/she is allowed to travel outside of the tourism pilot province after the expiration of the said period.

Measures before leaving the Kingdom or traveling outside the pilot province for tourism to other provinces within the Kingdom

   - Must be tested for COVID-19 by RT-PCR method in the case of destination country/area. The traveller is responsible for the expenses.

   - In the case of a traveller leaving the area of ​​a tourism pilot province to another province within the Kingdom, the traveller must show proof of residence in the pilot province for tourism together with evidence of COVID-19 test results by RT-PCR method according to Article 4.2) B. to employees, officers or communicable disease control officers of the origin province and destination province according to the rules or guidelines prescribed by the government.

The order noted that people were encouraged to support and encourage the use of the policy by companies registered in Thailand under the supervision and certification from the Office of the Insurance Commission. The insurance policy must cover healthcare expenses and medical treatment in case of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.

The order also noted that travellers who arrive between 00.01am and 6:00pm will have their date of arrival considered as Day 1 of their stay.

For travellers who arrive between 6.01pm and midnight (00:00am), their official period of stay will not start until the following day.

Daily News reported that there were now only six provinces in Thailand where there were no cases of Covid-19. This was down from 20 and as a result of workers going back up-country to their hometowns. Thai Visa



File photo

 

Daily News reported that there were now only six provinces in Thailand where there were no cases of Covid-19. This was down from 20 and as a result of workers going back up-country to their hometowns.

 

CCSA spokesman Dr Taveesilp Visanuyotin said those showing symptoms should present themselves to health authorities so they can be helped. 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The six provinces with no cases are Mahasarakham, Lamphun, Trat, Yasothon, Mae Hong Son and Mukdahan. 

 

It was also reported that nine provinces including Bangkok have more than 100 cases.

 

This is down from 12.

 

The others are Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Songkhla, Pattani, Chonburi and Nakhon Pathom. 

 

Thailand’s tourism confidence index in 2Q2021 fell to a 10-year low of 11 points as the ongoing pandemic hampered recovery and dampened business confidence, but the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is optimistic of a rebound when the country reopens to international visitors this week. | TTG Asia

Thailand's tourism confidence plunges to all-time low ahead of reopening

Suchat Sritama

/ Posted on 29 June, 2021 19:11

Thailand's tourism confidence index in 2Q2021 fell to a 10-year low of 11 points as the ongoing pandemic hampered recovery and dampened business confidence, but the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is optimistic of a rebound when the country reopens to international visitors this week.

According to a TCT statement, only 50 per cent of tourism businesses remain open, while 36 per cent have closed temporarily, and four per cent have shuttered permanently. In addition, tourism businesses which remain open said they only have enough funds to last them another six months.

Thailand's government targets three million foreign tourists this year under a phased reopening plan

However, once foreign tourists start returning to Thailand and domestic travel resumes, the index should rebound to 33 points in Q3 this year, predicts TCT president Chamnan Srisawat.

He said if Phuket's Sandbox scheme which will see the resort island reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors from July 1 prove successful, operators in other destinations across Thailand will be confident to welcome visitors as well.

Pattaya mayor Sontaya Khunpluem said there are plans to reopen Koh Larn island off the coast of Pattaya in the near future. Meanwhile, Pattaya city aims to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of its population ahead of its planned September reopening.

With its phased reopening plan to vaccinated visitors, Thailand's government is targeting three million foreign tourists this year. However, CCT Group president Wichit Prakobgosol said that target would be "very difficult" to achieve, if Thailand was unable to immunise more than 70 per cent of the country's population and open 10 pilot provinces including Bangkok within 120 days as planned, and if China were to maintain its outbound travel ban.

He said: "If we can only open nine provinces and China hasn't opened the country yet, there may be only one million tourists coming to Thailand. However, if the Chinese are able to go aboard, we could see three million tourists."



🔴 #COVID19 UPDATE on WEDNESDAY: 53 deaths and 4,786 cases (127 from prisons). Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 30/6



Thailand lost 550,000 tourism jobs in the second quarter, a private industry group said on Tuesday, as the economy struggles with the third wave of coronavirus infections. Over 2m workers jobless since Covid begins — survey. Bangkok Post

Half a million tourism jobs lost in second quarter

A man walks at the empty Karon beach in Phuket. Picture was taken on April 1 this year with a drone. (Reuters photo)

Thailand lost 550,000 tourism jobs in the second quarter, a private industry group said on Tuesday, as the economy struggles with the third wave of coronavirus infections.

The country's most severe outbreak so far started in April and has badly hit domestic spending and travel in the absence of foreign visitors.

The outbreak has shut 36% of tourism businesses temporarily and 4% permanently, the Tourism Council of Thailand said in a statement, citing a survey that also showed tourism confidence hit a record low in the current quarter.

Hotel occupancy rates dropped to 10% in the second quarter from 20% in the first quarter, the survey showed.

