Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

8.1 million Thais are poor, 4.4 million below poverty line – NESDC

More than 8.1 million Thais are poor, including 4.4 million living below the poverty line, according to the latest report by The Office of the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC).

The report on the poverty situation in Thailand in 2021, released this year, stated that the number of people who are below the poverty line is a decrease from 2020, when 4.7 million such people were recorded. The report attributed the reduction to the economic stimulus schemes, rolled out to ease the financial burden on poorer people.

As income is not the only factor that reflects the poverty situation in Thailand, the NESDC has used the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which identifies four dimensions of poverty; education, healthy living, quality of living and financial stability.

Under this index, it was found that multidimensional poverty is much more severe than poverty which only relates to income. According to this, a total of 8.1 million Thais are suffering from multidimensional poverty, 36.9% of whom are the elderly, while 51.5% are those who do not contribute to the economy, which includes children, the senile, the ill or the unemployed.

Each dimension of poverty in the report reflects several underlying problems. As for education, more children have dropped out of the education system, especially those who do not live with their parents. The report also stated that over 280,000 children and youths ceased their education in 2021 due to poverty.

Under healthy living, people in poverty lack access to clean water, with access still limited to areas that have good infrastructure. People in poverty also experience malnutrition.

In terms of quality of living, 2.8 million people do not have access to the Internet, as the signals do not cover certain locations. Such people also could not afford to pay the Internet service charges.

As for financial security, the lack of social security for workers remains a problem and their earnings are not sufficient to make ends meet, which leads to increasing debt and problems with saving money.

To solve the issues, the NESDC suggests that authorities should develop ways to fix the situation. One way would be to improve the information systems between related authorities, which can be used to improve the quality of life for people, as well as coming up with related policies to solve their problems. They also suggested that authorities create policy packages to solve multidimensional poverty, such as improving financial literacy for workers of all ages.

December 16, 2022

Expert says face mask use will likely decrease from Feb. onwards

December 16, 2022 TNR Staff

A PROMINENT virologist said in a Facebook post today (De. 16) that a lot of people are now asking how long we would have to continue wearing face masks and he hopes that from February 2023 onwards the necessity to do so would decrease, Naewna newspaper said.

Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said he anticipates that by then most people would have built up immunity from vaccination or infection with this reducing Covid-19 infection in the country.

This then would likewise reduce the necessity of wearing face masks with people thenceforth only having to do so when they are amidst large groups of people such as travelling on buses, trains and airplanes. But of course those who develop symptoms of a respiratory disease would have to be masked.

Even right now when people are in the open air such as at the beach or in a park they need not wear one, he said.

Dr. Yong mentioned some interesting findings about wearing face masks with one study revealing that people tend to handle their face masks many times each hour but if they do so without washing their hands it greatly diminishes the defensive efficiency.

Meanwhile the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal also noted the difference in masked and unmasked competitors in a chess match with those wearing it having an cognitive effect in the early stages of the competition.

However if they wear it for a long period they are able to adjust to it. Yet doing so could have an effect on high-level cognition but in normal circumstances there is probably no difference.

Face masks do affect young children especially those still at the kindergarten because at that age they are developing both verbal and non-verbal skills such as lip-reading. At this age children often do not wear face masks properly and as doing so affects their education, it is hoped when the severity of the disease is reduced it would also decrease the necessity for them to do so, and they would then be able to learn better from their teachers.

Another important point is the disposal of surgical mask waste because a large number of them have been made of synthetic material which would increase microplastics in the environment.

Out of the provinces with the highest income from tourism between January and October this year, Phuket won with 127,927 million baht.

The 10 most visited provinces by foreigners

1. Phuket 2,329,894 people

2. Chonburi 975,026 people

3. Surat Thani 606,812 people

4. Songkhla 581,808 people

5. Chiang Mai 496,111 people

6. Samut Prakan 321,390 people

7.Phangnga 317,353 people

8. Nong Khai 231,243 people

9. Krabi 217,526 people

10. Nong Khai 148,683 people

The top 10 nationality tourists visiting are from:

1. Malaysia 1,291,381 people

2. India 698,757 people

3. Singapore 381,940 people

4. Laos 345,709 people

5. Vietnam 340,670 people

6. South Korea 316,240 people

7. United Kingdom 291,753 people

8. United States 283,211 people

9. Cambodia 252,862 people

10. Germany 235,596 people

TAT sees Chinese tourists returning soon

A Chinese tour group during a visit to the Grand Palace in 2018. TAWEECHAI TAWATPAKORN

Outbound tourism from China is expected to restart during the Chinese New Year in late January 2023 as Beijing gradually lifts Covid-19 restrictions, aiding tourism-related stocks and the overall travel sector in Thailand, say industry operators.

Speaking at an event on Wednesday hosted by the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the agency plans to promote Chinese travel to Thailand during the holiday next month, or within the first quarter at the latest.

"It is possible China will start to allow its citizens to travel outside the country as early as Chinese New Year. Hopefully Thailand will be on a list of countries the Chinese government allows its people to visit," he said.

Thailand is on course to attract around 11 million tourists this year, and the projection for 2023 is 20 million, excluding Chinese travellers, generating tourism income of 2.38 trillion baht, or 80% of the 3 trillion baht tallied in 2019, said Mr Yuthasak.

However, a global recession, currency volatility, and energy price crises are the major challenges for the tourism industry, particularly when the low season starts in March, he said.

Tourists from Asean and other Asian countries are the main targets for the TAT next year, as those from the US and Europe have started to decrease because of the economic crisis, said Mr Yuthasak.

Middle Eastern tourists are set to increase, especially from Saudi Arabia. Saudi tourist arrivals totalled 90,000 this year, with a target of 200,000 in 2023, alongside an expected increase in Indian and Russian travellers.

"TAT's marketing will focus on generating quality tourists with high spending, as well as medical tourism. I am confident tourism revenue in 2023 will reach 80% of the pre-Covid level," he said.

Fetco chairman Kobsak Pootrakool said tourism and related industries will benefit from the rapid recovery of the sector. The prices of many stocks in this sector remain low, including those in aviation, food and hotels.

"Thailand is fortunate the tourism industry recover quickly, providing a buffer as the US and Europe are expected to enter into a recession next year," said Mr Kobsak.

December 14, 2022

Latest influx of Russian visitors to Pattaya is different from the past

Barry KenyonDecember 14, 2022

Russian tourists enjoy a beach vacation near Pattaya.

Last month's commencement of twice-daily Azur Air charter flights from eleven Russian cities, including Siberia, to U-tapao Airport (near Pattaya) has outpaced all expectations. The provincial airport is processing nearly 5,000 Russian arrivals weekly. These flights are in addition to popular Aeroflot routes from Moscow and other urban centers to Bangkok and Phuket as well as multiple connecting flights from and to the Middle East.

Just under one and a half million Russians visited Thailand in pre-pandemic 2019 and many travel experts expect to reach or beat that annual figure as early as January 2023. At least a third will be heading to Pattaya where there are lengthy daily queues at the over-busy immigration bureau to register a local address, extend a holiday stay or seek other services. The neighboring photocopying unit has recently hired more staff to cope with the extra demand.

There are many signs that the latest Russian arrivals in Pattaya have different expectations from their predecessors. Mikhail Nazarenko, who runs a Walking Street bar attracting mostly Russian imbibers, said, "Some are tourists anxious for a two-weeks sunshine break from Putin's grim regime, but others are looking to the long haul including some draft dodgers too." He cited airline reports that the charter flights to U-tapao are always full, but the return journeys have some vacant seats.

Mikhail debunked the myth that Russians here are struggling financially because their credit cards don't work owing to international sanctions. "Travelling Russians are using credit cards issued abroad, particularly the Middle East and China, while others are arriving with mega cash, especially US dollars, in their hand luggage. There's also the option for new arrivals in Pattaya to obtain cash from affluent Russian expats already here and repay it by using their banking app to transfer funds to the lender's Russian account. It's no problem."

There has also been a surge in the number of Russians seeking proof of address letters from Chonburi immigration bureau which are required to open bank accounts in Thailand. Some Thai banks or managers are very cagey about allowing some foreign nationals to start accounts, because of money-laundering fears, so the more accommodating branches often have long queues during opening hours. There is also substantial Russian interest in long-term visas, such as Elite which offers a five year, multiple-entry stay in return for an initial cash payment of 600,000 baht (about US$18,000), or annual renewals based on retirement or marriage.

Applications by Russians for Thai driving licences are also rising, according to the Department of Land Transportation, whilst Russians (unlike Indians or Chinese) can take advantage of the same-day Cambodian visa run which extends their visa-free option for a further 45 days with then another 30 days on application to immigration. Russian vacationers (like UK, EU and USA) can now stay in Thailand for 150 days (45 plus 30 and repeat 45 plus 30)) on a visa-free basis. Restaurants and property agents are brushing up their Russian language marketing materials. Not only are the Russians coming, they're here in abundance.

Thailand is now second biggest market for Porsche in the world

Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN

BANGKOK, Dec 10 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand has proved to be the "second biggest" market after Norway when it comes to Porsche's electrified Cayenne models.

Last year, 70% of the 1,500 Porsche vehicles sold in Thailand were hybrid-powered Cayenne SUVs, a huge jump from the 670 Porsche vehicles sold here in 2020.

Asked to comment on how Porsche, once regarded as a high-end supercar manufacturer with a handful number of sales in Thailand each year, rocketed to become a household name, Peter Rohwer, managing director of Porsche Thailand, attributed the success to modern technology.

"In the past Porsches might have been expensive sports cars to buy, but today new technology such as hybrids and EVs has helped to bring the prices down (due to special tax breaks)," he said, adding that offering engine sizes of no larger than three litres also help in minimizing retail prices.

Rohwer said Thailand is Porsche's largest market in Southeast Asia and is the "second best market in the world for electrified Porsche Cayenne vehicles, which is a big achievement."

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic or the semi-conductor crisis, Porsche has been enjoying increased sales globally. Last year it delivered 301,915 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 11 per cent, while sales in Asia-Pacific markets surged by a record 51 per cent, with strong sales coming from the Taycan EV.

Earlier this year the company also started CKD assembly of the Cayenne in Malaysia, which has helped to lower retail pricing by up to 30 % in Malaysia.

Rohwer says that Porsche is seriously looking at the South East Asian countries, which promise a large customer base as well as investment opportunities, particularly in resources needed for manufacturing EV batteries.

According to Rohwer, who has been working in Thailand for 28 years, today Porsche customers in Thailand are getting younger, with as much as 35 per cent of buyers being female.

"In the past, the average age of Porsche buyers was 55 years old but today it has dropped to 42, which means that there are a lot more customers out there," he said. "Entrepreneurs are becoming younger and they like a strong image when it comes to the cars they drive."

That explains a large number of visitors to the Porsche booth at the ongoing Thailand International Motor Expo. A total of 11 Porsche models are being displayed and sold at the event, which goes on until December 12 at Challenger IMPACT Muangthong Thani.

But in fact, first-time Porsche buyers need not even go for new cars, Rohwer said.

"Used Porsches are also available for 2-3 million Baht, such as the Macan or Cayenne," he said. "The 718 is the entry model and if you can afford a used one, it will be your entry into the Porsche world." AAS Autoservice co. ltd offers 15 years Porsche factory pre-owned warranty.

Rohwer says the typical Porsche customer doesn't have just one, but two to three Porsches.

"They love cars, love driving," he said. "And we sell dreams, dreams that come true. Good dreams." - The Nation Thailand/ANN

December 12, 2022

XBB Covid variant spreading in India will soon reach Thailand: expert

December 12, 2022 TNR Staff

A PULMONARY disease expert said in a Facebook post this morning (Dec. 12) that Thailand has to watch what Covid-19 strain is spreading in India because the same variant usually comes here with the one currently taking hold there being XBB, Sanook.com said.

Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, who is based at Vichaiyut Hospital, said the Delta variant was first discovered in India late 2020 after which it spread globally with Thailand suffering from a big Delta wave in the middle of 2021.

In June this year India was among the countries where the BA.2.75 Covid subspecies was first identified and it then replaced BA.5 as the dominant strain there. After that this strain spread to many countries including Thailand where it set off a new Covid wave.

India is now seeing the XBB variant spread in the country, with this having mutated from BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 strains, and it is expected to replace BA.2.27 there shortly.

Dr Manoon said Thailand should likewise brace for the XBB variant spreading here similar to India.

XBB is more infectious than the older strains and can evade immunity better regardless of whether this was acquired through vaccination or infection.

New Covid variants now take shorter time to replace previous ones – just three to four months – after which they trigger a new global pandemic.

Fortunately these new strains do not cause severe illness and death as Delta did, especially those who have received four jabs with two of them being boosters.

Meanwhile the Public Health Ministry said this morning that during the week of Dec. 4-10, 2022 there were 3,961 hospitalised Covid patients, or 566 a day, and 107 deaths, or 15 a day.

From Jan. 1 this year there have been 2,492,054 recoveries and 11,694 deaths.

December 10, 2022

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).

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.

"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.

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.

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

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.

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

By · Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:14

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

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.