Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

Saturday, 30 October 2021, 11:04

Chonburi announces 340 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 4 new deaths

Saturday, 30 October 2021, 11:04

Highlights:

340 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
433 people recovered and were released from medical care
4 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 340 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 4 new deaths, October 30th.

This makes a total of 100,880 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 5,664 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 713 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 433 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 94,503 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

As for the four new deaths yesterday, three of them were elders aged between 72 – 81. They were close contacts from previous confirmed cases in their family according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health. They all had chronic health problems. None of them were vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 64, Si Racha 100, Banglamung (Pattaya) 35, Panat Nikhom 13, Sattahip 65, Ban Bueang 9, Phan Thong 6, Bor Thong 5, Soldiers in Sattahip 6, and 37 people transferred from other provinces for medical care

The details on the cases are as follows:

Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 39 cases
Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 6 cases
Active case finding at a fishery community in Sattahip, 8 cases
Cluster, Makita Manufacturing company in Si Racha, 8 cases
Cluster, work camp of Rai Go Thong Construction and Service company in Si Racha, 5 cases
Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 18 cases
3 medical personal
Back from risky areas in Loei, 3 cases, Kanchanaburi, 1 case and Nong Khai, 1 case
Close contacts of confirmed patients in 99 families, in 69 workplaces, 3 from close friends, and one joined parties
Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 8 cases
68 cases in general are under investigation as to how they contracted Covid-19

Thailand looks to welcome tourists again — less than half its population is fully vaccinated

Eustance Huang

Tourist sitting on a swing at a beach in Thailand.

Come Monday, Thailand will be lifting quarantine restrictions for travelers from more than 40 countries who have been fully vaccinated — even though less than half its population has been completely inoculated. //inserted mention of travelers needing to be "fully vaccinated"

As of Oct. 27, only about 42% of Thailand's population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to Our World in Data. In comparison, other countries in the region like Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore have had more than 70% of their population fully inoculated against Covid.

The three Southeast Asian nations as well as Australia and China are on Thailand's list of approved countries, as the country prepares to reopen to tourists on Nov. 1.

Following the Thai prime minister's initial announcement of the plan earlier in October, Bank of America economists said it was good news for Thailand's tourism sector, economic recovery and currency — but noted that it was "not without risk."

As is evident in the other countries, the vaccination rate is way too low to prevent an outbreak, particularly with the Delta variant.

"Despite an impressive and admirable vaccination effort, full vaccination remains relatively low and uneven," the economists said. "As is evident in the other countries, the vaccination rate is way too low to prevent an outbreak, particularly with the Delta variant."

Still, they said a lockdown is not expected given the country's high risk tolerance, unless the country's intensive care unit capacity becomes overwhelmed.

Due to the uneven inoculation rate throughout the country, the available data may not reflect clearly the vaccination levels in places such as the capital of Bangkok. The deputy governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration recently told Singapore-based media outlet CNA that 75% of its residents have already been vaccinated with the second dose.

Tourism's importance to Thailand

Among the region's economies, Thailand is one of the "most dependent" on tourism, with the sector accounting for around 21% of GDP in 2019, according to Oxford Economics' Sian Fenner.

"Travel restrictions have come at a huge economic and social cost and has been a key reason why Thailand's economic recovery has lagged behind many of its peers in the region," said Fenner, lead Asia economist at the global advisory firm.

... we do not expect a full recovery in inbound travel to pre-Covid levels until 2025.
Sian Fenner
lead Asia economist, Oxford Economics

"We think the government's reopening of borders despite only about 40% of the population fully vaccinated reflects the country's significant reliance on foreign tourists," said Charnon Boonnuch, an economist at Nomura.

The Thai economy grew 7.5% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to government data. That growth level fell behind other regional economies such as Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines which grew between 11.8% and 16.1%.

Oxford Economics forecasts a full year GDP growth of 1.8% in Thailand this year, while Nomura sees Thailand's GDP growth in 2021 at 0.6%.

The return of international travelers, however, is not expected to be immediate as visitors may still face quarantine requirements in their home countries, according to economists.

"We do expect inbound tourism to rebound in 2022, but even then we still expect international arrivals to be some 66% below 2019 levels," Fenner said. "In fact, we do not expect a full recovery in inbound travel to pre-Covid levels until 2025."

Meanwhile, Bank of America economists highlighted that Chinese tourists — which accounted for about a quarter of Thai tourist arrivals in 2019 — are not expected to return till the second half of 2022.

China has largely closed its borders to international travel since last year and continues to pursue a strict zero-Covid strategy that has resulted in mass lockdowns even if only a few infections are reported.

Other parts of Southeast Asia are also looking to reopen their borders to international visitors, and that likely played a part in Thailand's push to welcome tourists again, according to Nomura's Boonnuch.

"The need for reopening was also rising due to increasing competition from neighboring countries which have relaxed border rules, such as Singapore which has a much higher full vaccination rate of 85%," he said.

Singapore has announced vaccinated travel lane arrangements with several countries including the U.S. and U.K., while Malaysia's tourism minister told CNBC last week that the country could reopen its borders to international tourists in November.

Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect that the Bank of America note came out earlier in October, after the prime minister's announcement.

file photo

By Eustance Huang

KEY POINTS

Come Monday, Thailand will be lifting quarantine restrictions for travelers from more than 40 countries who have been fully vaccinated — even though less than half its population has been completely inoculated.

As of Oct. 27, only around 42% of the Thai population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to Our World in Data. In comparison, other countries in the region such as Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore have had more than 70% of their population fully inoculated against Covid.

Among the region's economies, Thailand is one of the "most dependent" on tourism, with the sector accounting for around 21% of GDP in 2019, according to Sian Fenner from Oxford Economics.

Come Monday, Thailand will be lifting quarantine restrictions for travelers from more than 40 countries who have been fully vaccinated — even though less than half its population has been completely inoculated. //inserted mention of travelers needing to be "fully vaccinated"

As of Oct. 27, only about 42% of Thailand's population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to Our World in Data. In comparison, other countries in the region like Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore have had more than 70% of their population fully inoculated against Covid.

Discover Cigna's range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

Full story: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/29/thailand-travel-covid-vaccination-rate-ahead-of-nov-tourism-reopening-.html

Friday, 29 October 2021, 15:17

Thailand's Covid-19 Center Committee announces more Covid-19 relaxations, effective Monday November 1st

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced an easing of Covid-19 measures, including provincial rezoning and the lift of the alcohol ban at dine-in restaurants in some areas, effective from November 1st.

Friday, 29 October 2021, 15:17

National –

According to CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the maximum and strict controlled provinces, or dark-red zone provinces, are now reduced to only seven provinces, namely Chanthaburi, Tak, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Narathiwas, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla.

Chonburi has been dropped from a "dark red" province and is now listed as the maximum controlled area or a red zone province while Bangkok has joined Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket in the "Blue Zone", a new category for provinces that is part of pilot tourism areas prior to the reopening of the country to vaccinated foreign tourists from November 1st.

The government will also lift its prohibition of alcohol sales in restaurants in four provinces in the Blue Zone and in high surveillance areas or the yellow zone.

However, Bangkok is pending the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) meeting this afternoon for further details and approval. In fact, this will in all cases depend on the governors of those provinces if they will allow alcohol sales at restaurants. (Phuket already had.)

There were also mixed messages on if tourist zones/districts in provinces (Like Hua Hin, Pattaya, Cha-am, or Chiang Mai) could sell alcohol in restaurants or if governors could allow them to do so and this is NOT YET CRYSTAL CLEAR. This will likely get further clarification later this weekend, although one may need to wait for the governor's orders. The press meeting did mention 13 specific districts (which includes Banglamung/Pattaya) being part of the tourist pilot zones but was not clear on if alcohol sales would be allowed at restaurants.

Curfews hours are still applied from 11:00 PM. – 03:00 AM. only in the remaining seven dark-red zone provinces. There will no longer be a curfew in Chonburi as of Halloween, October 31st. Social gatherings can be done under the approval of the provincial disease control committee based on provincial color coding.

Educational institutions and tutoring schools are allowed to return to on-site learning in November, and students will be able to return to their schools/universities BUT it must have the approval of the provincial disease control committee. Many provinces, including Chonburi, have already opted out of in-person schooling at the start of November, stating they are not ready yet. Overnight nursing homes and childcare centers can be operated normally in all provinces except in the dark-red zone where only day-to-day is still allowed.

Department stores, markets, cinemas, theaters, and convenience stores can be operated during their normal hours in all zoning areas except the dark-red zone provinces. Some businesses like arcades, game cabinets, and amusement parks inside the stores remained closed.

All of these eased measures will be put into effect this Monday, November 1st.

The CCSA also summarized the reopening measures and procedures for incoming foreign tourists who wished to travel to Thailand upon the reopening schemes. In short, Thailand is welcoming foreigners in November from three categories under different requirements as seen in the table below. Full details of the schemes can be found in the TAT press release HERE.

Zones Adjustment

Starting from 1 November 2021, there will be only 7 provinces still in the Dark Red Zone or the maximum controlled and strict zones. Namely: Chantaburi, Tak, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Narathiwas, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla.

There will be 38 provinces in the Red Zone or maximum controlled zone; 23 provinces in the controlled zones; 5 provinces in the High Surveillance areas, and 4 provinces in the pilot tourism areas (Sandbox program).

To clear the confusion regarding which areas are in pilot tourism areas, there are 13 provinces, only in specific districts which have been announced as pilot tourism scheme only in a specific area. And 4 whole provinces were announced as pilot tourism provinces: Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket, as shown on the screen.

Measures for the maximum controlled and strict zones including no gathering with more than 50 people, theatres and other entertainment venues can operate with no more than 50% of audiences in closed venues, and no more than 75% of audiences in open venues. Sport venues are allowed to open until 22.00 hrs.

For the maximum controlled zones, activities that gather people no more than 200 persons are allowed. Sport venues are allowed to open until 23.00 hrs. And other entertainment venues can operate with no more than 75% of audiences for closed areas.

While activities with no more than 500 people attended are allowed in the controlled zones, with entertainment venues to operate as usual but required to limit audiences with no more than 50% for indoor games and 75% for outdoor games.

For the High Surveillance zones, activities with no more than 1,000 people are allowed, Malls and salons can open as usual. Restaurants are allowed to open with dine-in options.

Nursery and elderly care facilities are allowed to open as usual for maximum controlled zones, controlled zones, high surveillance zones, and pilot tourism provinces.

There will be no curfew in other zones, except the maximum controlled and strict zones, from 23.00 – 03.00 hr.

Source: CCSA

27 flights heading to Thailand next week

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Friday that 27 international flights are set to land in Thailand from November 1 to 5.

The country is reopening on Monday to three types of tourists, namely double jabbed visitors from 46 countries and territories, fully jabbed tourists allowed to travel in the 17-province "blue zone" and tourists who agree to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

CAAT said the 27 flights are scheduled to land in both Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport and will deliver 15,230 passengers.

The airlines include Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Air India, Edelweiss Air, Lufthansa, Air France, Etihad Airways among others.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said Thailand was ready to welcome tourists, especially those who come by air. CAAT has been instructed to release guidelines on entering and exiting the country in different languages and ensure the regulations are announced onboard every flight heading to the country.

Friday, 29 October 2021, 9:43

Chonburi announces 382 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 1 new death

Friday, 29 October 2021, 9:43

231865270_380112330273764_7387964186044657530_n — PHOTO: Covid-19 Center

Highlights:

382 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
390 people recovered and were released from medical care
1 new death

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 382 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 1 new death, October 29th.

This makes a total of 100,540 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 5,761 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 709 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 390 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 94,070 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

As for the one new death yesterday, she was a 66-year-old female elder which was a close contact from a previous confirmed case in her family according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health. She had chronic health problems and was not vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 71, Si Racha 90, Banglamung (Pattaya) 48, Panat Nikhom 18, Sattahip 34, Ban Bueang 15, Phan Thong 24, Bor Thong 6, Ko Chan 7, soldiers in Sattahip 14, and 55 people transferred from other provinces for medical care

The details on the cases are as follows:

Work and stayed in Rayong transferred from other provinces for medical care, 45 cases
Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 14 cases
Cluster, work camp of Rai Go Thong Construction and Service company in Si Racha, 4 cases
Cluster, Makita Manufacturing company in Si Racha, 12 cases
Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 12 cases
1 medical personal
Back from risky areas in Rayong – 17 cases, Udon Thani – 3 cases, and Prachuap Khiri Khan – 1 case
Close contacts of confirmed patients in 122 families, in 59 workplaces, 8 from close friends and two joined parties
Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 26 cases
63 cases in general are under investigation as to how they contracted Covid-19

October 28, 2021

Doctor says Covid crisis in Chiang Mai at breaking point

October 28, 2021 TNR Staff

A DOCTOR warned in a Facebook post that the coronavirus situation in northern Chiang Mai city has reached the breaking point with over a hundred patients emerging for days in a row and this contradicts the countdown to reopen the country to tourism on Nov. 1, Siam Rath newspaper said this morning (Oct. 28).

Dr. Rangsarit Kanchanavanich, professor of cardiology at Chiang Mai University's Department of Internal Medicine, said the situation is dire in this city with patients overflowing overloaded hospitals, including ICU, and caregivers have to arrange to home, community and temple isolation for patients.

The condition in Chiang Mai is now close to the nadir point Bangkok reached earlier this year, he added.

However provincial authorities have asked healthcare workers not to say that "hospital beds are full or there are not enough beds" despite the fact that the number of patients is now beyond the capacity of the provincial health system to support with doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers extremely exhausted.

Dr. Rangsarit also said that since the current governor came in, the number of cases have skyrocketed and this province has now overtaken all the other northern provinces as being the worst hit.

There are no additional measures to control the disease with the focus solely on reopening the city to tourists, he added.

Even so, he agreed that in the long term people have to learn to live with coronavirus in a more balanced way because the economic problems are now becoming severe.

Meanwhile the Public Health Ministry said this morning the daily Covid tally rose to 9,658 cases and 84 deaths from 8,452 cases and 57 deaths yesterday.

Of the new batch of cases 9,440 were among the general public while 218 got infected in prisons and detention centres.

This takes the cumulative confirmed total since April 1 to 1,856,110.

Another 8,526 patients were cured while today's 84 fatalities raised the death toll from April 1 to 18,912.

Over 92 per cent of Thais concerned about reopening the country

92.4 per cent of Thais are concerned about the government's plan to reopen 17 tourist provinces from November 1 onward, the latest poll result shows.

Under the plan, visitors from low-risk 46 countries may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for Covid-19 prior to arrival. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival.

The Anamai Poll, conducted by Department of Health during October 14-25, has showed that 75.8 per cent of respondents are afraid that the reopening of the country to vaccinated foreign visitors will cause a new wave of Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

49.7 per cent are concerned that people will let their guard down after their provinces are reopened. 45.1 per cent are afraid that they and their family members will contract Covid-19 virus from visitors. 39.3 per cent are concerned that there will be another lockdown, and 31.7 per cent are concerned about shortage of hospital beds.

When asked which businesses/establishments will likely become the source of new cluster cases after the reopening, 89.2 per cent of the respondents said entertainment venues such as pubs and bars, followed by public transport (43.1 per cent), tourist attractions (39.8 per cent), schools (39.2 per cent), markets (37.4 per cent), shopping malls (34.1 per cent), restaurants (28.8 per cent) and hotels (24 per cent).

Majority of respondents (72.53 per cent) agreed that having citizens in tourist provinces fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 70 per cent will help make the reopening of Thailand safer. 60.58 per cent said officials must increase security at borders to prevent illegal migrants from slipping into the country. Meanwhile, 49.41 per cent of respondents believed that the government must provide free ATK to people in risky areas to prevent the spiking of new cluster cases.