Since the pandemic, more than 2 million tourism workers lost their jobs, including 400,000 in the first quarter of 2021, council president Chamnan Srisawat told a briefing.

The industry is hoping the opening to vaccinated visitors to the resort island of Phuket from Thursday, a pilot project, will bring in some foreign tourists this year.

The arrivals this year are expected to be a fraction of the nearly 40 million foreign visitors in 2019 before the pandemic, he said.

"Most tourism operators only have cash flow for up to six months. If the outbreak can't be controlled and the economy does not get better by then, more businesses will be closed down," Mr Chamnan said.

Separately, the cabinet on Tuesday agreed to delay debt repayments for state banks' debtors until the end of the year to help households and smaller businesses affected by the outbreak.

It also approved financial assistance of 7.5 billion baht for employers and workers hit by recent restrictions to curb the spread.

Real estate and property sector in Bangkok left in a state of crisis over suspension of camp site work. Not only a halt to all work on sites in the capital for 30 days but a credit squeeze by the banks on mid-market borrowers and a jump in material costs have left the property development industry facing a serious problem in 2021. Thai Examiner

Not only a halt to all work on sites in the capital for 30 days but a credit squeeze by the banks on mid-market borrowers and a jump in material costs have left the property development industry facing a serious problem in 2021. Key industry leader says that the sector is going backwards even from last year's disastrous performance following the severe lockdown of the country.

The Thai property industry and real estate sector in Bangkok is facing an even greater crisis after the closure of the capital's building and construction sites last weekend for at least 30 days by order of the government. It comes amid rising unemployment, tightening credit lines and a jump in the price of materials which has put many operators in a difficult position.

The President of the Thai Real Estate Association, Pornnarit Chuanchaisit, has called on the government to address the crisis in the industry on several fronts after the shutdown of the capital's construction sites last weekend. He points to a tightening of credit from banks, a jump in material costs as well as the ongoing disruption caused by the pandemic which has weakened the purchasing power of most Thais who make up the local market for property units.

The President of the Thai Real Estate Association and Managing Director of Ban Pornpailin Group, Pornnarit Chuanchaisit, has warned that his industry is facing a triple whammy with a fall-off in sales, a jump in the cost of raw materials and now a suspension of construction work in the capital because of up to 38 virus clusters found at building campsites in the metropolis amounting to up to 35% of the capital's clusters driving the current rise in infections which many observers suspect amounts to a 4th wave of the Covid-19 virus.

The Thai real estate industry has been left reeling from last weekend's closure of 575 construction work sites in and around Bangkok.

Leaders within the industry are warning that many firms are facing a perfect storm with reduced demand, rising material costs and now a costly hiatus in carefully planned building programmes which will result in increased bank interest costs and losses relating to failure to deliver finished units on time.

Workforce which drives the industry includes 1.1 million legal migrant workers says property boss

On Monday, Mr Pornnarit admitted that the construction workforce, which forms a significant part of 1.1 million legal migrant workers within the Thai economy, as well as an unknown known number of illegal labourers, is the driving force behind the industry.

He told the press that the fact that the government was forced to close down the worksites is bad news for his industry sector and for good employers who understood that taking care of their workers and helping to prevent such an outcome was the better business approach.

Government must control this latest virus outbreak quickly or complications may mount in the sector

He expressed fears that even the current closure and sealing off of sites may still see some workers managing to move about causing infection levels to spread.

Calls for all migrant workers to be legalised as army seals off 575 building sites in Bangkok

The 59-year-old businessman called on the government to bring this latest virus wave under control as quickly as possible. 

Mr Pornnarist explained that many property purchasers will lose confidence and faith because of the disruption which could lead to contract cancellations and even legal disputes between property developers and end purchasers as a result of last weekend's development if not managed carefully.

All building work ordered to stop on sites

Under the measures announced from Friday and over the weekend, which were published in the Royal Gazette, are orders closing and giving the government powers to seal off and control building sites while also suspending construction work on them for at least 30 days.

In the meantime, the real estate chief points out that construction and real estate firms must still pay overheads including sales staff and office costs while the interest charges continue to accrue on developments that are stalled.

Mr Pornnarit explained that even if the construction worksites reopen and building work proceeds, real estate firms will still need to pay again for the sales and marketing effort which is currently left idle.

Real estate sector is still going backwards in 2021 despite last year's severe shutdown of the economy

He revealed that even after last year's severe and unprecedented lockdown of Bangkok at the outset of the pandemic, the sale of real estate in 2021 has failed to move forward at all.

In fact, in the first half of the year, he suggests that only 188,716 units were sold which was a fall of 4% compared to the previous year while the value generated by sold properties was ฿604,800 million a reduction of 1.4% on last year's tally considered by many as a once-off disaster.

Purchasing power and borrowing ability of the local Thai population has been dented by this crisis

The real estate executive said not only have companies been stymied by the suspension of ongoing construction work but that the purchasing power of the population has deteriorated rapidly.

