Decree to remain in place: Prayut. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday insisted the government has not yet cancelled the emergency decree as there remain concerns that the special law is still needed, although easing of restrictions will continue and the cabinet will reassess the situation when the time is right. Bangkok Post

Decree to remain in place: Prayut

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has his temperature taken before chairing the Police Commission meeting at the Royal Thai Police office on Monday. The premier said the government has not yet cancelled the emergency decree. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday insisted the government has not yet cancelled the emergency decree as there remain concerns that the special law is still needed, although easing of restrictions will continue and the cabinet will reassess the situation when the time is right.

Gen Prayut's remarks came after Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rangsiman Rome urged the government to stop renewing the decree, which has been extended 18 times in two years despite the drop in Covid-19 cases and easing of restrictions.

The premier said the emergency decree was invoked to facilitate government efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 and the special law has been an effective tool in helping to achieve that target.

He said the government would have to examine the Covid-19 situation and decide if the emergency decree was still necessary. If the emergency decree is lifted, the government will have only the public health laws at its disposal, he noted.

On Sunday, Mr Rangsiman demanded the government lift the special law which he claimed has been used to take legal action against anti-government protesters rather than curbing the spread of the virus.

He said the government had eased several Covid-19 restrictions including allowing people to take off their face masks in open-air spaces, so there was also no need to maintain the decree.

Introduced on March 26, 2020 to control the spike in Covid-19 cases, the emergency decree gave the prime minister full control of anti-virus measures as head of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Gen Prayut said the economic outlook after the reopening of the country was positive due to an increase in the number of international tourists.

However, he said the government had several issues still to tackle including the overcrowding problem at immigration checkpoints.

He said that some Covid-19 restrictions would have to be maintained to keep the chances of a resurgence in cases to a minimum.

"The people are in [economic] hardship. Don't you think the prime minister is troubled by that? We're trying to help to the best of our ability without causing more problems," he said.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he had instructed City Hall officials to contact the Indian embassy and hold talks on how to attract more tourists from the country.

He said the move came after he learned that Indian tourists were now the country's top arrivals and that the talks should help City Hall determine policies that can help stimulate the local tourism industry.

Mr Chadchart also urged people to get a third booster shot after the CCSA postponed relaxing regulations on their use in the capital due to the low number of people who received a third shot against Covid-19.

He said he was less concerned about a spike in infections following the reopening of night entertainment venues, than the current safety of the venues, particularly regarding fire safety standards, as they had been closed for an extended period.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the agency is putting together a new tourism promotion scheme for submission to the cabinet for consideration.

The new scheme, which was approved in principle by the National Tourism Policy Committee, is designed to target 2.5 million people in the public sector.

According to Ms Thapanee, over the next six months, about 90% of this group would spend two days working in the provinces to help stimulate tourism in those areas.

She said the new scheme was designed to cater to those in the public sector because they had income security and had been less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is estimated that local tourists spend 4,100 baht per head per trip on average, said Ms Thapanee.

"If 90% of 2.5 million people in this sector join the scheme, it would generate a cash flow of at least 50 billion baht," she added.

AOT Official. - Today, admin will take you to see the atmosphere inside the SAT-1 building of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Spacious seating waiting to welcome all tourists to use our service. 🥰✈️ https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfAyQy9gKJC/?igshid=NWRhNmQxMjQ=

Thailand’s tourism far from recovering with huge jobs and business losses in last two years. Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product.- Pattaya Mail

Thailand's tourism far from recovering with huge jobs and business losses in last two years

Pattaya MailJune 20, 2022

Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product.

Thailand has announced that it would abandon its much-criticized pre-registration process for foreign visitors and no longer require face masks to be worn in public, responding to a slower COVID-19 spread.

Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan told reporters that the "Thailand Pass" system, where foreign tourists must seek prior approval from Thai authorities, will be halted from July 1, removing one of the country's last remaining travel curbs.



The kingdom is one of the world's most popular travel destinations, but tourism businesses have long complained that its requirement for foreigners to submit multiple documents – from vaccine and swab test certificates to medical insurance and hotel bookings – was impeding the sector's recovery.

Thailand was visited by nearly 40 million people in 2019, but received less than 1% of that number last year despite easing its quarantine requirements.

Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakansaid "Thailand Pass" system, where foreign tourists must seek prior approval from Thai authorities, will be halted from July 1, removing one of the country's last remaining travel curbs.

Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product.

