Covid-19 patients admitted to Bangkok hospitals has risen 10% since Thailand's bars and nightlife industry were allowed to fully reopen this month.
Dr. Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, said May saw about 900 Covid-19 patients at hospitals in the capital. That number is now above 1,000 and is projected to rise further with the emergence of two coronavirus omicron subvariants in Thailand.
The DMS said June 24 the BA.4 and BA.5 strains of omicron now have been found 200 times. There are many, many more, however, as not all samples are sequenced.
There are currently five omicron subspecies or descendant lineages, but BA.4 and BA.5 are the most concerning as they mutate the L452R DNA node, which was the same as the much-more-deadly delta variant, causing more harm to human lungs than previous strains.
None of those 200 cases were severe or fatal.
But medical experts feel the more-serious and more-transmissable BA.4 and B.5 subvariants will exacerbate a rising trend in cases and hospitalizations just as Thailand fully reopens. The government is anxious to declare Covid-19 endemic, but the coronavirus may not cooperate.
Those infected with the original omicron BA.1 or BA.2 in can be reinfected with BA.4 or BA.5.
Thailand on Saturday reported 2,236 official new Covid-19 cases and 16 fatalities. In addition, there were 3,637 unofficial positive antigen tests. Another 114 people were admitted to hospitals.
Smilla Sundell is a fast-rising star in the sport of Muay Thai. Even though her parents have returned to Sweden, this tenacious 18-year-old remains in Bangkok living up to her own ambitions.
Called 'The Hurricane' and 'The Storm' by her adoring fans, and labelled a prodigy by the media, one would think that all the praise and success would go to the head of teenage muay thai world title challenger, Smilla Sundell.
Not so, in the case of this respectful and friendly 18-year-old Swedish, Bangkok-based, muay thai star who recently beat Jackielou Buntan, an American-Filipino muay thai kickboxer and one-time Women's Muay Thai Strawweight World Championship title challenger.
ScandAsia magazine had the honour of interviewing Smilla, who has been hailed as the youngest champion ever in the ONE CHAMPIONSHIP. We spoke to her via messenger while she was on holiday back home with her family in Sweden recently.
Why Muay Thai?
What motivated you to take up the sport of Muay Thai? Smilla: My parents started with me and my sister and after a while I really began to like the sport.
Have you been in Thailand a long time? What does your family think about your success in muay thai? Smilla: I've been living in Thailand for six years and I have a sister who also does muay thai. My parents and sister are very supportive of my sport.
Alone but not lonely in Thailand
Who do you live with in Thailand? Smilla: Right now, I live at the gym with my dog. My family is back in Sweden again, although when they first came here my parents had a laser quest business on Koh Samui. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic business on the island slowed down and of course there were no further opportunities for me to improve in muay thai. My parents thought it best for us to more to Bangkok. After this, my family moved back to Sweden, and I stayed on in Thailand to pursue my muay thai career.
It must be difficult to be alone in a foreign country while your family are all back in Sweden. How are you coping with that side of it all? Smilla: To be honest it does get lonely at times, and I do miss my family a lot. Sometimes it is tough being here on my own, but I love what I do, so it is okay.
Studies or sport?
What about your study/practice regime? Smilla: I've taken a bit of a break from most of my studies to focus on my muay thai skills. I do still study English and Mathematics online, but the other things need to wait as I am at an important point in my sport and in my life. Right now, I practice muay thai daily from seven to ten in the morning and then again in the afternoon from three to about five or six in the evening.
What do you do in your free time or when you are not practicing muay thai? Smilla: I usually like to hang out with my friends. We eat together and go to the movies.
Eating healthy for a healthy mindset
And on the topic of eating. Do you always eat healthily or what kind of diet do you prefer? Smilla: No, I don't really follow a healthy diet as such but when I am preparing for a fight camp, I take care of what I am eating.
What would you normally eat the day/night before a big competition? Smilla: I like to eat steak and sometimes chicken with cashew nuts.
Muay Thai all the way?
What other sports do you like? Smilla: I enjoy playing basketball
Relationship with Fairtex Training Centre
Smilla says her favourite sports hero is undoubtedly her fellow sportswoman, Stamp Fairtex. She says she watches Stamp train everyday and knows how hard this mentor of her works.
