Stimulus plan revived as Prayut returns. Tourism scheme was put on hold in August. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is pushing ahead with its proposals for a 1-billion-baht stimulus project and a 4am closing time for entertainment venues as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returns to office. Bangkok Post

Stimulus plan revived as Prayut returns

Passengers queue up to check in at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is pushing ahead with its proposals for a 1-billion-baht stimulus project and a 4am closing time for entertainment venues as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returns to office.

Covid-19 was downgraded to endemic on Oct 1, prompting the phase-out of both the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA).

Tourism-related schemes were expected to be proposed to the CCSA and CESA, but they were delayed after Gen Prayut was suspended while waiting for the Constitutional Court's ruling on his eight-year tenure.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said without the CCSA and CESA, all proposals would follow normal pre-pandemic practices, which means related departments and ministers must review them before submission to the cabinet for approval.

Projects in the pipeline include a 1-billion-baht tourism stimulus scheme dubbed "Booster Shot", which has been slated for vetting by the National Economic and Social Development Council, but still requires cabinet approval for allocation of the budget.

The aim of this project is to solve the problem of insufficient seat capacity on planes, with at least 1 million seats to be added during the high season, along with other stimulus measures for tour bus operators and hotels.

Mr Phiphat said the proposal to extend the opening hours of night-time entertainment venues will need local administrative approvals.

Bangla Road in Patong, Phuket has been selected as a pilot area to test the new opening hours.

According to a case study from Bangla Road, most foreign tourists leave their hotels at 11pm to head to night entertainment venues.

They travel for an average of 30-40 minutes to reach their destinations, and as a result cannot stay there for long before closing time at 2am.

Because of this limitation, Thailand has been losing out on roughly 70 million baht per day, as tourists tended to spend the most between 1am and 4am, according to the study.

With Gen Prayut reinstated, Mr Phiphat said other projects should continue seamlessly, such as the 300-baht tourism fee, the promotion of Phangnga as a low-carbon destination, and turning certain provinces into medical hubs.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said tourism needs stability as the industry is recovering.

She said if protests occur, the government needs to adopt a peaceful approach and ensure no street closures, particularly in tourist areas such as Ratchaprasong in Bangkok.

"The government must manage the crowds and demonstrations in an appropriate manner," said Mrs Marisa.

If Thailand holds a general election next year, she said tourism should be the priority for any government because it is driving the economy.



Bangkokians urged to work from home during Oct. 5-7 due to heavy rain. Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today (Oct. 4) said it is gearing up to ask the private sector to allow their staff to work from home during Oct. 5-7 to avoid the impact of torrential rain as some people were stranded in the floods last evening, Amarin TV said.- Thai Newsroom

Bangkokians urged to work from home during Oct. 5-7 due to heavy rain

October 4, 2022  TNR Staff

BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today (Oct. 4) said it is gearing up to ask the private sector to allow their staff to work from home during Oct. 5-7 to avoid the impact of torrential rain as some people were stranded in the floods last evening, Amarin TV said.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej admitted that draining of floodwater yesterday was slow with this being due to the heavy downpour. However floodwater has almost completely gone today but some alleys are still inundated.

BMA has worked out a plan to cope with more heavy rainfall during Oct. 5-7as forecast by the Meteorological Department with Deputy Governor Wisanu Sapsomphon implementing it. Initially more sandbags and barriers are being built in flood prone areas.

As seen yesterday, the sensitive zones are Laksi, Don Mueang and Bang Khen districts with large trucks being arranged to transport people home as some were left stranded in the floods last evening.

It is expected that more torrential downpour will occur today in the sensitive zones and BMA is speeding up informing the public an hour before the rain starts so that they have time to prepare and change their routes.

The Bangkok Flood Control Centre said at 6.15 p.m. yesterday that many cars and motorcycles broke down while going through the floodwater particularly on Phahon Yothin road, Bang Khen district, Chaeng Watthana road, in front Bitec at Sukhumvit-Bangna intersection, Rama 3 road, Khlong Toei district and  Vibhavadi Rangsit road in front of Yakult Co, INN News and Sanook.com said.

CAPTION:

Badly flooded Bangkok roads and some cars and motorcycles that broke down yesterday. Photos: INN News and Sanook.com

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Also read: Many areas of Bangkok flooded after torrential rain

BMA gears up for weeks of heavy rain, floods

Chadchart apologises for floods, tells people to head home early

Academic: Big floods this year, Bangkok to disappear by 2100

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Visiting address:

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42/26 Bangsaen Sai 4. Nua Road

Bangsaen, Chonburi

THAILAND

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P.O. Box 5

Bangsaen Post Office

TH-201 30. Chonburi

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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued the warning on Tuesday, saying higher sea tides may make the river overflow from Wednesday to next Thursday. The warning posted on the BMA Facebook page also said that runoffs from upstream areas and heavy rains influenced by the southwest monsoon would also raise the river’s level. The Nation



 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022

THE NATION

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Bangkok's riverside communities have been warned of the possibility of the Chao Phraya River overflowing this week due to rising tide coupled with runoffs and heavy rain.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued the warning on Tuesday, saying higher sea tides may make the river overflow from Wednesday to next Thursday. The warning posted on the BMA Facebook page also said that runoffs from upstream areas and heavy rains influenced by the southwest monsoon would also raise the river's level.

The Chao Phraya may rise by 1.7 to 2 metres above median sea level, BMA said.

The BMA warning matched similar advisories from the Office of Natural Water Resources (ONWR) and the Navy's Hydrographic Department.

The ONWR warned people living along the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers to watch out for overflows because the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak Chonsalit dams have increased their water discharge to accommodate continuous heavy rain.

On Monday, the Hydrographic Department predicted rising tides from 6am to 7pm from Wednesday to next Thursday, which it said would affect the level of the Chao Phraya River.

The department said rising sea tide will increase the level of the river near the Julachomklao Fort and nearby areas by as much as 2m above sea level.

THE NATION

Thai tourism targets high-spending travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Nation

Thai tourism targets high-spending travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Thai tourism is targeting emerging markets in central Asia as a growing source of much-needed tourist dollars.

Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that travellers from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have shown increasing interest in visiting Thailand since the Visa on Arrival was extended from 15 to 30 days on October 1.

On October 30, Air Astana will launch direct daily flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Bangkok and Phuket, expanding from the current three flights per week. Meanwhile, Sunday Airlines will also add new flights this winter from major Kazakh cities such as Almaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent and Uralsk to Phuket and U-Tapao.

"Kazakh airlines and tour companies said last month they would like to see Thailand scrap all visa requirements and fees for Kazakhstan tourists this year so they can promote Thailand during the high season," Phiphat said.

In 2019, before the pandemic, Thailand received about 56,000 tourists from Kazakhstan, generating about 3.46 billion baht in tourism revenue.

The first nine months of 2022 saw around 22,000 arrivals from Kazakhstan. The ministry estimates that figure will reach 55,000 by year-end, almost returning to pre-Covid levels.

Phiphat said Uzbekistan tourists also have high spending power and qualify for the Visa on Arrival, but there are currently no direct flights from the country to Thailand. National carrier Uzbekistan Airways is preparing to resume international flights after being grounded during the pandemic, he added.

Currently, Uzbekistan tourists wishing to visit Thailand have to catch a flight from Tashkent or Samarkand to Almaty, Istanbul, Dubai, or the UAE and grab a connecting flight to Thailand.

Over 19,000 Uzbekistan tourists visited Thailand in 2019. The first eight months of 2022 saw 2,496 arrivals from Uzbekistan, with a total of 8,500 expected this year.

The ministry has reduced its tourism revenue target for this year from 1.5 trillion baht to 1.28 trillion baht after lower-than-expected bookings. Next year, it expects revenue of 2.4 trillion baht from an estimated 20 million foreign visitors and 160 million trips made by Thais.

If you thought 2022 has been, and continues to be, a very wet year, you’d be correct. Prachuap Khiri Khan province is on course to log its highest amount of rainfall in decades, with above-average rain forecast for the coming peak of the monsoon.- Hua Hin News - Royal Coast Review

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN'S HIGHEST RAINFALL IN 20 YEARS?

EditorOctober 4, 2022

If you thought 2022 has been, and continues to be, a very wet year, you'd be correct.  Prachuap Khiri Khan province is on course to log its highest amount of rainfall in decades, with above-average rain forecast for the coming peak of the monsoon.

October has historically been the province's rainiest month, and during the first nine months of 2022, Prachuap Khiri Khan has already exceeded its full-year precipitation (10-year) average, which was about 1,113 mm.

According to data from the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD), from January 1 to September 29, 2022 the province received 1,138.5 millimetres of rainfall, which is 44% higher than the 1995 baseline year-to-date "normal" value of 790.1mm. 

To date this year, Thailand's Early Warning System has triggered nine incessant rainfall advisories in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Six issued in May were in Bang Saphan and Thap Sakae districts, and three issued in February were in Mueang District.  The highest level of these was when 112.5mm fell in Khlong Wan in less than 24 hours on February 15. 

Advisories are issued when excessive rainfall is recorded within a 24-to-48-hour period, posing flash flood and landslide threats. 

The TMD's Climatological Center forecasts Prachuap Khiri Khan to continue to receive above-average precipitation in October. Large portions of the province are expected to receive in excess of 300mm of rainfall this month. 

In the last two decades, the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Prachuap Khiri Khan was in 2017, when the province annual rainfall average was logged at 1,474.5 mm.   The province would need to receive at least 340mm in the final three months of 2022 to exceed this and thus attain a new 20-year high.



Thailands ‘winter’ will start late but will last longer, says Met Dept . The department also warned that more tropical storms may hit the Gulf of Thailand and the South in November and December. The Nation

Thailands 'winter' will start late but will last longer, says Met Dept

The cool season will arrive towards the end of this month and stay until late February, the Thai Meteorological Department forecast on Sunday.

The forecast said that though the cool season is starting later than usual, it will last longer this year.

During this period, temperatures in the North and Northeast may drop to as low as 8 degrees Celsius, with frost on hilltops. Greater Bangkok, meanwhile, can expect lows of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

The department added that though the weather will only get chilly on some days in the upper South, the region will continue being hit by heavy rain in November and December, resulting in flash floods and overflows. The worst hit will be the eastern coast of the South of Thailand.

The department also warned that more tropical storms may hit the Gulf of Thailand and the South in November and December.

Thailand’s 10 year golden visa outshone by Philippine alternative. The Board of Investment has offered little comment to date, although deputy secretary general Narit Therdsteerasukdi says that Thailand can no longer rely on short-term tourists for much-needed income.- Pattaya Mail

Thailand's 10 year golden visa outshone by Philippine alternative

Barry KenyonOctober 2, 2022

Thailand and her neighbors are all searching for wealthy foreigners.

Many countries in south east Asia are looking to attract global tycoons and wealthy retirees to boost their local economies. Thailand's LTR (Long Term Residency) has so far not excited much public interest as it overlaps with other visa options, does not lead to permanent residency or a second passport and requires a 40 million baht (one million plus US$) investment to be eligible to buy a small plot of land. The Board of Investment has offered little comment to date, although deputy secretary general Narit Therdsteerasukdi says that Thailand can no longer rely on short-term tourists for much-needed income.



By contrast, the recently-announced SRIV (Special Investors Resident Visa) in the Philippines immediately offers permanent residency for as long a foreigner invests at least US$75,000 in business or securities. In return, investors can come and go as they like as well as including their wives and dependent children without additional registration fees. Gill Harris, spokesperson for International Move, said, "If the Filipino golden visa is marketed properly, its sheer simplicity will compare favorably with competing products in other countries."

Malaysia has also joined the fray with its PViP (Premium Visa Program) offering 20 years residence for an investment deposit of around US$220,000. However, it overlaps heavily with existing visa options such as MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) and, according to Malaysian member of parliament Lim Lip Eng, suffers from ambiguity about financial details. The country also acquired bad publicity when it banned MM2H holders from entering Malaysia for a period of six months during the Covid crisis.

Manila in 2022 outshines most other capital cities in the region.

Cambodia's CM2H (Cambodia My Second Home) attracted a lot of initial attention when first announced last July. It appeared to offer a possible path to citizenship within five years for investors bringing over US$100,000. However, the deal requires a property investment in the Khmer Home Charity Association, a registered charity, with close Chinese connections. None the less, the detail includes an automatic work permit as does the Thai LTR. The Malaysian and Filipino variants do not, even for digital nomads.

Gill Harris concluded, "All the golden schemes have their own idiosyncrasies. There can be exorbitant registration fees, as in the case of Malaysia, or a cumbersome bureaucracy with the Thai version. There may be half-promises about citizenship, permanent residency or the right to buy property which are not binding on governments. As things stand, the Filipino golden visa looks the best investment for expats wanting a regular base in south east Asia."



Nytt krav NON-IMMIGRANT O-A VISA !!!!

Hej,

Ni har förmodligen detta fullkomligt klart för er efter många mail från mig

och andra kanaler men jag vill ändå påminna er. Gäller nog bara ett fåtal av

er men  ni andra får det som en "bonus"…..😂😂😂😂

Fr.o.m igår - 1 oktober - gäller nytt krav på försäkring om/när du har för

avsikt att ansöka om O-A VISA för 1 år hos ambassaden i Sverige.

När det gäller förlängning av samma typ av VISA på immigration här nere

så gällde kravet från 1 september.

Det tidigare kravet på försäkring har varit att den ska täcka vårdkostnader 

upp till THB 400.000 (IPD) och 40.000 (OPD).

Det nya kravet är att försäkringen ska täcka kostnader upp till minst THB 

3 miljoner. En "kraftig" höjning alltså och man behöver ju inte vara 

nobelpristagare i ekonomi för att förstå vad detta innebär för års / månads

premien du ska betala.

Om ni har frågor - hör av er. Jag kan förmodligen inte svara på allt men kan

kanske ta reda på svaret.

Med vänlig hälsning,

Ola

Announcement

Starting from the 1st of October 2021 the Royal Thai Embassy has introduced the following new requirements for the visa O-A application stated that the applicant must have a health insurance for the duration of stay, with coverage of at least 3 million baht. The new certificate will start after the date.

For renewal customers the coverage will need to change to at least 3 million baht, starting from 1st of September 2022

Pattaya Police to intensely patrol Pattaya Beach, crack down on illegal alcohol drinking after recent incidents. Police also informed both Thais and foreigners who were relaxing on the beach, some drinking alcohol, that this was illegal. According to the Alcohol Control Act, alcohol is not allowed to be sold or drunk on beaches - The Pattaya News

Pattaya Police to intensely patrol Pattaya Beach, crack down on illegal alcohol drinking after recent incidents

The Pattaya Police have intensely begun patrolling Pattaya Beach at night after several teenagers and young adults had altercations in front of the Pattaya Police Station.

Goongnang SuksawatSaturday, 1 October 2022, 20:04

Pattaya –

Our previous story:

Two groups of teenage students allegedly had an altercation in front of the Pattaya police station before firing three rounds from a firearm into the sky, terrifying nearby tourists.

After midnight today (October 1^st), a team from the Pattaya City Police was patrolling Pattaya Beach and checked for firearms and illegal drugs to prevent any chaos and crime. However, no illegal items were found.

Police also informed both Thais and foreigners who were relaxing on the beach, some drinking alcohol, that this was illegal. According to the Alcohol Control Act, alcohol is not allowed to be sold or drunk on beaches and high fines or even jail time could be applied at law enforcement discretion. Additionally, public intoxication is also against Thai law.

The Pattaya News notes that historically, however, these rules have been lightly to not enforced in the area due to the overall reputation of Pattaya as a tourist city and a party town.  With recent crime on the beach, however, and several incidents including the firearm incident, fights, and a man threatening to stab another man over loud noise on the beach, police have begun focusing on alcohol consumption as a possible trigger for these incidents.

Pattaya police stated to the Pattaya News that special focus would be on those under twenty who allegedly come to local beaches as an easy place to drink away from watchful parents or authorities. Law enforcement also reminded the public that although cannabis was decriminalized in June of this year that public smoking, including on beaches, was against the law.

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Travelling to Thailand 📌(from 1 October 2022 onwards) According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, passengers will no longer be required to present COVID-19 related documents such as the certificate of vaccination and COVID-19 test result upon arrival in Thailand. PRD

After over two-and-a-half-years an era that for many people was deeply unpleasant and life changing will come to an end in Thailand. After today, September 30th, the emergency decree in place to control Covid-19, which came into effect in March of 2020, will be eliminated. Additionally, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA that handled the rules and regulations during the Covid era and centralized all administration will be dissolved. Pattaya News

Goodbye Emergency Decree and Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, an era comes to an end in Thailand

Adam JuddFriday, 30 September 2022, 13:03

Thailand-

After over two-and-a-half-years an era that for many people was deeply unpleasant and life changing will come to an end in Thailand.

After today, September 30th, the emergency decree in place to control Covid-19, which came into effect in March of 2020, will be eliminated. Additionally, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration or CCSA that handled the rules and regulations during the Covid era and centralized all administration will be dissolved.

Nearly all remaining Covid measures, such as random checks to see if someone is vaccinated or has covid on entering Thailand are dropped. Yes, masks are still being recommended and some venues and services based on the business may still require them but the mandate has been dropped for months and it's mostly a personal decision now if someone wishes to wear a mask.

The duties of the CCSA will be moved to the Ministry of Public Health which has also downgraded Covid-19 to a disease being monitored, similar to many regularly occuring sicknesses and diseases in Thailand. In a sign of changing times even some Thai media has stopped publishing daily Covid-19 statistics, English language media, including us, in Thailand mostly stopped months ago after continued negative feedback from readers.

Covid isn't over of course, in fact cases are rising in some parts of the world, and is still a real threat especially to those who are vulnerable or elderly but Thailand has clearly made the decision to move forward and fully engage the shattered tourism industry in particular, understanding that Covid will likely always be with us. A quick look on Twitter shows that not everyone agrees with decisions to lower precautions however, which is to be understood.

The last over two years was for many people a miserable time. Pattaya and Phuket in particular saw almost all of their economy on pause for much of the entire pandemic as it is nearly entirely reliant on tourism. Lines of thousands of people in charity lines for food during the height of the closures of nearly every business except essential grocers and markets last year will haunt many peoples memories for along time to come.

That being said, we also wanted to say that the CCSA in particular, especially Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin and Natapanu Bangkok (on Twitter) kept the public informed and aware throughout the pandemic and were also intensely aware of the impact their decisions were making, with Dr. Taweesin on a number of occasions showing true emotion and empathy on camera to those whose businesses and livelihoods were shut down by covid restrictions and mandates. Many have thanked them for their hard work in a mostly thankless job, and we do as well.

There will be more challenges and more hurdles in the future, but for now let's bid farewell to the emergency decree era and see what the future holds. The emergency decree was constantly a polarizing item, with critics saying it was being used to silence protests and anti-government activists. The government, however, strictly maintained their viewpoint that it was needed to control the Covid-19 pandemic only. Regardless of one's personal opinion on the decree, it is finally laid to a close tonight.

Here is to the future, no matter what it might bring.

Adam Judd, TPN



The Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Krungthai Bank to develop a system for collecting entry fees. The bank will link its existing payment platforms to the tourism ministry’s fee management system, making the process both safe and expedient for businesses and foreign tourists. NBT World



Earlier this year, the government planned to start collecting a 300-baht entry fee from every foreign traveler who visits Thailand.  The date for implementing this levy has since been repeatedly pushed back, with the Ministry of Tourism now expecting the collection to begin in early 2023.  The matter will soon be deliberated by the Cabinet while preparations are underway to establish a fee collection system.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Krungthai Bank to develop a system for collecting entry fees.  The bank will link its existing payment platforms to the tourism ministry's fee management system, making the process both safe and expedient for businesses and foreign tourists.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said income generated from the fee will help fund tourism development.  It will also be used to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand's tourism industry and assist in covering medical services for tourists.

Minister Phiphat said the fee will be collected at all points of entry and might be payable online or via mobile apps and kiosks, or included in airfares.  The fee will be 300 baht for those arriving by air, with the rates for other entry channels still being considered.  The minister expects a study commissioned to determine the appropriate rates for other entry channels to be completed at the end of this month, with the results to be presented at a Cabinet meeting in October.  If endorsed, collection can begin as soon as early 2023.



BREAKING: The Constitutional Court has ruled that Prayut Chan-o-cha can continue as prime minister until his current term ends but if re-elected after next general elections could serve no more than two more years. PBS World