Frenchman Tossed From Thailand for Sticking Nose Too Far into Politics - A Frenchman who stuck his nose too deeply in Thai politics was tossed out of the country Saturday when he arrived in Phuket. Bangkok Herald

Frenchman Tossed From Thailand for Sticking Nose Too Far into Politics

27 November 2021

Yan Eric Marchal, 47, at the Sept. 19, 2020 pro-democracy protest in Bangkok. (Photo: Facebook)

A Frenchman who stuck his nose too deeply in Thai politics was tossed out of the country Saturday when he arrived in Phuket.

Yan Eric Marchal, 48, told Thai media that he was denied entry at Phuket International Airport about 7 a.m. this morning and was presented with an official notice of expulsion after being deemed a "threat to national security".

"I knew it was a possibility," Marchal reportedly told a sympathetic anti-government journalist via telephone. They say it's because of my behavior posting on Facebook."

The French expat said he planned to call his embassy, but wasn't holding out much hope.

He arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport before noon and will be held in the immigration detention center where he has 48 hours to appeal. Marchal claimed, however, he is being pressured to fly back to Paris tonight.

"Basically the officer told me I am attacking the king, causing problems for the king."

A software developer and Tik Tok influencer with more than 560,000 followers, Marchal has been on thin ice in Thailand for years.

In November last year, he posted on social media that he'd been told by immigration officials in Bangkok that his visa had been canceled and he was going to be deported over his online comments.

His expulsion was defused by a lawyer, who reached an agreement with the Immigration Bureau to have them say it was just a "misunderstanding". The Frenchman simply had to delete his controversial posts on his 31,000-follower Facebook page and keep his trap shut in the future.

He didn't, of course.

Marchal continued to be an outspoken supporter of Thailand's pro-democracy movement, which has been seeking to force Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign.

Marchal also posted comments critical of Prayut, a former junta leader who seized power in a coup in 2014.

"I knew there's a risk," Marchal noted at the time, referring to the fact that as a foreign national he can be stripped of his long-term visa any time by Thai authorities over his outspoken political stance.

"Since we [foreigners] are here on a visa, it's a risk that we face if they want to revoke it. But I [prefer] to be outspoken anyway because that is my nature."

He can now be outspoken from his armchair in France, a ticket to return to he must pay himself.

New Covid alarm sounds. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned Thais to avoid travelling to countries where a new Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa has been found. Bangkok Post

New Covid alarm sounds

Health workers wearing protective suits administer the Covid-19 swab test for tourists after they arrive a hotel during the first day of the country's reopening campaign on Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters photo)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned Thais to avoid travelling to countries where a new Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa has been found.

Speaking after a meeting of the Centre for Covid-9 Situation Administration (CCSA), Gen Prayut said he had been informed of the new variant and instructed the Public Health Ministry and the Department of Disease Control to monitor the situation closely.

"Do not travel to those countries to avoid getting the virus," the prime minister said, adding that a campaign has been rolled out to encourage more people to receive Covid vaccines, bolstered by an online system showing their vaccination certificates.

Renowned virologist Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, said the government should tighten health screening measures to curb entry by travellers from South Africa especially.

However, the public should not panic as mutations are a natural part of the virus's lifecycle, Dr Yong said, adding he is preparing to decode the genetics of the new variant to study its mutations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said the government is monitoring the new variant.

He said Thailand can request vaccines developed to deal with new variants of the virus under procurement agreements reached earlier with manufacturers.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said the prime minister instructed relevant agencies to keep a close watch on travellers from countries where the new variant has been detected.

"They will not be put under quarantine yet. But officials were told to take strict health-screening measures," Mr Sathit said.

Scientists have also detected cases in Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel. They are concerned by the high number of mutations which could help it evade the body's immune response and make it more transmissible.

They say it carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, which plays a key role in the virus's entry into cells in the body. This is also what is targeted by vaccines. Researchers are still trying to determine whether it is more transmissible or more lethal than previous variants.

Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, said the B1.1.529 variant has a "very unusual constellation of mutations", with more than 30 mutations in the spike protein alone.

"This variant did surprise us. It is a big jump in evolution, many more mutations than we expected, especially after a very severe third wave of delta," he said.

The World Health Organization has classified it as a variant under monitoring (VUM). A variant is given this label when it has genetic changes that are suspected to affect the virus's characteristics and that may allow it to pose a future risk.

However, it required "enhanced monitoring and repeat assessment, pending new evidence", the WHO added.

The UK has also banned flights from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. They will be added to the country's red list requiring quarantine.

In Thailand, respected public health figures are also expressing concerns about a potential resurgence of outbreaks in December amidst cooler weather and increased movement of people. NNT

Europe is now experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks, notably in Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy.  In Thailand, respected public health figures are also expressing concerns about a potential resurgence of outbreaks in December amidst cooler weather and increased movement of people.