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) also said the use of face masks would be voluntary starting next month, but advised people to wear them if in crowded settings or if suffering from health conditions.

Thailand has recorded more than 30,000 COVID fatalities overall, but has largely contained its outbreaks, helped by a vaccination rate of more than 80%.(NNT)

The Health Department has come up with guidelines on how to best protect yourself once the mask mandate is scrapped on July 1. Read More: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016826



Come fly with me in Thailand, with a face mask - Domestic flights are VERY confusing. OPINION | Thaiger

Come fly with me in Thailand, with a face mask – OPINION

By 

Tim Newton

Monday, June 20, 2022 10:22

July 1 is looming as the day Thailand really opens up again, with all the 'Covid' paperwork (aka. The Thailand Pass) being binned. They're even scrapping the TM6 form, at least in the short to medium term (maybe permanently?).

But if you want a reminder about some of Thailand's more hypocritical and absurd Covid restrictions, just go for a flight, domestically.

Now, I have been a frequent flyer, domestically, almost exclusively out of BKK (Suvarnabhumi) to HKT (Phuket) over the past 20 months. I've totalled 138 domestic flights in Thailand in that time. Although my experience has been limited to mainly 2 carriers, the same rules apply for flying anywhere inside Thailand at the moment.

I am sure all this is about to be given the heave-ho, and none of it particularly bothers me, but I just battle to grasp the logic  of it all.

It all starts with the check in area where you need to wear your face masks, only to remove them for the check-in attendant when they make sure your mouth and nose look something like your passport photo. If there's a long queue you are waiting in line with people that will be well inside your 'Covid personal space'.

Then the seating areas are marked with an alternate tick and a cross. Social distancing is in force here and suddenly becomes an acute problem, compared to the laissez-faire attitude in the check-in queues. Those damn green tick and red cross stickers have been stuck to the vinyl for a couple of years, and proudly adorn most of the seating at Airports of Thailand facilities around the country. I fear the stickers may take half the upholstery with them when ripped off. But the visual signal, the red cross, was a sure sign no one would sit there. We are then frequently reminded of the importance of social distancing whilst waiting in the airport – in Thai, English and Chinese languages. Often. (Why bother with the Chinese language announcements at the moment??)

Then we queue up to get into the bus or make our way onto the plane. Any social distancing we've been practicing for the past 30 minutes or so is gone again as people cram the lines in fear that the plane is going to leave without them. Some of the budget carriers park in a remote section of the airport to save on gate fees and require a bus ride from the terminal to your plane.

If you have the misfortune of travelling to your plane by bus then you'll know it gets really silly with the buses fitted out with foot stickers showing people where they should stand to avoid close contact. If you used the guide of the foot stickers, only about 20 people would actually get on the bus. But they've wasted their money on these feet-shaped stickers because 1) the airline treats the buses as sardine cans to ferry the impatient passengers to their plane and 2) NO one stands on the foot stickers – NOBODY.

Once in the plane any pretence to social distancing is completely irrelevant because we're sitting within spitting distance of any number of strangers.

We're continually reminded to wear our masks at all times during the flight and the attendants, with little else to do these days, are particularly attendant to your mask being properly worn at all times.

The food and beverage cart doesn't make an appearance, not that I need a cold tea or stale piece of cake in a one hour flight, but they seem to be be able to wheel the merchandise cart down the aisle (does anyone ever buy the airline merch?). It's been almost two years since you could buy a sandwich on a budget airline, or get handed out the free catering from the full-service airlines.

Then getting off the aircraft, after being crammed next the snotty-nosed kid on side and the snoring tourist on the other, only inches away from my head, we're told we have to deplane "row by row" and "five aisles at a time" to adhere to the airline's social distance policy.

By the time I get off the plane, and back into the terminal building, I am totally bewildered where, on the one hand, I've been bombarded with announcements by the airline – in the boarding area and the plane – about the importance to wear your face mask and socially distance, whilst on the other hand me, and another 150 or so people, have been crammed into a space about 30 metres x 4 metres (approx. 100 x 13 feet) for the past hour.

Over the past month the need to show my Covid vaccination certificate at check-in has almost completely disappeared, so they're no longer fussy who they transport on their aircraft. So why all the residual, and contrary, restrictions?

From July 1 just about all restrictions in Thailand are gone, including the Thailand Pass and the compulsory US$10,000 insurance. So the whole experience of coming to Thailand will be back to normal… unless you're travelling on a domestic flight.

