The government has set criteria for tightening measures to contain the spread of the virus. - More than 4,000 people are hospitalised daily. - The number of patients on ventilators increases to 400-500 per day. - The number of deaths exceeds 40 per day. Bangkok Post



People flock to Bang Sue Grand Station on Monday to be vaccinated or receive booster shots against Covid-19 as the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron are spreading fast. Photos | Apichart Jinakul. Bangkok Post



The Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has asked the public to wear masks at all times, even outdoors, and get a booster before traveling during the long holiday this week.- The Pattaya News

Thai Public Health Ministry encourages public to receive booster vaccination before traveling during long holiday this week

Nop MeechukhunMonday, 11 July 2022, 20:32

National –

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health encourages the public to receive a booster vaccination before traveling during the long holiday this week.

Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that during this upcoming long holiday, from Wednesday 13th to Sunday the 17th, there may be an increased risk of Covid-19 infections in many areas, therefore, the Ministry would like to encourage the public to get vaccinated at vaccination centers, Provincial Health Offices, and public hospitals nationwide before traveling.

Anutin also reiterated that taking at least three doses or more would reduce severe symptoms and the chance of a fatality when being infected, especially among elders and people with health conditions.

As the country is already reopened, if people are still responsible and wearing a mask when traveling, then there should not be problems that could affect public health as a whole, Anutin added.

PHOTO: INN News

He stressed: "Infections..if there is a party, reopening of pubs and bars, gatherings of a large group of people, music festivals, or outdoor cinemas with preventive measures, then the situation can be controlled. We emphasize cases with severe symptoms because it is very important."

"During this holiday, people should continue to tighten self-protection procedures to reduce the risk of infection by keeping their social distance, regularly washing their hands, and wearing masks at all times when in public spaces and outdoors. If you are at risk or have any suspicious symptoms, self-administration with ATK is recommended. Moreover, people are encouraged to get vaccinated and receive booster shots to increase immunity." Anutin concluded.

BA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant causing "concern" for authorities in SE Asia | Thaiger

 BA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant causing "concern" for authorities in SE Asia

By 

Tim Newton

Monday, July 11, 2022 12:09

The UN and the World Health Organisation is actively following a new sub-lineage designated BA.2.75, another variant of the Omicron derivative of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 ).

It was first detected in India and has since been found in 10 other countries. The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, noted that new Covid-19 infections, globally, have increased nearly 30% over the past two weeks.

"In Europe and America, BA.4 and BA.5 are driving waves. In countries like India a new sub-lineage of BA.2.75 has also been detected, which we're following."

WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan says that there has clearly been the emergence of a sub-variant that is being called the BA.2.75.

"There are still limited sequences available of the sub-variant to analyse but this sub-variant seems to have a few mutations on the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein."

"It's still too early to know if this sub-variant has properties of additional immune evasion or indeed of being more clinically severe. We don't know that."

The scientist noted that the WHO is now actively tracking BA.2.75 and the WHO Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution is "constantly looking at the data from around the world".

Speaking about the general spread of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, Soumya Swaminathannoted that cases in SE Asia showed an increasing trend since early June.

"Over 157,000 new cases reported, a 20% increase as compared to the previous week. 5 of 10 countries, for which data are available, shows increases in the number of new cases of 20% or greater."

Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh are showing notable increases where immune escape and an increased transmissibility are causing concern.

WHO Covid-19 Incident Manager Abdi Mahamud says people should be careful not to assume that the coronavirus pandemic is over.

"Now is not the time to declare that the pandemic is over… and the virus has a lot of force left."

"Whether it is the BA.4 or BA.5 or BA.2.75, the virus will continue. It does what it does good… and people and communities must continue to wear masks, avoid crowds and ensure that the most vulnerable and high-risk population is protected. "



Thais set to pay record five baht a unit in new electricity charges from September. Daily News reported that the cost of electricity was set to break through the 5 baht a unit barrier for the first time. Electrical authorities pointed to the high cost of gas used to generate electricity. Daily News

Daily News Thai Caption: Electricity set to cost 5 baht/unit

 

Daily News reported that the cost of electricity was set to break through the 5 baht a unit barrier for the first time. 

