Vaccine allocation for students between 12-17 years old will begin in October, says government officials
PHOTO: Thairath
National –
The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines will be primarily distributed to students of the age of 12-17 years in 29 dark-red zone provinces prior to the scheduled school reopening in November, Thailand's Ministry of Education reported today, September 13th.
Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong revealed to the press this morning that the government has introduced guidelines for the preparation of the second semester of the 2021 academic year on November 1st, including vaccination of two doses of Pfizer vaccine for students aged 12 to 17 years at the date of injection.
The plan will cover students in Mattayom 1-6, vocational certificate students, higher vocational certificate students or equivalent, and primary 6 students at the age of 12, according to the Minister. It will prioritize about 4.5 million students in dark-red zone provinces studying in public and private schools, Border Patrol Police Schools, seminaries, military schools, and other educational institutions.
PHOTO: Manager Online
Amporn Pinasa, General Secretary of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), said a change in offline studying style may be applied in classes with students less than 12 years old in order to allow the students to return to schools, such as teachers must be fully vaccinated, no outbreaks must be reported in the community, students may have to switch days to study at schools, etc.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong further stated that Bangkok public health will start Pfizer vaccine allocation for students between 12 and 17 years old in the capital on September 21st.
"According to the schedule, an additional 2 million doses of Pfizer vaccine will arrive at the end of September and another 2 million doses will gradually arrive every week in October. The Ministry of Health expects that the first dose will be injected into required students by October before proceeding with the second dose as quickly as possible," he added.
Chonburi new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 drop to 650 with 1 death
Highlights:
650 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
802 people recovered and were released from medical care
1 new death
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 650 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 1 new death, September 13th.
This makes a total of 74,054 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 13,490 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 508 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's 1 new death were not given, which is standard for the health department.
Additionally, 802 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 60,056 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.
The district-level new cases were as follows today:
Mueang Chonburi 94, Si Racha 237, Banglamung (Pattaya) 133, Panat Nikhom 34, Sattahip 10, Ban Bueang 55, Pan Thong 46, ฺBor Thong 3, Ko Chan 2, and 36 transferred from other provinces for medical care.
The details on the cases are as follows:
Cluster, Rofu company in Si Racha, 26 cases
Cluster, worker camp from the CAZ company in Si Racha, 18 cases
Cluster, Phonthep Inter Group company in Si Racha, 6 cases
Cluster, Meyer Industries company in Si Racha, 4 cases
Cluster, Viking Life-Saving equipment company in Si Racha, 4 cases
Cluster, Alucon company in Si Racha, 4 cases
Cluster, Hongfa Technology company in Ban Bueng, 5 cases
Cluster, King Pac Industrial company in Mueang Chonburi, 4 cases
A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 13 cases
6 medical staff
Back from a risky area in Rayong – 4 cases, Samut Sakorn – 3 cases and Chachoengsao -1 case
Many establishments in Rayong Province brought to Chonburi for medical care, 36 cases
Close contacts of confirmed patients in the family – 196 cases, in workplaces – 125 cases, close friends – 25 cases and joined parties, 2 cases
Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 62 cases
106 cases are under investigation in general as to the cause of the disease
A total of 1,025 close contact searches were received today, and 464 proactive search reports are pending.
There are currently clusters of outbreaks in 72 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities.
An advisor to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says what happens in the next 2 weeks is crucial to determining any further easing of restrictions. According to a Bangkok Post report, Dr Udom Kachintorn says there is unlikely to be any further relaxing of measures until officials are sure the situation is under control.
Udom says the easing of restrictions on September 1 could have caused a surge in news infections, adding that the recent decline in infections is because of the lockdown introduced from July, coupled with more people being vaccinated. He says that in order to keep infections trending downward, people must continue being careful.
"The lockdown easing from September 1 has flattened the downward trend and cases will begin to rise, so we must rely on the public's precautions and universal prevention measures. State agencies and the private sector must conduct random spot tests every week."
