Anutin Tacitly Tells Media To Shut Up Over Vow He’s Ready To Be PM Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday chided reporters who asked him about his declaration that he was ready to be the next prime minister. The Nation



Anutin gave a terse reply when reporters approached him for comment on the statement he made while campaigning in Lopburi on Sunday.

The minister used a Thai term that borrows the Chinese word sounds, "si sua ta", and walked away. The term is defined by the Office of the Royal Society as "speaking without thinking".

On Sunday, Anutin held a rally in Lopburi to introduce four Bhumjaithai Party MP candidates for the province. While asking for support from Lopburi locals, Anutin said he was ready to take the post of prime minister if his party received overwhelming backing from voters at the next general election.

Bhumjaithai is the second-largest party in the coalition government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Reporters approached Anutin at Government House on Monday, where he was attending a meeting with Prayut on preparations to host November's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

According to political etiquette, the leader of a coalition partner does not publicly challenge the coalition leader for the post of prime minister while the House is still in session. The House is scheduled to complete its four-year tenure in March – the last date on which the general election can be called.

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Monday ⬇️ 1,842 new cases in hospital ⬇️ 34 deaths ⬇️ 21,319 active cases ⬆️ 953 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR





Public Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated today publicly for the first time he would be willing to run for Prime Minister in the next election if he got enough support, a role he had been rumored as interested in for some time. https://thepattayanews.com/2022/08/07/public-health-minister-anutin-vows-to-be-a-candidate-for-prime-minister-in-next-election-if-he-receives-peoples-support/

 



YTTERLIGARE EN SOM DRAR IVÄG NÄR DET ”HETTAR TILL” - German man believed to have monkeypox briefly fled police | Thaiger

German man believed to have monkeypox briefly fled police

By 

Neill Fronde 

Sunday, August 7, 2022 18:58

Results are pending for the test of what could be the fifth person in Thailand to be confirmed with monkeypox, another German man, this time on Koh Chang island. Similar to the first case, when a Nigerian man fled the country before being caught in Cambodia, this tourist attempted to escape when asked to submit to testing for monkeypox.

The man was staying on Koh Chang in the eastern province of Trat before going to a private hospital in the Muang district on Friday after experiencing symptoms. He had rashes on his genitals and hands, similar to what a patient with monkeypox would have, according to the director of Trat Hospital where the German man ended up eventually.

When doctors suggested a monkeypox test on Friday, the man resisted and was uncooperative before making a break for it. The hospital called the police and alerted them of a possible monkeypox case now on the run. Police chasing him down, as refusing to submit to the mandatory test is in violation of Thailand's communicable disease control laws.

The details of his arrival into Thailand are not yet confirmed, but local disease control authorities have established that he entered Thailand from France, though the exact date is unclear.  He was eventually found in Koh Chang and taken into custody before being transferred to the government hospital in Trat where he will be under observation in an isolation unit.

Now he has been properly tested for monkeypox and his blood sample has been sent to Bangkok where doctors at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital are analysing it to confirm if the man has monkeypox or not.

If positive, the man would be the fifth confirmed case of monkeypox in Thailand, after a local woman in Bangkok tested positive on Friday. The third confirmed infection was also a German man, a 25 year old tourist in Phuket who arrived in Thailand on July 18, and then later developed rashes, a fever, blisters on his body, swollen lymph nodes, and a genital rash. Authorities believe that German man contracted monkeypox shortly before travelling to Thailand, and not inside the kingdom.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post



Owner of pub inferno arrested; 15 confirmed dead, 38 injured - Pattaya Mail

Owner of pub inferno arrested; 15 confirmed dead, 38 injured

Pattaya MailAugust 7, 2022

Plutaluang police interrogate Pongsiri Punprasong the owner of the Mountan B Pub and will dig deep the case of building and operating an entertainment venue without a license and for gross negligence resulting in the deaths of others.

Police have taken Pongsiri Punprasong the owner of the Mountan B Pub into custody after the provincial court in Pattaya issued a warrant for his arrest.
Pongsiri is charged with negligence for building and operating an entertainment venue without a license and for gross negligence resulting in the deaths of others.



The latest report of casualties stands at 15 deaths including 11 men and 4 women with 38 injured.
Sattahip District chief and senior police officers in the Sattahip police station were relieved of their duties pending further investigation into how the pub was allowed to be built and operate without a license and how it was allowed to operate without any safety and fire prevention controls in place.

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Sunday ⬇️ 2,250 new cases in hospital ⏺ 35 deaths ⬆️ 21,526 active cases ⬆️ 952 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR



A musician who played regularly at Mountain B pub revealed that the backstage entrance was always locked to prevent pubgoers from sneaking away without paying. Thai Newsroom

Fire-gutted pub's singer confirms backstage entrance was always locked

August 6, 2022 TNR Staff

THE lead singer-keyboard player at Mountain B pub where an inferno at 1 a.m. yesterday (August 5) killed 15 people and injured 37 others revealed that the backstage entrance was always locked to prevent customers from sneaking away without paying, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon.

Mr. Thanaphat Phuangpae, 24, or Peach, of Taew Waew band, brought flowers to the burnt pub to mourn for Mr. Chatchai Chuenkha, or Im, another lead singer, and Mr. Rangsiman Wanichrotchana, or Win, a keyboardist, who died in the blaze.

He said the flowers were also meant to pay tribute to Chatchai, who stood in for him that night, and keyboardist Rangsiman, as he did not know this disaster would happen and also wanted to cheer up three other musicians now recovering from their injuries.

He added that as he played at this pub every Thursday night he was familiar with the backstage entrance. There were two doors there, a white one and after passing through that people had to go through a glass door.

While he did not know whether the two doors were locked when the fire broke out, he mentioned that everytime he had to go through this entrance he had to ask the guard to open them for him because they were always locked.

They were not left open even to allow the musicians to go out and relax or smoke a cigarette. The musicians had all agreed that they should only use one entrance, especially those standing in for musicians playing permanently at the pub.

Thanaphat admitted that he never worried about a fire breaking out, only about how the musicians would flee if pubgoers started brawling as happened a few months ago.

He was also not sure whether the pub management had checked the safety of electronic devices as a few months ago he did get whiffs of something burning on stage but was uncertain whether it was a cigarette or something else.

He admitted that he never noticed whether there were fire extinguishers and fire exit signs at this entertainment venue with it only becoming clear through video clips circulating on social media.

Thanaphat said he had talked to the pub owner who was polite but he was uncertain whether he was a military officer or not.

French tourist likely infected with monkeypox. A FRENCHMAN who developed blisters on his hands while holidaying in Trat province has likely been infected with monkeypox and if so he would become the country’s fifth case of this infectious viral disease, TV Channel 7 said today (August 6). Thai Newsroom

French tourist likely infected with monkeypox

August 6, 2022 TNR Staff

A FRENCHMAN who developed blisters on his hands while holidaying in Trat province has likely been infected with monkeypox and if so he would become the country's fifth case of this infectious viral disease, TV Channel 7 said today (August 6).

The unnamed 32-year-old tourist rode a motorcycle to a private hospital in this province and after initial examination doctors here coordinated with Trat Hospital to send him there for treatment.

While his transfer was being arranged he tried to leave the hospital room where he was quarantined with hospital staff then calling the police to come in and handle the situation.

Policemen spent an hour explaining why he was quarantined after which he agreed to undergo tests to ascertain whether he had caught monkeypox.

Bangkok shutters 83 pubs after fire-safety inspections. Eighty-three of the 400 Bangkok venues inspected have been shuttered after inspectors found problems with fire exits and escape routes.

Dozens of pubs in Bangkok were temporarily closed on Saturday after fire-safety inspections ordered in the wake of a deadly blaze in Chonburi.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he had ordered inspections of entertainment venues in every district of the capital.

Eighty-three of the 400 Bangkok venues inspected have been shuttered after inspectors found problems with fire exits and escape routes.

Chadchart, an engineer by profession, said escape routes should be obvious and clearly signposted to aid victims' chance of survival in dangerous situations.

He ordered further inspections in a bid to weed out Bangkok entertainment venues that are operating illegally.

Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will ensure thorough inspections across the city.

The move comes after a blaze at an unlicensed pub in Chonburi's Sattahip district left 15 people dead and 37 injured in the early hours of Friday.

Authorities across the country have ordered inspections of nightspots.

Death toll from pub inferno rises to 15. CHON BURI: The death toll from a blaze that tore through a nightclub in Sattahip district rose to 15 on Saturday, as one more injured victim was pronounced dead. The number of injured people stood at 37. Bangkok Post

Death toll from pub inferno rises to 15

Relatives of dead victims in the Mountain B pub inferno arrive at the nightspot in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, on Saturday to hold religious rites for their loved ones. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

CHON BURI: The death toll from a blaze that tore through a nightclub in Sattahip district rose to 15 on Saturday, as one more injured victim was pronounced dead. The number of injured people stood at 37.

Thanakit Meenoi, 36, succumbed to his injuries at Rayong Hospital, said a source.

His sister, Nittaya Meenoi, 30, said her brother had gone to the Mountain B pub with more than 10 friends to celebrate his birthday. He had reserved a table in front of the stage where a live band was playing, she said  

Thanakit and his friends ran out from the pub when the fire broke out, but two of his friends, Surakarn Ruengrit, 35, and Suthep Mongkolkaew, 33, died while the others suffered serious injuries, she said.

The pub owner and the executives have yet to contact her family to show responsibility over the death of her brother and his friends, said Ms Nittaya.

• Mountain B illegally built, operated

The inferno started about 1am as customers packed the pub, according to the Sawang Rojana Thammasathan Foundation.

Eyewitnesses said they heard two explosions near the DJ's booth and saw sparks that ignited soundproofing foam, and the fire spread quickly.

The pub opened about a month ago and was popular with young local people. The fire erupted when customers were enjoying live music, leading to a stampede for safety.

• Prayut wants swift pub fire action

Officials from the Chon Buri provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office and Sattahip district officials on Saturday morning inspected the fire-gutted pub to gather further evidence for submission to police investigators to issue arrest warrants for those involved in the inferno, which killed 15 people and injured 37 others.

Relatives and friends of victims on Saturday went to the pub with Buddhist monks performing religious rites for the dead. 

Some victims arrived at the Phlu Ta Luang police station to give their statements. Chayanin Seethapthim, 25 and his mother Chaninan Chanfong, 48, were among the injured victims who arrived at the police station.

A Buddhist monk performs a religious ceremony for the victims in the pub inferno. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

An injured woman, assisted by her family members, arrives at Phlu Ta Luang police station to give a statement. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong) 



COVID still a killer for 500,000 vulnerable people – but Thailand has new defense. Thailand is strengthening its defenses against COVID-19 for about 500,000 immunocompromised people who – vaccinated or otherwise – remain vulnerable. This extra protection comes in the form of AstraZeneca’s long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination. | Thai PBS World

COVID still a killer for 500,000 vulnerable people – but Thailand has new defense

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Thailand is strengthening its defenses against COVID-19 for about 500,000 immunocompromised people who – vaccinated or otherwise – remain vulnerable. This extra protection comes in the form of AstraZeneca's long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination.

The antibody combination is produced by AstraZeneca under the name Evusheld. It comprises tixagevimab and cilgavimab – a combination that helps protect immunocompromised individuals from developing symptomatic COVID-19. Although the virus is seldom lethal for healthy individuals outside of at-risk groups, it has already claimed more than 6.4 million lives worldwide.

In Thailand, confirmed deaths from COVID-19 total 31,529. Most of those who succumbed to the disease had underlying health conditions that made them more vulnerable than others. Worried about these groups, the government has been seeking an extra layer of defense to keep them safe.

"We want to ensure that people with low immunity, vaccinated or otherwise, get adequate protection against COVID-19," explained Public Health Ministry permanent-secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrachit. He was referring to Thailand's procurement of about 250,000 Evusheld doses from AstraZeneca.

What is LAAB?

LAAB is an antibody combination that helps neutralize the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, including the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 that are dominant in Thailand, and all other variants of concern.

Also, results from the PROVENT Phase III pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicate that LAAB reduces the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 77 percent in primary analysis and by 83 percent in the follow-up analysis six months later.

LAAB, also known as AZD7442, has been approved for sale in the European Union and conditionally approved in the United Kingdom for the prevention of COVID-19. It is also authorized for emergency use in the US and is being supplied to several other countries across the world.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of AZD7442 in June.

While the government has not revealed the cost of each LAAB treatment, it says that studies show this drug is cost-effective because it prevents severe symptoms or death from COVID-19.

Who is eligible?

The Public Health Ministry, which has already taken receipt of 7,000 doses of Evusheld, said priority for treatment with the new drug will go to people battling end-stage kidney disease. Also in line for LAAB treatment are patients with transplanted organs, those using immunosuppressants, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and others with low immunity.

To be eligible, patients must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 40 kilos. LAAB will be administered every six months and prior to patients' exposure to COVID-19.

There are some 500,000 immunocompromised people in Thailand, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul.

People with such low immunity, even when vaccinated, usually have weak defenses against COVID-19. So, if they are infected, they are still at significant risk of developing severe symptoms that could be fatal.

The Public Health Ministry has instructed all provincial public health offices to draw up lists of patients eligible for LAAB treatment.

The drug is given through intramuscular injections, which are administered on both sides of the buttocks, with each jab containing 1.5cc of the antibody combination.

More on the way

AstraZeneca has promised to fulfill Thailand's order of more than a quarter of a million (257,500) doses by the end of the year.

"As we transition from pandemic to endemic, AstraZeneca remains committed to ensuring that no one in need of ongoing COVID-19 protection is left behind," James Teague, country president of AstraZeneca (Thailand), said. "The long-acting antibody combination provides people at high risk of COVID-19 infection with another important prevention option alongside vaccination."

There is a strong possibility that Thailand will order more LAAB doses, as people with compromised immunity are likely to require booster shots at least twice a year.

Traisulee added that the government plans to provide LAAB treatment for all 500,000 immunocompromised people in the country.

By Thai PBS World's General Desk



Thai Public Health Minister Anutin visits Phuket giving seminar speeches to develop the public health care system - The Phuket Express

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin visits Phuket giving seminar speeches to develop the public health care system

Goongnang SuksawatSaturday, 6 August 2022, 9:22

Phuket –

  Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket yesterday, (August 5^th), giving a speech at a major seminar to develop the public health system.

At Pamookkoo Resort Phuket, more than 400 doctors and public health officers joined Mr. Anutin and Doctor Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS) in the seminar.

Mr. Anutin said at the seminar, "Our target is to provide the best health services for people in order to develop the economy and the country. We have done our best during the Covid-19 pandemic. More tourists and investors are coming to Thailand now as a result of the work we completed."

Doctor Somsak added, "We are ready for medical development and services to support Thailand with 'Smart Hospitals, 'Precision Medicine', 'and Telemedicine 'and 'AI systems. Patients are our main concern."



A top virologist shed some light on why monkeypox patients develop pus-filled cysts on their bodies, especially in the genital area. Read More: https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40018576

 

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Saturday ⬆️ 2,381 new cases in hospital ⬆️ 35 deaths ⬆️ 21,250 active cases ⬇️ 910 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR





UPDATE: Chon Buri nightclub blaze kills 13 & injures 41 people. Government confirms that Mountain B was open without a license. The owner was arrested last month for opening illegally. By leahFriday, August 5, 2022 11:38.

UPDATE: 

The Thai government has confirmed that Mountain B pub, which was struck by a devastating fire last night, was open without a license.

Police reported that the pub owner, Pongsiri [surname reserved] was arrested on July 16 this year for opening Mountain B without a license and for opening beyond the times permitted by law.

An initial investigation reveals the venue had only two fire extinguishers, which is not enough for the capacity and space of the venue.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Thirteen people died and more than 40 were injured last night after a fire broke out at the Mountain B night club in Chon Buri province.

Located on Sukhumvit Road in the Sattahip District of Chon Buri, a blaze ripped through the one-story glasshouse, that has only one entrance in and out of the building, at about 1am when the club was about to close.

Jiraphan Turaphan, who survived the blaze informed police officers that the fire started from the ceiling. The 51 year old man said he heard several exploding sounds as the fire spread quickly through the club.

It was reported that there were over 50 people inside the club at the time. They tried to flee from the scene but there was only one door at the front. A number of people perished at the door as a result of the rush to exit the club

Club staff revealed the fire engulfed the building within five minutes and it took firefighters over two hours to control the blaze. Firefighters made public there were many flammable materials inside.

The last update at 7.11am today, reported that 13 people were killed at the scene, nine men and four women, and more than 40 people were injured and sent to hospitals nearby.

Police officers from the Plu Ta Luang Police Station believe a short circuit caused the fire but added they were still conducting an investigation.

Chon Buri Provincial Governor Pakkathorn Tienchai announced the victims would get compensation.

Pakkathorn said the people who were injured would get 4,000 baht, those who were disabled by the fire would get at 13,300 baht, and the families of the dead people would get 29,700 baht.

SOURCE: Thairath | JS100

Thirteen people – 9 men and 4 women – died and more than 30 were injured in a blaze in a pub in Sattahip district of Thailand’s eastern coastal province of Chon Buri early this morning (Friday). Read more: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thirteen-killed-over-30-injured-in-fire-at-pub-in-chon-buri/ PBS World



BREAKING: Thailand confirms its fourth #monkeypox case in a 22-year-old Thai female in Bangkok, who recently visited an entertainment venue in the capital. PBS World

 

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Friday ⬆️ 2,253 new cases in hospital ⬆️ 34 deaths ⬇️ 21,113 active cases ⬆️ 911 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR



CCSA English Briefing on Thursday 4th August 2022 (Unofficial translation). Please note, this briefing is now twice a month. Richard Barrow



 CCSA English Briefing on Thursday 4th August 2022

(Unofficial translation). Please note, this briefing is now twice a month. 

1. Recap on Thai Briefing 

- The CCSA General meeting chaired by Prime Minister will be held on Friday, 19 August 2022.

- The precautionary measures for Monkeypox are quite similar to the precautionary measures for COVID-19. The Public Health authority is monitoring the situation, while urging people to maintain precaution public health measures.

 

2. General Situation

- New confirmed cases is 2,166, making 21,377 active cases. The number of accumulated cases stands at 4,598,725 cases with 4,545,856 cases total recoveries. There are 29 new fatalities, with the accumulated total at 31,492 cases.

- The current top ten provinces with the highest number of COVID-19 patients are Bangkok (1,228), Samut Prakarn (135), Chonburi (106), Khon Kaen (70), Nakhon Si Thammarat (60), Pathum Thani (44), Nonthaburi (27), Chumphon (25), Chiang Mai (24), and Nakhon Pathom (22).

3. Vaccination Progress

- On 3rd August 2022, we administered 42,088 doses of vaccines, increasing the accumulated number of vaccination to around 141.72 million doses.

- The total number of first vaccine dose administered now amounts to 57.1 million doses, covering 82.2% of the total population.

- The total number of second vaccine dose administered now amounts to 53.5 million doses, covering 76.9% of the total population.

- The total number of booster dose administered now amounts to 31 million doses, covering 44.7% of the total population.

4. Update on COVID-19 prevention measures

- The Royal Gazette recently published a revision in the emergency decree's Article 9, which goes into effect on 1 August 2022. The article was revised to prepare for an expected surge in infections worldwide due to the highly transmissible Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants now that countries are reopening and easing restrictions.

- Therefore, agencies have been instructed as follows:

 - Mark all areas nationwide as COVID-19 surveillance zones in line with the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)'s order.

 - Enforce COVID-19 prevention measures to contain the spread of the virus in risky venues and provide guidelines for filming television shows, films and videos.

 - Prevent activities that may trigger infection clusters unless authorised by the authorities.

 - Welcome foreigners in line with the country's reopening policy and public health measures.

 - Prepare medical staff and supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines, to deal with possible outbreaks and encourage people, especially the vulnerable, to get booster doses.

 - Prepare plans to transition COVID-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a disease under surveillance to help people make adjustments and live safely.

- As COVID-19 situation is persisting, we encourage everyone to observe health precautions. Business operators should step up their compliance with disease control measures. Members of the public are also encouraged to keep wearing a mask in crowded areas or places with poor ventilation, especially if they belong to the '608 group' of persons at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, as well as to get their booster shots. 

5. Entry Statistics and information 

- Up to date, there are around 1,070,000 incoming international travelers with the top three countries; Malaysia, India, and Singapore. The increasing numbers of international travelers are due to gradual opening up of the country, fewer procedures, and new prevention measures.     

- Started on 1 July 2022, all travelers, both Thais and foreigners, are no longer required to register for Thailand Pass. The current 10,000 USD insurance requirements for COVID treatment for foreign travelers will no longer be mandatory but is highly recommended.

- Travelers still need to show proof of either a vaccine certificate OR COVID-Free test results. Vaccine certificate or Pro-ATK/RT-PCR results (within 72 hours) will be checked by airline staff at check-in and once again when travelers arrive in Thailand.

Full CCSA English briefing can be viewed here >>> https://fb.watch/eH4X9ZYRU1/

Source: CCSA, Public Relations Department, and Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

Over 200,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 via ATK last week. Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman, said there will be a CCSA executive committee meeting on August 19 to assess the situation and consider various measures with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presiding over it.- Thai Newsroom

CCSA: Over 200,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 via ATK last week

August 4, 2022  TNR Staff

THE Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said this afternoon (August 4) that last week, July 24-July 30, as many as 201,554 people tested positive for this highly-infectious disease via antigen test kit (ATK) or an average of 28,793 cases a day with this total being worrisome, Naewna newspaper said.

Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA's spokesman, said there will be a CCSA executive committee meeting on August 19 to assess the situation and consider various measures with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presiding over it.

While today's tally is 2,166 new cases and 29 fatalities taking the death toll to 31,492, the former is the number of patients hospitalised. Another 2,700 patients were cured with total recoveries since the start of the pandemic reaching 4,545,856.  Altogether 21,377 patients are still under treatment of whom 905 are in serious condition and 476 requiring oxygen. The cumulative confirmed total since the start of the pandemic has now reached 4,598,725.

Of the 201,554 out-patient self-isolation (OPSI) cases testing positive last week most were in the 608 group, that is the elderly over sixty years age, those suffering from chronic diseases and pregnant women, with most not having received a booster jab or suffering from congenital disease.

Yet the bed occupancy rate stands at 17.1%, with the Public Health Ministry confirming that it is possible to add more.

Regarding a key Covid medicine, Molnupiravir, the ministry has said that it has adequate supply to treat people. 

The public was warned to only obtain Covid medicine through a doctor's prescription, which the government will be paying for, as the quality of unregistered ones is uncertain and could be dangerous.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said that the number of tourists entering the country after relaxation of the Thailand Pass measures increased to 1.07 million last month from 760,000 in June. 

Random checks of 15% of a total of 770,614 people arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport in July, totaling 117,567 people, showed that the majority had vaccination certificates with only 13 not doing so, which is a very low number.

🇹🇭 THAI NEWS REPORTS: #COVID19 on Thursday ⬇️ 2,166 new cases in hospital ⬇️ 29 deaths ⬇️ 2,166 active cases ⬇️ 905 serious cases. Richard Barrow / TNR



TAT will seek THB1-million budget to attract more foreign arrivals. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will seek a budget of 1 million baht to boost foreign arrivals so the country achieves its targeted tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion baht this year. The Nation

The first seven months of the year have seen 3.33 million foreign tourists visit the country.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said he would wait for the economic situation administration centre to hold its meeting, during which he would raise the budget request.

Yuthasak said TAT would need precisely 1.035 million baht to carry out its so-called "booster shot" measure to stimulate the entire tourism industry, so that the 1.5 trillion baht revenue target this year could be reached.

The target would be 50 per cent of pre-Covid levels in 2019, when the country gained 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue, Yuthasak noted.

TAT hopes to lure 10 million foreign tourists, who are expected to generate 844 billion baht in income, and encourage Thais to make 160 million trips to create extra revenue of 656 billion baht, he said.

The number of foreign tourists has significantly increased following the easing of Covid travel restrictions, Yutthasak pointed out.

He said 3,334,326 foreign tourists visited Thailand from January 1 to July 31 from the following top ten nations:

- Malaysia: 420,660

- India: 337,282

- Singapore: 183,836

- UK: 167,232

- Laos: 157,831

- United States: 152,635

- Cambodia: 148,897

- Vietnam: 131,770

- Germany: 124,930

- South Korea: 120,321.

Yuthasak said the top five entry points for foreigners were Suvarnabhumi Airport (1.92 million arrivals), Phuket International Airport (603,974), Don Mueang International Airport (191,893), Sadao border checkpoint (141,337) and Nong Khai border checkpoint (77,401).

He noted that after the government cancelled the Test & Go measure on May 1, the number of tourists that month jumped to 532,177, compared to 297,365 in April.

When the government cancelled quarantine for foreign arrivals on June 1, the number of visitors soared to 788,258 that month.

And after the government scrapped Thailand Pass in July, the number of foreign arrivals last month rose to 1.21 million, the TAT governor said.

"After Thailand Pass was abolished, about 33,000 to 49,000 foreign tourists arrived each day in July, raising the total number for the month to 1.21 million," Yuthasak added.