 

Electrical authorities pointed to the high cost of gas used to generate electricity.

 

They quoted sources at the Energy Regulatory Commission as saying that the FT rate was possibly about to change from September to December meaning that the rate per unit would border on 5 baht in the last four months of the year.

 

The FT rate - that is used to calculate charges - will be announced for the end of the year at the end of July.

 

The main problem is the rising cost of imported gas used to supplement natural gas extracted from the Gulf of Thailand. 

National carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) is refurbishing five planes slated for decommissioning in a bid to expand its fleet ahead of the high season this year. The planes set to undergo an overhaul include three Airbus A330s and two Boeing 777-200s, Nond Kalinta, THAI’s executive vice president for commercial, said on Sunday. He added that these planes will be used for routes with high demand like South Korea, Singapore and Japan. The Nation

THAI overhauls retired planes expand fleet for high season

National carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) is refurbishing five planes slated for decommissioning in a bid to expand its fleet ahead of the high season this year.

THAI also believes it will generate up to 80 billion baht in revenue now that foreigners have started returning to Thailand.

The planes set to undergo an overhaul include three Airbus A330s and two Boeing 777-200s, Nond Kalinta, THAI's executive vice president for commercial, said on Sunday. He added that these planes will be used for routes with high demand like South Korea, Singapore and Japan.

"We believe this year's high season will see the highest number of passengers in the last two years. The airline expects 4.48 million passengers for the whole year and a total income of 80 billion baht thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions for foreigners since July 1," he said. "Next year, we expect the number of passengers to rise to 9.18 million and total income to 129 billion baht."

Nond added that the airline industry is recovering very fast after being hit the hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic for two years.

"For THAI, the average cabin factor is now at 70-80 per cent, with European markets having the highest cabin factor at 90 per cent. The advance booking rate in July is now at 60 per cent and is rising continually," he said. "Average passengers of THAI and Thai Smile in June this year jumped to 12,568 and 12,257 persons per day, respectively, compared to an average of 269 and 4,929 persons per day recorded between April and October 2021."

Nond said THAI will increase flight frequency and destinations in the first and second quarters of 2023, introducing more flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Melbourne, London, Jakarta, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Taipei, Singapore, Copenhagen, Munich and Zurich.

In the third quarter, the airline will add more flights to Jakarta, Taipei, Singapore, Copenhagen, Munich, Zurich and Seoul.

THAI also recorded 2.1 billion baht income from cargo transport in May, jumping 41 per cent compared to the same period of 2019.



🔴 #COVID19 update on Monday ⬇️ 1,811 new cases ⬆️ 24 deaths ⬇️ 24,076 active cases ⬆️ 786 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow



Proposal to waive visa fees for foreign tourists to Thailand. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the proposal, which would see visa fees waived until the end of the year, will be put forward at an upcoming meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).- Hua Hin Today

Proposal to waive visa fees for foreign tourists to Thailand

July 10, 2022

File photo

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TA) is set to propose the waiving of visa fees for foreign tourists to Thailand.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the proposal, which would see visa fees waived until the end of the year, will be put forward at an upcoming meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The move would help boost tourism and promote increased spending from foreign tourists.

Mr Yuthasak said that waiving the visa fees would offer a further boost in tourism revenue following the suspension of the Thailand Pass registration system on July 1.

The proposal is for the 1,000 baht visa fee and the 2,000 baht fee for Visa on Arrival to be waived until Dec 31.

TAT will also request the period of stay for tourist visas be extended from 30 days to 45 days, and from 15 days to 45 days for Visa on Arrival.

Mr. Yuthasak said that if the visa fees are waived, tourists will have more money to spend in Thailand.

In particular, the waiving of the visa fees would provide more spending opportunities for Indian tourists who come with their families.

"If they do not have to pay the 8,000-10,000 baht in visa fees per group, they will be able to spend more money in Thailand," Mr. Yuthasak said.

Despite the proposal being put forward by TAT, the waiving of any visa fees would require collaboration from multiple agencies.

This is because normal visa applications are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whereas VoA is handled by the Immigration Office.

Indian tourists continue to top arrivals from overseas

Meanwhile, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has reported that Indians continue to account for the highest number of foreign arrivals to Thailand this year.

Between Jan 1 to July 6, 249,466 Indians had arrived in Thailand.

Mr. Yuthasak said that following the cancellation of the Thailand Pass, approximately 38,000 to 40,000 tourists per day are expected to arrive in Thailand in July.

TAT anticipates 1 million foreign tourists to arrive in Thailand per month between July and September and 1.5 million foreign tourists per month from October to December.

Schools to Stay Open Amid COVID Spike. Several schools have already started reviving online classes to help stem the spread of infection among students. NNT

 

by Natthaphon Sangpolsi

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Authorities have assured that schools will remain open even as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise among students.

 

Schools officially reopened on May 17, after which there were increased reports of students contracting the coronavirus. Although case numbers eventually started falling again, they saw a renewed surge last month.

 

According to Supat Champathong, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, there are currently no plans to close any schools, adding that physical classes are still considered the best learning environment for students.

 

He has nevertheless called on schools to stringently enforce health safety measures, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing hands, keeping classrooms properly ventilated and performing temperature screenings.

 

Several schools have already started reviving online classes to help stem the spread of infection among students.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Sunday ⬇️ 2,004 new cases ⬆️ 22 deaths ⬇️ 24,557 active cases ⬆️ 772 serious cases. TNR - Richard Barrow



The Department of Medical Services says that more than half of all Covid-19 infections in Thailand are now the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants. The department also forecasts the number of infections may rise to 30,000 a day. Bangkok Post

More than half of all Covid cases sub-variants

The Department of Medical Services says that more than half of all Covid-19 infections in Thailand are now the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants. The department also forecasts the number of infections may rise to 30,000 a day.

Dr Natthaphong Wongwiwat, deputy director-general of the department, yesterday said a projected 20,000 to 30,000 new infections per day is based on cases confirmed by RT-PCR and antigen testing, he said.

A total of 5,407 cases were reported yesterday, according to figures published by the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

The number of patients suffering from severe Covid-19 was about 1,000, slightly higher than previously, he said.

Dr Natthaphong said although the number of new infections rose, the number of severe Covid-19 cases wasn't very high and only a small number required treatment in hospital.

As to the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron, they are now are responsible for about half of all new infections in the country, most of which were found in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, he said.

The sub-variants are expected to take between two weeks and one month to become the predominate infection type in the country, eventually accounting for about 90% of all cases.

Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, chief of the Thai Red Cross's Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, meanwhile urged the Ministry of Public Health to switch back to reporting the actual number of new Covid-19 infections daily instead of reporting only the number of infected patients who require hospitalisation.

"No one isn't going to blame the ministry if the actual number becomes tens of thousands or even 100,000 a day as that is what's happening around the world," he said. "The benefit of reporting the actual number of infections is the public will be well informed about the real situation and be careful."

On Friday Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said the average number of new Covid-19 cases per day reported by the DDC was currently 29,000.

Phuket DDPM calls for people to register on disaster alert app. Observer Namom Thoongpoh, who studied Geophysics/Seismology at Uppsala University in Sweden, this morning marked that the area had experienced 343 tremors since Monday (July 4)... Phuket News

Phuket DDPM calls for people to register on disaster alert app

PHUKET: The Phuket branch of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) is calling for people to register on a national disaster alert app for mobile phones so they can instantly receive warnings of any impending tsunami.

disasterstourismSafety
By The Phuket News

Saturday 9 July 2022, 03:31PM

---

Observer Namom Thoongpoh, who studied Geophysics/Seismology at Uppsala University in Sweden, this morning marked that the area had experienced 343 tremors since Monday (July 4), Image: Namom Thoongpoh

« »

The DDPM-Phuket office, instead of issuing its own notice, shared a notice issued by the Phang Nga branch of the Public Relations Department this morning (July 9).

Of note, Phuket-based authorities have yet to issue any of their own notices calling for people to register on the app, despite marking the series of underwater earthquakes that struck off the Andman and Nicobar Islands, some 550km northwest of Phuket, earlier this week.

The app, called "Thai Disaster Alert", is available on Google Play and Apple's App Store.

The app has been in beta testing since Feb 1 this year.

The app functions are available in English, but the alerts and warnings are posted in Thai only. A translation app will translate the alerts and warnings into clear enough English to be understood.

On registering, people are asked to enter whether they are male or female, and their date of birth. They are also asked to select three provinces for which they want to receive instant notifications. Users are also asked to switch on location sharing.

"The operation of the application 'THAI DISASTER ALERT' will notify when the province that the user has selected has a forecast of a disaster. The system will send a warning message to the user immediately in the form of a notification message on the smartphone screen which users can read a brief summary," the DDPM notice issued this morning explained.

"But if you want to know the details more clearly, you can click to see details of the alarm notification in the various menus of the application," it added.

"The system will keep an alert notification for users to view warning notifications issued in the past along with a menu that shows a map of Thailand for any areas at risk of disaster.

"If the user wants to change the province to receive notifications for, they are able to access those areas at any time. 

"In addition, there is also a menu that shows hotline numbers of various agencies to facilitate contact in the event of an emergency or disaster in the area as well," the notice explained.

TREMOR SWARM SLOWING

The number of mild tremors occurring southeast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has slowed over the past two days, according to the non-government Phuket Earthquake Monitoring and Surveillance Center, which also goes by the name 'Phuket SOS' (see here).

The earthquake and tsunami watchdog at last report marked a 4.5 magnitude earthquake striking at a depth of 10km some 525km northwest of Phuket at 4:34am today (July 9).

However, Namom Thoongpoh, an observer who studied Geophysics/Seismology at Uppsala University in Sweden, this morning marked that the area had experienced 343 tremors since Monday (July 4), with 80% of the tremors recorded at 4-5M in strength.

PLAYING READY

Phuket officials this week, at the order of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) in Bangkok, began testing the sirens on the 19 tsunami-warning towers on the island by playing the national anthem at 8ameach day.

The NDWC is responsible for the maintenance of the two tsunami-warning buoys that Thailand has contributed to the Indian Ocean tsunami-warning netwrok. Both buoys are currently not functioning.

Station 23461, installed in the Andaman Sea approximately 340km from Phuket, stopped transmitting data on June 9.

Station 23401, installed in the Indian Ocean a distance of 965km west of Phuket, was discovered on Oct 22 last year to have slipped its mounting and had stopped transmitting data. 

Thailand denies tsunami rumors in southern provinces. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Meteorological Department have confirmed that their tsunami warning system remained effective despite damaged tsunami-warning buoys.- Pattaya Mail

Thailand denies tsunami rumors in southern provinces

Pattaya MailJuly 9, 2022

Boontham Lertsukheekasem, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and Chomparee Chompurat, director-general of the Meteorological Department, on Wednesday held an urgent press conference in response to repeated quakes in the Andaman Sea, rumors about a tsunami threat to provinces facing the Andaman Sea and concerns among local people and tourists.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Meteorological Department have confirmed that their tsunami warning system remained effective despite damaged tsunami-warning buoys.

Boontham Lertsukheekasem, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and Chomparee Chompurat, director-general of the Meteorological Department, on Wednesday held an urgent press conference in response to repeated quakes in the Andaman Sea, rumors about a tsunami threat to provinces facing the Andaman Sea and concerns among local people and tourists.

They said that frequent earthquakes in the Andaman Sea from July 4 to 6 were tremors and did not cause a tsunami.

However, officials concerned were not reckless and were monitoring closely earthquakes and waves, the directors-general said.