Udom adds that having people fully vaccinated might not always translate to falling infection rates, as can be seen in the US and Europe. In Thailand, the predominant Covid-19 strain is the highly contagious Delta variant.
Thailand has reported 132 Covid-related fatalitiesand 12,583 new infections in the last 24 hours. 1,177 were detected as a result of mass testing, while 163 were found in prisons. There are currently 132,113 patients undergoing treatment for Covid-19 in Thailand.
For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.
Thai Tourism Minister visits Pattaya to discuss "Move On" reopening plan, plan to be presented to CCSA this Friday
Pattaya, Thailand-
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, visited Pattaya today, September 12th, 2021, to discuss the "Move On" reopening plan for the city to allow in foreign vaccinated tourists without a strict quarantine.
The meeting, which included the Chonburi Governor and multiple officials from Pattaya and Sattahip, which are the two areas selected for the "Move On" program, lasted over an hour and was to prepare proposal details for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, in Bangkok this upcoming Friday, September 17th, 2021. The CCSA would need to approve the plan for it to be allowed to proceed forward as early as October 1st. It would also need approval from the Thai Cabinet, chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha.
We aren't going to list every policy or proposal of the Move On plan, other than to state that the basic proposal is the same as we have previously covered and explained. You can read our explanation and question and answers about the plan by clicking here, however, please note it is still only a proposal and could change dramatically when the CCSA debates the plan.
Newly discussed that was not part of the prior proposal we linked above was if the Pattaya "Move On" program would be part of Sandbox 7+7 plan and include Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Bangkok, Chonburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chiang Mai. Essentially the discussion was centered around if a tourist would be able to spend seven days in one of those locations and then transfer to another, a final decision on this was likely to come after discussion with the CCSA on Friday.
The Tourism Minister also stressed that the plan was a "step" and not the full "reopening" of the gates for Pattaya and that they had to take precautions, matching prior statements from the Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume last week where he stated that true "quarantine free" tourism likely wouldn't take place until early next year, as the "Move On" plan still has many checks and balances. Under the Move on plan, people would be under so-called "sealed routes" which is a term for essentially tours to approved areas and attractions.
Finally, the Tourism Minister reconfirmed that the plan would take place and he was confident that the CCSA would give eventual approval to open Bangkok, Chonburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chiang Mai, although some adjustments and changes to the plan may take place. TPN media notes that each province has slightly different plans based on their own needs and officials but all plans are still only proposals.
We will give more information after the planned CCSA meeting later this week.
How to prevent snakes from infiltrating your toilet
The image of a cobra emerging from a toilet bowl during the rainy season has gone viral on social media, prompting warnings to carefully check the toilet before using it.
A Facebook page "Yark Dung Diew Jud Hai (I can make you famous), Return Part 1" shared a post on Saturday. The post urged people to beware of snakes emerging from a flush toilet during the rainy season, with images of the real incident attached. The post went viral immediately among terrified netizens.
The post also made suggestions on how to prevent snakes from appearing out of a toilet bowl, which are as follows:
1. Attach a net or grate to the drain to prevent snakes and other animals such as rats, frogs, centipedes from entering;
2. Install a ventilation shaft on the roof, which will help prevent snakes or other animals from slithering in from above;
3. Regularly inspect and examine lids, leaks and holes among the sewers, walls and areas around the house;
4. Get rid of small animals such as rats or lizards, to eliminate the snakes' food source.
Majority believe Prayut likely serving his last term as PM: poll
A Nida poll released on Sunday shows most believe this will likely be the last term for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. (Bangkok Post file photo)
A majority of people believe Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's current term as prime minister is probably his last, according to the result of an opinion survey conducted by National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted from Sept 6-9 by telephone interviews on 1,310 people aged 18 and over of all levels of education and occupations throughout the country to compile their opinions on the political futures of Gen Prayut, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda -- the three former military strongmen currently serving as pillars of the Prayut government.
Asked about the possibility of Gen Prayut being left out as prime minister when the next government is formed, a large majority -- 52.59% -- said this was possible, with 32.06% saying this was very likely and 30.53% fairly likely.
On the other side, 22.60% said it was totally impossible and 10.84% said the possibility was low that this was his last term.
The rest, 3.97%, had no answer or were not interested.
Concerning the possibility that Gen Prawit is again made prime minister after the next election, a huge majority -- 76.79% -- said this was impossible or unlikely, with 62.82% saying it was out of the question and 13.97% believing it unlikely. On the other side, 13.51% said this was fairly likely and 4.66% very likely.
The rest, 5.04%, had no answer or were not interested.
Asked whether they thought the three generals -- Prayut, Prawit and Anupong -- would still have a role in the formation of the government after the next election, a majority -- 60.16% -- said this was likely and 35.49% unlikely. The rest, 4.35%, had no answer or were not interested.
Chonburi new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 slightly drop to 848 with 11 deaths
Highlights:
848 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
774 people recovered and were released from medical care
11 new deaths
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 848 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 11 new deaths, September 12th.
Additionally, 774 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 59,254 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 73,404 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 13,643 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 507 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's 11 new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.
The district-level new cases were as follows today:
Mueang Chonburi 234, Si Racha 230, Banglamung (Pattaya) 115, Panat Nikhom 48, Sattahip 36, Ban Bueang 85, Pan Thong 41, Bor Thong 2, Ko Chan 15, Nong Yai 1, and 41 transferred from other provinces for medical care.
The details on the cases are as follows:
Mitsubishi Motors Thailand Co., Ltd. in Si Racha, 10 cases
Cluster, Meyer Industries Company Limited in Si Racha, 5 cases
Cluster, Suwit Fisheries Bridge Community in Sattahip, 17 cases
Cluster, CSSG Company (Subcontract Company) in Phan Thong, 8 cases
Cluster, Siam Toyota Industry Co., Ltd., in Phan Thong, 7 cases
Cluster, Chonburi Furniture Expo in Mueang Chon Buri, 6 cases
Hansol Technics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Ban Bueng, 7 cases
High-risk workers which require social contacting, 34 cases
1 medical staff
Many establishments in Rayong Province brought to Chonburi for medical care, 31 cases
Back from a risky area in Kalasin, 1 case
Close contacts of confirmed patients in the family – 284 cases, in workplaces – 111 cases, close friends – 18 cases and joined parties, 3 cases
Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 121 cases
184 cases are under investigation in general as to the cause of the disease
A total of 1,107 close contact searches were received today, and 365 proactive search reports are pending.
There are currently clusters of outbreaks in 65 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities
DDC reveals data on fatalities, adverse effects from vaccination
There have been more than 600 fatalities after administering over 35 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said.
On Saturday, the DDC's division of epidemiology also revealed data collected until September 5 of the symptoms after cocktail or booster vaccination.
A total of 35,912,894 Covid-19 vaccine doses had been administered until September 5. A total of 628 deaths were reported, of which 416 were determined by experts as irrelevant to the vaccination and 249 cases were concomitant events from other conditions. Meanwhile reports are awaited of 122 deaths.
Out of 791 people who received Sinovac as the first shot and AstraZeneca as the second shot, a total of 38 fatality cases was reported. Three of the cases were irrelevant to the vaccines, three cases were inconclusive while information is still being gathered in 32 cases. Symptoms that can be found after completing the cocktail vaccination are fever, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, nausea and muscle ache.
Among people who received AstraZeneca as a booster shot after two shots of Sinovac, three out of 293 people died. Two cases were reportedly irrelevant and information was being collected about one fatality. Symptoms that can be found are similar to the cocktail vaccination.
As for the Pfizer booster dose after two Sinovac doses, there were three fatalities. One case is inconclusive, while two cases are being investigated. Most of the symptoms that were found after the third shot were similar to other booster shots, but with rashes.
A total of 15,292,644 Sinovac shots had been administered with 24 cases of severe allergic reaction. Vaccine-induced immune thrambotic thrambocytopenia (VITT) was found in five people after receiving AstraZeneca, and six cases of severe allergy out of 15,419,603 doses. From 4,330,836 doses of Sinopharm vaccination, some adverse effects were reported, but with no severe symptoms.
The DDC's division of epidemiology said that symptoms of myocarditis in children and VITT were rarely found, and could be cured after immediate medical treatment. The division also said that the mRNA vaccines, namely Pfizer and Moderna, could cause myocarditis and pericarditis.
"People in high risk groups, especially the elderly, patients with seven major diseases and pregnant women, are urged to be vaccinated as the benefits still outweigh the side-effects," the DDC's division of epidemiology said.
Thailand reopening to foreign tourists begins in THREE WEEKS
Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai are set to reopen to foreign arrivals on October 1st a government spokesman said this week.
After weeks of blundering, groping around in the dark, making up silly rules and then changing them within hours the government is finally bowing to public pressure to stop ruining people's lives.
Although they will make out it is all their idea and a direct result of their lockdown and vaccine policies, nobody should believe them.
21 provinces will be reopening to foreign tourists in three weeks time.
These include Lamphun, Phrae, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai in the North; Udon Thani, Nong Khai, BuengKan and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast; Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi in the western region; Rayong, Trat and Chanthaburi on the eastern coast; the central province of Ayutthaya and the southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Trang, Satun and Songkhla.
For the next phase, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in January next year, 13 border provinces will reopen for tourist visits.
The floundering popularity of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and the ruling Palang Pracharat Party could see an uptick as the number of vaccination increases and the country inches closer to reopening, an analyst said Friday.
The coalition government, led by Prayut and the PPRP Party, has been met with increasing criticism from the opposition and from members of the public due to their disastrous Covid-19 response.
Nearly 1.4 million people have been infected and over 13,500 people have died, it is claimed.
The last two weeks have also brought internal rifts to light with an attempted putsch by Party Secretary-General Thammanat Prompao shot down at the last second and resulted in his removal from his ministerial position.
But despite months of street protests, constant criticism from the public, an analyst said that the government could see its fortune change as the worst part of the pandemic comes to an end.
"Obviously, we're not there yet but as the country moves towards being fully vaccinated and opens up, the economy will recover quickly and the government might regain some of its lost popularity," said Thai political analyst Arun Saronchai.
"All electorates are fickle and though this scar may take some time to heal, a booming economy could act as a panacea."
According to Arun, the government has a clear majority in government and barring anymore internal fighting will likely make it to the end of the mandate next year.
"Prayut knows that if he calls an election now or dissolves the house now, they're going to lose seats and perhaps the government. He has to get his house in order and make sure that next year is a boom year for the economy," he said. ThaiEnquirer
Phuket marks 230 new COVID cases, two more deaths
PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 238 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Sept 11) bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 6,859.
The PPHO report, marked as accurate as of 10:15pm last night, also marked two 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 19.
The deaths also bring the total number of deaths in Phuket attributed to COVID-19 since Apr 3 to 39. Details of the two latest deaths have yet to be released.
The report marked zero new cases of Sandbox tourists being confirmed as infected with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the 230 new local infections bring the total number of new local infections on the island in the past seven days to 1,605, as follows:
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
Sept 10 - 238 new cases
Sept 11 - 230 new cases
The current total of 6,859 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, 3,197 people were under medical care or supervision, an increase of 88 from the 3,109 reported the day before.
The report also marked 3,819 people in total being discharged from medical care for COVID infection since Apr 3 ‒ 140 more patients than the 3,679 reported yesterday.
The report, just like yesterday, recorded only five 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 21, from 1,104 to 1,125.
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 2,242 beds available for COVID patients (-119 from yesterday).
The total number of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients in Phuket now stands at 2,067 (+104) or 84.64% of the total number of beds. The number of hospital beds remaining available stood at 375, or just 15.36% of the total number of beds designated for COVID patients.
The report marked that of the COVID patients in care 34 were designated as 'Red patients' (zero change); 338 were designated 'Yellow' patients (+1) and 691 were 'Green' patients (+17).
At the time this report was posted an updated version of the map showing the locations of local infections had not been released.
HAPPIER times: In this pre-Covid-19 file photo, visitors admire the traditional lanterns which adorned Tha Pae Road during the Yi Peng or Loy Krathong festival in Chiang Mai.
From Phuket to Koh Samui, the country is nervously navigating its way through a reopening of the tourism industry. Chiang Mai could be next to roll out its carpet to welcome back visitors near and far.
However, obstacles stand in the way of tourism resuming, for Chiang Mai faces various challenges, from under-vaccination to tourist segmentation.
Covid-19 has brought the province, long dubbed the "rose of the North", to an economically painful standstill for more than a year.
Chiang Mai's world of tourism, which injects more than 100 billion baht into the local economy annually, has been turned upside down.
It was natural to expect the province to follow in the sandbox footsteps of Phuket and Samui.
A successful tourism reopening takes effective planning, a collective will of the authorities and people to comply with strict public health surveillance measures as well as the ability to learn from the sandbox programmes in Phuket and Samui.
The province is one of seven major destinations to pilot the sandbox project. Its participation is made unique by a specially coined theme of "Charming Chiang Mai".
The Chiang Mai tourism sandbox capitalises on what the province is known best for: traditions, culture and nature, according to governor Charoenrit Sa-nguanrat.
What all sandbox destinations have in common is a basic requirement that foreign visitors must be fully vaccinated. They cannot start exploring straightaway but must be confined to their rooms for several days at hotels where they are subject to swab tests. A Covid 19-negative result will let them take part in sealed-route sight-seeing trips.
The Chiang Mai's reopening was tentatively scheduled for Oct 15 although the timeframe looked precarious following a flare-up of Covid-19 infections nationwide a few months ago in the current third wave.
Four districts lead the way
A requisite for reopening is that at least 70% of locals have to be vaccinated and four districts -- Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao -- were chosen for the local sandbox model.
They are closer to hitting the 70% vaccination target than anywhere else in the province. Local tourism service providers joining the sandbox programme must be Safety and Health Administration (SHA)-certified.
"We mustn't forget that the sandbox programme focuses on the foreign visitors who account for 30% of Chiang Mai's tourism. The remaining 70% is filled by local tourists," Mr Charoenrit said.
A plan had been in making, the governor said, as he envisaged local tourism operators gearing up their businesses towards Thais at the end of the year to harness the high tourism season.
However, the plan was derailed after fewer vaccines than expected had arrived, compounded by an escalation of the pandemic back in July.
Now, the plan is being reviewed in light of lower daily caseloads nationwide. The provincial authorities are keeping a close watch on the emergence of new local clusters of infections spread by office workers to households and the wider communities.
With the general outbreak situation in Chiang Mai appearing to stabilise, Oct 1 has been set as the date for the Charming Chiang Mai launch, the governor said.
"We are prioritising the health and safety of the people here. Vaccination progress and infection rates are constantly reviewed," he said. The four model districts provide a benchmark for when reopening can get underway.
If the province is not ready to open by Oct 1, selected areas or establishments such as restaurants, spa shops and golf courses will resume business first and customers must be fully vaccinated.
Even in the four districts, only areas which meet health safety standards can reopen, he said.
Jabs edge closer to target
Dr Jatuchai Maneerat, chief of the Chiang Mai provincial health office, said the province targets inoculating 1.25 million people. So far 38% of them have been immunised.
Vaccination appointments are picking up pace. In Muang district, for example, 215,336 residents have signed up to be vaccinated. As of Sept 10, 112,219 people had been given vaccine shots.
Dr Jatuchai, however, urged more people to come forward. Of the target, 909,985 have made a vaccination booking. Some people said they preferred to wait for their vaccine of choice to arrive.
"If a steady supply of vaccine can be ensured, we look to be on course for attaining the 70% vaccination goal this month," he said, adding virus containment measures were working well.
From 70 infection clusters at the onset of the third outbreak in early April, Chiang Mai has witnessed a drastic reduction to 20 clusters now.
Managing risks
Julanit Wangwiwat, chairman of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, said the government must implement risk management in a timely fashion.
It should make available both the free and paid vaccines to as many people and as quickly as possible.
"The intensity of the infection is crippling every sector," he said.
Success of the Charming Chiang Mai sandbox could help restart many tourism-related domestic markets desperate to return to business.
News of the imminent reopening has brought selling points of various tourism magnets in Chiang Mai back in focus.
Pallop Sae Jew, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said more than 5,000 tour guides in Chiang Mai are currently out of work.
Several based in Doi Tao district, for example, are dusting up their knowledge about the partially dried-up Doi Tao lake, one of the district's landmark attractions.
Where water remains in the lake, raft houses can be rented by tourists.
Mr Pallop said some 1,000 foreign visitors from Europe may return to Chiang Mai if the province reopens as planned in October. "That would be an encouraging first step for tourism stimulus," he said.
The conditions for foreign nationals taking part in the Charming Chiang Mai programme include being vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to arrival, having taken out Covid-19 insurance worth at least US$100,000 of coverage, and having paid for a packaged tour.
Others are that hotel accommodation and an RT-PCR test must be secured beforehand through the SHA Plus Booking Authentication System (SHABA), a back-end system that can verify hotel bookings and payments.
Tourists will be tested for Covid-19 where they are staying. They will be able to go on a tour only if the test comes back negative.
Mr Wallop said wide-ranging package tours will be on offer for families; others will target visitors to spas and medical tourism.
Different from other sandboxes
He said the way Chiang Mai manages its reopening is different from the Phuket and Samui sandboxes. The other two are islands which can regulate the flow of people going to and fro.
Three tourism programmes are arranged for foreign visitors. A short visit of five days is for people playing golf, who travel back and forth between the golf course and hotel.
A medium-length visit extending up to 14 days includes an itinerary to see specific places in Chiang Mai.
A third type of visit is for people from the Phuket sandbox who have spent seven days in the island province and travel onward to Chiang Mai where they would tour for another seven days.
In the first phase of its re-launch, the Chiang Mai sandbox is expected to pull in tourists from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, which are the traditional, pre-Covid markets for the province.
Visitors from other countries such as China and those in Europe are likely to return later.
The Chiang Mai sandbox will be assessed by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
Narong Tananuwat, deputy chairman of the committee on northern economic development at the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said no crisis should put the country on hold for too long.
Chiang Mai is a northern hub is closely tied to the wellbeing of the country's economy as a whole.
The province's tourism revenue exceeded 100 billion baht in 2019. It tumbled to 43 billion baht last year when the first and second outbreaks hit. This year, there is little sign of the crisis bottoming out.
The Charming Chiang Mai programme carries hope of delivering a shot in the arm to tourism.
Phuket sets up ten more community isolation facilities as COVID-19 infections spike
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Ten more community isolation facilities are being set up on Thailand's Phuket Island as COVID-19 infections surge.
The province's Governor Narong Woonsiew said today (Saturday) that the spike in infections on the popular resort island, currently averaging more than 200 cases a day, is similar to the situation in Bangkok about two months ago and there is serious concern among local people that the hospitals will be overwhelmed.
The governor disclosed that there are about 300 infected people waiting to be admitted to hospitals and the numbers are expected to grow.
To solve the problem, he said that he has instructed local officials and community leaders to set up community isolation facilities in every sub-district, to accommodate asymptomatic cases so they are separated from their families and communities to prevent further spread of the disease.
Eight hotels in Thalang and Muang districts and two more in Krathu district are being transformed into community isolation facilities.
In the meantime, health officials have accelerated the administration of vaccine booster shots for local residents and well as migrant workers.