Last year, many real estate industry representatives lamented the absence of foreign buyers who are allowed to purchase up to 49% of condominium property developments. 

The year ended with a reported ฿1 trillion in unsold property units on the market.

Property glut fueling visa offer schemes for foreigners with up to ฿1 trillion in unsold property

Mr Pornnarsi, on Monday, said that he was less concerned about these buyers as they would materialise eventually but was more concerned about the lack of availability of loans in the middle property sector for local buyers where prices range from ฿5 million to ฿10 million.

Median property prices in Bangkok fell by 5.9% in the last 12 months as the pandemic's impact is felt

The market for property in the provinces and Bangkok had been resilient up until last year but the average price from median level property in Bangkok priced at ฿6.075 million, has fallen by 5.9% in the last year.

The property boss laments that banks even though many are reported to be flush with money, have tightened up lending policies because of a drop in earnings and incomes within the general population.

'The main problem is that banks are finding it difficult to approve loans. And for the most part, at the moment, many occupations are deemed at risk. Banks rarely give a positive decision. Even if the bank has a lot of money. But considering the strict lending, it's difficult to find financial solutions for prospective customers.'

Severe layoffs are probably in the pipeline

He predicted that even within his own industry sector, there will be severe layoffs as a result of the ongoing disruption since the third wave began in April and particularly because of the latest developments.

He pointed out that up to the end of March, unemployment rates were already rising by 1.96% and felt that the second quarter will be very severe.

He predicted, based on the current outlook, that this negative situation will continue well into the third quarter.

Jump in the price of key raw materials such as aluminium and copper hurting building contractors

The property boss also explained that the industry is being challenged with a rise in the costs of raw materials which is particularly devastating for contractors involved in development projects within the industry, many who bid on projects at auctions and now find themselves in ruinous positions because of increases in steel, aluminium and copper prices.

'The contractor when he bids, assuming the price is ฿12,000 per square metre, but when the price of steel increases, the cost will increase to ฿13,000 like this. 'It's ruined,' and the increase in aluminium prices means that the door-window frame also rises in price. For example, the price of copper has risen to the same level, although in the past the price was ฿130 per kilogram, now the price has risen to ฿300.'

Government supports and concessions have expired

Mr Pornnarit also pointed out that last year's government support and concessions to assist the sector had now run out.

He said his industry was facing severe challenges on several fronts all of which will require the government's help to address.

The first step of course will have to be containing the latest virus outbreak and reopening the construction sites so that work can recommence and developers can ascertain just how much damage has been done and the scale of the challenge ahead.

Tuesday Covid Update: 4,662 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

Tuesday Covid Update: 4,662 new cases; provincial totals

By 

Caitlin Ashworth

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Continuing on an upward trend in Thailand's most severe wave of Covid-19, 4,662 new infections were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has reported 254,515 confirmed Covid-19 infections. Of that number, 225,652 were reported since April 1, the start of the recent and most extreme wave of coronavirus infections in Thailand. The CCSA also recorded 36 coronavirus-related fatalities today, raising the pandemic's death toll in Thailand to 1,970.

Thailand now has 47,481 active cases, an increase over the past few days. Of the people currently receiving medical treatment for the virus, 1,846 are in critical condition including 527 on ventilators. There have been reports of hospital bed shortages in Bangkok, the epicentre in the latest wave.

Tight restrictions have been set in Bangkok and surrounding provinces to control the spread of the virus. For the next month, dine-in services at restaurants are not allowed, shopping centres must close at 9pm and gatherings cannot exceed 20 people.

The government has approved 7.5 billion baht in relief packages, particularly for those affected by the recent restrictions like restaurant owners and workers, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun, who gives the CCSA report in English.

Health officials have been rolling out active case finding campaigns in markets and construction sites in Bangkok, which are areas considered to be of high risk, Natapanu says. Due to the number of Covid clusters at construction sites, large scale construction projects in the capital are put on hold for the next month and worker camps are being sealed off.

Of the new cases, 1,692 were found in Bangkok. Cases remain high in provinces surrounding the capital. 647 new cases in Samut Prakan, 293 cases in Samut Sakhon, 185 in Nonthaburi, 180 in Pathum Thani, 168 in Nakhon Pathom.

Deep South provinces near the Malaysian border have reported high numbers of infections with 182 cases in Songkhla, 143 in Pattani, and 89 cases in Yala.

The Chon Buri province, which includes Pattaya, also has a high number of new cases with 146 infections reported today.

Vaccine update…

9.4 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Thailand since February 28, close to the Thai government's target of 10 million doses administered by the end of the month. Natapanu says 2.6 million people have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

After some delays in production and delivery of Covid-19 vaccines this month, Natapanu says AstraZeneca released a statement saying it is on schedule to supply vaccines to Southeast Asian countries with 6 million doses to Thailand this month and deliveries to neighbouring countries to start next month. Siam Bioscience, which is wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, is still on track to supply 180 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Southeast Asian countries, Natapanu says, citing the statement.