Covid-infected Thai man found dead on flight from Saudi Arabia. AN ELDERLY Thai man who died during a flight from Saudi Arabia to Thailand was found to be infected with Covid-19 after the airplane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport this afternoon (Dec. 10), Matichon newspaper said.- Thai Newsroom

Covid-infected Thai man found dead on flight from Saudi Arabia

December 10, 2022  TNR Staff

AN ELDERLY Thai man who died during a flight from Saudi Arabia to Thailand was found to be infected with Covid-19 after the airplane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport this afternoon (Dec. 10), Matichon newspaper said.

The 71-year-old man was identified as Mr. Bahem Saeso.

Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescuers rushed to remove his body from the plane as it had to continue its journey. However before doing so they tested him with an antigen test kit and two bars showed up.

CAPTION:

Rescuers removing the dead passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 from the plane. Photo: Matichon



Thailand sees uptick in cases. An increasing number of Covid-19 patients have been reported in Bangkok and other tourist destinations since the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 has become dominant in Thailand, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Bangkok Post

Thailand sees uptick in cases

An increasing number of Covid-19 patients have been reported in Bangkok and other tourist destinations since the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 has become dominant in Thailand, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the DDC, said there has been a surge in Covid-19 inpatients, patients with critical conditions and fatalities in Bangkok and its five adjacent provinces and tourist provinces in the East and the South.

The growing number of patients was preceded by social gatherings among Thai and international tourists across the country, he said.

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"Those who have returned from abroad are advised to seek medical care if they have developed Covid-19 symptoms. Anyone who has not yet received a booster shot should avoid contact with people in vulnerable groups," said Dr Tares.

Moreover, Dr Tares said that the DDC had launched Covid-19 prevention guidelines that encourage people to receive a booster shot as the New Year holiday is approaching.

He recommended people visit vaccine distribution centres that provide Pfizer shots and long-acting antibodies (LAAB).

The DDC has assigned its allies to provide vaccine services regardless of whether advance appointments were made, he added.

Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Science, said single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP/deletion) tests on 435 samples showed that the BA.2.75 subvariant is now by far the dominant strain, accounting for 75.9% of cases, an increase from 58.9% last week. Moreover, the number of domestic cases has risen from 60.1% to 75.4%, added Dr Supakit.

He explained that the former dominant subvariant, BA.5, was replaced as BA.2.75 has a key mutation in its spike proteins that ramps up its resistance to antibodies.





Formaldehyde found in food at 10 restaurants after 25 tonnes of meat seized Health officials have found formaldehyde in food at 10 restaurants in Chaiyaphum province, after 25 tonnes of meat soaked in the poisonous preservative was discovered at a food-processing plant in Chonburi province. The Nation

Formaldehyde found in food at 10 restaurants after 25 tonnes of meat seized

Health officials have found formaldehyde in food at 10 restaurants in Chaiyaphum province, after 25 tonnes of meat soaked in the poisonous preservative was discovered at a food-processing plant in Chonburi province.

Inspections were launched on Monday after livestock officials checking a plant in Chonburi last week found pork, beef and offal stored in formaldehyde.

The plant is believed to have supplied fresh meat and offal to more than 60 restaurants in the eastern province.

The crackdown in Chaiyaphum discovered formaldehyde traces in samples of squid and cow offal from 10 restaurants. The samples will be sent for laboratory tests to confirm the contamination before legal action is launched, said provincial public health chief Dr Wachira Botphaiboon.

"Formaldehyde solution is banned under the Food Act of 1979. Violations are punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment, a 20,000 baht fine, or both," Wachira warned.

He said public health officials will continue inspecting restaurants in the province, targeting at least 10 in each subdistrict to keep people safe.

Eating food contaminated with formaldehyde can result in nausea, diarrhoea, stomach ulcers, headache, chest pain and even death, said Wachira.

"If the solution touches the skin it can cause rashes or burning, so vendors of formaldehyde-spiked foods are also risking their health."

He said customers at hotpot and barbecue restaurants should avoid fresh meat and seafood that have a vibrant colour and strong chemical smell. He advised those cooking at home to buy their ingredients from reliable sources, such as markets certified by the Department of Health, and make sure that raw meat is cooked thoroughly.

Increasing the minimum wage to 600 Baht per day will increase production costs by 70%, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) said. The comment from representatives of the private sector came after the Pheu Thai Party made the proposal during the announcement of their election campaign yesterday. Thai Enquirer



Increasing the minimum wage to 600 Baht per day will increase production costs by 70%, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) said.

The comment from representatives of the private sector came after the Pheu Thai Party made the proposal during the announcement of their election campaign yesterday.

The JSCCIB said small businesses that are still recovering from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic will not be able to cope with such a huge increase in production costs and eventually, they will have to shut down.

The JSCCIB said the current rates of Bt328-354 per day are already suitable for the current economic situation and there is a risk of a global economic recession next year.

The hike to Bt600 will also lower the country's competitiveness and decrease the inflow of foreign investments into the country, they added.

In terms of forecasts, the representatives of the private sector expect the Thai economy to expand by 3.2% in 2022 and between 3-3.5% in 2023.

The 2022 GDP forecast is based on assumptions that exports will expand by 7.25% and inflation will reach 6.2% by the end of the year.

#Thailand #MinimumWage #Politics #กกร #เพื่อไทย #ค่าแรงขั้นต่ำ #ค่าแรงขั้นต่ำ600บาท

Thailand to celebrate its 10 millionth tourist on December 10 | Thaiger

Thailand to celebrate its 10 millionth tourist on December 10

By 

Petch Petpailin

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:14

Photo via Narin Chuangchot

Thailand expects to hit the10 million tourist targeton December 10 and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging the nation's airlines to add more flights to meet the growing demand.

The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Yuthasak Supasorn, reported the good news yesterday. From January to December 5 of this year Thailand welcomed more than nine million tourists, and the number will hit TAT's yearly target of 10 million on Saturday, December 10.

The PM Office spokesperson, Anucha Burapachaisri, said yesterday that many more travellers wanted to come to Thailand but there were no available flights. Two months ago, the Director of the Thai Travel Service Association (TTSA), Jarivat Wongsomsri, revealed that tourists from Japanwished to come to Thailand but couldn't find plane tickets.

PM Prayut wants the Ministry of Transport and airlines to solve this and increase flights to Thailand, adding that more ground operation staff needed to be hired and trained to support the increasing number of tourists.

TAT Governor, Yuthasak, revealed that they will host an event named "Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations" to celebrate the kingdom's achievement and will provide gifts and souvenirs to tourists who enter Thailand on Saturday.

"As of December 5, Thailand recorded 9.78 million foreign visitors this year. We believe the tally will hit 10 million on December 10. "TAT has invited partners to join in the campaign to celebrate this achievement and to show Thailand's readiness to welcome foreign tourists in every part of the country."

The event will be held at seven airports across the country, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueng, U-Tapao, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, and Samui.

Tourists who travel by land can also celebrate with Thailand at the Nong Khai Border Checkpoint in the northeastern province of Nong Khai and the Sadao Border Checkpoint in the southern province of Songkhla.

Yuthasak said there will be a lucky draw with special prizes at Suvarnabhumi Airport and one lucky traveller will get a special prize. Wonder if it goes to the tourist number 10 million?



More international flights to be sought. PM orders ministry to act as foreign tourist numbers surge. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday ordered the Transport Ministry to directly contact international airlines to increase flights into the country following a surge in demand, according to government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. Bangkok Post

More international flights to be sought

Suvarnabhumi airport is filled with travellers amid a resurgence of international arrivals buoyed by a steady recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday ordered the Transport Ministry to directly contact international airlines to increase flights into the country following a surge in demand, according to government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

The prime minister issued his instructions on the same day that he told a cabinet meeting that the country's tourism and travel industries are on course to recover, with an estimated 10 million foreign arrivals visiting for the year up until Dec 10, according to Mr Anucha. Gen Prayut has also called on the Transport Ministry to add more ground service staff to facilitate the rise in visitor numbers, the spokesman said.

The premier also welcomed Fitch Ratings' affirmation of Thailand's Sovereign Credit Rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook, Mr Anucha added. Fitch forecasts Thailand's GDP growth to accelerate to 3.8% next year from 3.3% in 2022, with the growth underpinned by a robust recovery of inbound tourism.

Meanwhile, the Tourism and Sports Ministry reportedly postponed its plan to seek cabinet approval for its proposal to allow night entertainment venues in selected areas to operate beyond the 2am closing time.

The proposal, initially planned for submission to the cabinet for consideration on Tuesday, will now be forwarded to the cabinet on Dec 20along with the "Rao Tiew Duay Kan" (We Travel Together) tourism promotion programme.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourism and Sports Minister, said on Tuesday the proposal was unlikely to be implemented in January as initially planned while adding it could be implemented after March.

The ministry had selected locations in nine provinces for the scheme, with nightspots on Bangla Road in Patong of Phuket to be the first to be allowed to operate until 4am if the cabinet approves the proposal.

The proposal, aimed at boosting the tourism industry and local economies, has drawn intense criticism from anti-drink driving groups who fear extended hours would lead to more alcohol consumption and, therefore, more accidents.

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ministry disagrees with extending the night venue operating hours. He said the current 2am closing time is appropriate due to the Covid-19 situation and concerns for the general public's health and safety.





DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Dec. 6) that he disagrees with a proposal of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to extend the closing time of entertainment venues to 4 a.m., Amarin TV said. Shutting night venues at 2 a.m. is probably appropriate in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and to prevent accidents that may occur through excessive drinking, he said, adding that it is essential to maintain balance in all dimensions.- Thai Newsroom

Public Health Ministry opposes 4 a.m.closing time for night venues

December 6, 2022  TNR Staff

DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Dec. 6) that he disagrees with a proposal of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to extend the closing time of entertainment venues to 4 a.m., Amarin TV said.

Shutting night venues at 2 a.m. is probably appropriate in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and to prevent accidents that may occur through excessive drinking, he said, adding that it is essential to maintain balance in all dimensions.

Meanwhile Mr. Thanakorn Kuptachit, an adviser to the Thai Alcohol Business Association, told Matichon newspaper that if night venue closing time is not extended from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. before the Christmas and New Year festive season it would lead to big loss of opportunity to earn additional revenue.

The association will be holding a discussion tomorrow on Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn having postponed tabling a proposal to extend night venue closing time from today to Dec. 20. 

The association is waiting for the outcome of the Dec. 20 cabinet meeting and a meeting of the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on December 22.

Thanakorn pointed out that it is not just entertainment venues that would benefit from extending the closing time with musicians, bartenders, waiters, late-night restaurants and souvenir stalls too doing so.

He assessed that the loss of income through not extending the closing time in nine provinces that have popular tourist destinations during the festive season to be around 10 to 20 billion baht.

Prayut finally confirms aim to prolong rule for another 2 years. Prayut told reporters at Government House today (Dec.6) that he will seek to prolong his rule for two more years as earlier allowed by court but stopped short of either confirming or denying that he may contest the nationwide election under the tickets of the Ruam - Thai Newsroom

Prayut finally confirms aim to prolong rule for another 2 years

December 6, 2022  TNR Staff

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha has finally confirmed that he is seeking to run the country for two more years after the next general election.

Prayut told reporters at Government House today (Dec.6) that he will seek to prolong his rule for two more years as earlier allowed by court but stopped short of either confirming or denying that he may contest the nationwide election under the tickets of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party.

The current premier who has risen to power by way of the 2014 coup which he orchestrated as army chief is largely speculated to opt out of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party where he would otherwise be named a No.2 contestant for head of a post-election government with party boss Prawit Wongsuwan being tipped to take the No.1 spot.

"Given a two-year time, I will do everything to the best of my ability and then be succeeded by a new prime minister who will be suitable and acceptable to the people," Prayut said.

Without elaborating, Prayut said the time to contemplate dissolving the House of Representatives and subsequently calling a general election has not dawned on him as yet.

The coup leader-turned-premier is not expected to dissolve the House until around the middle of March, thus keeping any MPs who may have planned to hop over from one party to another on edge.

If the House is dissolved at any time ahead of March 24, the date on which a four-year term of the legislative branch is scheduled to end, the nationwide election will be held within 60 days ahead of the election date with all MPs being legally obliged to have already been registered to a contesting party for a minimum of 30 days.

But if the House fully consumes its four-year term without being dissolved by the premier, the nationwide election will be held in 45 days ahead of the election date with all MPs being legally required to have already been attached to a contesting party for a minimum of 90 days.

Prayut has apparently been dragging his feet in anticipation of more "renegade" MPs to finally hop over to the brand-new party which has been reportedly designed to name him a sole partisan candidate for prime minister after the general election.

CAPTION:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: Matichon

---

Public urged to get booster shot amid Covid spike. The Public Health Ministry urged people to quickly get a Covid booster shot as a weekly count shows a jump to 4,284 hospitalized patients. - Thai Newsroom

Public urged to get booster shot amid Covid spike

December 5, 2022  TNR staff

THE Public Health Ministry urged people to get a Covid booster jab as there is a jump in the number of cases with this reaching 4,284 hospitalised patients during Nov. 27-Dec. 3 or an average of 612 a day, Matichon newspaper said.

Dr. Tharesakorn Rawiwong, head of the Disease Control Department, added that 105 people died during the week or an average of 15 a day,

Nationwide cumulative confirmed total from Jan. 1 this year has now reached 2,488,093 cases and 11,587 deaths.

Updated total till Sunday Dec. 4 shows there were 632 pneumonia patients with 349 requiring respirators.

So far 143,250,945 doses of vaccines have been administered with 57.09 million being the first dose covering 82.09% of the population, 53.57 million second dose covering 77.03% and 32.57 million third dose.

Dr. Tharesakorn added that the ministry had expected a rise in Covid cases because the weather is getting cooler and there are long holidays with people travelling and undertaking various activities.

People in the 608 risk group, that is the elderly over sixty years of age, those suffering from chronic diseases and pregnant women, were told to urgently get a booster shot to prevent severe illness or death with this applying to both those who have not been vaccinated or were vaccinated over four months ago.

Vaccines are available nationwide with provincial authorities told to arrange convenient vaccination stations for the public.





High season has arrived in Phuket, as the airport schedule lists 6,730 flights this month. The average number of flights per day throughout the month of December will reach 217, up from about 200 in November. | Thaiger

Phuket welcomes 6,730 flights in December

By 

Neill Fronde 

Saturday, December 3, 2022 15:33

FILE PHOTO: Phuket International Airport welcomes over 6700 flight this month.

High season has arrived in Phuket, as the airport schedule lists 6,730 flights this month. The average number of flights per day throughout the month of December will reach 217, up from about 200 in November. (The busiest day in November saw 219 flight land with 10,467 passengers arriving.) Some 3,000 of those flights are international arrivals, while 3,730 flights are scheduled from domestic carriers within Thailand.

Over the last 7 months, the Phuket International Airport has welcomed just under one million travellers. Between May and November, 959,217 people landed on the island. Just shy of 250,000 passengers arrived on international flights last month alone, averaging about 8,165 people each day. And that number does not include people who had a layover in Bangkok where they went through the immigration Control process before connecting on flights to Phuket.

Qatar Airways has the most number of flights arriving in Phuket followed by Singapore Airlines. But Russian airlines have the highest total number of flights arriving on the island. India and Kazakhstan are tied for second place. In November, 63,357 people landed from Russia, compared with 29,263 from India, and 10,659 from Kazakhstan.

A total of 38 different foreign airlines are operating flights into Phuket this month according to The Phuket News. The top 11 are listed below, as well as six domestic airlines:

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
	AIRLINE	NUMBER OF FLIGHTS	ORIGINATION CITY
1	Qatar Airways	70	Doha, Bangkok
2	Singapore Airlines	56	Singapore
3	Go First Airlines	52	Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata
4	Aeroflot Russian Airlines	48	Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk
5	Scat Airlines	44	Astana, Almaty, Taraz, Shymkent
6	Air Asia Berhad	42	Kuala Lumpur
7	Azur Air	40	Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Kazan
8	Scoot Tiger Airways	32	Singapore
9	Etihad Airways	28	Abu Dhabi, BKK
9	Emirates Airlines	28	Dubai
9	Indigo Airlines	28	Mumbai, Delhi
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
	AIRLINE	NUMBER OF FLIGHTS	ORIGINATION CITY
1	Thai AirAsia	252	Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani
2	Bangkok Airways	169	Bangkok, Samui, Hat Yai, U-Tapao
3	Thai Smile Airways	154	Bangkok
4	Thai VietJet	152	Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
5	Nok Air	56	Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani
6	Thai Lion Air	42	Bangkok



Kids doing marijuana down at the beach. They are pictures no one wants to see - especially proponents of Thailand's still relatively new free marijuana laws who want no bad press leading to a step back to re-criminalization. ASEAN NOW

77kaoded Thai caption: Kids doing marijuana down at the beach 

 

They are pictures no one wants to see - especially proponents of Thailand's still relatively new free marijuana laws who want no bad press leading to a step back to re-criminalization. 

 

And there could be fears that people who are still "anti-weed" will seize on such alarming pictures and say "we told you so", notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Recreational use of the drug has been widespread for ever and a day, not just since June 9th when the drug was taken off the Class 5 narcotics list. But even now there are laws in place to stop anyone under 20 buying what the Thais call ganja. 

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

77kaoded said that 2/3 kids apparently smoking a bong at a Pattaya beach location were featured on a local social media page.

 

Comment was understandably widespread causing reporters to go and find the poster.

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Krittiwat Matrong, 35, said he was in Pattaya for last week's fireworks' festival and was preparing a boat trip.

 

He saw two kids at Saphan Pla with a bamboo bong.

 

He thought they were just messing about but then realised they were actually smoking.

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

He went up and told them to stop and discovered they were just 9 and 10 years old.

 

He asked if their parents knew what they were doing. They said they didn't have parents.

 

Then one said he wasn't scared - his dad was in the military.

 

Krittiwat turned to an older child with them saying why didn't you stop them - he said nothing. 

 

Krittiwat called on the authorities to look into the matter that he considered damaging not just for the children and youth but for the Thai tourism industry as a whole. 

 

At the least he considered it  inappropriate. 

 

Other media picked up on the story.

 

Naew Na said the pictures were shocking.

 

Thai Rath, the biggest media in Thailand, said it was in full view of tourists, damaging to tourism and something needed to be done.

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-12-02

Tourism making gradual recovery. Rate below those seen in US, Europe. The recovery rate of Thai tourism was slower than in neighbouring countries because of a shortage of flights and the absence of key markets such as China, according to leading regional travel tech companies. Bangkok Post

Tourism making gradual recovery

Passengers throng the arrival hall at Suvarnabhumi airport. Mr Fan believes Thailand's tourism recovery pace will quicken after Christmas this year. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

The recovery rate of Thai tourism was slower than in neighbouring countries because of a shortage of flights and the absence of key markets such as China, according to leading regional travel tech companies.

Wilfred Fan, chief commercial officer at Klook, a travel and experiences platform, said there was a strong recovery for cross-border travel in Asia-Pacific, but the overall pace for the region still lagged behind the recovery rate in the US and Europe by 12 months.

He said the number of tourism arrivals in October in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan -- key markets for Klook -- recorded the lowest rate of recovery, at just 10% of the corresponding period in 2019. Arrivals to South Korea and Southeast Asia recorded a stronger rate of recovery, reaching 40% of the level in 2019, but still remained a far cry from some Western nations that fully recovered.

However, there was a dramatic surge in domestic tourism activities in some countries, such as Taiwan, where the number of bookings via its platform rose by 397% in the third quarter this year.

Mr Fan said Thailand's tourism recovery is expected to quicken greatly after Christmas, after recording only tepid growth because of the lack of key markets such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He said the recovery rate in Singapore has been among the most outstanding, reaching 85% in October as the country reopened earlier than Thailand, while the recovery rate in Malaysia reached 90%.

Key to Singapore's rebound is the country has a larger number of flight connections to cater to tourism demand, whereas Thailand still doesn't have enough long-haul flights serving the country, said Mr Fan.

According to Klook's business outlook, the number of visitors booking experiences in Thailand during the third quarter this year was still 61% lower than the corresponding period prior to the pandemic, as most bookings prior to Covid-19 came from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These countries have been severely affected by border restrictions since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Speaking at the first edition of "Thailand Travelution 2022", a travel tech trade event, Mr Fan said travellers must pay attention to travel restrictions, practices and rules of the countries they visit while Covid variants continue to spread.

He said clear communication should be targeted towards travellers, including information about the country's public health system or medical services, as well as guidance on how to receive treatment for Covid infections during their travel.

Michelle Gao, regional manager for partner services at Booking.com, said its survey of 24,000 respondents in 32 countries found that travel trends in 2023 would shift towards group travel, including family members and friends, with 70% saying they would prefer to share their trips with loved ones.

Moreover, 75% of respondents, who were mostly younger people, plan to seek authentic local experiences. Spending on this kind of trip this year was 34% higher than during the corresponding period in 2019.

Ms Gao said 60% of respondents already use a mobile app to book travel services and this trend would continue next year. Respondents prefer to have more time to prepare for each trip because of concerns about travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, budget remains a vital component in terms of decision-making as people see value as the key factor for their upcoming trips.

A new passenger terminal (Satelite 1) at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be open in 2023, said Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob. Thai Enquirer