It's now time for the civil aviation authorities in Thailand, the AoT and airlines to urgently come into line with the rest of the country to provide the best, most transparent and 'normal' travel experience as possible.

I will also move into the upholstery business as they start ripping off all those seat stickers!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 If you want to travel to Thailand, apply for the Thailand Pass with the 24-hour service and obtain Covid Insurance (including free SIM cards).  

Note: Unvaccinated travellers require a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours. 

AOT prepares for 50% increase in passengers during high season. The Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s board of directors will mete on Wednesday to adjust its estimation of arrivals in line with the October to March flight schedule. The Nation

AOT prepares for 50% increase in passengers during high season

The Airports of Thailand (AOT)'s board of directors will mete on Wednesday to adjust its estimation of arrivals in line with the October to March flight schedule.

"Since Thailand is lifting restrictions, we believe that in October, Suvarnabhumi Airport will see up to 100,000 passengers per day, which is about 50 per cent of the pre-Covid levels," AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said on Sunday. "The AOT board will adjust its estimates accordingly to prepare for the surge in arrivals in time for the winter or the high season."

Nitinai added that AOT expects to see more arrivals from India and Singapore, as well as some passengers from China, which has started allowing business people and students to travel overseas.

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is currently welcoming up to 80,000 passengers daily, 50,000 of whom are international arrivals.

Six airports come under AOT's jurisdiction, namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Chiang Rai.

"Airports upcountry are also seeing a surge in passengers. Hat Yai Airport has reported an 85 per cent increase, while Phuket and Chiang Mai are also seeing more chartered flights from South Korea," Nitinai added. "We believe these six airports could see more than 200,000 passengers per day during the winter season."

To cope with this increase in passengers, AOT has instructed all airports to open more check-in counters as well as increase the number of self-service and bag drop counters to allow passengers to check in and drop off their luggage automatically.

Aktuella priser

Thailand records 1,784 Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths on Monday. The Nation



Nine out of 10 Thais vow to keep masks on after mandate scrapped. The government has announced that from July 1, it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask in public. However, 93.3 per cent of Thais said they will continue wearing masks in public places, according to a recent Department of Health survey. Only 6.7 per cent of those surveyed said they would stop covering their faces. The Nation / Bangkok Jack

Nine out of 10 Thais vow to keep masks on after mandate scrapped

An overwhelming majority of Thais say they will continue wearing face masks after mandatory face-covering is scrapped next month.

June 19, 2022

The government has announced that from July 1, it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask in public.

However, 93.3 per cent of Thais said they will continue wearing masks in public places, according to a recent Department of Health survey.

Only 6.7 per cent of those surveyed said they would stop covering their faces.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked members of the public for wearing masks in great numbers, which he credited for Thailand's success in curbing Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases, according to Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The PM suggested mask-wearing should be voluntary, adding that many should continue wearing them to help reduce the risk of infection, Taweesin said on Saturday. Prayut pointed to elderly people and those with chronic diseases who are unvaccinated, as well as Covid-19 patients and others in high-risk groups.

The CCSA spokesman said masks could be removed outdoors in uncrowded spaces. Mask-wearing is still recommended indoors with people who are not from the same household.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted that the move to scrap mandatory mask-wearing did not come from his ministry.

However, Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the ministry's Department of Health said easing of Covid-19 restrictions across the country meant people could remove their face masks while outdoors and at a safe distance from others.

The elderly, people with chronic diseases and those infected with Covid-19 are still advised to wear masks in public, he added. – The Nation

Avoiding tourism's stresses and strains. Foreign visitors have started returning to tourist destinations since the start of the year after the government lifted some Covid-19 measures. The influx of tourists has been observed from Phuket to Chiang Mai, some of which report visitor overcrowding. Bangkok Post

Avoiding tourism's stresses and strains

Koh Khai Hua Roh, a small islet in the sea off Trat province, is a popular destination for tourists to take selfies. JAKKRIT WAEWKRAIHONG

Foreign visitors have started returning to tourist destinations since the start of the year after the government lifted some Covid-19 measures. The influx of tourists has been observed from Phuket to Chiang Mai, some of which report visitor overcrowding.

This encouraging trend nevertheless raises a challenge for tourism management in the post-pandemic era. As tourism is expected to be the main driver of the economic recovery, Thailand needs a clear strategy for sustainable tourism, so it can avoid the damage done by overtourism in the pre-pandemic period.

One destination that has already experienced damage caused by overcapacity and selfie-crazy tourists is a small uninhabited islet off the coast of eastern Trat province, which has become famous among social media users.

This islet, nicknamed "Koh Khai Hua Roh" which means the comical island, is a few metres wide and has just one lone tree -- making it look like an imaginary island in a popular Thai comic, Khai Hua Roh.

Its unique characteristic has attracted tourists who want to take pictures of themselves and the tree on social media.

In the past few months, after the relaxation of Covid-19 measures, big groups of Thai tourists have begun to visit the islet. Some groups have come with more than 10 members even though the islet can take just five tourists at a time.

News reports say the visitors climbed the tree, Xylocarpus rumphii or tabantree in the local language, which is a rare plant species in Thailand. Its branches have been broken, and its roots trampled and damaged. As a result, the condition of the tree is worsening.

This led Koh Mak Tambon Administrative Organisation, the local government entity overseeing the islet, to start thinking about measures including limiting the number of visitors to the islet and seasonal closing to allow the tree's recovery.

What happened on the islet is like the deja vu of pre-Covid tourism, in which some tourist destinations were temporarily closed due to overcapacity and a deteriorated environment.

In May, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that around 20,000 international visitors arrived in Thailand each day. It estimates the total number of foreign tourists may reach 7-10 million by the end of this year.

But that is still far less than a pre-pandemic year, with nearly 40 million overseas visitors in 2019 with tourism revenue accounting for around 20% of GDP.

One in four of these visitors came from China, which still has closed borders under the zero-Covid policy.

While tourism is recovering, some measures should be put in place to avoid damage similar to that which occurred on Trat's islet. The good news is there are examples of sustainable tourism movements that could be replicated in other destinations.

Moo Koh Phi Phi Archipelago in southern Krabi province, where the 2000 film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio was shot, is a most outstanding case study that shows nature's ability to recover if tourism is well managed.

The effort to save the island's environment began in 2018 when academics, authorities, and local tour operators agreed to shut down Koh Phi Phi Le, well known for its Maya Bay, the paradise-like beach surrounded by limestone cliffs and crystal clear water.

Maya Bay, which includes a 250-metre-long beach, received more than 5,000 tourists a day before the shutdown. Without controls in place, tourist boats could park anywhere in front of the bay and damage coral reefs.

Tourists stepped on the reefs and dumped garbage all over. Some even threw food into the water to attract fish, so they could take selfies while feeding the animals. Worse, some tour guides encouraged them to do so.

But Maya Bay is not like that any more. Since its reopening in January, tourists can only access the beach from the back of the island to preserve coral reefs at the front. They are allowed to be on the beach for one hour, and no more than 300 on the beach at a time. They are also prohibited to swim in the water, but they can still dip their feet in the water. Guards are stationed on the beach to warn tourists who flout the rules.

Authorities and marine research organisations put effort into restoring the reefs in the absence of tourists. Last year, they said blacktip sharks had returned to the water around Maya Bay for the first time in decades.

The effort to restore Maya Bay is making good progress mainly because of the participation of stakeholders who share a sense of purpose. Local business operators understand they would lose income in the short term. But they will be able to sustain their business in the long run, if tourism and the environment are kept in good balance.

Tourists also gain. They can still take selfies, but with a better landscape and atmosphere.

This effort needs replication in other parts of Thailand in preparation for the influx of tourists. If it spreads out and develops to a national movement, Thai tourism will likely make a comeback, and be even stronger after the pandemic than it was before.

Paritta Wangkiat is a Bangkok Post columnist.

per law, a tourist cannot legally buy a bottle of beer at 3pm in Thailand. But can buy weed…..Kla Party calls to scrap ban on alcohol sales from 2-5pm. Phuket News

Kla Party calls to scrap ban on alcohol sales from 2-5pm

A man has a drink outside parliament in Bangkok on Feb 9 during a rally held to demand legal amendments to make it easier for small-scale distillers and brewers to operate. A bill to that effect passed first reading in the House on June 8. Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya / Bangkok Post

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which limits the hours when alcoholic beverages can be sold, needs to be revised as it remains an obstacle to tourism operators who have already been battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Atavit said on Saturday (June 18) after attending a meeting of the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA), reports Bangkok Post.

No other countries in Southeast Asia have laws restricting the hours of alcohol sales, he said.

"Thailand used to attract 40 million tourists a year, generating 3 trillion baht in revenue, but there has been a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol from 2pm to 5pm since 1972 for the outdated reason that drunk civil servants will not work productively," said Mr Atavit.

Now that the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has proposed allowing night entertainment venues to operate until 2am, starting July 1, the law governing alcohol sales needs to be revised to be in line with the current situation, he added.

The Kla Party, led by former finance minister and longtime Democrat heavyweight Korn Chatikavanij, has been raising its profile in recent weeks, with members proposing various reforms, including legalising gambling to spur the economy.

Provisions that prohibit authorised sellers from selling alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm will not stop people from buying alcohol, said Thanakorn Kuptajit, a former chairman of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association.

"Instead, the authorities should seriously enforce the law that prohibits selling alcoholic beverages to customers aged below 20 and revise the zoning requirement to sell alcoholic beverages, because this is no longer appropriate to the current situation," Mr Thanakorn said.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Sunday ⬇️ 1,892 new cases ⬇️ 22 deaths ⬇️ 21,311 active cases ⬆️ 607 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



🔴 #COVID19 update on Saturday ⬆️ 2,272 new cases ⬆️ 23 deaths ⬆️ 21,315 active cases ⬇️ 593 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



Alcohol sales ban in Thailand between 2 PM - 5 PM to be lifted nationwide on July 1st but only in hotels, says Tourism Minister - The Phuket Express

Alcohol sales ban in Thailand between 2 PM – 5 PM to be lifted nationwide on July 1st but only in hotels, says Tourism Minister

Friday, 17 June 2022, 23:31

File Photo, Thai tourism Minister.

National —

  The long-standing alcohol sales ban between 2-5 PM will be lifted nationwide on July 1st but only in hotels, the Tourism and Sports Minister said today, June 17th, at the Center for Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) meeting. 

According to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the CCSA has agreed to lift the unpopular nationwide alcohol sales ban between 2 PM – 5 PM, starting this July 1st along with the other newest relaxations that have just been updated today, June 17th, by the CCSA. 

Nevertheless, the change, according to the minister, will initially be limited to hotels that cater to tourists. Restaurants and tourist attractions may also sell alcohol during the extended period, at the provincial governor's discretion, the minister said. 

"This change is supposed to uplift tourism. Imagine if some tourists are relaxing in their hotel, and they are suddenly notified that the alcohol is not allowed anymore from 2-5 PM. This will surefire ruin the country's reputation," the tourism and sports minister said. "However, this new change is not applied to regular and convenience stores, at least initially, until more research is done," Phiphat stated.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn concluded that Thai tourism will improve by a great margin from these new relaxations. Starting on July 1st, an estimated 25-30 thousand international tourists are expected to enter the country daily. He expects to see no less than 7.5 million people in total at this year-end and hopes to push to 10 million at best.  

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Pattaya News, owned by our parent company TPN media. 

You can learn more about the other newest relaxations that have just been updated here. 

MASK CONFUSION - The Thaiger

MASK CONFUSION
Today's announcement from the CCSA was mostly good news. But the situation regarding masks was a bit more opaque. The wording from Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the CCSA, was long and meandering. But there was this sentence (translated)...

"Masks can be removed in some areas. I would like to emphasize this is up to the personal discretion and willingness of each individual. Masks can be removed in open air spaces and athletes can remove masks during exercise."

So we'll leave it at that. Certainly positive but not 100% clear yet. Hopefully there will be greater clarification in coming days.

MASK CONFUSION - The Thaiger



Thai Covid-19 Situation Center agrees to restore nationwide green zones, cancel Thailand Pass, eases mask mandate, and more. Pattaya News

The Center for Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) has reportedly given the green light to restore nationwide green zones, cancel Thailand Pass, ease the mask mandate in open areas, and extend legal closing hours for nightlife outlets to 2 AM.

Friday, 17 June 2022, 13:06

National/Bangkok —

Essentially, today's measures bring to an end over two years of Covid-19 restrictions and rules, except for the emergency decree and some masking recommendations.

A source at the regular CCSA meeting today, June 17th, 2022, led by the director PM Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha reports that the CCSA has consented to reclassify the entire nation's color-zoning into what they call green zones (surveillance). All Pilot Tourist Areas will be lifted as well. These changes will go into effect as soon as the official legal order in the Royal Gazette is released, and is expected to legally take effect on July 1st, 2022. 

Moreover, the CCSA has also decided to move the legal closing hours for nightlife outlets from midnight to pre-pandemic hours or around 2 AM though the mask mandate is still "recommended" in crowded spaces but is relaxed in open/outdoor spaces. However, an exact date for easing of the mask mandate has NOT been announced and is NOT set in stone as July 1st, notes the CCSA, and will depend on the upcoming Royal Gazette order.

The transportation of migrant workers has also been reverted back to normal.

A source also reports that normal temperature checkpoints at each facility have been given the go-ahead to be removed as well except in certain facilities at risk of transmission. A large gathering of more than 2,000 participants will need permission from the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee before taking place.

-=-=–=-=-
One of the most important relaxations of the day is surely the cancelation of the Thailand Pass including:

1. Revoking the Thailand Pass for international visitors
2. International visitors will only be checked for the vaccination certificate or ATK test result at random. Unvaccinated visitors/not fully vaccinated who are checked at random will need to take an ATK test. This is expected to be lifted when the emergency decree ends, which is staying for the time being.
3. Removing temperature and respiratory checkpoints at the international entrances.
4. Changes/Removal to Covid-19 insurance requirements. This is still a question mark as of press time with mixed messages and may need further clarification.
5. Replacing the Thailand Pass with only a basic Health Declaration Form as needed 

Some of the above changes are effective immediately and some will follow after the Gazette is released, according to the CCSA.

It is important to note that provincial governors still have the ability to strengthen rules if they choose to do so and that nothing is "official" until printed and released in the Royal Gazette.

There was no further discussion around potential visa waivers or adjustments, however, at the meeting.

This is a developing story, notes TPN, and this article may be updated or adjusted if more information is released.

🚨 The CCSA has announced that the Thailand Pass will stop being required from 1st July onwards. People also don't need to buy insurance. However, you may have to show vaccination documents or test results if asked. This will continue while the emergency decree remains.

You also won't be required to wear masks outdoors or in well ventilated places. There will be exceptions like crowded places. Entertainment venues can stay open until 2am and hotels can sell alcohol during the afternoon.

More updates soon. Please note, as usual this isn't law until it's published in the royal gazette.

🚨 The CCSA has announced…….. Richard Barrow



[Breaking] The registration with Thailand Pass for foreigners will be canceled, starting July 1, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan said after the CCSA meeting on Friday. Thai Enquirer



🔴 #COVID19 update on Friday ⬇️ 1,967 new cases ⬆️ 19 deaths ⬇️ 21,030 active cases ⬆️ 598 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



The Public Health Ministry expects the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to lift nearly all Covid-19 restrictions nationwide, meaning the virtual full-scale resumption of business and other activities including entertainment. Bangkok Post

Anutin: Most Covid controls to be lifted

Pubs and bars in the nightlife centre of Soi Nana, Bangkok, reopened on June 1. The same will happen nationwide if the government declares green Covid-19 control zones nationwide on Friday. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

The Public Health Ministry expects the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to lift nearly all Covid-19 restrictions nationwide, meaning the virtual full-scale resumption of business and other activities including entertainment.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that he expected the CCSA to announce nationwide green Covid-19 zones on Friday and also set the date for the relaxation to begin.

In green zones, entertainment places can reopen and there are no restrictions on gatherings or the use of school buildings and sports facilities.

From June 1, restriction-free business and activities including entertainment venues and massage parlours were allowed in 14 green-zone provinces and 17 blue zone provinces, to support tourism. 

Forty-six other provinces were yellow zones where the number of people in each gathering was capped at 1,000 and the closure of entertainment places and massage parlours continued. There were also disease control measures at schools and the number of spectators at indoor stadium events limited to 75% of seats.

There were no restrictions at open-air stadiums and theatres were already permitted to operate as normal nationwide.

Also from June 1, disease control measures were enforced at entertainment places, where, for example, staff singers and musicians must be fully vaccinated and undergo weekly antigen tests. People must not share glasses and there must not be promotions for alcohol sales.

As for the use of face masks, Mr Anutin said the Public Health Ministry would not announce a complete end to face mask use on Friday. Officials would consider lifting the requirement in particular areas.

On a proposal to extend the opening hours of entertainment places from midnight, he said the CCSA would consider the matter.

Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the Public Health Ministry would on Friday propose the CCSA impose green zones nationwide and in practice there would not be any restrictions on business and other activities.

Health authorities had no concerns about the operation of pubs, bars and karaoke shops. The number of serious Covid-19 cases dependent on ventilators had dropped to 200-300, he said.

On the use of face masks, Dr Opas said the Public Health Ministry had never arrested anyone who failed to wear a face mask. It only recommended people wear masks as long as they could do so, he said.

The ministry suggested people remove face masks while eating, when alone or a fair distance away from others, or when outdoors or in well-ventilated places, Dr Opas said.

Despite widespread news that the Thai Covid Center may ease the mask mandate tomorrow, Public Health Minister Anutin stated just now he is against this…… Pattaya News



🔴 #COVID19 update on Thursday ⬇️ 2,153 new cases ⬇️ 17 deaths ⬇️ 21,205 active cases ⬇️ 594 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



Thailand NOT prepared for another Tsunami. Public disaster experts have admitted that the Thai public is generally unaware of the danger posed by a repeat of a devastating tsunami, like that which struck many countries in Southeast Asia and around the Indian ocean, including the west coast of southern Thailand 17 years ago, and that there is a lack of a credible tsunami early warning system. Thai PBS

Public disaster experts have admitted that the Thai public is generally unaware of the danger posed by a repeat of a devastating tsunami, like that which struck many countries in Southeast Asia and around the Indian ocean, including the west coast of southern Thailand 17 years ago, and that there is a lack of a credible tsunami early warning system.

Expressing his views on the anniversary of the Asian tsunami today, Dr. Pennueng Wanichchai, chief of the project to mitigate the dangers of earthquakes for the Ministry of Science, Research and Innovations, said that there is a possibility of another tsunami in the life time of this generation, because a huge source of energy has accumulated under the Andaman Sea and is yet to be released in the form of an earthquake and tsunami.

In a worst case scenario, if there is another tsunami, he said that he is not sure that people will be evacuated to safety in time, if there is no evacuation plan in place, capable of being implemented at short notice.

Without an evacuation plan and being unprepared, Dr. Pennueng said that people may not know what to do first, with many likely to head home to warn their loved ones, while others may rush to schools to pick up their children first.

Evacuation is a complicated process and, without proper preparations, he said he is afraid that many people will die because they will not evacuate in time. (continues)

Dr. Pennueng also noted that some areas struck by the tsunami 17 years ago are now heavily populated and with many hotels and many road signs for evacuation routes, which were built after the tsunami.

Assistant Professor Dr. Panon Latcharote, a researcher at Mahidol University, said that one of the reasons for the high death toll in the last tsunami was the lack of preparation for coping with a disaster of such a magnitude, adding that evacuation is a process which requires periodic practice, in order to get used to it, and it must be able to be put into actual practice once there is a disaster.

He said that the research team is working on a tsunami risk map for areas on the Andaman sea coast, to instil awareness of the dangers posed.

Assistant Professor Dr. Pasakorn Panon, a researcher at Kasetsart University, stressed the need for a study of the powerful fault lines in neighbouring countries, which may affect Thailand.

He noted the main constraint in creating a tsunami simulation model for Thailand is the lack of high definition geographic data on the coasts of Thailand, both in the sea and on land.

The Asian tsunami killed an estimated 282,000 people in 14 countries, including more than 5,000 along southern Thailand's west coast. – Thai PBS

Quote of the Week: #Thailand's Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose main policy is cannabis liberalisation for medical purposes, speaking about the heart failure and death of a 51-year-old man after using cannabis. PBS World



CCSA may lift mandatory mask-wearing in public. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies to study the pros and cons of lifting the mandatory mask-wearing measure and present their findings to a national Covid meeting on Friday. The Nation

 

CCSA may lift mandatory mask-wearing in public

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies to study the pros and cons of lifting the mandatory mask-wearing measure and present their findings to a national Covid meeting on Friday.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the proposal to do away with mask wearing in public would be considered by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on the orders of the prime minister during its Friday meeting.

Thanakorn said Prayut, in his capacity as CCSA director, had instructed all government agencies concerned to analyse the current Covid-19 situation and study measures to cope with the improved situation if the CCSA decides to lift its mask wearing requirement.

He said the CCSA would listen to opinions from a number of experts and would make a decision with prudence by taking into account public health and safety.

Last month, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said his ministry would ask the CCSA to scrap mask-wearing in areas with low infection and high vaccination rates.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Wednesday ⬆️ 2,263 new cases ⬇️ 18 deaths ⬆️ 21,581 active cases ⬇️ 644 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



Cabinet approves lifting arrival/departure card requirement. The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to temporarily lift the requirement for tourists to fill in a TM6 arrival/departure card, to ease overcrowding at airports. Bangkok Post

Cabinet approves lifting arrival/departure card requirement

Tourists queue at Suvarnabhumi airport on June 9. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)

The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to temporarily lift the requirement for tourists to fill in a TM6 arrival/departure card, to ease overcrowding at airports.

Speaking after the weekly meeting, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that easing the TM6 requirement would facilitate the reopening of the country to tourists.

Filling out and filing documents was a cause of overcrowding at airports, he said.

The government would assess the matter to see if any problems arose as a result of the decision, and whether officials could still efficiently track people entering and leaving the country. 

The Interior Ministry would speed up the drafting of an announcement, he said. He expected it would take about a week. 

Compulsory insurance could survive abolition of Thailand Pass. The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Association of Thailand are recommending an end to pre-registration for arrivals from July 1 but with an added headache for airlines and airport immigration. That’s because vaccination-status paperwork and proof of anti-Covid insurance worth at least US$10,000 would need to be shown by the passenger, either at check-in or on arrival in Thailand. Probably both. - Pattaya Mail

Compulsory insurance could survive abolition of Thailand Pass

Barry KenyonJune 14, 2022

The end of Thailand Pass could lead to delays at airports here and abroad.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourist Association of Thailand are recommending an end to pre-registration for arrivals from July 1 but with an added headache for airlines and airport immigration. That's because vaccination-status paperwork and proof of anti-Covid insurance worth at least US$10,000 would need to be shown by the passenger, either at check-in or on arrival in Thailand. Probably both.



It had been widely assumed that the expected end of Thailand Pass (yet to be agreed by the Cabinet) would mean the automatic ditching of the insurance requirement for tourists. Such policies may cost between 700 baht and 11,000 baht for one month, but the cheaper ones are considered worthless and are simply a disguised entry tax. Neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam have already scrapped the insurance demand in an attempt to win extra market share of overseas visitors.

If the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration this week were to accept the proposal to have ongoing insurance, extra delays would occur when passengers checked in for their flights because staff would need to ascertain their paperwork was in order, or risk being fined by Bangkok authorities. This happened under the now defunct Test and Go procedures when airlines had to ensure that Thai-bound customers had their downloaded QR code. Some airlines initially refused to board people who did not have an onward ticket for flights out of Thailand.

The next step would be for immigration officers to check the vaccination records and insurance paperwork of all arriving passengers, likely a prolonged task in some cases as insurance documents can be complex, written in several languages and not always clear about Covid cover. If Thailand's tourist rebirth is to avoid airport chaos and unhelpful publicity, the rules to replace Thailand Pass need a very cool rethink. As ever, the devil hides in the detail.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Tuesday ⬆️ 1,833 new cases ⬆️ 19 deaths ⬇️ 21,445 active cases ⬇️ 656 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



Only days after cannabis was decriminalized, leading doctors and health officials are warning it is only for medical reasons and that recreational is strictly forbidden, with many calling for harsher rules and regulations. Legalized cannabis is for medical purposes only, not recreational, Thailand’s Medical Services Department reiterates Monday, 13 June 2022, 20:19. Pattaya News

National –Thailand's Department of Medical Services has reiterated its position that legalized cannabis extracts must only be used for medicinal purposes only, not for recreational.

Department director-general Somsak Ankasil reminded the public today, June 13th, that the decriminalization of some THC cannabis parts is for medical purposes, not for recreational use, because the extracts can give both health benefits and risks and must be taken under the supervision and advice of medical personnel.

He also emphasized the use of medicinal cannabis extracts as an alternative in case the prescription drugs were not effective. The decision must primarily consider the health, safety, and benefits of a patient.

"The Ministry of Public Health has a policy for hospitals to open integrated medical cannabis clinics, both traditional and modern, and provide training courses for doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and medical personnel on the use of medicinal cannabis extracts to properly treat the patients," Somsak continued.

The medical personnel must closely monitor the treatment results and side effects of the use of cannabis extracts, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, epilepsy, muscle stiffness and spasms, neuropathic pain, etc. 

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gets his sixth, yes 6th, Covid-19 vaccine dose today and encourages everyone to keep up on regular booster shots. Your thoughts? Pattaya News

🔴 #COVID19 update on Monday ⬇️ 1,801 new cases ⬇️ 15 deaths ⬇️ 21,786 active cases ⬆️ 661 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow