Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

Highlights:

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

• 4,631 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.
• 1,546 (PCR) and 7,280 (ATK) recovered and were released from medical care
• Three new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 791 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with three new deaths, on April 12th, 2022.

This makes a total of 92,177 cases (PCR) and 228,921 cases (ATK) of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 11,509 (PCR) and 54,901 (ATK) people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 186 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections at the beginning of this year, January 2022.

Additionally, 1,546 (PCR) and 7,280 (ATK) people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 80,482 (PCR) and 174,020 (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.

Twelve people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or with pneumonia. Five of them were not vaccinated. According to the Chonburi Department of Public Health, the vast majority of recent cases are mild or asymptomatic at 99.628 percent.

The three new deaths were aged 79, 97, and 98, with severe personal health problems and pre-existing conditions. Two of them were not vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 40 cases
2. Risky occupations meeting many people, 30 cases
3. 22 medical personnel
4. 1 back from other province in Singburi
5. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 178 cases, in workplaces –47 cases, 52 close personal contacts, and 3 joined parties.
6. Close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 17 cases
7. 401 cases of close contacts with a confirmed patient (under investigation)

The Thai Immigration Act of 1979 was gazetted just after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Its tone and terms reflect the attitude of that era, but have now become anachronistic and no longer reflect the way contemporary Thais view the world or its "aliens".

Thai society was compelled to open up and modernize after that conflict. In so doing, it has experienced significant social, political, technological and economic changes which have transformed Thailand into a more mature and outward-looking nation.

The post-war basis is simply no longer appropriate given that the presence of "aliens" no longer poses a threat to the national security of Thailand. In fact, Asian countries which have opened up to expats have done much to improve their economy and enriched their society. Hong Kong and Singapore have been cases in point.



The system centers on the requirement for longstay foreigners and expats to report their address to the local immigration bureau every three months which they reside here. Although it is theoretically possible to register details online, there are frequent complaints about technological collapse and almost 90 percent of registrations are still conducted in person. Long queues at immigration offices, especially before and after public holidays, are frequently criticized on social media.



As a consequence of many military interventions over the years, Thai society and its institutions have been strongly influenced by coups. Given that army rule tends to be conservative, there has been no incentive for much-needed reform. Indeed, immigration bureaucracy has become more onerous in recent years with even short stay tourists required to notify their address shortly after arrival. The rules of entry for different categories of foreigner have become even more complex during the current pandemic.

Neighboring Cambodia, by contrast, has introduced a simple, online tourist registration system for those wishing to remain beyond 30 days. Called the Foreigners Present in Cambodia System, it provides multiple and immediate contact options by address, phone, email or QR code. There is no need to register unless or until the foreigner changes his Cambodian abode. Most of the registrations are completed by hotels or landlords.

Admittedly, there has been some limited improvement overall. A new four year, hi-tech visa does not require a 90 days report although it is awarded only to specialist professionals from abroad. Work permit legislation has become slightly less onerous, for example multiple jobs and locations are now possible. New retiree and investor visas, lasting up to 10 years but requiring considerable assets, are promised to be free of 90 days reporting although no details are yet available. Nonetheless, it is high time that Thailand reformed wholesale its immigration policies and requirements to create a far more user-friendly and contemporary context. The country and its future deserves no less.