Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J.

onsdag 21 juli 2021

Your plan after your Sandbox “ quarantine “…… NBT

Sandbox visitor facing prosecution for failing to complete 14-day stay. “All arrivals must follow the outlined conditions of the Phuket Sandbox scheme. However, this person left before the required 14-day window had passed,” Dr Kusak added. “The person must be prosecuted under the relevant law for breaking the conditions of the scheme.” Phuket News

Sandbox visitor facing prosecution for failing to complete 14-day stay

PHUKET: A Thai national who arrived under the Phuket Sandbox scheme but left the island early is to be prosecuted, Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon confirmed today (July 21).

In a live broadcast this morning, Dr Kusak confirmed the person left Phuket for Chonburi yesterday having only spent nine days on the island as opposed to the mandated 14-days. Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and other relevant officers were also part of the live broadcast.

"Yesterday, I received a report from the manager of a SHA+ registered hotel that a Thai arrival who came under the Phuket Sandbox scheme had left the island having only spent nine days here," Dr Kusak said. It was not confirmed whether the person was male or female.

"After the hotel manager informed the Phuket Sandbox command center, officers contacted the person only to be told they were already in Bangkok and on the way to Chonburi.

"All arrivals must follow the outlined conditions of the Phuket Sandbox scheme. However, this person left before the required 14-day window had passed," Dr Kusak added.

"The person must be prosecuted under the relevant law for breaking the conditions of the scheme."

Dr Kusak added that he had contacted the Chonburi Public Health Office who confirmed they had managed to locate the person and place them into an alternative local quarantine (ALQ) venue last night.

"In regards to the matter of any legal punishment, police and administrative officers will work on that at a later stage," he said.

Governor Narong explained that the manager at the SHA+ hotel confirmed the person had tested negative twice for COVID-19 during the nine day period spent there. The manager added that the person had not officially checked out from the hotel and when staff attempted to locate the person they were unable to.

"Our officers contacted the person only to discover that they already left the island," Governor Narong said.

"We have to punish this person as it sets a bad example and may encourage similar cases in future.

"Previously there have been cases where people requested to leave the island before completing their 14-day stay, citing reasons such as being required to attend a funeral, for example," Governor Narong added.

"However, we cannot allow them to leave because they already agreed to adhere to the conditions and rules of the sandbox prior to coming. If they do not follow the requirements we need to file a complaint to police to pursue prosecution."

FoodPanda boycott after calling Thai protestors 'TERRORISTS'. Asian food delivery giant Foodpanda has become the target of a boycott by pro-democracy protesters in Thailand after the subsidiary of Frankfurt-listed Delivery Hero made a remark against rallygoers’ freedom of speech. Bangkok Jack

FoodPanda boycott after calling Thai protestors 'TERRORISTS'

July 21, 2021

Asian food delivery giant Foodpanda has become the target of a boycott by pro-democracy protesters in Thailand after the subsidiary of Frankfurt-listed Delivery Hero made a remark against rallygoers' freedom of speech.

On Monday, #BanFoodpanda was listed for a second straight day as one of the most trending hashtags in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. Over a million tweets were made using the hashtag.

A boycott could deal a heavy blow to the food delivery operator in a highly competitive market.

The country's third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced restaurants in affected provinces, including Bangkok, to serve only takeout. Foodpanda could miss out as competitors ride high.

According to food delivery research by Singaporean consultancy Momentum Works, Foodpanda took up 23% of Thailand's $2.8 billion market in 2020 in terms of gross merchandise value, while Grab's GrabFood and Line's Lineman covered 50% and 20% respectively.

Budget carrier AirAsia joined the bandwagon by making a deal with Indonesia's Gojek to purchase its Thai business. Gojek's GoFood had a 7% share in the market.

The reason for the user backlash is a statement that Foodpanda issued on Sunday, declaring it would fire a rider who had participated in the pro-democracy movement.

"We will expedite the strict implementation of the rules of the company by dismissing the driver from his service immediately," the company said on Twitter. "Please note that Foodpanda has a policy against all forms of violence and terrorism. We are willing to fully assist the authorities in prosecuting criminals."

The remark was made after footage from Sunday's pro-democracy rally captured a man present when a royal portrait was set on fire. In another clip, the man was seen driving off on a motorcycle with a woman.

The vehicle had a thermal bag with a Foodpanda logo attached to its saddle.

Portraits of royal family members are a common sight in Thailand. Setting fire to one could be considered a royal insult under the country's archaic strict lese-majeste law, and offenders could face charges.

According to the organization Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, the Foodpanda rider was arrested by plainclothes police officers on Monday night.

The rally, which was held in defiance of a ban on public gatherings imposed to contain the delta variant epidemic, called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha for mishandling the COVID-19 situation.

Roughly a thousand protesters in Bangkok also insisted on cuts in the royal and military budgets, as well as securing mRNA vaccines.

Free speech is a basic human right that holds even during a state of emergency. Protesters and online sympathizers strongly criticized Foodpanda for using the term "terrorism" in connection with rally.

The company posted an apologetic comment on Twitter on Monday morning. In the afternoon, it issued a longer statement.

"Foodpanda respects the freedom of speech and expression, and we do not believe in implementing policies that impact freedom of speech and expression," the announcement read.

"Foodpanda assures freedom of speech and expression is not terrorism and the rider will not be dismissed due to this incident."

The apologies did not stop users and restaurants from leaving the platform. Some claimed on Monday that Foodpanda's account deletion system reported being under maintenance and could not process their request.

It is unclear if the flock of requests had created a system failure, or Foodpanda had cut access on purpose, or the timing was merely a coincidence. The glitch only added fuel to online sympathizers' outrage.

It was the second time for Foodpanda to come under such scrutiny by the pro-democracy movement. Last August, netizens identified it and about 25 other companies as advertisers on Nation TV, a pro-establishment mouthpiece.

A boycott then forced Foodpanda to suspend all of its ads on the channel over concerns about its reputation.

Chonburi Covid -19 cases rise to 636 with three new deaths - TPN National News

Chonburi Covid -19 cases rise to 636 with three new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 636 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with three new deaths, July 21st with three new deaths.

Wednesday, 21 July 2021, 12:16

Chonburi –

244 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi.

This makes a total of 17,163 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 7,441 still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 85 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's three new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

Additionally, 9,637 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave began.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 106, Si Racha 164, Banglamung (Pattaya) 163, Panat Nikhom 26, Sattahip 32, Ban Bueang 82, Pan Thong 21, Bor Thong 16, Ko Chan, 2, Nong Yai 7, and 17 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

Cluster, Prime Products Industry, Bor Thong District, 14 cases
Cluster, Excellent Manufacturing Co, Ltd in Ban Bueng, 7 cases
A business in Mueang Chonburi, 15 cases (was not specifically named)
A business in Si Racha, 8 cases (was not specifically named)
Central Festival Pattaya Beach, 7 cases
A risky career, meeting a lot of people, 11 cases
1 medical personnel
Honglin Electric Power Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd., 1 case
Provided a history of traveling to Bangkok, 3 cases
Close contacts of a confirmed patient
- Close persons in general, 25 cases
- Joined a party, 4 cases
- Family members, 199 cases
- Co-workers at workplaces, 87 cases
Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 119 cases
Under investigation in general, 135 cases

A total of 516 close contact searches were received today with 2,078 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

There are currently, in Chonburi, clusters of Covid-19 at 15 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration just announced at their daily briefing they are considering more mandatory closures and restrictions for deep red zones. (Which would include Chonburi/Pattaya). This is not official/law yet but the fact they announced it at the press briefing means is very likely soon, unfortunately. Among other things, it would close all outdoor sports fields, public parks, swimming pools, museums, libraries, barber shops and beauty salons, and child care centers. They are also considering other restrictions and closures.

Interesting info graphic on COVID-19 Vaccinations for foreigners residing in Thailand. ASEAN NOW

'Andaman Sandbox' next on govt agenda. Bangkok Post

'Andaman Sandbox' next on govt agenda

Phangnga and Krabi are preparing to welcome back foreign tourists under the "Andaman Sandbox" scheme, which is scheduled for launch on Aug 1, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Tuesday.

If the scheme goes according to plan, the provinces, which lie along the Andaman coastline, will be the next to reopen to foreign tourists. Phuket debuted its sandbox model on July 1, while the Samui Plus model was launched officially last Thursday.

The proposal for the Andaman Sandbox scheme will be submitted to the Centre for Economic Situation Administration for further consideration on Wednesday, said TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn.

TAT Phangnga office director, Chuchart Oncharoen, said if approved, tourists who have already spent seven days in Phuket, followed by seven days in Phangnga or Krabi, will be allowed to visit Koh Yao, Koh Panyee as well as the Khao Lak coastline.

Eligible tourists will be allowed to visit attractions along a specified route from Ban Nam Khem in Khao Lak to Koh Yao Noi-Yai and Koh Panyee in Ao Phangnga National Park, he said.

During their required 14-day stay, the tourists' movements will be monitored with a tracker provided by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the private sector -- similar to the one used in the Phuket Sandbox model.

More than 300 businesses offering hospitality services in the area have also been certified by the Safety & Health Administration (SHA), he said.

Last Friday, the first batch of tourists under the Phuket Sandbox scheme continued their journey to Phangnga after their 14-day stay in Phuket. More tourists are expected in late October, Mr Chuchart said.

Mr Yuthasak said that once the Andaman Sandbox is approved, the TAT will ask the cabinet to approve similar schemes for Chiang Mai, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Buri Ram, Bangkok, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, in time for an October reopening.

Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree