'No winners' in Thailand's fresh lockdown offensive against COVID | Thai PBS World

'No winners' in Thailand's fresh lockdown offensive against COVID

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Thais across the country are suffering the impact of a semi-lockdown after restrictions were expanded from 13 to 29 provinces and extended until at least August 31.

Concern is now growing that the lockdown restrictions – which cover a ban on dine-in services and closure of many categories of business – could drag on much longer as the fourth wave of COVID-19 rages on unabated.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said it will evaluate the situation every two weeks.

The Public Health Ministry estimates that without lockdown measures, the COVID-19 death toll will skyrocket from 178 on August 2 to nearly 600 per day over the next three or four months.

Such a grim outcome would also overwhelm the country's health system, in turn placing patients battling other diseases at greater risk. However, the Public Health Ministry forecasts it should be able to keep COVID-19 deaths below 200 per day if semi-lockdown continues and vaccination among the elderly progresses well.

"In its bid to prevent hospitals from collapsing under the weight of COVID-19, the country has rolled out several measures that in turn affect people's living, work, and finances," Medical Council secretary-general Dr Ittiporn Kanacharoen said. "In this war, there is no winner. There are only losers. But the patience and sacrifice made by all sides will matter."

Semi-lockdown in effect  

For provinces under semi-lockdown, the government has issued a work-from-home directive for all state and private organizations except those in the fields of public health, disease control, public utilities, traffic, disease mitigation, and public order. The semi-lockdown also features a curfew banning people from leaving home between 9pm and 4am.

They may leave their homes during the daytime – but only for necessary errands, medical treatment, work that cannot be done from home, and vaccination. If they need to travel out of their area, they must seek permits from relevant officials or register at checkpoints. Gatherings of more than five people are banned.

COVID-19 closures and restrictions extended to end of August in Bangkok

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced today (Monday) the extension of COVID-19 restrictive measures, including closures of several venues and delivery-only service for eateries located in shopping malls, until the end of August, following the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) extension and expansion of lockdown measures.

More provinces covered  

On July 19, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Yala, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon were declared Dark Red zones under strictest disease controls. These 13 provinces have since gone into lockdown.

However, with COVID-19 infections rising quickly, 16 more provinces were placed under semi-lockdown on August 3.

They are Kanchanaburi, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Suphan Buri and Angthong.

Best-case scenario  

With the daily caseload soaring past 15,000 and 150 deaths in recent weeks, the Public Health Ministry expects the lockdown measures to be no more than 25 percent effective. Its best-case scenario in the current situation is for the two-month semi-lockdown to curb the reproduction rate by 25 percent, giving time for vulnerable elderly people to boost their immunity by getting vaccinated. In this scenario, the daily COVID-19 death toll will remain below 200 for the rest of the year.

But what if lockdown measures cut transmissions by 25 percent for two months but the vaccination rate among the elderly is lower than expected? In this scenario, the death toll will rise to 200 by October before soaring higher, the ministry estimates. The number of new infections will peak at around 25,000 a day in November and then falter, according to its projection.

Worst-case scenario  

Without any lockdown measures, the Public Health Ministry predicts that COVID-19 would infect up to 45,000 people and kill nearly 600 people per day at its height next month.

This worst-case scenario would send Thailand's COVID-19 resilience ranking tumbling again this year. Thailand now sits in 161^stspot among 180 countries ranked on the global COVID-19 Index (GCI), which tracks the severity of and recovery from the pandemic. The Kingdom now ranks behind virus-wracked poor countries such as Zimbabwe and Bolivia. Singapore is the best ASEAN performer on the list, in 2^nd spot.

'Too strict last year, too late this year'  

Thailand was too strict with lockdown measures last year but too late with lockdown restrictions this year, according to Kiatnakin Phatra Bank's KKP Research.

Last year, the daily caseload peaked at only 188 new infections. Despite this low figure, the lockdown was imposed nationwide with severe economic impacts.

This year, daily infections and deaths have soared almost 100 times higher, yet the government has decided against invoking strict control measures to combat the fourth wave of COVID-19.

When doctors urged lockdown measures in March at the start of the third wave in Thailand, the government hesitated in the face of complaints and warnings from the business sector. It also decided not to ban travel during Songkran in April. Since then, COVID-19 has spread with increasing deadliness and rapidity.

Between April and June, the Alpha variant remained the dominant strain, driving the increase in new COVID-19 infections and deaths. Yet, its frightening potency was dwarfed by the Delta variant that is now spreading quickly through Thailand.

What's next?  

KKP Research predicts that lockdown measures will remain in place longer this time, hitting businesses and daily life hard. The restrictions also look set to intensify if current measures fail to rein in the COVID-19 outbreak.

The research house expects the lockdown to last for at least three months. As a result, it forecasts the economy will grow by no more than 0.5 percent this year. Next year, it forecasts just 3.7 percent growth, assuming a worst-case scenario in which COVID-19 cuts tourist arrivals to just 3 million. In other words, growth achieved in 2021 and 2022 will still not compensate for the 6.1 percent contraction to Thai GDP in 2020 alone.

Recommendations for Thailand  

KKP Research recommends that the government transparently assess the situation, plan ahead, and communicate with the public to promote mutual understanding and reduce confusion. It also calls for rigorous active-case finding and procurement of mRNA vaccines that are highly effective against the Delta variant.

It suggests too that the government provide adequate assistance to citizens and businesses to prevent permanent damage to the Thai economy and maintain the stability of the financial sector.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk

Phuket Sandbox daily report. Richard Barrow

 

259 international travellers arrived in Phuket yesterday to take part in the sandbox. I bet you they didn't know that the pubs, bars & swimming pools would all be closed and a ban on the selling and drinking of alcohol in restaurants. Oh, and no domestic flights #AmazingThailand

✈️ DAY 33: Report for the #PhuketSandbox: On 2nd August, 259 international travellers arrived on 3 flights bringing the total to 15,169. 36 people (+2) have tested positive since 1st July. So far, 317,416 room nights have been booked up until September.  #Thailand

If Just 5% More People Followed Rules, Covid-19 Cases Would Plummet – Health Ministry - There are far too many curfew breakers and, despite pleas for people to stay home during the day unless absolutely necessary, large numbers of people continue to go about their business as if everything was normal. Bangkok Herald

If Just 5% More People Followed Rules, Covid-19 Cases Would Plummet – Health Ministry

3 August 2021

If just 5 percent more of Thailand residents adhered to the government's coronavirus-control guidance, the number of daily Covid-19 cases could fall dramatically in weeks, the Public Health Ministry said.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattiphum Wongraji said Monday that current caseloads and deaths were closely tracking the ministry's doomsday model, which forecasts 40,000 cases and 500 deaths a day by October. That's unacceptable and proof that, despite the meteoric rise in cases, too many people are not taking the crisis seriously enough and not following best practices.

There are far too many curfew breakers and, despite pleas for people to stay home during the day unless absolutely necessary, large numbers of people continue to go about their business as if everything was normal.

In addition to a dramatic increase in Covid-19 vaccinations, more cooperation is needed from to reduce transmission in the hardest-hit provinces, he said.

Kiattiphum said it would take only slightly more adherence to the rules – for example, getting 5 people per 100 to stay home when they're supposed to – for caseloads and deaths to dive downward from the model's upward trendline.

Kiattiphum said people have to get serious about locking down, staying home and stop going out to meet friends in the middle of a raging epidemic.

Curfews and other strict control measures have bene in place in greater Bangkok and the four southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla since July 12. Yet, in that time, daily cases have jumped from 11,000 a day to 19,000 a day.

Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Ayutthaya were added to the "deep red" list and 16 more provinces join the lockdown party today.

Kiattiphum said lockdown measures must be tightened with further crackdowns on movement and assemblies to reduce the trend.

To date, nearly 80 percent of all fatalities are among the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Those groups are the main target group for the government's scarce supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, hospitals are struggling to handle the tidal wave of coronavirus cases. Kiattiphum said government and private hospitals were running at near-capacity. In Bangkok, more than 90 percent of the city's 41,659 beds are taken.

Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the public did a much better job of reducing frequency and duration of travel last year. In April 2020, trips were reduced 80 percent. In July, 30 percent of the public was still out and about.

But cases have soared this year largely due to the more-infectious delta and alpha variants. So that 80 percent number of 2020 needs to be cut even further to break the chain of transmission, he said



International arrivals picked to nosedive in 2021. "If the ongoing outbreak continues past September, the total number of foreign tourists this year might be 500,000-700,000, which is similar to the forecast from the Bank of Thailand," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister. Bangkok Post

International arrivals picked to nosedive in 2021

A near-empty street in Phuket Old Town in Phuket on Sunday. (Bloomberg photo)

International arrivals may be as low as 500,000 this year as Thailand's third-quarter prospects remain gloomy, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Despite the uncertain outlook, the creation of new "blue zones" has been devised to lure local and international travellers to safe tourism areas.

"If the ongoing outbreak continues past September, the total number of foreign tourists this year might be 500,000-700,000, which is similar to the forecast from the Bank of Thailand," said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister.

The number of international arrivals in the first half this year plunged to 40,447 tourists from 6.7 million in the same period of 2020.

Local tourists made 24.6 million trips from January to June, down 15.3%, and spent 128 billion baht, which was a 38.5% year-on-year decrease.

Mr Phiphat said the domestic market outlook is difficult to predict.

The Tourism and Sport along with the Interior ministries are working to introduce the blue zones, which are areas reporting low Covid-19 cases, as alternative destinations for tourists. These areas include districts in Nan, Phayao, Bueng Kan provinces, and Chiang Khan in Loei.

He said further details on the criteria will be decided by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

After meeting the governor of Phuket yesterday, Mr Phiphat said the island may introduce blue zones in the next two weeks.

A total of 14,055 foreigners arrived in Phuket during the first month of the sandbox scheme in July, but the tally may not exceed 15,000 in August due to the nationwide coronavirus surge.

"Bookings for Phuket slowed since daily infections soared over 10,000 for more than 10 days," he said.

Mr Phiphat said Phuket wants to wait until Aug 16 before introducing blue zones to ensure the province is clear of the outbreak, after it was downgraded to an orange zone following new local cases.

The 7+7 island extension plan from Phuket to other destinations like Koh Samui, Krabi and Phang Nga has been postponed until the virus in Phuket is under control. The ministry intends to relocate sporting events from Bangkok to the island during the fourth quarter.



❗️NEW HIGH: Chonburi Public Health Office has just announced they have 1,359 ⬆️ new cases and 5 more deaths. Most new cases are in Chonburi City (342), Bang Lamung/Pattaya (314), and Si Racha (314). Richard Barrow



🔴 #COVID19 Update on Tuesday: 18,901 new cases and 147 deaths. 30 July: 17,345 - 117 dead 31 July: 18,912 - 178 dead 1 Aug: 18,027 - 133 dead 2 August: 17,970 - 178 dead. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 3/8



Article version about Koh Larn requiring one to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before visiting effective Wednesday, August 4th, until further notice. There are a few exceptions/rules explained in the article. Of course, all maximum control measures still apply on the island, includng beach closures. Pattaya News

Koh Larn council announces everyone entering Koh Larn must be vaccinated from Covid-19 starting August 4th

Monday, 2 August 2021, 18:07

Koh Larn –

The Koh Larn Local Committee has announced new rules which will start from Wednesday, August 4^th for anyone who wants to enter Koh Larn. Visitors must be fully* vaccinated from Covid-19 or have recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days AND must have a negative test.

* See below, may depend on vaccine brand for what the island considers fully vaccinated

Fully vaccinated visitors will NOT need a negative Covid-19 test, only those who have recovered from Covid-19 within 90 days.

The Koh Larn Covid-19 Volunteer Committee announced the new rules over the weekend:

Anyone who wants to enter Koh Larn MUST be fully vaccinated with two full doses of Sinovac or Sinopharm, or one dose of Sinovac and one dose of  AstraZeneca, or one dose of  AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson at least 14 days before entry.

OR

have recovered from COVID-19 within less than 90 days and MUST have a negative test by an RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test no more than 72 hours before entering. This test would be at the financial expense of the visitor.

Anyone under the age of 18 will not be allowed at all as they cannot be vaccinated currently in Thailand OR if they are identified as essential to enter by the island council, such as a resident who is not currently on the island, will need a negative test no more than 72 hours before entering.

Koh Larn residents who have not been vaccinated but need to travel between Koh Larn and on land must have permission documents from the island council, who warned these would be difficult to get and urged all eligible residents to get vaccinated.

In case of an emergency or doctor appointments for unvaccinated residents of the island or those under the age of eighteen, residents should please inform their village headsman.

This order is until further notice, without a specific date of expiration. TPN media notes that ALL maximum control rules in Chonburi around Covid-19, including the closure of beaches, remain in effect, so even if one wanted to visit Koh Larn, the beaches are shut, dine-in at restaurants are closed, and all tourist attractions are shuttered. 

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced tonight that food from malls and department stores can only be allowed for delivery service, the temporary closure of the Pattaya Passport Office in the Avenue shopping center, and another company. Pattaya News

Chonburi governor announces new orders: Food from malls for delivery service only, temporary closure of Pattaya passport office, and another company

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced tonight that food from malls and department stores can only be allowed for delivery service, the temporary closure of the Pattaya Passport Office in the Avenue shopping center, and another company.

Monday, 2 August 2021, 21:29

Chonburi –

These three orders were posted by the Chonburi Public Relations office tonight (August 2^nd). The three orders conclude, "Many Covid -19 confirmed cases were being found at malls and local companies."

"In order to control the spread of the virus, the Chonburi communicable disease committee has ordered the following temporary rules and closure of places below."

"Restaurants in community malls or in other similar places can open until 8:00 P.M. and for food delivery service ONLY. Customers are NOT allowed to buy and take away from restaurants in malls or department stores by themselves from tomorrow (August 3rd) until further notice. Storefronts are not to open, and only delivery drivers should be interacting with staff from restaurants in these locations."

This order coincides with direction from the National Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, but will allow previously closed restaurants in malls like Central Festival and Terminal 21 to open for delivery if they choose.

Restaurants that are considered stand-alone and not located in a mall, department store, or shopping center may still offer take-away, if they choose.  

Uppdatering av vaccinerade. OBS ! Google har översatt texten från Thai till engelska. PRD

 

 🔴 Update‼️ Getting the Covid-19 vaccine  Cumulative number of vaccinations

 (28 Feb. – 1 Aug. 2021)

 ✅ Total 17,866,526 doses in 77 provinces

 📌Overview of vaccination sales 1 Aug. 64

 "Nationwide injection total 180,552 doses"

 💥1st needle: 152,171 cases

 💥Second needle: 28,381 cases

 ------------------------

 💉 Person who received the first dose of vaccination

 Accumulated : 13,955,087

 (total number of vaccinated persons)

 💉💉 Those who received the 2nd dose of vaccination

 Accumulated : 3,911,439

 (number of people who received complete vaccination according to the criteria)

 Cr. COVID-19 Information Center

 [ 2 August 2021 ]

 #COVID19 #COVID19 vaccine

 #Public Relations Department

Jag säger det igen: ”Det är inte undra på att det går som det går”. Thousands of Pattaya-area residents swarmed Banglamung Hospital after falling for an online rumor that walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations were being offered. However, the hospital was only offering vaccinations the morning of July 31 to 2,000 people who had registered on the government’s Mor Phom application or via the hospital’s online registration form between July 18 and 31. Pattaya Mail

Rumor of walk-in vaccinations spark crowd at a Pattaya hospital

Pattaya MailAugust 2, 2021

Thousands of Pattaya-area residents who fell for an online rumor that walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations were being offered swarmed Banglamung Hospital.

Thousands of Pattaya-area residents swarmed Banglamung Hospital after falling for an online rumor that walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations were being offered.

However, the hospital was only offering vaccinations the morning of July 31 to 2,000 people who had registered on the government's Mor Phom application or via the hospital's online registration form between July 18 and 31.



The massive and disappointed crowd had believed rumors that anyone, regardless of age, could get a free jab, with seniors getting a dose of AstraZeneca PLC's vaccine and everyone else getting the drug from China's Sinovac Biotech.

Hospital staff announced that that the online rumors were just that and the crowd must disperse.

The rumor was that anyone, regardless of age, could get a free jab.

The disappointed throngs were sent home to wait for another rumor, or better yet, wait for the government to finally allocate enough vaccine to take care of the country's citizens

Självförklarande igen ! PRD



Chonburi announces 1,141 Covid-19 cases with six deaths, Governor orders more closures of factories and worker camps - The Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 1,141 Covid-19 cases with six deaths, Governor orders more closures of factories and worker camps

Monday, 2 August 2021, 11:08

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced a record-breaking high of 1,141 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with six new deaths, August 2nd. The Chonburi governor also ordered several more places temporarily closed.

This makes a total of 27,770 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 13,149 still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 133 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's six new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

Additionally, 509 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 14,488 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 279, Si Racha 291, Banglamung (Pattaya) 208, Panat Nikhom 78, Sattahip 74, Ban Bueang 40, Pan Thong 51, Bor Thong 20, Ko Chan 28, Nong Yai 29, Koh Sichang 1, and 42 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, Alphacast Co., Ltd. in Mueang Chonburi, 32 cases
2. Cluster, Benjamas Camp 112 company in Ko Chan, 3 cases
3. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 26 cases – This is described as an occupation that is primarily customer-facing, like taxi drivers, cashiers at supermarkets, etc.
4. 12 medical staff
5. Many enterprises in Rayong province, 41 cases
6. Other provinces travel to receive treatment in the province, Bangkok – 4 cases. Rayong – 4 cases, and Nakhon Pathom, 1 case
7. Provide a history of traveling to Bangkok, 1 case
8. Close contacts of confirmed patients, in families -386 cases, in workplaces – 224 cases, close freinds – 52 cases, and joined parties – 3 cases
9. Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 109 cases
10. 243 cases are under investigation in general

A total of 1,631 close contact searches were received today with 785 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

There are currently, in Chonburi, clusters of Covid-19 at 21 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities. TPN media notes that this cluster information appears to be outdated but is what was provided by authorities.

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, ordered the temporary closure of a company, worker camp, and a construction site to control the spread of Covid-19.

The order was posted by the Chonburi Public Relations office last night (August 1st). The order concludes, "Many Covid -19 confirmed cases are being found at businesses, worker camps, and construction sites."

"In order to control the spread of the virus, the Chonburi communicable disease committee has ordered the temporary closure of places below."

1. Yuan Lin (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Ban Bueang from August 2nd to August 29th, 2021.
2. Italian-Thai Development Public, Co., Ltd. in Takiean Tia, Banglamung and construction site Thai oil in Thung Sukhala in Si Racha from August 2nd to August 29th, 2021.
3. Jet Industries (Thailand).Co., Ltd. in Pan Thong from August 2nd to August 4th, 2021.

"Nobody is allowed to leave the company and nobody may enter without permission from a Chonburi Public Health Official."

"Owners, operators, workers, and other people involved must strictly follow the orders."

"Relevant agencies and officials will assist those who have been temporarily stopped from working and quarantined, regardless of their Covid-19 status."

The order takes place from today (August 2nd) onward.

The Thai order is posted below for reference:

Corrupt Vaccine Center Volunteers Sell Thousands of Queue Slots Amid Inept Gov't IT Security. Thailand's government programmers again proving they haven't a clue how to build secure, functional websites & apps. Bangkok Herald

Corrupt Vaccine Center Volunteers Sell Thousands of Queue Slots Amid Inept Gov't IT Security

2 August 2021

The mystery behind two days of vaccination bookings canceled at Bang Sue Grand Station has been revealed: Hackers again tapped into yet another government database, this time registering 7,000 people who a crime gang for priority shot slots.

The Thai government's information technology skills long have been laughable but just how inept its app and online programmers are has never been as clear as during the coronavirus crisis. The government now has been through several different mobile apps to register people for vaccine appointments and even the third website for foreigners to use debut with a gaping privacy hole first-year college web programmers would have avoided.

This time, hackers working with a gang of at least 19 people compromised the Bang Sue Grand Vacciantion Center's registration database and inserted 7,000 records. Each of those records belongs to a person who paid gangsters 400-1,200 baht for a place in line for the free jabs.

Mingkwan Wichaidit, the Director of the Institute of Dermatology, who is also running the center, emphasized that all people are eligible for vaccinations without any cost.

Mingkwan said that the center accepted 10,000-30,000 vaccine recipients per day via walk-ins and advance bookings made before June 29. Walk-in vaccinations have been discontinued due to the center's inability to enforce even a modicum of social distancing and crowd control.

Walk-ins needed to register on-site, so the government center allowed volunteers to do the data entry and and edit registrants' personal information using 200 terminals spread around the center.

Loosely supervised, these "volunteers" decided they could make some coin selling off spots in line.

Vaccination center officails didn't catch on until July 18 when they spotted an unusually high 2,000 additional bookings for that date with much of the data uploaded into the system after 10 p.m. when the office was closed.

The first bunch of those suspect bookings were for appointments for July 28. So the center canceled all the day's appointments so that people would show up and complain. They did and center officials interrogated those who purchased queue slots, which was "helpful" in the investigation, Mingkwan said.

According to their statements, either they, a relative or employer paid for the bookings at a price of 400-1,200 baht per queue. The center collected the names of the offenders and their bank accounts for further investigation.

The Central Investigation Bureau conducted an initial investigation, identifying 19 suspects including center volunteers. Meanwhile, the Technology Crime Suppression Division will conduct a deeper investigation.

To prevent a recurrence of such corruption, Mingkwan said that the Bang Sue Center canceled all suspicious advance bookings registered in the system on July 28-31 and up until Aug, 8, deactivated all user logins of outsiders and closed the system during the nighttime.

The admission of the security lapses came the same day as yet another website set up to register foreigners for vaccinations debuted with all personal information of everyone registered unencrypted and open to the entire internet. The site also was launched with insufficient email capability, leaving registrants unsure if their appointments confirmed. Many re-registered and then received error messages.



From tomorrow, the southern island of Phuket shuts its doors to all but essential delivery services, in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19. A provincial order states that a ban on all domestic travel to and from the island will remain in place until at least August 16. TTR Weekly



 PHUKET, 2 August 2021: Phuket will lock down all but essential cargo and medical supply transport between the island and the rest of the country from 3 to 16  August, according to a Phuket provincial order issued last Friday.

It stops all domestic travel to and from the island by all means of transport, although domestic flights have been shut down between Phuket and all the 13 deep red provinces that includes the capital Bangkok much earlier.

The Phuket Sandbox has been relatively successful, with just 30 positive Covid-19 cases out of the 13,281 fully vaccinated and negative tested foreigners who visited the southern island. However, local cases are increasing beyond the original ceiling that would have sounded the alarm to review the sandbox project.

Thailand reported 18,919 new cases on Saturday, mainly the Delta variant and new local cases have been detected in Phuket in the last week that, if it goes unchecked, would jeopardise efforts to reopen tourism.

"Phuket needs to come up with measures that aim to reduce and restrict movements to contain the spread within the limit and level that public health systems can accommodate," read the official announcement according to the News Bureau of Thailand.

The order bars domestic arrivals from land, sea, and air with the exception of ambulances, rescue vehicles, transports of medicines and medical supplies, transports of consumer goods, agricultural produce, livestock, fuel and gas, banks' cash, parcels and printed materials, international air departures, officials working to bring the pandemic under control and those with urgent assignments.

However, the "Phuket Sandbox" project, launched  1 July, allows fully vaccinated and Covid-19 negative international visitors to stay on the island for a 15-day quarantine stay before they are free to travel elsewhere in the country will not be impacted, or so the official statement reads. But it certainly restricts travel options for Phuket Sandbox travellers who have stayed on the island Covid-19 free and planned to travel elsewhere in the country.  Plane or bus options from Phuket to visit other destinations in Thailand are suspended. Airline services had already stopped from Phuket to the 13 deep red provinces that include Bangkok on 21 July and remain grounded.

Also, the planned Phuket Extension programme that allows visitors to Phuket to travel to Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga after a minimum of seven days in Phuket will be postponed to 15 August at the earliest due to the increase in Delta variant cases. Special sealed route flights from Phuket to Samui have also stopped for the time being.

Cops crack down on jab slot sales. At least 7,000 people have bought Covid-19 vaccination slots at Bang Sue Grand Station that were illegally acquired through a loophole in the the national vaccine recipient's database, police said. Bangkok Post

Cops crack down on jab slot sales

At least 7,000 people have bought Covid-19 vaccination slots at Bang Sue Grand Station that were illegally acquired through a loophole in the the national vaccine recipient's database, police said.

Authorities are looking into the identity of those involved in the scam, who police said have made around seven million baht since the national jab rollout began.

The malpractice was detected when an unusually large number of appointments were added to the database during the period reserved for walk-ins last month, according to Mingkwan Wichaidit, Dermatology Institute and Bangsue vaccination centre director.

Dr Mingkwan said when the government began accepting walk-in vaccination registration for the elderly on June 29, the vaccination centre was inundated by thousands of seniors who required assistance in filling out the medical forms prior to receiving a jab.

To assist the registration process and prevent overcrowding, many volunteers were enlisted to help out and several were given clearance to access and alter the vaccine recipients' database, creating the loophole which allowed the scam to take place.

Officials said about 700 people bought appointments between July 18-27, while about 7,000 others did so between July 28 and 31.

Authorities are in the process of checking for any more irregular appointments up until Aug 8.

The irregular appointments, sold at 1,000 baht each, have now been cancelled.

So far, more than 300 people have been caught in connection to the scam. Lawyers representing the Department of Medical Services have filed a legal complaint against the gang with the Noppawong police station, Dr Mingkwan said.

🔴 #COVID19 Update on Monday: 17,970 new cases and 178 deaths. 29 July: 17,669 - 165 dead 30 July: 17,345 - 117 dead 31 July: 18,912 - 178 dead 1 Aug: 18,027 - 133 dead. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 2/8

 

Hur ska de ha det egentligen ?? 14 dagar eller augusti ut ?? Det slutar nog med månaden ut.



För 75 år sedan, idag, den 1 augusti, såg SAS dagens ljus och har sedan dess stolt transporterat passagerare till, från och inom Skandinavien. Skandinavien skulle inte vara detsamma idag utan ett starkt skandinaviskt flygbolag, och vi kommer naturligtvis fortsätta att spela en nyckelroll inom skandinavisk infrastruktur även i framtiden. SAS Pressjour

75 stolta år i luften

sön, aug 01, 2021 15:13 CET

För 75 år sedan, idag, den 1 augusti, såg SAS dagens ljus och har sedan dess stolt transporterat passagerare till, från och inom Skandinavien. Skandinavien skulle inte vara detsamma idag utan ett starkt skandinaviskt flygbolag, och vi kommer naturligtvis fortsätta att spela en nyckelroll inom skandinavisk infrastruktur även i framtiden.

Innovation har varit en naturlig del av SAS genom alla dessa år. Från när vi flög världens första flygning över Nordpolen, och därmed förkortade flygtiden mellan kontinenter, till vårt nuvarande och fortsatta engagemang för en hållbar flygindustri.

Våra nyaste flygplan i SAS-flottan flyger med ännu mer komfort, mindre buller och med upp till 30 procent lägre koldioxidutsläpp – och utgör bara ett av många initiativ på resan mot ett mer hållbart flygande. Denna resa är avgörande för en hållbar framtid och SAS kommer i samarbete med hela ekosystemet fortsätta ta en aktiv och ledande roll i detta arbete.

SAS är ett företag i en bransch som lever på att föra världen samman där vi har möjlighet att bygga broar och bidra till kunskap och förståelse genom de mänskliga mötena. 

Ett varmt tack till alla er som har hjälpt till att skapa och heja på SAS under dessa 75 år. Vi ser fram emot att ha er alla fortsatt ombord under de kommande åren!

För ytterligare information, vänligen kontakta: 
SAS pressjour, tel +46 8 797 29 44

SAS, Skandinaviens ledande flygbolag, med knutpunkter i Köpenhamn, Oslo och Stockholm, flyger till resmål i Europa, USA och Asien. Inspirerade av vårt skandinaviska arv och hållbarhet, strävar SAS efter att vara världsledande inom hållbart flyg. Vi ska minska de totala koldioxidutsläppen med 25 procent till år 2025, genom att använda mer hållbart flygbränsle och vår moderna flotta med bränsleeffektiva flygplan. Förutom flygverksamheten, erbjuder SAS marktjänster, tekniskt underhåll och frakttjänster. SAS är en av grundarna av Star Alliance™ och tillsammans med partnerbolagen erbjuds ett stort antal destinationer runt om i världen.

17.00 LT. Breaking. Lockdown. The Nation

🔴 BREAKING: The Thai government is extending the lockdown and curfew. They are also enlarging the dark red zone from 13 provinces to 29 provinces. Richard Barrow



Each province's daily domestic COVID-19 cases update in Thailand on Sunday Total: 18,025. NNT



INTE UNDRA PÅ ATT DET GÅR SOM,DET GÅR…..👎👎👎👎😡😡😡😡. Richard Barrow

 The BMA said they have to temporarily close 25 vaccination centers across Bangkok tomorrow due to insufficient vaccines allocated by the government. The only two locations to stay open are the SCG Vaccination Center and SCB Headquarters.

Source: กทม.จ่อปิดศูนย์ฉีดวัคซีน 25 จุด ชั่วคราว หลังวัคซีนจัดสรรจากภาครัฐมาไม่เพียงพอ https://ch3plus.com/news/program/251330

INTE UNDRA PÅ ATT DET GÅR SOM,DET GÅR…..👎👎👎👎😡😡😡😡. Richard Barrow



Pattaya's Koh Larn Coral Island now Chonburi’s only Covid-free zone - Pattaya Mail

Pattaya's Koh Larn Coral Island now Chonburi's only Covid-free zone

Pattaya MailAugust 1, 2021

Banglamung District Chief Wuttisak Singhadecho said that he was assigned by Chonburi Governor Pakarathorn Thienchai to establish Koh Larn into a blue village as Chonburi's pilot Covid-19 free destination.

With Chonburi passing 1,000 daily coronavirus cases Sunday, there are few places unaffected by Covid-19. But politicians want Koh Larn to be one of them.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told governors of Thailand's "dark red" coronavirus maximum control zones he wanted each province to create a "blue village" or coronavirus-free zone that could be an example of how to rid each region of Covid-19.



Tiny Koh Larn, with only 700 families and limited access, currently has no Covid-19 cases and more than 70 percent of its villagers have been vaccinated. So Wuttisak Singhadecho nominated the resort island as Chonburi's "blue village."

Doing so will have no impact on the rest of the province, however, which is seeing daily-case records broken every day and fatalities increasing.

Banglamung officials said Koh Larn likely would be the first place in the area reopened to tourists, but no one knows when that will be.

Tiny Koh Larn, with only 700 families and limited access, currently has no Covid-19 cases and more than 70 percent of its villagers have been vaccinated.

According to Banglamung officials, Koh Larn could be the first place in the area reopened to tourists, but no one knows when that will be.

Thailand has at least 177 Indochinese tigers roaming in the wild this year, an increase of 17 from last year, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). Bangkok Jack / Bangkok Post

Thai tiger population is GROWING again

August 1, 2021

Thailand has at least 177 Indochinese tigers roaming in the wild this year, an increase of 17 from last year, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

Department director-general Thanya Nethithammakul made the announcement at an event called "Thailand's tigers forever: Moving forward to the future", to mark International Tiger Day yesterday.

The population increase reflected Thailand's success in protecting the species, following the Hua Hin Declaration on Tiger Conservation in 2011, he said.

However, the department needs to continue cooperating with other state and private agencies and civil groups across the country to conserve tiger habitats and natural resources to maintain their population.

Mr Thanya said Thailand was among 13 countries participating in the declaration's conservation programme that aimed to double the tiger population by 2022.

Under the plan, the department has increased patrols in forest reserves, raised awareness and forged cooperation with communities and public and private sectors to protect tigers.

Protection efforts have been boosted by greater knowledge about the big cats, surveillance technology and the establishment of patrol inspection centres.

Netnapa Ngamnet, assistant Kaeng Krachan National Park chief, said the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation arrested a total of 36 big cat poachers in parks between 2019 and 2021. – Bangkok Post

Nya högre siffror dessvärre. Pattaya News