Provincial updates as several Sandbox destinations move up in the national infection statistics. Sunday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: news and provincial totals. The Thaiger

Sunday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: news and provincial totals

By 

Neill Fronde

Sunday, October 10, 2021 13:43

PHOTO: The Thaiger

Today, the CCSA reported 10,817 new Covid-19 infections, a change of +187 since yesterday, and 84 Coronavirus-related deaths, a change of +11 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,682,021 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. Provincial Covid-19 totals can be found below.

In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 9,981 recoveries, a change of -561 from yesterday. There are now 110,880 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19, a change of +752 from yesterday, including 2,985 in the ICU and 689 on ventilators.

Daily vaccinations topped 1 million on the date with the last reported data from the Department of Disease Control, with 480,064 first doses given, 489,043 second doses, and 40,965 third booster shots. According to their data (each governmental office seems to produce different data regarding vaccinations), on September 30, Thailand administered a record of just under 2.3 million vaccines.

OTHER COVID-19 NEWS UPDATES

• Covid-19 restrictions eased: domestic flights can fly full. Read the story here.
• Viral LINE post among students claims Pfizer vaccine is a killer. Read the story here.
• High Covid-19 infections in the Deep South fuel lockdown fears. Read the story here.

PROVINCIAL TOTALS

In provincial totals, Khon Kaen, with 305 new infections, just passed Sandbox destination Surat Thani (277 infections) in total Covid-19 cases today and Chumphon's 115 new infections surpassed Ang Thong. Future Sandbox location on November 1 Chiang Mai had 225 new infections as it overtook both Samut Songkhram and Nakhon Nayok in total cases.

New Sandbox programme destination Phang Nga also moved up in the total infection ranking, passing Loei today after finding 68 new infections. And Satun surpassed Nan, Lampang, and Lamphun due to 67 new infections in the past 24 hours.

Despite 40 new infections yesterday, Mae Hong Son still remains the province with the least Covid-19 infections in Thailand. Today's provincial figures saw 4 provinces with no new Covid-19 infections: Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, and Lampang.

Below are the provincial Covid-19 totals by region, including where they rank out of all 77 provinces and prisons (which are counted separately and have just surpassed 70,000 infections):

	CENTRAL PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
1	Bangkok	1,185	🠗	379,066
2	Samut Prakan	462	🠗	115,542
4	Samut Sakhon	139	🠕	90,375
6	Nonthaburi	135	🠕	54,638
7	Pathum Thani	66	🠗	36,789
11	Nakhon Pathom	74	🠗	32,094
15	Ayutthaya	121	🠕	27,492
16	Saraburi	122	🠗	27,078
28	Lopburi	82	🠕	15,020
36	Suphan Buri	57	🠗	11,930
37	Nakhon Sawan	117	🠗	11,630
40	Ang Thong	21	🠗	10,191
43	Nakhon Nayok	102	🠕	9,603
44	Samut Songkhram	42	🠕	9,551
47	Phetchabun	67	🠕	8,859
50	Kamphaeng Phet	19	🠗	7,212
53	Sukhothai	40	🠕	5,485
56	Phitsanulok	44	🠕	5,188
59	Phichit	14	🠕	4,328
66	Uthai Thani	6	🠗	3,011
68	Sing Buri	6	🠗	2,721
73	Chai Nat	2	🠗	2,291

	SOUTHERN PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
9	Songkhla	563	🠕	34,866
13	Yala	776	🠕	29,407
14	Narathiwat	479	🠕	28,340
18	Pattani	514	🠕	25,503
20	Nakhon Si Thammarat	345	🠕	19,052
31	Surat Thani	271	🠕	14,353
34	Phuket	162	🠕	12,327
39	Chumphon	115	🠗	10,242
46	Ranong	22	🠗	8,962
51	Trang	129	🠕	6,655
54	Krabi	108	🠗	5,408
55	Phatthalung	126	🠗	5,357
64	Phang Nga	68	🠕	3,202
69	Satun	67	🠕	2,388

	NORTHEASTERN PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
17	Nakhon Ratchasima	130	🠗	26,527
23	Ubon Ratchathani	89	🠕	17,174
25	Buriram	30	🠗	16,058
26	Surin	78	🠕	15,519
27	Sisaket	91	🠕	15,258
29	Udon Thani	157	🠕	14,798
30	Khon Kaen	305	🠕	14,370
35	Roi Et	17	🠗	12,051
41	Maha Sarakham	70	🠕	10,145
45	Chaiyaphum	48	🠕	9,309
48	Kalasin	64	🠗	8,068
49	Sakon Nakhon	28	🠕	7,388
57	Yasothon	0	🠗	5,094
58	Nakhon Phanom	0	🠗	4,829
61	Nong Bua Lamphu	9	🠗	3,947
63	Nong Khai	7	🠗	3,302
65	Loei	14	🠗	3,169
67	Amnat Charoen	13	🠕	2,829
74	Mukdahan	3	🠗	2,159
75	Bueng Kan	8	🠕	1,839

	NORTHERN PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
42	Chiang Mai	225	🠕	9,610
60	Uttaradit	21	🠗	4,000
62	Chiang Rai	26	🠕	3,795
70	Nan	0	•	2,370
71	Lamphun	9	🠗	2,369
72	Lampang	0	🠗	2,362
76	Phayao	6	🠕	1,736
77	Phrae	8	🠕	1,631
78	Mae Hong Son	40	🠗	980

	EASTERN PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
3	Chonburi	457	🠗	93,475
8	Rayong	364	🠕	35,257
12	Chachoengsao	112	🠕	30,557
21	Prachinburi	246	🠕	18,731
32	Chanthaburi	300	🠗	13,691
33	Sa Kaeo	81	🠗	12,506
52	Trat	107	🠕	5,814

	WESTERN PROVINCES	TODAY		TOTAL
5	Prisons	50	🠗	71,025
10	Ratchaburi	253	🠗	32,529
19	Phetchaburi	103	🠗	19,555
22	Kanchanaburi	160	🠗	18,285
24	Tak	248	🠕	17,165
38	Prachuap Khiri Khan	109	🠗	11,483

SOURCE: CCSA 

Phuket Opinion: Kill the COE, tourism tax. Phuket News



Phuket Opinion: Kill the COE, tourism tax

PHUKET: A dim light now appears to be glimmering at the end of a very long tunnel for Phuket's COVID-battered tourism industry, and for people at large on the island. The easing of the alcohol restrictions in restaurants was nearly celebrated when it came into effect last week, at the same time, over the past week the number of new infections reported each day have abated, now clearly below 200 a day.

The easing of the requirements for domestic travellers to come to Phuket, brought into effect only nine days ago, has also helped to ease the tension, which has been nearly palpable across the island as people and business operators continue to struggle to keep their financial heads above water. It's almost as if the island itself this past week has breathed a nervous sigh of relief in the belief that the end might be nigh.

In addition to the easing of the alcohol restriction in Phuket and the entry requirements for domestic visitors to the island, the Sandbox 7+7 extension scheme now appears to be workable with areas outside Phuket, including Khao Lak, Koh Yao and Phi Phi Island, ready to properly receive guests without provincial orders for those locations getting in the way.

Domestic flights are now allowed to carry full loads, Phuket's boat tour and yacht charter industry has long been more than ready to receive tourists in full compliance of the COVID rules, and talks with Russian officials include the expectation of seeing Russians returning to the island as early as next month.

In numbers, even according to immigration reports the Sandbox scheme has yet to still to fulfill anywhere near the touted promises, as of Friday totalling 43,802 arrivals since July 1, with 776 arriving on Friday (Oct 8). Further, on the ground it is difficult to see exactly where the "billions of baht" the Phuket Sandbox scheme has generated, as espoused by officials, has gone to – but it has helped. Tourists can now be seen in small numbers in key areas on the island, and in Patong even light traffic is back on the beach road and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd further back from the beach is no longer in total darkness at night.

The number of international arrivals is expected to slowly bloom in the coming weeks, and months. Britain on Monday removing Thailand from its 'red list' of countries requiring quarantine on return to the UK will help, as will the progress by the Australian government in allowing its nationals to travel abroad.

But while other countries are taking positive steps to see the tourism return to some form of 'new normal', Thailand seems to be holding onto one of its great barriers to encouraging tourists to return: the dreaded Certificate of Entry (COE).

Only those willing to take the weeks to compile the pad of paperwork required to be issued a COE have reported that it is worth the effort, mostly for expediting the arrival process at the airport, which ironically is just Thai officials checking other Thai officials' approvals. The rest have spoken for themselves, either lambasting the paper chase with comments online, or simply by not booking their holidays at all.

When the COE was launched, it was presented as an understandable precaution. However, all the legal mechanisms are in place to enforce the same requirements without placing any of the burden on the tourist.

There is nothing in the COVID prevention requirements for any venues on the island that cannot be simply incorporated into the general health code, and the mandatory COVID insurance and can be made a visa requirement and checked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which already handles all the COE applications. The same can be done for the prepaid SHA+ bookings requirement. Anything else is a requirement on business and service operators inside the country, and for Thai officials to enforce on those already here.

The worse news this week was the announcement of a B500 'tourism transformation' tax to be brought into effect early next year, which simply beggars belief. If officials want to give tourists yet another reason not to come, they just created it. Government officials can justify the tax any way they want, but to a tourist it's just more money for nothing.

For observers inside the country, the newly approved tax appears to be nothing more than a way of legitimising the "tips" from international arrivals that immigration officers used to require from the hordes of Chinese tourists ploughing through the airport arrivals halls.

However, the true irony lies in how many billions of baht government officials say tourists generate for the country, and those same officials now saying the tax is needed to spend on making the country better for the tourists. Each and every observer now clearly has the right to ask, "Well, where did the billions of baht go?"

Countries around the world are making strides in freeing up travel. Thailand can now try to do the same. 

The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the next week. We are focusing on what is happening for the second week of October, ending October 16th, 2021. Pattaya News

A look at the week ahead in Thailand and Pattaya news: Student vaccinations, Covid-19 restrictions to be reviewed, Pattaya reopening news

Sunday, 10 October 2021, 8:07

PHOTO: BMA Health

The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the next week. We are focusing on what is happening for the second week of October, ending October 16th, 2021.

First, for those who prefer video news, here is a video version of this story or keep scrolling for the article:

As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place in Thailand and Pattaya and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.

Let's get right into it:

1.  Vaccination of children and teenagers 12-17 continue in Thailand and Chonburi

Thailand is steadily vaccinating students the age of 12-17 nationwide, including right here in Chonburi and Pattaya, with the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Education Minister, more than 80% of parents of students in this age group have consented to allow their children to have a Covid-19 vaccine.

TPN media notes this is not mandatory to return to school, and officials with the Education Ministry have stressed this time and again to overcome potential opponents.  School has been out, for the most part, in the majority of Thailand for in-person learning since April of this year, six months in a row.

The Education Ministry is hoping to allow students to return to in-person schooling in November once the current vaccination campaign is concluded and if provincial communicable disease committees agree. The vaccination program is only part of an overall safety plan for schools involving social distancing, smaller classes, possibly staggered days, and other rules to safely get kids back to schools.

More than 80 percent of eligible students nationwide apply for first Pfizer vaccination, Thai Education Minister says

2.  Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to review Covid-19 restrictions this week

The CCSA is set to hold one of their two major monthly meetings later this week, tentatively set for around October 14th.

This meeting will be discussing many things, including possibly reopening Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and others (See point 3) but will also be reviewing the past several weeks of eased restrictions around cinemas, gyms, and some other items.

Of particular interest in most of our readers will be if there will be any consideration of easing or even lifting of the current despised (based on reader feedback) 10:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M. curfew, which was promised to be reviewed at this meeting.

It is also possible the CCSA looks at the entertainment, pub, and nightlife industry which, like schools, has been shuttered for six months also. Alcohol remains banned at restaurants across the country with the exception of a few "tourist sandbox" zones such as Phuket, Koh Samui, and Khao Lak. The good news is that easing the restrictions on alcohol here did NOT seem to raise Covid-19 cases or cause major clusters. In fact, Phuket seems to be flattening overall, according to their health officials.

Stay tuned for this week's meeting.

Phuket officially allows drinking and selling alcohol in restaurants, effective October 1st

3. Will we get more information on Pattaya "reopening" in November?

It is possible, although more likely to be near the very end of the month and the CCSA's second scheduled major meeting around October 25th.

By reopening, of course, we specifically mean allowing vaccinated foreign tourists to visit Pattaya without a strict "stay in room" quarantine for the first time in 20 months, although they will have rules to follow such as staying in the Pattaya area for seven days, agreeing to be tracked through a mobile app, multiple Covid-19 tests, mandatory insurance, and staying in certain hotels.

TPN media gets many messages and emails every day about this topic and we have discussed it extensively and won't do so in this editorial, you can reference the link below for more information.

In a nutshell, the proposal is to make Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Cha-Am areas similar to the Phuket Sandbox. There will, of course, still be rules and it is unknown, as point 2 stated, if bars and nightlife will be allowed to open which is important to many Pattaya visitors.

It's important to remember despite all the hype and many articles from all sorts of media that this is STILL a proposal and could very well be denied by the CCSA. This is why "official" information about how to come is simply not out there.  The Tourism Authority of Thailand is confident the plan will take place but we want to ensure our readers are aware that it is not a final guarantee at this point.

Thai Tourism Minister says five areas planned to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists from November 1st will happen, includes Pattaya and Bangkok

That is all for this week. Have a very safe week ahead and take care of yourselves!

Adam and team

“Old News” but still valid. PRD / DC



Bangkok Post highlights 10/10



The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 457 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 4 new deaths, October 10th. Pattaya News

Chonburi new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 drop to 457 with 4 new deaths

Sunday, 10 October 2021, 7:01

PHOTO: Covid-19 Center

Highlights:

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

• This is about a three month low for Covid-19 in Chonburi

• 655 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 4 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 457 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 4 new deaths, October 10th.

Additionally, 655 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 83,034 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 93,468 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 9,786 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 648 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

All four deaths today have an average age of 78-years-old, with all four being elderly. According to the Chonburi Department of Public Health, the deceased also had other conditions including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure which contributed to the unfortunate situation.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 156, Si Racha 100, Banglamung (Pattaya) 67, Panat Nikhom 40, Sattahip 22, Ban Bueang 9, Pan Thong 28, Bor Thong 5, Ko Chan 3, Nong Yai 1, and 26 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster Louis Adhesive Tape Products Co., Ltd., Mueang Chonburi District, 7 cases,
2. Cluster, Colgate-Palmolive (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Mueang Chonburi District, 4 cases,
3. Cluster of CSSG (sub COBRA) Phan Thong District 6 cases
4. Cluster PP Solutions and Partners Co., Ltd., Sriracha District, 5 cases
5. Cluster Construction Camp, Village No. 7, Surasak Subdistrict, Sriracha District, 4 cases
6. 7 enterprises in Rayong province
7. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 8 people.
8. 5 medical personnel
9. Provided a history of traveling from provincial risk areas:
9.1 Bangkok 2 cases
9.2 Rayong Province 1 case
10. Close contacts of previously confirmed cases:
10.1 In 182 families
10.2 Out of 94 workplaces
10.3 Close friends-14
10.4 Joined an illegal party-3 people
11. Close contacts (under investigation) 48 cases
12. Under investigation in general 67 cases

There are currently clusters of outbreaks in 79 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities.

🔴 #COVID19 on Sunday: ⬆️ 10,817 new cases ⬆️ 84 deaths ⬆️ 110,880 in care. Richard Barrow



ASEAN countries status October 9th.



Thailand will earn THB1.5 trillion if Bangkok, 4 tourist provinces can reopen on Nov 1. The towns waiting to reopen are Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Cha-am in Phetchaburi and Pattaya City, Bang Lamung and Sattahip in Chonburi. The Nation

 Thailand will earn THB1.5 trillion if Bangkok, 4 tourist provinces can reopen on Nov 1

The government hopes to reopen Bangkok and some towns in four provinces to foreigners without a quarantine requirement from November 1, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday.

The towns waiting to reopen are Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Cha-am in Phetchaburi and Pattaya City, Bang Lamung and Sattahip in Chonburi.

"These places will be reopened provided there are no big or serious infection clusters between now and November 1," he said. "The other conditions for visitors are that they must be fully jabbed and test negative for Covid-19 before arrival."

Thanakorn added that the government expects revenue from tourism in 2022 to reach 1.5 trillion baht, of which 850 billion baht will come from Thai tourists who are expected to take 160 million trips in total and 650 billion baht from 15 million foreign tourists.

"The 1.5-trillion-baht target is about half of the total tourism revenue earned in 2019 before Covid-19 hit Thailand," he added.

Thanakorn also said that as of September 27, the Phuket Sandbox scheme which kicked off on July 1, has generated 2.33 billion baht in revenue. As of Thursday, there were 43,026 arrivals under this scheme and most of the tourists came from the United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Before the latest easing of restrictions, the daily death rate in road accidents (in the brown box) was around 20 or lower. Over the last week, it has been averaging 52 deaths per day. How long will it be before road deaths will be higher than Covid-19 deaths again? Richard Barrow



The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 488 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 4 new deaths, October 9th. Pattaya News

Chonburi new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 drop to 488 with 4 new deaths

Saturday, 9 October 2021, 10:28

Highlights:

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

• 748 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 4 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 488 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 4 new deaths, October 9th.

Additionally, 748 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 82,379 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 93,011 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 9,988 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 644 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

New deaths yesterday are an average age of 65. The Chonburi Public Health Office said they were at-risk due to their age. Most of them have chronic health problems.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 104, Si Racha 118, Banglamung (Pattaya) 93, Panat Nikhom 27, Sattahip 62, Ban Bueang 7, Pan Thong 27, Bor Thong 3, Ko Chan 2, Nong Yai 2, soldiers in Sattahip 9, and 34 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 9 cases
2. Cluster, worker camp of CAZ company in Pan Thong, 7 cases
3. Cluster, worker camp of MRA company in Sattahip, 5 cases
4. Active case finding at local fishing community in Sattahip, 4 cases
5. Cluster, construction site of B. Grimme Power company in Laem Chabang, Si Racha, 4 cases
6. Many establishments in Rayong Province brought to Chonburi for medical care, 24 cases
7. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 19 cases
8. 3 medical staff
9. Back from a risky area in Rayong -1 case, Bangkok – 1 case and Udon Thani – 1 case
10. Close contacts of confirmed patients in the family – 164 cases, in workplaces – 104 cases, close friends – 25 cases and joined parties, 2 cases
11. Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 23 cases
12. 86 cases are under investigation in general as to the cause of the disease

There are currently clusters of outbreaks in 79 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities.

Bangkok Post highlights 9/10



🔴 #COVID19 on Saturday: ⬇️ 10,630 new cases ⬇️ 73 deaths. Richard Barrow



VILKET TRAMS ÅTERIGEN !! 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Thailand is open – a travel update from the tourism authority of Thailand 👎👎👎👎

Thailand is open – a travel update from the tourism authority of Thailand

On Oct 8, 2021

Great news for UK travellers as Thailand is off the red list, which means fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK from green list countries no longer need to do a pre-departure test, but must still book and pay for a day two PCR test.

"After much speculation this week we are so happy to see Thailand come off the UK's travel red list. It's a very timely boost for Thailand's travel industry. We're heading into peak season with our best weather ahead, particularly along the Andaman coast and insights from our UK tour operators tells us there is huge interest in travel to Thailand and 1,000's of postponed holidays set to be rebooked both for immediate winter sun getaways and departures in 2022. Today's announcement gives travellers the much-needed confidence to (re)make travel plans" said Ms. Chiravadee Khunsub, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), UK & Ireland.

Sandbox success

This is a key moment for Thailand as it has been open to international travellers, including the UK & Ireland, since 1st July under a 'Sandbox' initiative which has proven very successful. To date, 41,000 travellers have arrived in Phuket alone with just 135 positive Covid-19 cases detected proving to visitors and locals alike that it is safe to return to international travel. "One of the UK's most popular holiday destinations (welcoming around 1 million Brits per year pre-Covid-19) this is really positive news for the Thai tourism industry and has given us much hope for a positive end to the year" added Khunsub.

Before Thailand was moved to the UK's travel red list British arrivals accounted for around 20% of 'Sandbox' arrivals, the 2nd source market into Phuket. The 'Sandbox' initiative, to date, has generated $75,000,000 (2.5 billion Thai Baht) for Thailand's economy with projected revenue of $325,000,000 by the end of 2021. "The UK market is expected to contribute around 20% to this which is why we're so delighted with the news today" continued Khunsub.

Where can i go in Thailand?

Since October 1, Thailand has eased its entry requirements further still making it even more accessible to those looking for a holiday this year. All arrivals to Thailand must start their itinerary in a 'Sandbox' location* for a minimum of 7 nights (reduced from 14) before being able to visit any other part of the country at their leisure.

"It is now possible for travellers to enjoy classic Thailand itineraries again such as Phuket – Bangkok – Chiang Mai and experience beaches, the capital city and the mountainous and rural north. This gives tour operators and British travellers much more choice and flexibility now and opens up island-hopping opportunities and multicentre itineraries again" said Khunsub.

Travellers must stay in SHA+ accommodation for the first 7 nights of which there are over 5,000 approved hotels listed ranging from budget stays to luxury. Travellers have freedom in their chosen arrival destination and are free to spend time at the beach, sightsee, take day trips and tours and dine out (they are not confined to hotel quarantine).

A two-week itinerary this winter, for example, could include 7 nights Phuket followed by 3 nights Bangkok and 4 nights Chiang Mai.

*Current Sandbox locations

Fully vaccinated travellers can arrive in Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao) and Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, Railay Beach, Klong Muang, Tubkaek) via the current 'Sandbox' programmes and must stay for seven days (reduced from 14) before being able to move on to other parts of Thailand at their leisure. It also means that fully vaccinated tourists can now travel straight to beach resorts such as Phang-Nga and Krabi upon landing in Phuket (where direct flights into Krabi are not available).

Back to Bangkok

From November, Thailand's reopening plans will extend further still (exact details TBC) with other popular locations becoming accessible entry points meaning travellers can arrive and start their itinerary in the likes of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin. By the end of the year, a large proportion of the country will be accessible including historical sites such as Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai and hidden gem beaches such as Khanom, Trat and Trang.

Visa extension

TAT has also just announced a one-year extension of the 'special tourist visa' (STV) scheme for long-staying visitors until 30 September 2022 which allows long stays from 90-270 days. "We've seen a good uptake in the STV visa from students to digital nomads and retirees all wanting to spend quality time in Thailand. We're so excited to welcome British travellers back and see them enjoying our amazing Kingdom again and all it has to offer – not just our beautiful beaches but the delicious Thai food, national parks, wildlife, cities, shopping, wellness and of course our famous Thai smile welcome" concluded Khunsub.

Main requirements for quarantine-free travel 

• Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination is required
• Obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure
• Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover
• Download the Thailand Plus tracking app before departure and upload the required information
• Must arrive at a 'Sandbox' location for 7 nights (until further notice) before travelling onwards around Thailand
• Present a negative PCR test result (issued no longer than 72 hours before departure)
• Take a PCR test on arrival and on day 6/7 before onwards travel around Thailand
• Stay at an SHA Plus accommodation/hotel (this is accommodation/hotel with enhanced safety protocols and where at least 70% of staff have been vaccinated)

Vaccination update 8/10



!!!! Ref tidigare mail idag ang I-A visum och försäkringskrav.

" NYA KRAV FÖR ATT SÖKA OA VISA!

LEDSEN OM JAG SKRÄMDE UPP MÅNGA I ONÖDAN TIDIGARE I DAG MEN DEN TEXTEN ÄR NU JUSTERAD DÅ JAG LYCKATS FÅ FRAM PÅ EN DEL AV DE REGLER SOM NU JUSTERAS.

SÅ DE SOM RESER MED GAMMALT OA VISA RETIRED HAR SAMMA REGLER SOM TIDIGARE DET SAMMA GÄLLER DE SOM GÖR EXTENSION I THAILAND MED OA VISA RETIRED
(DVS 400 000B IP + 40 000B OP)

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LEDSEN MEN NU HÄNDER DET MKT SÅ DET GÄLLER ATT HÅLLA I HATTEN.

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😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 TAT 80% revenue recovery plan: get travellers to spend double. The TAT acknowledges they don’t expect to see anywhere near the 40 million travellers seen in 2019, and has taken a traditional Thai approach towards recovery: double the amount that each tourist pays. They hope to increase from the 49,700 baht average per tourist in 2019 to get higher-spending travellers to spend an average of 82,576 baht per person now. They say they will lean on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism that adds value for higher prices, but admit that their plan to attract only rich travellers will create great economic disparity and not benefit small and budget tourism businesses. The Thaiger / Bangkok Post





TAT 80% revenue recovery plan: get travellers to spend double

By 

Neill Fronde

Friday, October 8, 2021 13:28

While the Tourism Authority of Thailand admits the revenue figures for 2021 are grim and likely won't improve monumentally in the final quarter, they still have a rosy outlook on the tourism market rebounding over the next few years. The TAT is estimating that by 2023 tourism revenue will have recovered to 80% of the huge numbers seen at its peak in 2019. They plan on making up revenue loss from fewer people coming by attracting wealthier travellers and getting tourists to spend more in Thailand.

In 2020, before Covid-19 fully took hold, 6.7 million travellers journeyed to Thailand. This year, that number is only about 100,000 according to TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. But he predicts that as things begin to reopen more over the next few months, 2022 should see a recovery to about 50% of the tourism numbers Thailand saw in 2019, with another 30% improvement the following year.

The TAT's plan to see revenue numbers jump so high seems to hinge on the idea of drawing more wealthy and high spending travellers to Thailand over the next few years.

The TAT acknowledges they don't expect to see anywhere near the 40 million travellers seen in 2019, and has taken a traditional Thai approach towards recovery: double the amount that each tourist pays. They hope to increase from the 49,700 baht average per tourist in 2019 to get higher-spending travellers to spend an average of 82,576 baht per person now.

They say they will lean on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism that adds value for higher prices, but admit that their plan to attract only rich travellers will create great economic disparity and not benefit small and budget tourism businesses.

Domestic tourism has seen a 34% drop this year from figures in 2020, when 90.52 million domestic trips were taken. The predictions for all of 2021 are that about 60 million domestic trips will be taken. Covid-19 once again affected travel, particularly dampening the Songkran holiday that still occurred sporadically around the country but was not a massive travel holiday period it traditionally is.

But the government has relaunched 2 travel stimulus programs, We Travel Together and Tour Teaw Thai, restarting October 15 to the end of the year, offering subsidies to travellers. The TAT hopes this boost for travellers will push total travel revenue to 328 billion baht for 2021, still 60% less than 2020 totals though.

Comparatively, international tourism in 2021 is expected to reach just 8.25 billion baht this year, assuming the fourth quarter does well. This is a huge disparity from Thailand's traditional tourism sector that saw two-thirds of revenue coming from international travellers, hence the frantic push for Sandbox programs and reopening schemes.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post