Although two tsunami-warning buoys of Thailand were detached from their moorings, Thailand could still depend on the warning systems of nearby countries, they said.

A tsunami could emerge only if there was an earthquake with the magnitudes of 7.8 and over and existing warning systems could detect such quakes, they said.

The National Disaster Warning Center operated around the clock and people who would go on vacation during long holidays in the middle of this month could rest assured that officials were always ready to issue warnings and recommend evacuation when that was necessary, both directors-general said. (TNA)

🔴 #COVID19 update on Saturday ⬇️ 2,084 new cases ⬇️ 15 deaths ⬇️ 24,734 active cases ⬇️ 754 serious cases. TNR / Richard Barrow

To wear or not to wear a face mask (in Thailand) – that is the question – OPINION By Tim NewtonFriday, July 8, 2022 15:12 . The Thaiger



The Thai PM, chairing today's CCSA meeting, has asked people in Thailand to keep wearing their masks.

The words were carefully crafted.

"…although there are no legal obligations for people to wear face masks, people are still very strongly advised to do so, especially when it is deemed necessary."

In other words, you don't HAVE to. So nothing has changed in that regard as of today's CCSA meeting.

"According to the Ministry of Public Health, the government still encourages people to wear masks, especially in poorly ventilated spaces."

More details about today's CCSA announcements HERE.

Since the last week of June, the previous requirement to wear a mask, as enacted by the CCSA back in 2020, under the auspices of the Emergency Decree, was dropped for "open spaces and public areas". It became, politely, 'voluntary'.

Since the announcement was made we waited to see how the public would react. Doubts were expressed that Thais would be getting rid of their face masks in a hurry. We were right. Certainly, around busier parts of Bangkok, face masks are still uniformly worn by almost all Thais. Certainly, on all public transport, it remains an enforceable requirement. Same with private shops that, still, require shoppers entering their premises, to wear a face mask.

The same policy remains on all Thai domestic flights and airports.

This week there was a lot of rolling back of the decision to allow face masks to be 'voluntary'. The Public Health Minister even said his ministry "never supported" the removal of the mask requirement.

The background to all this wooly language and back-tracking follows dissension within the CCSA and Thai ministries. From the tourism point of view, there is an urgent need to get Thailand 'back to normal'. Whilst the public health ministry remains extremely risk averse and is concerned by the rise in Omicron sub-variant cases, with more BA.4 and BA.5 infections begin reported over the past 2 weeks.

Today it was also announced by the CCSA that the emergency decree will continue for at least another 2 months, up to the end of September. The emergency decree provides the CCSA, the country's Covid taskforce' with the power to make 'Covid' related legislation on the run, without having to go through the usually parliamentary processes. On one hand, it allowed Thailand to quickly shift strategy as it battled its Covid demons over the past 2 years and 3 months. But others suggest the retention of the emergency decree is just a way to "maintain power" and drag out the Covid narrative (for some upstate reason).

The emergency decree, from a day-to-day standpoint of people living in Thailand, has no effect at all. No soldiers are walking around with guns or tanks rolling down the streets. Life is generally back to normal, or as normal as things will be in the short term anyway. Anything, unrelated to Thailand's Covid-19 strategies, still has to go through the normal parliamentary processes.

For foreign travellers coming to Thailand, the current emergency decree has no effect at all.

The suggestion that the emergency decree is "just another way for the government to control the pro-democracy protesters" doesn't hold water either as groups can gather under the current guidelines of the CCSA. And have been doing so.

So, from a "what does all this mean" standpoint, today's announcements from the CCSA amount to absolutely no changes at all.

For the foreseeable future, we will continue to see Thais mostly wearing their face masks in public areas, certainly around Thailand's capital, maybe less so in some of the tourism enclaves. But foreigners will certainly continue to lead the way and take advantage of the loose language from the Thai PM and choose not to wear a mask, even though they've been "strongly advised" to do so.

But put yourself on CCSA-watch again for the next few weeks because, if the Covid infections start to rise sharply again (Minister Anutin said yesterday he expects infection rates to rise over the next 10 weeks), then the language of the CCSA may turn to "must" rather than "strongly advise".

For foreign travellers to Thailand at this time, despite the removal of the Thailand Pass, there will still be confusion in the short-term as they figure out what is legal, what is 'expected' of them, and how to best behave as guests in the country.

Community isolation to be reactivated as new COVID infections surge in Bangkok. PBS World

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is considering reactivating community isolation facilities in 50 districts for COVID-19 patients in slum areas, to separate the infected from those over 60 years old, people suffering from underlying diseases and pregnant women, as new infections hit 2,000 a day in the capital alone.

While urging them to get booster shots, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said today (Friday) that this group is particularly vulnerable if they catch COVID-19 and, therefore, the infected should be isolated because of the crowded conditions in densely populated areas.

The governor also said that the BMA is coordinating with the Public Health Ministry to procure Molnupiravir tablets at special price, to be administered to patients under its care.

During the peak of the pandemic last year, several community isolation facilities and field hospitals were opened in Bangkok and elsewhere to accommodate patients with mild symptoms. Health officials monitored the patients' their conditions and supplied medication.

Meanwhile, Deputy Bangkok Governor Asst. Prof. Dr. Tavida Kamolvej offered an assurance that the BMA's hospitals, are capable of handling serious cases, although only 40% of beds remain unoccupied.

She said that those who are infected, including migrant workers, can seek medical services at health centres or clinics operated by the BMA, adding that elderly people, or those suffering from underlying diseases, whose conditions are serious, will be admitted.

Regarding students at 457 BMA-run schools, Dr. Tavida disclosed that only about 1% have been found to be infected and most of them are high schoolers.

Infections in schools are still manageable and there is not yet a need for a suspension of classes, she said, adding that schools are prepared to introduce online learning in case of clusters of infections among students.

Thai government announces 19th extension of Emergency Decree, effective until September. The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced another 2-month extension of the Emergency Decree, effective from August 1st to September 30th. - The Pattaya News

Thai government announces 19th extension of Emergency Decree, effective until September

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced another 2-month extension of the Emergency Decree, effective from August 1st to September 30th.

Nop MeechukhunFriday, 8 July 2022, 14:44

PHOTO: Prachachat

National –

CCSA spokesperson Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin told the Associated Press after the CCSA general meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha today, July 8th, that the meeting had considered extending the state of emergency throughout the kingdom for the 19th time for another 2 months until the end of September 2022.

The Prime Minister, as the director of CCSA, stressed that such extension is for disease prevention and preservation of people's lives and is not for other purposes or political matters as claimed by several pro-democracy activists or oppositional MPs.

TPN notes the extension needs final approval by the Thai Cabinet, which PM Prayut also chairs, to be final, but is nearly certain to happen.

Thai hospitality industry is against the proposed dual pricing for accommodation. Many hotels have voiced their opinions over the government’s proposal to adopt dual pricing for the hospitality industry. They described the plan as “impractical” and asked that the government come up with promotions and campaigns to boost tourism instead. Thaiger

Thai hospitality industry is against the proposed dual pricing for accommodation

By 

Pete

Friday, July 8, 2022 14:18

Many hotels have voiced their opinions over the government's proposal to adopt dual pricing for the hospitality industry. They described the plan as "impractical" and asked that the government come up with promotions and campaigns to boost tourism instead.

A government spokeswoman said yesterday that hotels would be expected to adopt a dual pricing system where Thais would continue to get lower rates while foreign tourists would be charged pre-pandemic pricing – a two tier pricing system.

The spokesperson from the Tourism Council of Krabi said that "every customer should be treated fairly and equally".

"Clear communication is crucial, according to the head of who warned that this sensitive subject could damage the tourism industry's reputation."

A spokesperson for Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park echoed similar comments.

"I don't think it's fair. Whether we are Thai or foreigners, we should all pay the same rates."

According to the President of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the idea is unrealistic as hotel costs vary based on the state of the market.

"Hotels at each star level also apply different pricing tactics. Prices will automatically rise as demand rises to maintain the occupancy rate."

"Every hotelier would like to operate with higher and fair rates to gain a larger margin, but it is difficult to do so because of heated competition and oversupply. Operators have to use pricing strategy to gain cash flow,"

A representative for Sheraton Hotels, Guntapitch Rodpun, stated that international companies like Sheraton are unlikely to change their pricing policy based on the nationality of their customers unless they are ordered to do so.

"While several hotels may have implemented a separate pricing structure for Thai nationals and foreigners in the past, we have never had that kind of pricing structure. Although we have not received any direct proposal, our hotels have always featured universal rates for Thai nationals and foreigners alike."

According to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the government would not force hotels to implement the much debated dual pricing proposal.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin gives an update on the Covid-19 situation at Government House on Friday. There were now about 29,000 new Covid-19 cases a day and the figures were rising in 23 provinces, particularly in Greater Bangkok and other tourist zones, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported on Friday. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the daily stastistics came from people who registered their infections, and a small number of them were admitted to hospital. Bangkok Post

New Covid cases now around 29,000 a day

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin gives an update on the Covid-19 situation at Government House on Friday. (Screenshot)

There were now about 29,000 new Covid-19 cases a day and the figures were rising in 23 provinces, particularly in Greater Bangkok and other tourist zones, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported on Friday.

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the daily stastistics came from people who registered their infections, and a small number of them were admitted to hospital.

New cases were declining in 54 provinces while rising in 23 other provinces, some of which reported large waves of infection, he said.

The 23 provinces were Bangkok, Chon Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Tak, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Lop Buri, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Nakhon Phathom, Ayutthaya, Krabi, Phangnga, Narathiwat, Trang, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla.

"Phuket has big waves of new infection. New cases are noticeably increasing in Greater Bangkok and tourism provinces," Dr Taweesilp said.

On Thursday there were 20 more coronavirus-related deaths, and 2,144 new cases admitted to hospitals.

As of midnight Thursday, a total of 25,082 people were receiving Covid-19 treatment (up from 24,904 the previous day), including 10,470 in hospitals (up from 10,211). Of the remainder, 1,083 were in field hospitals/hospitel facilities (down from 1,148) and 13,500 in home/community isolation (down from 13,541).

Of those in hospital, 763 were seriously ill with lung inflammation (up from 757) and 327 dependent on ventilators (down from 329).

"The hospital bed occupancy rate is at 11.9%. The number of patients admitted to hospital dropped over the past week but the number of patients with lung inflammation and dependence on ventilators rose slightly," Dr Taweesilp said.

The 24-hour period also saw 1,946 patients discharged from hospitals after recovering.

The 20 people who died were aged from 14 to 87 years.

"All the latest fatalities were in vulnerable groups of people," Dr Taweesilp said.

Bangkok logged three new deaths and there was one in the adjacent province of Nonthaburi.

Other central plains provinces further from the capital had five -  in Uthai Thani, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Chachoengsao and Prachin Buri.

The North reported two more deaths, in Phitsanulok and Lampang

The Northeast reported seven fatalities - three in Ubon Ratchathani, two in Nakhon Ratchasima and one each in Nong Khai and Maha Sarakham.

The South had two, in Surat Thani.

All the 2,144 new cases admitted to hospital over the 24 hours were from the general population.

Since the pandemic started in early 2020, there have been 4,540,955 Covid-19 cases, including 2,317,520 this year, with 4,485,075 complete recoveries to date.

The accumulated death toll stood at 30,798 since the beginning of the pandemic, including 9,100 so far this year.

Global Covid-19 cases rose by 925,494 in 24 hours to 558.65 million. The worldwide death toll went up by 1,725 to 6.37 million.

The United States had the most cases at 90.06 million, up 91,472, and the most deaths at 1.04 million, up 320.

The world and Thailand passed their Covid-19 peak early this year and there were small waves of new infection at the present time, Dr Taweesilp said.