Prof. Prasit Watanapa, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, explained that the World Health Organization is highly concerned about the spread of Covid in Europe at the moment and warned that 500,000 deaths could be incurred by March unless urgent action is taken.   He said studies show that outbreaks on one continent will spread to other continents in due course, but the death rate will be less than last year as the majority of people have been vaccinated.

Dr. Prasit said Thailand was among the first countries to administer the third dose of the vaccine after Covid infections started to rise in fully inoculated healthcare providers.  He said European nations initially did not advocate the third dose but are now administering third doses to senior citizens afflicted with chronic illnesses and healthcare professionals.

He noted that not every country that lifted Covid restrictions was greeted by problems, citing Japan and Israel.  He asserted that discipline and cooperation in observing disease control measures are needed from all parties in order for Thailand's 'reopening' to be successful.

He urged people to keep four risk contributors that comprised time period, person, venue, and activity from overlapping with one another.  The professor elaborated that the month of December has many holidays and festivals coinciding with cooler weather, and therefore venue operators must avoid making their places into risk spots while individuals should refrain from putting themselves at risk.



Nightlife industry closed. Night entertainment venues will not be allowed to open before Jan 16 as the government has extended the emergency decree for another two months. Bangkok Post



Phuket Sandbox: Tourists have spent 906 million baht on food and drink - 781 million on health matters. ASEAN NOW



File photo: REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File 

 

It has been revealed how much the Phuket Sandbox reopening of Thailand has affected the fiscal affairs of the country.

 

And the figures make for interesting reading, especially the breakdown of tourists' spending.

 

They were revealed by Thai business media after the CCSA meeting at Government House chaired by Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday. 

 

The Sandbox began on the 1st of July and has now run for 123 days.

 

In that time tourists have spent 4,260 million baht - 4.26 billion.

 

Their spending looks like this:

 

Hotels: 1.76 billion.

 

Tourism services (like goods and trips): 536 million.

 

Food and beverages: 906 million.

 

Medical and health services: 781 million.

 

Others: 227 million. 

 

It was further reported to the CCSA by a tourism group that 10.1 billion had been put into the wider economy through knock-on benefits in sectors like farming, industry and energy as a direct result of the Sandbox. 

 

Tax generated was 435 million baht.

 

1,082 million baht was earned by 13,759 workers. 

🔴 #COVID19 on Saturday: ⬇️ 6,073 new cases ⬇️ 32 deaths. Richard Barrow



BITEC packed with visitors raising fears of new Covid clusters. Thai Newsroom

BITEC packed with visitors raising fears of new Covid clusters

November 26, 2021 TNR Staff

A FACEBOOK user shared photos he took this afternoon (Nov. 26)  at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bangna where four major events drew throngs of visitors raising fears of new Covid clusters forming, Matichon newspaper said.

The Facebook user, Mr. Sam Lok Wanderer, mentioned the four events taking place during Nov. 25-28 as follows:

– Commart Thailand, at event halls 98 – 99, time 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.;

– Pet Expo Thailand, event hall 103, time 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.;

– 60th Thai Teaw Thai Fair, travel around Thailand in 4 days, event halls 101 – 102, time 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.;

– Sneakers Expo (Asics, Adidas, Champion,Onitsuka Tiger) discount up to 80%, Silk halls 1 – 2.

CAPTION:

Throngs of people milling around BITEC this afternoon. Photos: Sam Lok Wanderer and shared by Maticho

Covid Update: 6,559 new cases; provincial totals. COVID Cases rise in Phuket. Full list of provincial totals at. The Thaiger

Covid Update: 6,559 new cases; provincial totals

By 

Thaiger

Friday, November 26, 2021 16:48

64 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic's death toll in Thailand to 20,645 with 20,551 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1.

In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,559 new Covid-19 cases and 6,875 recoveries. There are now 80,277 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19.

Out of the new cases recorded today, 752 were found in correctional facilities. More than 80,000 inmates at Thailand's overcrowded prisons and detention centres have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past several months.

Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has recorded 2,094,886 confirmed Covid-19 cases. The latest wave has accounted for 2,066,023 of those infections.

Vaccination update

In the Thai government's mass vaccination drive, which was launched on February 28, a total of 90,735,069 doses have been administered, according to the CCSA. Yesterday, 98,118 people received their first dose of the vaccine, 146,673 received their second dose, and 21,323 people received a third shot to boost their immunity against the coronavirus.

New Covid-19 cases in each province…

* Numbers are reported by the CCSA and are based on positive PCR Covid-19 test results. Provincial health departments may have a more recent update if new infections were found after the daily case count was filed with the CCSA.

😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥

 

Thailand Entry Rules Eased, Curfews Ended - Test & Go is now a little less of a lie. For the first month, the government basically lied to incoming travelers, telling them all they needed was a test and a ticket. Some people even fell for it, and were denied boarding. Others gave up in frustration. Bangkok Herald

Thailand Entry Rules Eased, Curfews Ended

26 November 2021

Thailand on Friday made entering the country a little cheaper and easier as the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration continued ease coronavirus restrictions.

The agency lifted the last curfews, eliminated all "dark red" coronavirus maximum and strict control zones, announced the reopening of a key land border and made changes to the "Test & Go" and "sandbox" tourist schemes.

However, the CCSA did not, as many hoped, agree to reopen nightlife venues earlier than Jan. 16.

Entry Requirements

Test & Go is now a little less of a lie.

For the first month, the government basically lied to incoming travelers, telling them all they needed was a test and a ticket. Some people even fell for it, and were denied boarding. Others gave up in frustration.

As of Dec. 16, Thailand's "no quarantine" entry finally will be just that. There no longer will be a need to book one night quarantine at a pricey, government-certified hotel. But, as usual, the caveats the CCSA added to the rule change made it as clear as mud that anything would actually change.

Under Test & Go, those entering Thailand needed proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, US$50,000 in insurance, a confirmed one-night booking at an AQ/SHA+ hotel and a pre-flight negative RT-PCR coronavirus test result.

The vaccination certificate, insurance and PCR test will still be required after Dec. 16, but instead of taking a pointless second PCR test upon arrival, tourists can take a cheap, fast, non-invasive antigen test instead, with results available in as little as 15 minutes.

But Foreign Affairs Ministry English-language spokesman Nopakun Natapanu said the test must be taken at a hotel and that "approved transportation" must be booked from the airport.

"You will not need to book the actual hotel room, because of course the (antigen) test gives out a faster result."

Exactly how that will work is uncertain. What hotels will accept Thais and expats only for tests without them renting a room? And will proof of "approved transportation" now be required in the buggy Thailand Pass online application? When will that change be implemented? And will more bugs come with the change?

Foreign Affairs spokesman Sangrat tweeted today that, to accommodate the changes, Thailand Pass will not accept any applications for travel to Thailand after Dec. 16 until Dec. 1.

For those not on Thailand's list of 63 approved countries for the Test & Go scheme, "sandbox" stays in the province where they arrived now will be shorter, just five days instead of seven.

The CCSA also agreed to reopen the Khon Kaen border with Laos, yet another move to reopen border crossings.

Curfews & Rezoning

More confusion reigns over the list of color-coded provinces rezoned by the CCSA. The "dark red" designation has retired (for now) and the last the nighttime curfews in the country.

Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani were rezoned as "blue" pilot tourism areas where tourists can go directly upon arrival. However, adding to confusion, specified districts in other provinces also were marked "blue", although the CCSA didn't release a list of what districts those were.

Of particular note is Chonburi, which continues to report only handfuls of new coronavirus cases a day. Banglamung District, which includes Pattaya, reported 48 new cases on Friday with the province as a whole reporting 202. Chonburi was upgraded to an "orange" zone Friday yet, but will Banglamung and Sattahip – the province's intended blue zones – be allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants? The decision likely will be left to the provincial governor.

Entertainment venues to stay shut, emergency decree extended. Thai Newsroom

Entertainment venues to stay shut, emergency decree extended

November 26, 2021 TNR Staff

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said at noon today (Nov. 26) after presiding over a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) executive committee that it is still necessary to focus on enacting Covid Free Setting measures which is why entertainment venues have to still remain closed, Sanook.com said.

However these entertainment venues could be reopened before Jan. 16, 2022 if they are ready in terms of implementing the Covid Free Setting steps.

However not just pubs, bars and discos have to reach this standard, entailing both service providers and users being fully vaccinated, with all activities likewise having to do so.

"Both hotels and rental accommodation as well as entertainment venues, when we are ready we will talk about it. I sympathise with you but public health measures are important. We want to have a happy New Year without any outbreak," he said.

A source at the Government House revealed that the executive committee had approved the lifting of curfew across the country and abolishing the strictest dark red zone.

A resolution was also passed to extend the emergency decree for another two months from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

However, details of these resolutions will be announced later by a CCSA spokesperson.

Meanwhile the Public Health Ministry said early this morning that there were 6,559 new coronavirus cases and 64 deaths over the past 24 hours with this increasing the cumulative confirmed total from April 1 to 2,066,023 and since the start of the pandemic 2,094,886.

Today's 64 fatalities raised the death toll to 20,645.

Another 6,875 patients were cured taking total recoveries since April 1 to 1,966,538 while 80,277 are still undergoing treatment.

OBS !!! Chonburi has, as a province, been downgraded from Red to Orange. Pattaya News

 Chonburi has, as a province, been downgraded from Red to Orange. Alcohol sales in restaurants remain, officially anyways, banned although it is possible (but far from guaranteed) this could be lifted by the Governor/Disease Committee for the "blue" tourism district of Banglamung/Pattaya and possibly Sattahip. We will need to wait for any announcements from the Governor, which again, are not guaranteed to happen.