Phuket marks 211 new cases, deaths climb to 33. The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 211 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Sept 9) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 6,391. Phuket News



Phuket marks 211 new cases, deaths climb to 33

PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 211 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Sept 9) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 6,391.

The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 8:30pm last night, marked one new case of a Phuket Sandbox tourist being confirmed as infected, and two more deaths attributed to COVID-19.

The latest deaths bring the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since last Saturday (Sept 4) to 13, and bring the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 Apr 3 to 33.

The new local infections bring the total number of new local infections on the island in the past seven days to 1,619, as follows:

• Sept 3 - 242 new cases
• Sept 4 - 240 new cases
• Sept 5 - 241 new cases
• Sept 6 - 232 new cases
• Sept 7 - 234 new cases
• Sept 8 - 219 new cases
• Sept 9 - 211 new cases

The current total of 6,391 people infected in Phuket since Apr 3 does not include 10 infected with COVID-19 in other provinces and 23 returning from other countries and testing positive.

The current Phuket tally also does not include 42 COVID patients brought back to Phuket under the "Bring Phuket people home" policy, or the 89 Phuket Sandbox arrivals who have tested positive for the virus after landing on the island since the Sandbox scheme began on July 1.

According to the PPHO COVID situation report for yesterday, 2,964 people were under medical care or supervision, an increase of 109 from the 2,855 reported the day before.

The report also marked 3,591 people in total being discharged from medical care for COVID infection since Apr 3 ‒ 100 more patients than the 3,491 reported yesterday.

The report recorded 43 new cases of people suspected of being infected with COVID-19 after testing positive by antigen test kits (ATKs), while the total number of people reported as currently being held at 'COVID-19 Care Centers' across the island rose by 148, from 937 to 1,085.

The report did not confirm how many people who tested positive by ATKs were confirmed infected by RT-PCR tests or how many people had been released from ATK detention at 'COVID-19 Care Centers' and allowed to go home.

The PPHO daily COVID situation report also marked that Phuket currently has in total 2,361 beds available for COVID patients (-200 from yesterday).

The total number of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients in Phuket now stands at 1,915 (-118) or 81.11% of the total number of beds.

The report marked that of the COVID patients in care 34 were designated as 'Red patients' (zero change); 337 were designated 'Yellow' patients (zero change) and 654 were 'Green' patients (-30).

At the time this report was posted an updated version of the map showing the locations of local infections had not been released. The most recent map showing the number of local infections across the island was posted on Wednesday, marking the infections recorded on Tuesday.

🔴 #COVID19 on Friday: ⬇️ 14,403 cases ⬇️ 189 deaths. 🔴 UPDATE: 14,403 confirmed cases, 1,945 probable cases, and 189 deaths (1.03%). Out of 141,642 patients, 40,494 in hospital, 72,007 in hospitel and 23,951 in home/community isolation. 4,330 in a serious condition (-34) with 915 on ventilators (-25). Richard Barrow



🇹🇭 The government is preparing to move forward with its reopening plan in 5 provinces including Bangkok early next month, after the two-month success of its Sandbox scheme in the first phase. ✅ 1st October reopening: Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai ✅ In the next phase, the government has selected 21 provinces across the country. 🟢 In the North: Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae, Nan, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai. 🟢 In the Northeast: Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Ubon Ratchathani. 🟢 In the South: Ranong, Trang, Satun, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat. 🟢 In the East: Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. 🟢 In the Central region: Ayutthaya 🟢 In the West: Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. Richard Barrow / Bangkok Post



Govt pushes ahead with reopening plans

The government is preparing to move forward with its reopening plan in five provinces including Bangkok early next month, after the two-month success of its Sandbox scheme in the first phase.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to reopen certain provinces by mid-October, a process set in four phases to cover all regions, to help businesses rebound from Covid-19.

For the first phase, the government started three projects in four provinces: the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus schemes on July 1 and July 15, respectively, followed by two provinces, Phangnga and Krabi, under the 7+7 extension plan in mid-August.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana on Thursday said tourists have spent around 60,000-70,000 baht per trip, helping the country generate revenue of 1.63 billion baht.

The second phase is set for next month which is usually the country's tourism high season, followed by the next phase by mid-October.

The government has sped up vaccine inoculation in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai, as these five provinces aimed to reopen on Oct 1.

Protocols will be tweaked under universal prevention guidelines. Campaigns will be rolled out to welcome tourists, such as the Bangkok Sandbox, Hua Hin Recharge and Charming Chiang Mai, Mr Thanakorn said.

In the next phase, the government has selected 21 provinces across the country, Mr Thanakorn said.

In the North, six provinces have been selected: Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae, Nan, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai. Four were chosen in the Northeast: Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Ubon Ratchathani.

The South had five provinces selected -- Ranong, Trang, Satun, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat -- while the eastern region chose Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Ayutthaya is planned for the central region, while Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi are priorities in the West.

In addition to the last phase next January, the government will reopen 13 southern provinces, with a travel bubble plan, Mr Thanakorn said.

Bangkok Post highlights 10/9



Thailand’s Covid-19 Center main committee to consider removing some provinces in dark-red zone areas this Friday. That being said, Chonburi province, home of Pattaya, was ranked the province with the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country today, September 9th, and is unfortunately unlikely to be delisted from a dark-red province. Pattaya News

Thailand's Covid-19 Center main committee to consider removing some provinces in dark-red zone areas this Friday

Thursday, 9 September 2021, 20:17

Bangkok –

A smaller CCSA meeting today, September 9th, is planning to propose a reduction of provinces in the Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces, to the main CCSA meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha, on September 10th, tomorrow.

At this time, the proposal states that all measures and restrictions will remain the same for dark red provinces, including the curfew hours, according to the CCSA, as the number of infections in the areas and the pandemic situation is still concerning. TPN notes, however, that changes often are made between the smaller CCSA panel and the main group and this could happen tomorrow as well.

However, by reducing the number of provinces from dark-red, this would bring more easing and relaxation of measures to those areas affected. For instance, a province not dark red would no longer, under current CCSA guidelines, have a mandatory curfew (it would instead be "suggested"), the possibility of mandatory vaccine proof to be shown for high-risk businesses in the future as currently being proposed, some business sectors would be relaxed that are currently closed in dark red provinces, capacity limits would be eased at some venues, gathering limits are increased, and more.

As of now, there are 29 provinces listed as being in the dark-red zone areas. Some of the restrictions implemented in the provinces have recently been lifted or eased this month, such as allowing dining in at restaurants and opening of shopping malls, massage parlors, hair salons, etc.

However, it is not yet stated by the authorities what provinces or areas are listed to be removed for the dark-red zone. More details might be given after the proposal was introduced to the large CCSA committee for consideration tomorrow.

In response to rumors of the emergency decree being lifted and replaced with communicable disease laws government spokespersons stated that the only item on the agenda for the CCSA meeting tomorrow was the discussion of Covid-19 restrictions. TPN media notes, however, that the question was not truly answered.

Dark red provinces are not just evaluated based on the number of Covid-19 cases, which TPN media would like to add. They are also based on vaccination levels in each province, hospital capacity, the number of patients in ICU in the province, the number of potential clusters that were not under control, and several other factors.

That being said, Chonburi province, home of Pattaya, was ranked the province with the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country today, September 9th, and is unfortunately unlikely to be delisted from a dark-red province.

Thailand vaccination report 9/9



The method of using Sinovac as the first dose, followed by an AstraZeneca shot as the second, 3-4 weeks apart, is now Thailand’s main vaccination practice, which helps shorten the gap between two doses of AstraZeneca, now in almost 3 months. Read more: https://thaip.bs/OUHptpB



The method of using Sinovac as the first dose, followed by an AstraZeneca shot as the second, 3-4 weeks apart, is now Thailand’s main vaccination practice. PBS World



AJ, AJ, AJ !! - The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,594 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 15 new deaths, September 9th. Pattaya Nrws

Chonburi new and confirmed cases rise to 1,594, 553 from soldier recruits, with 15 deaths

Thursday, 9 September 2021, 10:34

Highlights:

• 1,594 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 553 from new cluster at the Recruit Soldier Training Center in Sattahip 

• 967 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 15 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,594 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 15 new deaths, September 9th.

Additionally, 967 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 56,096 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

This makes a total of 70,763 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 14,191 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 476 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's 15 new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 217, Si Racha 269, Banglamung (Pattaya) 128, Panat Nikhom 61, Sattahip 54, Ban Bueang 103, Pan Thong 71, ฺBor Thong 20, Ko Chan 26, Nong Yai 4, Koh Si Chang 3, the Recruit Soldier Training Center in Sattahip 553, and 85 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, the Recruit Soldier Training Center in Sattahip, 553 cases
2. Confirmed cases from July to August from Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, 63 cases
3. Cluster, Thai Wire Cables Co., Ltd. in Pan Thong, 12 cases
4. Cluster, Suwit Fishing Market Community in Sattahip, 9 cases
5. Cluster, Casual Home Thailand Co., Ltd. in Ban Bueng. 6 cases
6. Cluster, Jakkarin Service Co., Ltd. in Si Racha, 23 cases
7. Cluster, Meyer Industries company in Si Racha, 5 cases
8. Cluster, King Pac Industrial in Mueang Chonburi, 5 cases
9. Cluster, Dae-A Electronics (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., in Ban Bueng, 4 cases
10. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 35 cases
11. 3 medical staff
12. Many establishments in Rayong Province, 58 cases
13. Close contacts of confirmed patients in family – 291 cases, in workplaces – 165 cases, close friends – 23 cases and joined parties, 4 cases
14. Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 108 cases
15. 221 cases are under investigation in general as to the cause of the disease

A total of 1,042 close contact searches were received today, and 367 proactive search reports are pending

Foreigners who join anti-govt protests face deportation and blacklist: Thai police. ASEAN NOW

 

Picture: INN

 

Foreigners in Thailand have been warned to steer clear of anti-government protests and rallies which have been taking place in Bangkok and other areas of the country. 

 

On Wednesday (Sept 8), Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) said foreigners who join the protests will be prosecuted and face deportation and would also be blacklisted from Thailand, INN reported. 

 

Pol Maj Gen Tawichai was speaking following the arrest of 195 people who took part in recent demonstrations in Bangkok. 

 

Pol Maj Gen Tawichai added that those who join the protests increase the risk of spreading COVID-19 are in violation of the Emergency Decree and Communicable Disease Control Act.

 

One of the people arrested was found to be a Cambodian national, which prompted the police to issue the warning to foreigners in Thailand.

 

Pol Maj Gen Tawichai said that those arrested will be charged with violating the Emergency Decree and Communicable Disease Control Act.

 

He said that if those arrested are found to be juveniles, their parents also face being prosecuted.

 

Thais too careless to live without Lockdowns, says academic. Bangkok Jack / The Enquirer

Thais too careless to live without Lockdowns, says academic

Thailand will likely see a spike in the next few weeks due to carelessness on the part of the public, a public health official told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday.

September 9, 2021

The country lifted some lockdown restrictions on September 1 due to lower covid numbers, allowing dining-in at restaurants and easing travel restrictions.

Inter-province travel has also been allowed with people traveling from and between "redzone" or hard-hit provinces.

"If you look at the malls in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, it was completely packed in some places. Shoulder-to-shoulder, nose-to-nose," said a professor of public health at Chulalongkorn University who asked not to be named as he works closely with the government.

"I understand that after a month of lockdown that people are antsy to get back to their daily routines but this lack of responsibility threatens all the gains that we have worked so hard to make."

