Thailand has found two more Omicron Covid-19 cases, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration confirmed on Wednesday, taking total Omicron cases to three as of now. Read more: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009756





Vaccination update December 8th

 

Thailand’s economy vulnerable as Omicron hits - Thailand’s economy is anticipated to record growth in 2022, but the emergence of the Omicron variant is signaling that the recovery may not be as rosy as expected. Thai Enquirer

 Thailand's economy vulnerable as Omicron hits

December 8, 2021

Thailand's economy is anticipated to record growth in 2022, but the emergence of the Omicron variant is signaling that the recovery may not be as rosy as expected.

The Kasikorn Research Center projected that Thailand's domestic gross product (GDP) could grow under two scenarios in 2022, according to its latest research. 

The base-case scenario predicts 3.7 percent growth under the premise that the Omicron variant will be under control by the first quarter, while the worst-case scenario predicts 2.8 percent growth.

For the worst case, Kasikorn expects that the government would reintroduce lockdown measures to contain a potential new Omicron outbreak, resulting in travel bans both domestic and international. 

"At the moment, we still have relatively limited data on Omicron," said Natthaporn Triratsirikul, assistant managing director at the research centre. "However, in the worst-case scenario, the overall pandemic condition is likely better than the Delta variant outbreak that took place in April last year," she said. 

Rocky recovery

Thailand once saw almost 40 million of foreign visitors pre-pandemic. But the country is unlikely to reach that level anytime soon as a result of travel restrictions worldwide, analysts predict. 

Kasikorn estimates 2021's total foriegn arrivals will hit 350,000, while it predicts a range of 2 to 4 million visitors next year, depending on the severity of the Omicron variant.

"Thailand will lose 70-80 billion baht of tourism income for every one million visitors missing," reads the report. 

According to Kiatnakin Phatra (KKP), another research unit, Thailand's tourism industry will face great challenges following its reopening. One of the leading concerns is the disappearance of Chinese tourists who before the pandemic generated a substantial income to the economy.

"Although Thailand was among the first countries to welcome visitors, there are still sizable constraints on international travel," said KKP. "This will result in a modest rebound for the tourist sector in early stages."

The latest government's projection from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) forecasts 2022 GDP growth at 3.5-4.5 per cent. However, Omicron's impact on the economy has not yet been determined. 

Bangkok, 8 December, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Finnair has become the first international airline to resume flights to Krabi, with the operation of a four times weekly service between Helsinki and Krabi. TAT / ASEAN NOW

Finnair resumes Helsinki-Krabi route with 4 flights a week

webfact8 minutes ago

Nordic charter flights and Singapore-Krabi service also approved for popular Southern Thailand destination.

TAT Newsroom 

Bangkok, 8 December, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Finnair has become the first international airline to resume flights to Krabi, with the operation of a four times weekly service between Helsinki and Krabi.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said, "Finnair is an important inbound airline for Thailand's tourism industry, bringing quality tourists from Finland and the Nordic market. The resumption of Finnair's Helsinki-Krabi route is a good sign for us, as Thailand reopens to tourism and with the Visit Thailand Year 2022 campaign coming up."

The Finnair service will operate from 8-31 December, 2021, and from 1 January-24 March, 2022. The inaugural Helsinki-Krabi flight (AY155) with 96 passengers and crew onboard on 1 December, 2021, was welcomed at Krabi International Airport by a delegation of high-ranking tourism and business executives.

This included Ms. Sarima Chindamat, TAT Deputy Executive Director Europe, Africa and Middle East Region; Mr. Uthit Limsakul, TAT Krabi Office Director; Mr. Anuwat Modepringe, Krabi's Vice Governor; Mr. Attaporn Nuang-udom, Krabi International Airport Director; Miss Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, Krabi Tourism Association President; Miss Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, Krabi Hotel Association President; Mr. Nattee Adisralux, Krabi Chamber of Commerce Chairman; Mr. Apichit Intachan, Product Prepay and Channel Executive, True Corporation Public Company Limited; and Mr. Ittirit Kinglek, a tourism expert from Krabi province.

In 2019, Thailand welcomed 128,012 tourist arrivals from Finland who generated 10,121.86 million Baht in revenue. Of the total Finnish arrivals, 63,375 visited Krabi generating 5,011.03 million Baht in revenue.

In more good news for Krabi's tourism scene, the Department of Airports has approved the increased allocation of international flights to the Southern province during December. This includes five charter flights by TUI from various Nordic cities including Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Gothenburg on 18, 22, 23, 29 and 30 December, 2021, and a three-times weekly (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) service between Singapore and Krabi by Scoot Airlines with 26 flights in total.

Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Singapore are all among the 63 countries and territories from which fully vaccinated visitors can enter Thailand through the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) programme.

Fully vaccinated visitors from every country around the world can also visit Thailand via the Living in the "Blue Zone" Sandbox destinations programme. Meanwhile, partially or unvaccinated visitors are also much welcomed via the Happy Quarantine programme. However, to prevent and control the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, Thailand currently imposes travel restrictions on arrivals from Africa.

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/12/finnair-resumes-helsinki-krabi-route-with-4-flights-a-week/

-- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2021-12-08

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 109 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new deaths, December 8th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 109 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and one new death

Wednesday, 8 December 2021, 11:15

Highlights:

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

• 197 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 1 new death

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 109 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with one new deaths, December 8th.

This makes a total of 108,916 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,869 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 771 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 197 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 106,276 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

One person was listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia and was not vaccinated.

The one new death was a woman aged 58. She had personal health problems and was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,864,314 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 80.05 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 291,981 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 78.93 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 24, Si Racha 33, Banglamung (Pattaya) 33, Panat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 5, Ban Bueng 3, Phan Thong 1, and 8 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 6 cases
2. Cluster, Siam Compressor Industries in Si Racha, 41 cases
3. Cluster, Celestica (Thailand) company, Si Racha, 3 cases
4. Risky occupations meeting many people, 2 cases
5. 1 medical staffer
6. Back from other provinces in Rayong – 3 cases
7. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 41 cases, in workplaces – 18 cases, and joined parties – 3 cases
8. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 4 cases
9. 24 cases, close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

TAT: New Year's Countdowns to Proceed; CCSA: 'We'll See' - TAT, however, couldn’t run a bath, let alone a government disease-prevention campaign. If cases should surge in the coming weeks, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or Cabinet could override TAT without bothering to text Yuthasak. Bangkok Herald

TAT: New Year's Countdowns to Proceed; CCSA: 'We'll See'

8 December 2021

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said New Year's countdown events will be held as planned in five provinces, although the final decision isn't up to the toothless marketing agency.

TAT Gov. Yuthasak Supasorn said Tuesday that the first reported case of the coronavirus omicron variant in Thailand has no impact on tourism and showed the government's screening procedures and disease-control measures are working.

There would not be any immediate negative impact and TAT would organize New Year countdown events in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chonburi and Ayutthaya as earlier scheduled, Yuthasak said.

TAT, however, couldn't run a bath, let alone a government disease-prevention campaign. If cases should surge in the coming weeks, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or Cabinet could override TAT without bothering to text Yuthasak.

The TAT also is sticking to its deluded prediction that 200,000 foreign tourists will arrive in Thailand this month, even though daily numbers are far off that pace.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Wednesday: ⬆️ 3,618 new cases ⬆️ 38 deaths. Richard Barrow

The country's reopening needs to continue with a more cautious approach amid concerns over the new Omicron variant, says the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). Operators fear another lockdown. Bangkok Post

Call for a careful tourist reopening

Tourists have their documents checked by workers wearing PPE suits at Suvarnabhumi airport, as detection of the Omicron variant in Thailand raised concerns among operators.  Somchai Poomlard

The country's reopening needs to continue with a more cautious approach amid concerns over the new Omicron variant, says the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

After detection of the first Omicron case in the country, local communities should not panic, but instead follow advice from public health experts such as the World Health Organization and the Public Health Ministry, said TCT president Chamnan Srisawat.

He said the detection of the variant means screening measures remain effective and the reopening should be allowed to continue as vaccine rollouts in Thailand increase, while daily cases continued to drop.

TCT also agrees with the decision to delay the use of antigen test kits for arrivals until the country has more details on the new strain.

"Tourism operators are about to start up again after almost two years of waiting during the crisis, as we gradually see signs of a tourism rebound," Mr Chamnan said.

"The Omicron variant certainly raises more concerns, but our battered industry will not be able to handle any more flip-flops about the country's reopening."

Thailand welcomed 133,294 international arrivals from Nov 1 to Dec 6, of which 15,614 travellers came from Germany, followed by the US (10,917) and the UK (10,802), according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Meanwhile, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said the reopening will take time to generate a healthy number of tourists, and enforced closures could put the industry back to zero.

He said the government should follow the situation carefully. If the variant proves to be more dangerous, then it should consider tightening travel regulations or reimposing border closures in the worst-case scenario, said Mr Sisdivachr.

He said the most stringent measures for land border crossings are vital to prevent illegal migrant workers who intend to avoid health screening.

Suksit Suvunditkul, chief executive of Deevana Hotels and Resorts, said year-end bookings saw slower growth than expected because of new Covid waves in Europe, as well as the Omicron variant's impact on tourists' travel decisions.

Deevana Patong Resort and Spa has a 35-40% occupancy rate this month, compared with 90% in the same period in 2019.

Mr Suksit said room rates had dropped by 50% from 2019 levels, even during the peak holiday season, as there is limited demand. 



😂😂😂😂😂😂 Golf carts, buggies to get taxed😡😡😡😡😡





 

File photo for reference only

 

By Tanakorn Sangiam

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Cabinet has given final approval for a new excise tax scheme covering smaller motorized vehicles including golf carts, ATVs, and buggies. This new scheme is expected to give the government an additional 400 million baht per year.

 

The Cabinet today approved the new vehicle excise scheme covering smaller motorized vehicles, including three-wheeler trucks, golf carts, buggies, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

 

The new excise tax is aimed at providing clarity on excise collection against newer forms of motorized vehicles while promoting the electric vehicle industry for environmental conservation.

 

Specific codes and rates for each of these vehicles will be updated on the vehicle and motorcycle section of the Ministerial Announcement governing the excise tax rates, as the excise taxes were not applicable for some of these items in the past.

 

This new excise tax will be applicable to golf carts, buggies, and ATVs operated either on more than 12 volts of electricity or on fossil fuel; as well as three-wheeler vehicles that operate in the same manner as motorcycles.

 

The government is expected to receive 400 million more revenue each year from the taxation, while the new, reduced rate for three-wheeler trucks would mean less revenue from this vehicle category.

 

This new voltage-based excise taxation scheme goes in line with other similar international tax rates while corresponding to Thailand's direction and policy to serve as a manufacturing base for electric vehicles.

 

Bangkok Post highlights 8/12