By · Thursday, October 28, 2021 11:18

Finnair launches nonstop flights from Stockholm to Phuket

By

Neill Fronde

Thursday, October 28, 2021 11:18

Finnair has launched its nonstop flight service from Stockholm to Phuket, with the first flight arriving on October 25. The Nordic region has traditionally brought many big-spending tourists to Phuket and Thailand, and Finnair will operate flights twice a week from Sweden's capital to Phuket.

The flights are great news after reports that many international carriers are dropping their slots in Thailand amid reopening unclarity. Finnair will fly from now until April 24 of next year, operating 2 flights a week until November 29 when it will add a third flight each week.

This is the first nonstop flight that Finnair has operated between Sweden and Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Executive Director for Europe, Africa, and Middle East Region has welcomed the flights, lauding the opportunity for Swedes to easily flee the freezing cold Nordic winters for the sun-drenched beaches of Thailand.

Finnair will also run flights from Finland's capital city Helsinki into Thailand, flying into both Bangkok and Phuket. Flights will operate 2 to 4 times per week starting in November and continuing through March of 2022.

Sweden has traditionally been the country in Scandinavia with the largest number of travellers to Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic with Phuket being one of the most popular travel destinations. Previous figures for Swedish travellers found that the average length of stay is 19 days with a spending average of about 85,000 baht per person.

Sweden has been approved for Thailand's Test & Go program that allows fully vaccinated travellers from 46 approved countries to enter the country without quarantine starting November 1. In total, 5 Nordic countries have been approved for that scheme, with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway also making the list.

SOURCE: TAT Newsroom

Thursday, 28 October 2021, 11:05

Chonburi announces 375 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 2 new deaths

Thursday, 28 October 2021, 11:05

Highlights:

375 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
198 people recovered and were released from medical care
2 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 375 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 2 new deaths, October 28th.

This makes a total of 100,158 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 5,770 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 708 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 198 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 93,680 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

As for the two new deaths yesterday, both of them were elders which they were close contacts from previous confirmed cases in families according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health. Both of them had chronic health problems. Both of them were also not vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 93, Si Racha 99, Banglamung (Pattaya) 41, Panat Nikhom 8, Sattahip 54, Ban Bueang 19, Phan Thong 17, Bot Thong 1, Ko Chan 2, Nong Yai 1, soldiers in Sattahip 11, and 29 people transferred from other provinces for medical care

The details on the cases are as follows:

Work and stayed in Rayong transferred from other provinces for medical care, 21 cases
Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 11 cases
Cluster, work camp of Rai Go Thong Construction and Service company in Si Racha, 10 cases
Cluster, work camp of DD Life Maritime and Consultant company in Si Racha, 7 cases
Cluster, Makita Manufacturing company in Si Racha, 6 cases
Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 10 cases
Cluster, B.Grimm Power Public company in Si Racha, 10 cases
5 medical staffer
Back from risky areas in Rayong, 4 cases
Close contacts of confirmed patients in 103 families, in 45 workplaces, 14 from close friends and one joined parties
Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 19 cases
76 cases in general are under investigation as to how they contracted Covid-19

lördag 30 oktober 2021

Highlights:

340 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

433 people recovered and were released from medical care

4 new deaths

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Tourism's importance to Thailand

fredag 29 oktober 2021

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced an easing of Covid-19 measures, including provincial rezoning and the lift of the alcohol ban at dine-in restaurants in some areas, effective from November 1st.

National –

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said on Friday that 27 international flights are set to land in Thailand from November 1 to 5.

Highlights:

382 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

390 people recovered and were released from medical care

1 new death

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

torsdag 28 oktober 2021

92.4 per cent of Thais are concerned about the government's plan to reopen 17 tourist provinces from November 1 onward, the latest poll result shows.

Finnair launches nonstop flights from Stockholm to Phuket

Highlights:

375 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

198 people recovered and were released from medical care

2 new deaths

The district-level new cases were as follows today: