Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J.

tisdag 22 mars 2022

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,420 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, March 22nd, 2022. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 1,420 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and two new deaths

Tuesday, 22 March 2022, 16:01

Highlights:

1,420 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today
5,409 positive ATK (rapid antigen) tests were reported but all require a second confirmed PCR test before being counted as official cases. The ATK positive tests are just "possible" cases until confirmed by PCR. TPN notes, however, that second confirmed tests are no longer mandatory except for high-risk groups.
1,233 (PCR) and 3,915 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care
Two new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,420 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, March 22nd, 2022.

This makes a total of 65,548 cases (PCR) and 96,538 cases (ATK) of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 12,039 (PCR) and 40,094 (ATK) people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 118 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections at the beginning of this year, January 2022.

Additionally, 1,233 (PCR) and 3,915 (ATK) people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 53,391 (PCR) and 56,441 (ATK) people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began at the beginning of this year, January 2022.

Nine people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia. Three of them were not vaccinated. According to the Chonburi Department of Public Health, the vast majority of recent cases, at 99.624 percent, are mild or asymptomatic.

The two new deaths were aged 59 and 88 with severe personal health problems and pre-existing conditions. ฺBoth of them were not vaccinated.

In total, 2,021,882 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 86.81 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 306,311 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 82.80 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

906,478 people have received their triple dose which is 38.92 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 156,626 are 608 groups which are 42.34 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 274, Sri Racha 475, Banglamung (Pattaya) 295, Panat Nikhom 21, Sattahip 118, Ban Bueng 45, Phan Thong 54, ฺBor Thong 6, Ko Chan 2, Nong Yai 3, and 127 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, 106 cases
Cluster, Toyoda Gosei company in Phan Thong, 14 cases
Cluster, AGC Automotive company in Mueang Chonburi, 11 cases
Risky occupations meeting many people, 39 cases
39 medical personnel
4 back from other provinces from Nakhon Ratchasima (1), Phayao (1), Surat Thani (1), and Chachoengsao (1)
Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 237 cases, in workplaces –99 cases, close personal contacts – 123 cases, and joined a party – 7 cases
Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 69 cases
672 cases of close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation)

The World Bank Thailand is pleased to share with you the Thailand Monthly Economic Monitor, March 2022 issue. TSCC

Anutin - "Returning happiness and income to the people" via marijuana - opens big fair this week. Health minister and DPM - and the biggest promoter of legal ganja and hemp products - Anutin Charnvirakul will be in Bung Kan on the Laos border to open the three day extravaganza tomorrow. ASEAN NOW

Picture: INN

A big marijuana trade fair and seminar in the north east of Thailand this week aims to bring happiness to the Thai people.

They could do with that after the country slipped down the world happiness rankings to languish in 61st.

Health minister and DPM - and the biggest promoter of legal ganja and hemp products - Anutin Charnvirakul will be in Bung Kan on the Laos border to open the three day extravaganza tomorrow.

Region 8 health rep Dr Phuradech Surakhote told INN the education, trade fair and technical seminar will be promoted under the umbrella of "Ganja tourism - bringing joy next to the Mekhong".

The happiness and joy is that Thais will be able to visit a great place for tourism and learn how to make tons of money growing weed, said the doctor.

All in a place that is perfect to grow marijuana.

But INN's report indicated that no one will be getting high.

It's all about parts of the plant that don't have or have extremely low quantities of the chemical that makes recreational users high - THC.

Keynote speakers from the medical, Food and Drug Administration and trade community will address the event that runs from March 23rd to 25th in Muang District.

Visitors will be able to try the products, shop and attend workshops about all aspects of growing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Tuesday ⬇️ 21,382 new cases ⬇️ 83 deaths ⬇️ 236,814 active cases ⬆️ 1,484 serious cases. Richard Barrow

Emirates eyes situation warily. Emirates aims to increase the number of passengers coming to Thailand by at least 20% as operations largely depend on the government's policy to ease travel restrictions, meeting more demand for travel to the country. Emirates currently operates three flights per day from Dubai to Bangkok as well as 11 direct flights per week from Dubai to Phuket. Bangkok Post

Emirates eyes situation warily

Mr Al Mutawa said the company's passenger target will keep changing as the pandemic situation is still very sensitive.

Emirates aims to increase the number of passengers coming to Thailand by at least 20% as operations largely depend on the government's policy to ease travel restrictions, meeting more demand for travel to the country.

"We are still in the pandemic, so the target in terms of passengers will keep changing as the situation is very sensitive," Tariq Al Mutawa, country manager, Thailand at Emirates, said.

"The goal at the moment is to grow the number of passengers by 20% year-on-year which is the lowest forecast. The airline has to monitor both local and international situations on a monthly or even weekly basis before adding more frequencies to Thailand."

"We are waiting for the golden moment when the government decides to let the Thailand Pass go, so it mostly depends on the government and how they control the border for passengers to Thailand," Mr Al Mutawa said.

Emirates currently operates three flights per day from Dubai to Bangkok as well as 11 direct flights per week from Dubai to Phuket.

Last year, the airline carried 136,451 passengers on its operations between Dubai and Thailand, mainly attributed to the opening of the Phuket sandbox in July, followed by Bangkok in the fourth quarter.

However, that number was a far cry from the 1.8 million passengers recorded in 2019.

The average load factor for all year operations for Bangkok and Phuket routes was around 70-90%, but this was from flight frequencies at only 40% of the pre-Covid level.

Mr Al Mutawa said the most important cause for concern regarding Thai tourism this year is the government's border protocols, followed by vaccine programmes in the country as well as the overall viral situation globally.

As the government is preparing to declare Covid endemic in July, which will enable travel regulations to be lifted, he said there is always demand to Thailand, particularly in terms of tourists from Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the US who normally travel during the school break in July.

Meanwhile, the current Russia-Ukraine conflict poses a short-term impact on Emirates' airfares, which increased by 2-3% globally due to the surge in oil prices.

Mr Al Mutawa said the crisis might cause some hiccups to travel sentiment as it has been proven that even the pandemic cannot stop people from travelling globally.

Recently, Emirates signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the Tourism Authority of Thailand in order to help support Thai tourism via jointly marketing and promotional campaigns.

He said the MoC will help attract more international tourists to Thailand and also support cargo businesses by promoting the country, benefiting from its global network of 128 destinations globally.

Would you still want to visit Thailand with these new entry rules? ASEAN NOW

File photo

We read last week that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has agreed to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals, effective from April 1st. (April fools day!!)

The CCSA has decided to do away with the requirement for all travelers to Thailand, under the "Test and Go" program, to take an RT-PCR test in 72 hours before their departure, by land, air, or sea.

However, they still must take the test upon arrival and self-administer an antigen test on the 5th day of their stay in the country.

The move is part of the gradual easing of restrictions in an attempt to revive the country's vital tourism sector, although the CCSA also decided to extend the enforcement of the emergency announcement for the 17th time, from April 1st until May 31st.

Now, this may all sound fine and dandy, but a friend of mine who works on the oil rigs in South America and travels to Thailand regularly is not convinced it will encourage tourists.

He points out that they have got rid of pre-flight testing, although he could, through no fault of his own, catch a virus on the plane over and on arrival test positive.

If that is the case, he then has a huge bill while he is forced to stay in an expensive Thai hospital, and so is it worth the risk of coming here for a holiday.

Vietnam's open for tourists

Vietnam's Ministry of Health on March 15 released COVID-19 entry procedures for foreign arrivals and foreign arrivals are required to:

●   Take a COVID-19 negative test using the RT-PCR method 72 hours before entering Vietnam OR a rapid Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entering Vietnam. This does not apply to children under 2 years of age.
●   Make a health declaration before entry and download the PC-COVID app; and
●   In case a COVID-19 test is not taken prior to departure, a test will be taken within 24 hours after arriving in Vietnam. If negative, travelers can travel anywhere within Vietnam; no quarantine required.
Either way, there is a risk to tourists that their dream holiday could end up becoming a very costly quarantine.

Could there be a simpler method?

The bottom line is if Omicron is like a heavy case of influenza are the authorities being a bit heavy-handed?

måndag 21 mars 2022

Flash flood warned for 12 southern Thai provinces until Thursday | According to the National Water Command Centre, the 12 southern provinces at risk of flash floods are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. PBS World.

Flash flood warned for 12 southern Thai provinces until Thursday

People living in low-lying areas and close to natural waterways in 12 southern provinces of Thailand are being warned of possible flash flooding, from today (Monday) until Thursday, as a consequence of a strong low pressure cell in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal.

According to the National Water Command Centre, the 12 southern provinces at risk of flash floods are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Relevant agencies have been instructed to monitor weather conditions closely, especially in areas where accumulated rainfall is more than 90mm in 24 hours and in flood-prone areas, and to adjust water management plans appropriately.

They are also to warn people in high-risk areas, where evacuation may be required.

Today, the Meteorological Department forecast more rain, with isolated heavy showers over the next 24 hours throughout Thailand.

It said that the southerly and south-easterly winds covering the lower part of the northern, central and eastern regions are intensifying, as the depression in the Bay of Bengal heads towards Myanmar and is forecast to make landfall on Tuesday.

Rough seas are predicted in the Andaman Sea, with waves between 2 and 3 metres in height and three metres in stormy areas, whereas, in the Gulf of Thailand, waves are 1 to 2 metres high.

The Labor Ministry dismissed social media rumors that Thailand planned to raise the minimum wage 64% to 492 baht a day. Bangkok Herald

No Plans to Raise Thai Minimum Wage to ฿492 a Day – Labor Ministry

21 March 2022

The Labor Ministry dismissed social media rumors that Thailand planned to raise the minimum wage 64% to 492 baht a day.

Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said the 300-baht-a-day minimum wage is assessed by a tripartite committee representing the government, employers and employees. The current minimum wage has been in place since Jan. 1, 2020, and is undergoing review by the committee. It is higher in Bangkok at 336 baht a day.

The minister said evaluation of the minimum wage for Bangkok and other provinces will be completed by July. The committee will then work to complete its consideration of all relevant data by September.

Suchart argued that the minimum wage tends to be more of an issue for migrant workers, as Thais are generally employed in occupations that pay more than the minimum.

Suchart explained that Thailand's minimum wage is higher than in most member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, except Singapore, and is higher than in Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar.

He also said moves to raise the minimum wage would need to account for factors such as inflation and the cost of living in each province. He added that the government has assisted workers through various programs.

Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree