‼️NEW HIGH - #COVID19 Update on Thursday: 20,920 new cases and 160 deaths. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 5/8



The readily transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, which was first confirmed in Thailand in mid-May in a Thai mother and her 4-year son arriving from Pakistan, has now spread through 74 of Thailand’s 77 provinces, accounting for 78.2% of new infections in the country. | Thai PBS World

Delta now dominant variant in Thailand with 78.2% found in new cases in most parts of country

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The readily transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, which was first confirmed in Thailand in mid-May in a Thai mother and her 4-year son arriving from Pakistan, has now spread through 74 of Thailand's 77 provinces, accounting for 78.2% of new infections in the country.

Director-general of the Medical Sciences Department Dr. Supakit Sirilak said today (Wednesday) that the department and its network of laboratories had conducted random checks on 2,547 COVID-19 infected people around the country, between July 24^th and 30^th, and found that 1,993, or 78.2% were infected with the Delta variant. 538, or 21.2% were infected with the Alpha variant and the remaining 0.6% with the Beta strain.

A breakdown of the findings between Bangkok and the rest of the country is as follows:

• Bangkok: Of 1,229 samples tested, 86.2% were infected with Delta variant, 13.8% with the Alpha variant. No Beta variant infections were found in this group.
• In other provinces: Of 1,318 samples tested, 70.9% were infected with the Delta strain, 27.9% with the Alpha variant and 1.2% with Beta variant.

Dr. Supakit said, however, that the Lambda variant, a variant of interest as defined by the World Health Organization which is spreading in South America, has not yet been detected in Thailand.



Hospital tycoon Boon flip-flops on Pfizer vaccine promise. The chair of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) said on Wednesday that a deal to import 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was unlikely to happen, despite his earlier claims that a deal was close. Last month, THG Chairman Boon Vanasin said talks to clinch a deal with BioNTech was nearing conclusion, but both Pfizer and BioNTech said they were not in talks with THG. Bangkok Post

Hospital tycoon Boon flip-flops on Pfizer vaccine promise

Chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group, Boon Vanasin, speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Bangkok, July 6, 2021. (Reuters file photo)

The chair of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) said on Wednesday that a deal to import 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was unlikely to happen, despite his earlier claims that a deal was close.

The country is battling its biggest coronavirus outbreak yet, and has been racing to secure vaccines. Last month, THG Chairman Boon Vanasin said talks to clinch a deal with BioNTech was nearing conclusion, but both Pfizer and BioNTech said they were not in talks with THG.

"Our problem is that we are unable to import it because it has to come through a government agency," Dr Boon said during a televised interview with the MCOT television station on Wednesday. "I think we won't be able to do it," he added.

Dr Boon did not say with which importer his group had been working. THG shares fell 8.13% on Wednesday, compared with a benchmark decline of 0.35%.

Last month, BioNTech denied it was in talks with THG while a Pfizer spokesman said the company was only in discussions with Thailand's health ministry and disease control department.

Dr Boon had previously said he was working to secure the vaccines indirectly, via an unnamed government agency.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday asked THG and its chairman Dr Boon to clarify a reported deal with the Defence Ministry to import the Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech.

Stocks and securities authorities are also investigating trading transactions by Dr Boon prior to an announcement by the hospital group last month that it would sign a contract to buy 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Thailand has since late April been faced with a surge in Covid-19 infections, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

The country's main vaccine rollout began in June and has depended mainly on Sinovac and locally manufactured AstraZeneca vaccines.

Just over 6% of the 66 million population been fully vaccinated so far. Delays in the government inoculation programme have been compounded by lower than expected local manufacturing capacity of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The government has struck a deal for 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, due to arrive later this year, and says it has plans to purchase an additional 10 million doses.

Vi klättrar tyvärr på Topplistan. PRD



Buses for Phuket visitors. Phuket Sandbox tourists left stranded in Phuket after all domestic flights were suspended due to the severe Covid-19 outbreak will be offered a special bus transfer service to Suvarnabhumi airport, in an ad hoc solution to the problem, starting on Wednesday. Bangkok Post

Buses for Phuket visitors

Tourists relax on a Phuket beach on Tuesday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)

Phuket Sandbox tourists left stranded in Phuket after all domestic flights were suspended due to the severe Covid-19 outbreak will be offered a special bus transfer service to Suvarnabhumi airport, in an ad hoc solution to the problem, starting on Wednesday.

The service is intended for only those who want to catch a flight from Suvarnabhumi to their other destinations, while people who intend to go straight home from Phuket can do so as their return flights are available there as usual, said Phuket governor Narong Wunsiew on Tuesday.

From Wednesday until Aug 16, the bus transfer service, costing 1,500 baht per person, is available on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, he said.

The bus leaves Central Phuket Festival at 5am and stops at a PTT petrol station in Thalang district at 5.30am before heading to Suvarnabhumi where it is scheduled to arrive at 9pm the same day, he said.

The Sandbox Express Bus service is pre-booked through hotels certified under the Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus only, he said.

Tuesday was the first day that several Phuket Sandbox tourists had to return home from Phuket where they had spent some time since their arrival under the tourism reopening programme, that started July 1.

Unfortunately, many of these Phuket Sandbox tourists had planned further travel after Phuket before the pandemic situation became so serious, said Mr Narong.

A number of these tourists are Thais who wanted to leave Phuket after fulfilling the required 14-day stay and most of them have no difficulty in travelling on to their destinations, he said.

"Only some of these Thai tourists and their foreign counterparts who aim to travel on to the other provinces now need help and the province is discussing with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration about what can be done to ensure their convenience," said the governor.

Considering its stringent Covid-19 control measures, Phuket is considered the safest place in Thailand in terms of the outbreak situation, according to the governor.

Since domestic flights were suspended on July 20, the travel plans of numerous Phuket Sandbox tourists who completed their 14-day stays became affected by the absence of domestic flight services, said Nanthasiri Ronsiri, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Phuket office.

Many of them wanted to travel to other destinations in Thailand before going to Bangkok and leaving the country via Suvarnabhumi, she said.

"When we get enquiries from these tourists about information regarding travelling to other provinces, the office now tries to convince them to stay on in Phuket for their own health safety and offers them special tourism programmes," she said.

As for those who insist on travelling to Bangkok, the bus transfer service appears to be the only option, while Nok Air is still in talks with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand about its intention to operate a one-way flight from Phuket to U-Tapao airport specifically for interested Phuket Sandbox passengers, she said.

Chaturong Kaeokasi, chief of Phuket's Land Transport Office, insisted drivers of buses who will transport passengers to Suvarnabhumi airport won't be exempted from strict Covid-19 control measures when they return to Phuket because Suvarnabhumi is in a dark-red zone where the outbreak situation is critical. "These drivers may be denied re-entry into Phuket if they fail to comply with the province's Covid-19 control measures," he said.

Over the past month, 14,055 tourists have arrived in Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox programme.



VERY interesting……..!!!! Richard Barrow

 You have to be very careful when reading the headlines as they are often misleading. If you can read Thai, it clearly says on the right 18.5m doses not people. 14.4m people had one dose and 4m people two doses. Personally I would say 4m people have been inoculated. More truthful.

Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday approved an additional 30 billion baht ($909 million) of other people’s money to spend on undefined ‘relief measures.’. Bangkok Jack

Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved an additional 30 billion baht ($909 million) of other people's money to spend on undefined 'relief measures.'

The cash is set to be allocated to those hit by tougher restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 infections, a government spokesman said.

Only last week another USD SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION was set aside to subsidise student tuition fees, which are still being demanded despite schools and universities being closed.

In truth, nobody really knows where all the money is going, although a growing number of people realise that it will need paying back by way of increased taxes.

On Sunday, Thailand extended the curbs for another month and expanded lockdown areas in 29 provinces as it deals with its biggest outbreak to date.

Om vi räknar med i runda svängar 70 miljoner invånare så har alltså 5,9% fått 2 jabs. Det är en bit kvar….



Vaccin uppdatering. ASEAN NOW



😱🇹🇭😡😱🇹🇭😡😱🇹🇭😡. Richard Barrow

 Sorry to say, but private hospitals have started to send out cancellation notices to some people that had paid in advance for the Moderna vaccine. People have 7 days to claim a refund. But they add you can reserve a 2nd generation Moderna vaccine due in April 2022 #Thailand

Thai Airways selling assets to raise cash. The source said the carrier is looking to offload its largest batch yet of assets to boost cash flow as the company is seeking to restructure 245 billion baht of debt through payment extensions, interest waivers and debt-to-equity conversions. Bangkok Post



Thai Airways selling assets to raise cash

Thai Airways International (THAI) is selling 10 properties and buildings around the country in a bid to raise funds to rehabilitate its ailing business, according to an airline source.

The source said the carrier is looking to offload its largest batch yet of assets to boost cash flow as the company is seeking to restructure 245 billion baht of debt through payment extensions, interest waivers and debt-to-equity conversions.

The airline has also introduced leave-without-pay schemes and pay cuts for staff.

The 10 properties and buildings slated for sale are scattered in Bangkok and the provinces including Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Phitsanulok.

Buildings to be put on the market are those that served as airline offices.

They include a 4-storey building on Silom Road, an eight-storey office building with six-floor car park building on Lan Luang Road, and a two-storey building called "Rak Khun Thao Fa" on land at Don Mueang airport.

❗️NEW HIGH: Chonburi Public Health Office has just announced they have 1,678 ⬆️ new cases and 10 more deaths. Most new cases are in Chonburi City (438), Bang Lamung/Pattaya (320), and Si Racha (433). 15,051 patients are now in care. Richard Barrow





‼️NEW HIGH - #COVID19 Update on Wednesday: 20,200 new cases and 188 deaths. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 4/8



Covid made the worst situation in Thailand Aviation. There is an apparent lack of coordination in Thailand’s action. There is a lack of health consciousness and better measures for the mitigation of the spread of the Virus. The Thai government has attempted to compel the national carrier’s privatization. aviationnepal.com

Covid made the worst situation in Thailand Aviation

The COVID-19 restrictions have hit the aviation industry hard to Thailand Aviation Industry. As a result, every aviation company has been attempting to implement innovative methods for relocating its losses and achieving a better start. But things aren't looking good for Thailand's aviation industry, which is still on the decline.

Photo: Thai Airlines Boeing 777 airborne from TIA

On July 31, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the loss of the Thai aviation industry, citing uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic among Thai and foreign tourists. It added that in the second quarter of this year, the number of passengers and flights fell by 35.5 percent and 27.8 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the volume of air freight has increased by 0.01 percent over the same period last year, according to the report.

According to the CAAT, the tourism sector's poor recovery has impacted the aviation industry because Thailand was unable to lift quarantine restrictions by the second quarter of this year, despite the fact that the crisis is expected to last longer.

It continued, several unfavorable activities affected the aviation business, such as the vaccination rate and a sluggish rebound in the tourism sector, citing the Bank of Thailand's estimate.

"The authority does not foresee the aviation business to recover considerably this year," the CAAT added, "As the Covid-19 situation worsens and Thailand imposes travel restrictions that directly harm the tourism sector."

Covid made the worst situation in Thai Aviation

Last year, Thai Airways International (THAI), Thailand's financially distressed airline, reported a staggering net loss of 141 billion baht following Covid-19. THAI and its subsidiaries made a total of 48.3 billion baht in revenue, with expenses of 96.4 billion baht.

There is an apparent lack of coordination in Thailand's action. There is a lack of health consciousness and better measures for the mitigation of the spread of the Virus. The Thai government has attempted to compel the national carrier's privatization. 

Photo: Thai Airways B777 'HS-TJW' landed on RWY-20 TIA, Nepal 

The government needs to react faster to provide 100 million doses of COVID-19 Vaccines within this year because the country's tourism season will begin from October this year. According to the prior prediction, the number of foreign visitors visiting Thailand this year is predicted to decline to 700,000, with 10 million expected next year, down from 3 million this year and 21.5 million in 2022.

Global airline Industry at a loss

In 2020, the airline industry was expected to lose $126.4 billion, with a net profit margin of minus 33.9 percent. This resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of seats supplied by airlines, a drop of 2,699 million passengers (a 60% drop), and a loss of $371 billion in gross passenger net earnings for airlines compared to 2019.

In 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts net airline losses of 47.7 billion dollars, with a net profit margin of minus 10.4%. Net losses are predicted to drop from a negative 31.1 percent of sales in 2020 to minus 8.8 percent this year.

While the airline sector is seeing a significant drop in passenger income, the expansion of cargo services has somehow compensated for the industry. Cargo sales are likely to hit a new high of 152 billion dollars. This is an increase from 128 billion in 2020 and 101 billion in 2019.

High infections, vaccine shortage, Pattaya has slim chance of reopening soon. Council acting president Thanet Supornsahasrungsi said tourism operators have acknowledged that the plan to reopen two districts to international tourists in September may be delayed, as the country grapples with a severe vaccine shortage during the third wave of COVID-19, which began to affect the reopening schemes in Phuket and Samui last week. Pattaya Mail

High infections, vaccine shortage, Pattaya has slim chance of reopening soon

Pattaya MailAugust 3, 2021

Mr. Thanet said tourism operators have acknowledged that the plan to reopen two districts to international tourists in September may be delayed, as the country grapples with a severe vaccine shortage during the third wave of COVID-19, which began to affect the reopening schemes in Phuket and Samui last week.

The Chonburi Tourism Council has revealed that Pattaya intends to postpone its reopening plan because Thailand may not be able to control the high rate of infections and provide sufficient vaccinations until the fourth quarter of the year.

Council acting president Thanet Supornsahasrungsi said tourism operators have acknowledged that the plan to reopen two districts to international tourists in September may be delayed, as the country grapples with a severe vaccine shortage during the third wave of COVID-19, which began to affect the reopening schemes in Phuket and Samui last week.


He said Pattaya might not be able to open as scheduled if the province cannot build herd immunity by the deadline, adding that the situation in Pattaya is similar to the Andaman Islands, particularly with local tourists being restricted by the lockdown order.

Mr. Thanet said, even though Phuket has reopened to vaccinated foreigners, stringent preventive measures and weak demand in the early stages mean many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues remain closed, which is discouraging travelers from considering an excursion to Thailand. (NNT)

Mr. Thanet said, even though Phuket has reopened to vaccinated foreigners, stringent preventive measures and weak demand in the early stages mean many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues remain closed, which is discouraging travelers from considering an excursion to Thailand.

Pattaya might not be able to open as scheduled if the province cannot build herd immunity by the deadline, adding that the situation in Pattaya is similar to the Andaman Islands, particularly with local tourists being restricted by the lockdown order, Mr. Thanet said. (File photo – Koh Larn off Pattaya shore) 

Slow vaccinations, no tourists, bodes ill for Thai aviation industry this year. Pattaya Mail

Slow vaccinations, no tourists, bodes ill for Thai aviation industry this year

August 3, 2021

The CAAT said the volume of passengers and flights, in the second quarter of this year, fell by 35.5% and 27.8% year on year, respectively while many negative sentiments put pressure on the aviation industry, such as the slow vaccination rate and sluggish recovery in the tourism sector's recovery.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reports that the country's aviation industry is still moving in a downward trajectory, due to uncertainty over the COVID-19 outbreak among Thai and foreign tourists.

The CAAT said the volume of passengers and flights, in the second quarter of this year, fell by 35.5% and 27.8% year on year, respectively. Many negative sentiments put pressure on the aviation industry, such as the slow vaccination rate and sluggish recovery in the tourism sector's recovery.



The agency added that the number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand this year is expected to drop to 700,000 people and 10 million people next year, compared to the previous forecast of 3 million this year and 21.5 million next.

The CAAT does not expect the aviation industry to recover significantly this year, as the COVID-19 crisis intensifies, while Thailand has imposed travel restrictions which directly affect the tourism sector. Airports of Thailand also said that in July the six airports saw 10,000 travellers per day, down 80% cent year on year. (NNT) 

Bangkok situation at critical turning point in the next 2 weeks. Pattaya Mail

Bangkok situation at critical turning point in the next 2 weeks

Pattaya MailAugust 3, 2021

Dr. Apisamai said a curfew, from 9pm to 4am, and other restrictive measures will be imposed in Bangkok and 28 other provinces for at least the next two weeks

The Thai government has extended lockdown measures for two more weeks from Tuesday, and added another 16 provinces to the 'dark red' zones with maximum restrictions, to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) assistant spokeswoman Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said a curfew, from 9pm to 4am, and other restrictive measures will be imposed in Bangkok and 28 other provinces for at least the next two weeks.



She said the CCSA will evaluate the situation again in mid-August and it is highly likely that the measures will continue until the end of the month if the situation does not improve. Meanwhile, restaurants and food kiosks inside departmentstores and community malls are now allowed to provide delivery and take-away services.

The CCSA also declared 16 more provinces to be 'dark red' zones due to surging new cases, with new clusters in factories hampering industry and exports. The number of 'dark red' provinces has now increased from 13 to 29 and covers 40% of the population.

The CCSA will evaluate the situation again in mid-August and it is highly likely that the measures will continue until the end of the month if the situation does not improve.

The CCSA also declared 16 more provinces to be 'dark red' zones due to surging new cases, with new clusters in factories hampering industry and exports. The number of 'dark red' provinces has now increased from 13 to 29 and covers 40% of the population. (Graph shows the daily number of new cases rising from April this year up to Aug 2)

As Pattaya hits 300 daily Covid-19 cases, police now transporting sick. Pattaya Mail





Police officers in full PPE suits help a 71-year-old woman Covid-19 infected patient onto their prisoners transport vehicle for transportation to the hospital.

With daily coronavirus cases in Pattaya surging above 300 Tuesday, police officers have now begun transporting the sick to Banglamung Hospital.

Nongprue Police Station has reassigned its prisoners transport vehicle to emergency transport of Covid-19 patients, adding more resources to an ambulance system overrun with critical calls.



Nongprue police chief Pol. Col. Chitdecha Songhong and Pol .Lt. Col. Kengsart Nuanpong on Aug. 2 responded to Winton Village on Nong Krabok Soi 10 where a 71-year-old woman gasping for breath has been waiting for a bed at Banglamung Hospital. One finally opened Monday.

Police officers dressed in full PPE suits stand by near their prisoners transportation vehicle ready to respond to any calls for help.

Hospital ambulances and vans operated by the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation have been running nearly around the clock transporting critically ill Covid-19 patients and those waiting for beds.

Banglamung District, including Pattaya, reported 314 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday as Chonburi hit another record with 1,359 infections.

The ailing woman waits patiently in front of her home for the police transport to arrive to take her to the hospital for treatment.

10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, mainly AstraZeneca and Sinovac, will be distributed across Thailand in August, with Bangkok receiving 1.25 million, according to the Public Health Ministry. PBS World

10 million vaccine doses to be distributed in Thailand in August

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10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, mainly AstraZeneca and Sinovac, will be distributed across Thailand in August, with Bangkok receiving 1.25 million, according to the Public Health Ministry.

The vaccines also include the 1.5 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, received from the US government yesterday (Monday). Inoculation with the new batches are aimed at the remaining unvaccinated elderly population in Bangkok, its neighbouring provinces and other COVID-19 "Dark Red" provinces, among others.

750,000 doses of vaccine will be directly allocated to Bangkok's 25 non-hospital vaccination sites each month, without going through the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), following problems between government agencies concerning the amounts received, with an average of 1,000 doses received per day at each site.

500,000 doses will, however, be given to the BMA to manage, while the Bang Sue Grand Station vaccination site is receiving a separate quota for its 20,000 recipients per day, until the end of August.

Meanwhile, 415,040 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, donated by the UK, will arrive in Thailand today (Tuesday) at around 9pm. They will be distributed across 29 "Dark Red" provinces.

About 18.2 million doses of vaccines have been administered nationwide to date, with almost 4 million people, or about 5.7% of the population, being fully vaccinated

TAT updates for Bangkok and Phuket. Richard Barrow / TAT

Two updates from TATNews.org about new restrictions in Bangkok and Phuket.
✅ Phuket updates COVID-19 control measures during 3-16 August 2021 https://www.tatnews.org/2021/08/phuket-updates-covid-19-control-measures-during-3-16-august-2021
✅ Bangkok extends COVID-19 control measures until 31 August 2021 https://www.tatnews.org/2021/08/bangkok-extends-covid-19-control-measures-until-31-august-2021

‪

TAT updates for Bangkok and Phuket. Richard Barrow / TAT



What is so important about the Sandbox? | The Sandbox is not just about Phuket, but it’s about Thailand and providing a safe environment for international travel. It’s not about shelving domestic tourism and only looking at foreign guests, but has embraced returning Thais and allow people, whose ultimate destination might be in different locations throughout the country, a way back home.. Thaiger





What is so important about the Sandbox?

By 

Bill Barnett

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 10:14

OPINION by Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com

Being on the ground in Phuket over the past sixteen months of the pandemic I have experienced the up's and downs of pandemic tourism firsthand. Over the past month with the Sandbox program coming into place, we have seen over 13,000 travellers arrive at the Phuket International Airport.

"What is so important about the Phuket Sandbox" goes deeper than its perception of as tourism play and the reality of who the travellers are. In the past weeks I have seen the joy of families reunited, partners joined again, residents returning and businesspeople again restarting commerce.

The Sandbox is not just about Phuket, but it's about Thailand and providing a safe environment for international travel. It's not about shelving domestic tourism and only looking at foreign guests, but has embraced returning Thais and allow people, whose ultimate destination might be in different locations throughout the country, a way back home.

I was able to attend an event last week about the current issues facing and Sandbox an hopefully allow readers to gain some perspective on the issue. As Bangkok grapples with rising numbers of Covid infections, leading tourism voice KP Ho, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Group, has told European envoys, airlines, senior officials and business leaders, that for Phuket Sandbox to succeed it is imperative for Phuket to be given "green" destination status.

Speaking at the Phuket Sandbox Summit held at Laguna Phuket, KP Ho called on policy-makers in Europe and around the world to support Phuket as a separate "green" zone.

Phuket has the potential to lead the global tourism recovery, as the historic Phuket Sandbox initiative sets the standard for other destinations to follow, he said. But, to succeed, governments need to recognise it as a safe, self-enclosed destination, rather than combining its travel status with the rest of Thailand.

See full address by KP Ho, Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Group: https://youtu.be/Mp5Xncz1Vz8

KP Ho's position was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand at the Phuket Sandbox Summit. Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americans, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, said…

"We are trying to propose Phuket to the UK government to be on the green list of destinations, even though Thailand is on the amber list. We are optimistic about Phuket Sandbox. Phuket is safe and we will never compromise anyone's safety."

He confirmed there were almost 300,000 rooms booked until the end of August in SHA Plus hotels, with nearly 13,000 arrivals and 124 flights after 28 days, with many more scheduled. Top markets are the US, UK, Israel, Germany, France, the UAE and Switzerland with an average length of stay 11 days.

As anxiety grows across Southeast Asia's key travel destinations struggling with infection numbers, the Phuket Sandbox model is rapidly becoming the standard bearer of hope for the tourism industry.

Launched on July 1, 2021, the Sandbox enables fully-vaccinated international visitors to fly directly to the destination and stay on the island quarantine-free. Hotels need to ensure at least 70% of their staff have received vaccines – the same inoculation rate as Phuket's population, creating herd immunity against Covid-19. While the high level of protection doesn't prevent people from catching Covid-19, it does significantly reduce the likelihood of serious illness and hospitalisation.

"Infections and re-infections are not what really count; it's hospitalisation rates and ICU rates that count. The Thai government have to emphasise those new numbers and shift the narrative towards 'how many people are really getting sick?', not 'are the numbers going up?'," added Mr Ho.

By reporting this new data, he said, it should be possible for Phuket to be set apart from the rest of Thailand and placed on the 'safe list' of destinations to visit. This is not without precedent; the UK government for example, has put the island of Madeira on its green list, while the rest of Portugal remains on the amber list. The same rule applies to Denmark and the Faroe Islands.

"What's really important is that EU countries – the national governments, spurred on by travel agents, the media and other people – recognise that it's necessary to disengage the perception of Phuket from the rest of Thailand. It should be a situation where Thailand could be a red alert zone but Phuket could be a green zone," said Mr Ho.

It could be possible to create a series of Sandboxes in other destinations, such as Koh Samui (which recently launched Samui Plus), Bali and Phu Quoc. As long as that Sandbox is well-organised, as it is in Phuket, it should be separated from the rest of the country."

Vice Governor of Phuket, Mr Piyapong Choowong, added…

"I would like to confirm we support Phuket Sandbox. We are making sure people on the island and all visitors are safe so we can run the Sandbox smoothly and continue to welcome more tourists to Phuket."

Presenting the most up-to-date data, there is a lot at stake but what is clear is that Phuket Sandbox is alive and well, and it's working.

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

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

views  304

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