According to the professor, the contagious nature of the Delta Variant and the close proximity that people are now operating in means that it is inevitable that there will be a spike within the next two weeks.

"With this sort of thing, the spike is usually higher than the previous peak so we can be looking at 30,000 cases per day by the beginning of October because people are just not careful."

The professor added that confusing government policy has also compounded the situation as the CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration did not stick with public health guidelines forwarded by their team of advisors.

"We said that dining-in and shopping malls should be only open to fully vaccinated patrons. The government said, that is fine but let's begin that in October. So we have the whole of September to be a super spreader event for some reason. It makes no sense," he said. – Thai Enquirer

TYVÄRR GÅR DET ÄVEN IDAG ÅT HELT FEL HÅLL 😥😥😥 - 🔴 #COVID19 on Thursday: ⬆️ 16,031 cases ⬇️ 220 deaths. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 9/9



The Thai Meteorological Department warned today (Wednesday) that most parts of Thailand, which have been hit by heavy rain over the past few days, are expected to face more rain later this week, due to the influence of tropical storm “Conson”. The provinces struck by heavy rain yesterday were: Chon Buri, 194.2mm Nakhon Ratchasima, 113.5mm Rayong, 91.3mm Samut Prakan, 87.6mm Prachuap Khiri Khan, 80mm Lamphun, 70.5mm Buriพam, 68mm Suphan Buri, 64.1mm Prachin Buri, 61.9mm Krabi, 61.2mm. PBS World

Rain forecast from monsoon trough, approaching tropical storm Conson

views  206

The Thai Meteorological Department warned today (Wednesday) that most parts of Thailand, which have been hit by heavy rain over the past few days, are expected to face more rain later this week, due to the influence of tropical storm "Conson".

Also known as "Jolina" in the Philippines, "Conson" will head west over the South China Sea, possibly reaching Hainan Island, China or northern Vietnam. This may cause heavy rainfall in north eastern Thailand, said the Met Dept.

Heavy rains, which have been lashing the northern, north eastern and central regions, including Bangkok, over the past few days, bringing heavy flooding to Pattaya and Prachin Buri, are the result of a monsoon trough compounded by a cyclonic weather system looming over the central plains.

This weather pattern will prevail for two more days, after which it will move into the Andaman Sea and this will cause heavy rain covering over 80% of Thailand.

The provinces struck by heavy rain yesterday were:

• Chon Buri, 194.2mm
• Nakhon Ratchasima, 113.5mm
• Rayong, 91.3mm
• Samut Prakan, 87.6mm
• Prachuap Khiri Khan, 80mm
• Lamphun, 70.5mm
• Buriพam, 68mm
• Suphan Buri, 64.1mm
• Prachin Buri, 61.9mm
• Krabi, 61.2mm

In the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, the chief of the Pang Sida National Park, ordered the closure of the Pang Sida waterfall today after it was hit by a flash flood.

The National Water Resources Office is warning of possible flash flooding and mud slides in 30 provinces in the northern, north eastern and eastern regions from today until the weekend.

Mass Covid testing launched in Bangkok's biggest slum. For families struggling to survive on $150 a month in Bangkok's biggest slum, coronavirus swab tests are a luxury that few can afford. The Klong Toey slum, where an estimated 100,000 people live packed into tiny, overcrowded dwellings, has been a major concern as the country battles the third wave of the pandemic. Bangkok Post

Mass Covid testing launched in Bangkok's biggest slum

A volunteer from the Bangkok Community Help Foundation administers a rapid antigen test, which screens for the Covid-19 coronavirus, to a resident of the Klong Toey community in Bangkok on Monday. (AFP photo)

For families struggling to survive on $150 a month in Bangkok's biggest slum, coronavirus swab tests are a luxury that few can afford.

The Klong Toey slum, where an estimated 100,000 people live packed into tiny, overcrowded dwellings, has been a major concern as the country battles the third wave of the pandemic.

Now the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, a charity, has launched a mass testing drive to try to identify cases and help stop Klong Toey from becoming a reservoir that reinfects the whole city.

The foundation said the programme -- linked to guaranteed hospital beds for positive cases -- was long overdue.

Almost 1,000 people have been swabbed in recent days, it said, with close to 50 coming back positive.

"There are many people living in very tight and confined spaces. In many cases people are living with 10 people in a house... of maybe 20 square metres, which means if one has Covid, the rest have it," foundation co-founder Friso Poldervaart told AFP.

"It's usually the case that if people (test positive), they get given a home isolation kit. The issue is here that they cannot home-isolate."

Rice donations, mangosteen juice and a free lunch were among incentives the charity used to encourage hesitant residents to undergo a swab test.

Since April, Thailand has been reeling from a deadly third wave of infections, with more than 1.3 million cases and 13,000 deaths.

The kingdom is also experiencing its worst economic performance since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Lockdown restrictions have meant many people already on the poverty line in Klong Toey lost jobs or income.

Among those getting tested Monday was Praohpilai Jaroenpong, 23, who said many slum-dwellers have no welfare safety net and feel like they have fallen through the cracks.

"It's bad. Some people in the community are out of jobs and they can hardly put food on their tables," she told AFP.

As well as testing, the foundation has been delivering 3,000 meals a day to the community along with care packages and medications.

Volunteer tester Ekkachai Moolla, an out-of-work flight attendant, said helping the foundation got him through difficult times and put his basic medical training to good use.

"I can't wait for the time I can go back to work, but in the meantime, I just enjoy this -- coming to help, it's the best," he told AFP.

MorPhrom app upgraded for use in air travel The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is setting up a new version of the MorPhrom (Doctors Ready) application for travellers and expects it to be ready by the end of this year. The Nation

MorPhrom app upgraded for use in air travel

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is setting up a new version of the MorPhrom (Doctors Ready) application for travellers and expects it to be ready by the end of this year.

CAAT and the newly formed Thai Airlines Association are set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Public Health Ministry to develop the application.

The app will record travellers' Covid-19 test results taken via both RT-PCR and antigen methods as well as vaccination records, which passengers can present before travelling. This will make the checking system at airports less time-consuming and more efficient.

These features are still at the testing stage but should be ready within this month.

Developers are also planning to add passengers' medical history in the app, so recovered Covid-19 patients can travel between provinces.

Related News

Tourism ministry eyes campaigns to boost local travel next month

TAT announces details of domestic travel from today

Guidelines for people planning to visit Thailand

The app will be applied to the reservation system and passengers will also be able to use it to check-in. These features are expected to be ready by the end of this year or early next year.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) eased lockdown measures from September 1 and is now letting people travel between provinces.

Confusion over documents that need to be presented to airlines for interprovincial travel saw many people miss their flights unnecessarily earlier.

Published : September 08, 2021 

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 846 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 20 new deaths, September 8th. Pattaya News

Chonburi reports 846 new Covid-19 cases with 20 deaths

Wednesday, 8 September 2021, 12:03

Highlights:

• 846 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 969 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 20 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 846 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 20 new deaths, September 8th.

Additionally, 969 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 55,129 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

This makes a total of 69,169 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 13,579 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 461 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's 20 new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 171, Si Racha 237, Banglamung (Pattaya) 149, Panat Nikhom 53, Sattahip 41, Ban Bueang 77, Pan Thong 42, ฺBor Thong 3, Ko Chan 9, Nong Yai 3, and 61 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, Meyer Industries company in Si Racha, 7 cases
2. Cluster, Acushnet Footjoy (Thailand) company in Si Racha, 4 cases
3. Cluster, Tanthong Furnitech in Panta Nikhom, 6 cases
4. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 29 cases
5. 1 medical staff
6. Back from risky areas in Rayong, 1 cases
7. Many establishments in Rayong Province, 57 cases
8. Close contacts of confirmed patients in family – 275 cases, in workplaces – 120 cases, close friends – 26 cases and joined parties, 6 cases
9. Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 113 cases
10. 201 cases are under investigation in general as to the cause of the disease

The Chonburi Public Heath Office noted they still have numbers to be reported (Since July 2nd, 2021 onward for the center for new soldiers in Sattahip, 583 cases (waiting to check)

A total of 903 close contact searches were received today, and 126 proactive search reports are pending. 

Vaccination report 8/9



Pattaya adopts wait and see approach to upcoming tourist “surge”. The hope by Thai authorities that the final months of the year will lead to a flood of international Sandbox visitors in tourist-starved Pattaya have been met with a shrug of the shoulders by many business owners. Beach chair concessionaire Dej Anuman said, “We have heard it all before with snowbird flights from Europe and travel bubbles from China, but none of it actually happened.” It’s a common shoulder-shrug response in a depressed city. Pattaya Mail

Pattaya adopts wait and see approach to upcoming tourist "surge"

Barry KenyonSeptember 8, 2021

The McDonald's clown in a closed Pattaya branch is banking on the return of the tourists.

The hope by Thai authorities that the final months of the year will lead to a flood of international Sandbox visitors in tourist-starved Pattaya have been met with a shrug of the shoulders by many business owners. Beach chair concessionaire Dej Anuman said, "We have heard it all before with snowbird flights from Europe and travel bubbles from China, but none of it actually happened." It's a common shoulder-shrug response in a depressed city.



The Sandbox initiative, known as Move On Pattaya, enables fully vaccinated tourists from next month to avoid isolation-quarantine on entry, although they must sleep in their chosen hotels and restrict sightseeing to "sealed routes" and government-approved venues and facilities for the first two weeks of their stay. Additional requirements are ongoing Covid health checks and use of a trace and track app to ensure they restrict their mobility.

A spokesman for the Bangkok-based tourist authority stressed that only Thailand in the entire Pacific-rim region is offering tourist vacations. "Vietnam has banned international vacationers altogether. The situation in the Philippines is the same whilst Cambodia, which is more dependent on tourism than Thailand in gross domestic product terms, still restricts entry to business people and family members." He explained that the uniqueness was Thailand's best selling point.

More than 250 huge cranes have been spotted in Pattaya as the city beautifies its beachfront and knocks down whole areas for redevelopment.

Encouraged by the semi-reopening of the economy and a continuing decline in coronavirus cases, the Thai stock market has now reached its highest point for two years. National Security Council Secretary-General Natthapol Nakpanich said that the state of emergency could end this month, with the health department taking over virus policy from the dictatorial Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

But significant doubts remain. The Phuket Sandbox attracted almost 30,000 visitors in the last two and a half months, but almost 25 percent of the total were British and American vacationers. They have now been told to avoid red-zone Thailand at their peril and, in the case of Brits, must spend an extra 2,285 pounds on compulsory quarantine once they arrive back in the UK. The next British travel destination revisions are due on September 25.



Moreover, the Phuket Sandbox has attracted some bad publicity. The admission rules continually moved goalposts and many promises, such as being able to drink alcohol with meals, were broken because of increasing virus infections on the island. There was huge international publicity after German tourist Stefanie Korenyi was forced into strict quarantine because she was sat next to a flight passenger who tested positive for the virus.

Bible prophecies are coming true!!

visit watchpostblog.com/ to learn more

There is currently much speculation about the possibility of ending the bureaucratic certificate of entry which must be obtained by all travellers to Thailand from their local Thai embassy or consulate. But its abolition does not mean that holidaymakers would revert to hopping on a plane armed only with their passport. The embassies would continue to be responsible for longer tourist and non-immigrant visas, whilst 30/45 days visa-free travellers will presumably need a double vaccination certificate and – probably – Covid health insurance.

In other words, a reduction in the role of embassies could well mean long delays at Thai airports as officers plough through the voluminous paperwork. Meanwhile, the government has announced that from October 1 any visitors to high-risk venues such as barber shops, massage parlours and even malls will need to sign in with a government-approved app. Nor is there any sign at present that alcohol may be bought and consumed in any restaurant, bar or club. Not to mention the overnight curfew which now starts at 10 pm, rather than 9 pm, if you need to use a bus or a train.



Greg Watkins, who heads a UK travel consortium based in Manchester, said, "There is a pent up market in the UK for Thailand in general and Pattaya in particular. But what we are looking for is a simple entry system requiring only a double vaccination certificate and not a huge bureaucracy with a stack of documents. We also need to know how tourists will enjoy themselves apart from sitting on the beach. You can't sell Pattaya in Britain by promising escorted visits to temples and parks in the first two weeks." Can't argue with that.

People are not being responsible enough after lifting of lockdown measures, official says. Thailand will likely see a spike in the next few weeks due to carelessness on the part of the public, a public health official told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday. The country lifted some lockdown restrictions on September 1 due to lower covid numbers, allowing dining-in at restaurants and easing travel restrictions. “If you look at the malls in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, it was completely packed in some places. Shoulder-to-shoulder, nose-to-nose,” said a professor of public health at Chulalongkorn University who asked not to be named as he works closely with the government. “I understand that after a month of lockdown that people are antsy to get back to their daily routines but this lack of responsibility threatens all the gains that we have worked so hard to make.” Thai Enquirer



People are not being responsible enough after lifting of lockdown measures, official says

September 8, 2021

Thailand will likely see a spike in the next few weeks due to carelessness on the part of the public, a public health official told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday.

The country lifted some lockdown restrictions on September 1 due to lower covid numbers, allowing dining-in at restaurants and easing travel restrictions.

Inter-province travel has also been allowed with people traveling from and between "redzone" or hard-hit provinces.

"If you look at the malls in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, it was completely packed in some places. Shoulder-to-shoulder, nose-to-nose," said a professor of public health at Chulalongkorn University who asked not to be named as he works closely with the government.

"I understand that after a month of lockdown that people are antsy to get back to their daily routines but this lack of responsibility threatens all the gains that we have worked so hard to make."

According to the professor, the contagious nature of the Delta Variant and the close proximity that people are now operating in means that it is inevitable that there will be a spike within the next two weeks.

"With this sort of thing, the spike is usually higher than the previous peak so we can be looking at 30,000 cases per day by the beginning of October because people are just not careful."

The professor added that confusing government policy has also compounded the situation as the CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration did not stick with public health guidelines forwarded by their team of advisors.

"We said that dining-in and shopping malls should be only open to fully vaccinated patrons. The government said, that is fine but let's begin that in October. So we have the whole of September to be a super spreader event for some reason. It makes no sense," he said.

Phuket ‘Sandbox’ on Edge of Axe as Covid-19 Cases Rise another 234. Phuket’s “sandbox” foreign-tourism program is dancing on the blade of the axe as the island province deals with more than 200 new coronavirus cases a day among the local population. If cases continue to rise, the sandbox could be closed. Bangkok Herald

Phuket 'Sandbox' on Edge of Axe as Covid-19 Cases Rise another 234

8 September 2021

Phuket's "sandbox" foreign-tourism program is dancing on the blade of the axe as the island province deals with more than 200 new coronavirus cases a day among the local population.

None of the new cases have been imported by the fully vaccinated foreigners and Thais arriving under the "sandbox" program, which allows for quarantine-free arrival, although the "tourists" are confined to Phuket or Phangna Province islands for two weeks. Fewer than 0.3 percent of all arrivals since July 1 have tested positive for Covid-19.

Instead, the surge is being fueled by construction workers, fishing crewmen, workers at wet markets and prison inmates, despite claims that 70 percent of the local population is fully vaccinated.

Phuket on Wednesday reported another 234 cases, which has been the daily average for more than a week. Currently, 2,933 people are in hospitals or field hospitals. Thailand overall reported 14,176 cases and 228 deaths, up slightly from the past two days.

Phuket Gov. Narong Woonciew noted Sept. 6 that 85 percent of the new cases were "green-coded" asymptomatic patients. But the government's insistence on warehousing them in hospitals or field hospitals – instead of letting them isolate at home – is putting a strain on medical resources.

Local authorities were working out solutions to save hospital beds for yellow and red-coded patients.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said after 900 Covid-19 cases were found at an isolated construction camp that the sandbox reopening project would continue, but cases have already surpassed previously announced limits on weekly cases that officials said would require suspension of the tourism project.

If cases continue to rise, the sandbox could be closed.

OBSERVERA !!! Pilen indikerar en minskning av antal smittade jämfört med gårdagen. Det är dessvärre fel. Det är en ökning !! 🔴 #COVID19 on Wednesday: ⬇️ 14,176 cases ⬆️ 228 deaths. Richard Barrow



Amid tepid tourist demand, 52% of hotel operators are considering closing temporarily, while 9% want to shut down permanently if the Covid-19 pandemic lasts longer than expected. A joint survey by the Bank of Thailand and Thai Hotels Association (THA) found that 62% of hotel operators planned to reduce labour costs in order to deal with the financial effects of the pandemic. Meanwhile, 61% said they planned to cut other expenses. Bangkok Post

Hotel operators consider closing amid weak demand

A welcome sign greets tourists arriving at Koh Samui under Samui Plus travel scheme. As of Sept 6, the island has received 621 tourists from the pilot programme.

Amid tepid tourist demand, 52% of hotel operators are considering closing temporarily, while 9% want to shut down permanently if the Covid-19 pandemic lasts longer than expected.

A joint survey by the Bank of Thailand and Thai Hotels Association (THA) found that 62% of hotel operators planned to reduce labour costs in order to deal with the financial effects of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, 61% said they planned to cut other expenses.

Between Aug 13-28 the central bank and THA conducted a poll of 234 respondents, of which 14 were alternative state quarantines and five were hospitels.

A total of 38% of Phuket Sandbox respondents said foreign tourist arrivals were lower than their expectations, but 35% said the numbers were as expected.

On average, the occupancy rate was steady at 15%.

However, 52% of hotel respondents in Surat Thani, the host of the Samui Plus model, said they were receiving fewer travellers than expected, with the average occupancy rate at 4%.

Most hotel operators were experiencing low incomes, with 58% of hotels reporting income of less than 10% of pre-Covid levels, while 17% earned 11-30% of their pre-outbreak income.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of THA, said hotels in August had an occupancy rate of 10.6% nationwide, which was only slightly higher than the previous month's 9.6%.

A total of 65% of hotel operators said they had only enough liquidity to survive for less than three months.

Mrs Marisa said that while 17% of them remained closed, the number of active hotels increased from 40.1% in July to 48.4% in August, mainly driven by hotels in Bangkok, which turned to the long-stay market, and in Phuket, which has its quarantine-free programme for inoculated tourists.

Lower confidence on Koh Samui recently prompted tourism operators to call for a relaxation of the Samui Plus model, which still requires inbound tourists to stay at quarantine facilities for three days after arrival.

Mrs Marisa said the quarantine-free approach should be applied to other destinations to stimulate more demand, which could help save hotels during the tough financial crisis.

As of Sept 6, Samui had received only 621 tourists via the pilot programme, while the number of tourists that completed the programme in Phuket and then travelled to Samui stood at over 400.

After starting the programme on July 15, tourists spent 7,136 room nights in Samui Plus destinations, while another 8,335 room nights have been reserved in advance.

The numbers are still a far cry from Phuket, which saw 176,128 and 125,434 room nights booked in August and September, respectively.