Matt Lucas, Social Media Manager at Fairtex Training Centre in Pattaya, Thailand, told ScandAsia that Smilla came to Fairtex almost two years ago and they saw that she was accomplished in muay thai, having trained on Koh Samui. They discovered that Smilla had a lot of potential and was signed to Fairtex right away. "Fairtex acts as her primary sponsor," he said, adding that as her 'agent' they subsidize her accommodation and meals, as well as provide her further muay thai training.
"In addition, we secure her fights and develop her athletic career, Lucas said, adding that the company was able to secure her a contract with ONE Championship, where Smilla was able to seize the ONE Championship muay thai belt.
In his own words: "Smilla is hardworking, dedicated and a great asset to the team."
Continuing the personal interview, ScandAsia asked Smilla about her mindset regarding her sport and her future aspirations.
The future in your own hands
Do you see your sport as a future profession or as something to do for now to keep fit? Smilla: I definitely see it as a profession, and it certainly does keep me fit. I plan to take my muay thai career as far as I can.
Do you think the life of an athlete is tougher than that of another profession? Smilla: Maybe a little bit, because you have to always think about diet and being ready for a match.
Team Spirit!
Are you part of a team or is muay thai a solo sport? Smilla: It's both. You have to have a good team to push you but in the end it's all you.
What do you do to make practice fun? Smilla: I try to learn new techniques.
Mentors, coaches and sparring partners
Who is your coach and why do you like him or her? Smilla: I don't really have a coach. I train with everyone, but I really look up to Stamp who is a kickboxing and muay thai champion herself, and Rodtang who trained me for my last fight. There are many others who I love training with too.
Smilla tells ScandAsia that her biggest fighting challenges so far have been against Fahseethong Sitzoraueng in 2020 and Jackie Buntan this past April.
When asked how she thought a sport like muay thai might make somebody a better student or worker, Smilla stood firm in her opinion, saying: "It teaches you discipline and confidence and builds up your mental stamina."
Her advice to other young people wanting to take up muay thai?
A health official takes a nasal swab for a Covid-19 test in Bangkok's Sai Mai district. (File photo: Apichit Jinakul)
Thailand has 181 recorded cases of Covid-19's latest worrisome subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, which are similar to the Delta variant and therefore potentially harmful to a patient's lungs, according to the Department of Medical Sciences.
Director-general Supakit Sirilak said on Friday that there had been 181 cases of BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant and they posed risks of infection clusters.
The 181 cases were confirmed among 400 samples and consisted of 48 infected arrivals and 133 local cases. Most of them were confirmed in Bangkok, where the most samples were collected for examination, Dr Supakit said.
On Tuesday Ramathibodi Hospital reported that since April the country had registered 49 cases of the two subvariants.
Dr Supakit said the mutation of BA.4 and BA.5 was similar to the Delta variant and posed lung inflammation risks.
He said BA.4 and BA.5 accounted for 45.8% of new Covid-19 cases, BA.2 53.8% and BA.1 the rest.
A person's antibodies were less effective against BA.4 and BA.5 than they were against other subvariants and some patients with low immunity responded less to medication, the director-general said.
BA.5 should be monitored closely because it was spreading and infections already confirmed in 62 countries, while BA.4 and BA.2 infections were falling. BA.5 was likely to become a dominant strain globally and locally, Dr Supakit said.
The people who had previously contracted other subvariants of Omicron could be infected with BA.4 and BA.5 strains. Those with enough antibodies and booster vaccine shots could better fight off a repeat infection, he said.
Omicron was the world's only variant of concern as it was the dominant variant, he said.
Dr Supakit acknowledged the government's decision to further relax Covid-19 controls and said the number of BA.4 and BA.5 cases had not risen significantly. Therefore, it was still unnecessary to intensify control measures, he said.
Thailand lifts nationwide COVID-19 restrictions with immediate effect
Allowing almost everything with social distancing precautions: colour-coded zones removed, outdoor mask-wearing is voluntary, as the country is stepping into post-pandemic.
Bangkok, 24 June, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the latest announcement by the Royal Thai Government to lift the nationwide COVID-19 restrictions in line with the country's plan to downgrade COVID-19 to an endemic status in July.
Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 23 June, 2022, and with immediate effect, the announcement removed the colour-coded zoning, thus redesignating Bangkok and all other 76 provinces a green zone.
Outdoor mask-wearing has been endorsed as voluntary although the public are still advised to wear a face mask in crowded places, such as, public transport, markets, and concert venues, or for people with certain health conditions.
Restaurants and eateries are allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as communicable disease control guidelines.
Entertainment venues including pubs, bars, and karaoke lounges that have been certified with the Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus by the Ministry of Public Health are also allowed to operate in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as communicable disease control guidelines.
Group gatherings in crowded places are allowed, but those with more than 2,000 participants must receive advance permission from respective authorities in Bangkok or the other 76 provinces.
For international travellers planning to travel to Thailand during this time, please visit https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/ for more information on the latest entry requirements.
🚨 Just published in the Royal Gazette and is law straight away: "The wearing of a mask is a voluntary practice from now onwards. The Ministry of Public Health only recommends that the general public wear a mask in a crowded or badly ventilated place or if they have symptoms."
📌 But please note, private property, like shops and and also public transport, have the right to continue with mask mandates if they want. Government buildings will probably also continue for now. So, at the moment, you don't have to wear a mask outdoors and it is only recommended for crowded places. But if a shop or the skytrain says you must wear a mask to enter, then you have no choice.
Over 80 COVID-19 BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variant cases found in Thailand to date
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A total of 81 cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variant infections have, so far, been found in Thailand, according to latest information from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).
Medical Services Department chief Dr. Somsak Akksilp said today (Thursday), citing international reports, that BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are easily transmissible, have the ability to avoid immunity, attack the lungs of patients and have a tendency to cause more serious symptoms than the original Omicron variant.
He said, however, that the situation is under control as the BA.4 and BA.5 cases are few and rare, hence, are not of concern for the time being.
The Centre for Medical Genomics, at the Faculty of Medicine of Ramathibodi Hospital, said on its Facebook page that the two Omicron sub-variants have raised global concern due to their ability to attack the cells of human lungs, like the Delta variant, resulting in severe symptoms, which are different to the BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants.
It also said that the World Health Organization has classified the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants as viruses under watch, because the sub-variants are spreading in South Africa and have mutated into the R452 sub-variant whereas, in the United States, the BA2.12.1 sub-variant has mutated into the Q452 sub-variant, which is similar to the Delta variant.
In Thailand, there have been 49 cases of BA.5 and 32 cases of BA.4 infections, as well as 25 cases of BA.2.12.1 sub-variant infections.
According to the COVID-19 Information Centre today, 2,299 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past 24 hours, including 5 cases among overseas arrivals, and 18 fatalities. 602 people have been put on ventilators.
Since February 28th, 139,293,613 doses of vaccines have been administered in Thailand, amounting to 56.9 million first doses, 53 million second doses, and 29.3 million booster shots.
Tourists throng a market street in the old town area of Phuket on Sunday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
PHUKET: The number of Covid-19 cases in Phuket has been rising over the last week, with more than half of local hospital beds now occupied, the provincial health chief said on Thursday.
Dr Koosak Kookiatkul said that on Wednesday 26 new cases were confirmed with RT-PCR tests and 294 others tested positive for the disease with antigen tests.
Of the positive antigen results, 285 were in Muang district and nine in Kathu district.
Dr Koosak said the number of Covid-19 cases began to rise in Phuket about six days ago.
There were 277 new cases on Saturday, 291 on Sunday, 180 on Monday, 293 on Tuesday and 320 on Wednesday.
There were 162 local hospital beds, of which 91 or 56% were now occupied.
Dr Koosak said the number of severely ill cases with lung inflammation was declining but people should still take the need to protect themselves from infection seriously.
Universal prevention was necessary including wearing of face masks in crowded places and vaccine booster shots, as disease controls would be further relaxed next month, he said.
Fifty residents of Family Park Village protest to demand the project's landowner and police hold the supposed juristic company liable for fraud estimated at 40 million baht.
Residents of a Chonburi housing development are demanding a refund after discovering that the village management company they've been paying for 18 years was a gang of scammers.
How it never dawned on the more than 1,000 homeowners at Family Park Village in Muang District that the "common fees" they've been paying since 2004 for the housing project's maintenance were going into the pockets of a corrupt police officer and other grifters is beyond comprehension. But the collective lightbulb finally went on last year when tax collectors from Napah Subdistrict came to do a village survey.
About 50 residents – red-faced out of both anger and embarrassment – protested at the gates of Family Park Village, demanding the project's landowner and police hold the supposed juristic company liable for fraud and to return the estimated 40 million baht paid out in the past 18 years.
The fake juristic persons did not spend the monthly charged to maintain the streets, collect garbage nor clean the swimming pool.
One of the duped residents, Netnapa Tumong, 43, said Family Park Village was built in 1993 but never had a juristic office until 2004 when a group of people who posed as a management company set up shop in a neighborhood office. They began charging 150-200 baht a month in "common fees" to cover street maintenance, garbage collection and upkeep of communal facilities, such as the swimming pool and playground.
Yet for nearly two decades, no one questioned why, despite the money they were paying were the streets unlit, the playground infested with snakes and the pool unusable.
Outraged residents want the supposed "managers" out and for Napha to take over management of the neighborhood, including putting in streetlights.
For nearly two decades no one questioned why the streets were unlit and the playground infested with snakes.
People jog without face masks at Benjakitti Park in Bangkok. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul
As Thailand plans to downgrade Covid-19 to endemic status in July, several rules from the pandemic era such as wearing a mask in public and mandatory purchase of Covid health insurance to enter the nation for foreign visitors are set to change.
What are the current mask rules for Thailand?
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) recently announced that all 77 provinces in Thailand would be redesignated a green zone, which means wearing a face mask outdoors is voluntary except in crowded places such as public transport, markets and concert venues, or for people with certain health conditions.
As for indoors, Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesperson for CCSA, said wearing a mask is highly recommended. He said it is acceptable to remove a mask under three conditions:
If you are in a specific area alone;
If you can safely social distance yourself from others and the area is well-ventilated;
If you are eating, exercising, performing an art, or receiving care or service on your face.
The relaxed measures listed above only take effect when published in theRoyal Gazette, along with other recommended changes to the Covid-19 regulations. A publication date has not been set yet as more government guidance is expected after the cabinet meeting this week.
Thailand registered 18 more Covid-19 fatalities and 1,784 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the CCSA announced on Monday.
What about operating hours for bars and night entertainment venues?
Since the beginning of June, pubs, bars, karaoke venues, massage parlours and nightspots in most areas have been allowed to reopen and serve alcohol until midnight. There have been growing calls, including from new Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, for hours to be extended to 2am.
"When alcohol sales were banned in restaurants during the pandemic, many people resorted to gathering and drinking on roadsides on their own. It is better to allow nightlife venues to open and control drinking. It should be brought out into the open," Mr Chadchart said.
It remains unclear when operating hours will be extended to 2am. Dr Taweesilp from CCSA said at least three laws stipulate different closing hours for night entertainment venues.
The CCSA instructed the National Security Council secretary-general Supoj Malaniyom, who serves as chief of the CCSA's operations, to study the legal details before submitting a proposal to the cabinet.
Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, emphasised that easing restrictions is crucial to resurrecting the pandemic-battered economy. The extension of operating hours would also serve as a signal for restaurants, taxis and other businesses to resume their services as normal, he said.
"Income from nighttime businesses across the country is estimated at 30-50 billion baht per month. We expect 200 to 300 billion baht worth of monetary circulation will resume in the second half," Mr Sanan said.
"In combination with income from foreign tourists, as much as 500-700 billion baht is estimated to circulate in the economy in the second half, encouraging people to spend more in the remaining months of the year."
What are the entry rules for Thailand?
All foreign visitors will no longer have to register for Thailand Pass, nor purchase mandatory US$10,000 Covid-19 insurance coverage to enter the nation starting July 1. Travellers must show their vaccination certificates or Covid-19 test results.
Tourists may be subject to random antigen tests at entry points without such documentation. Despite scrapping the insurance requirement, the government still advises travellers to have some sort of insurance when they travel to Thailand in case of emergencies.
Chaichan Chareonsuk, president of the Thai National Shippers' Council, said the government's decision to ease regulations would help resuscitate service and tourism businesses.
"Many countries already relaxed their strict control measures and reopened to foreign tourists, such as Vietnam. It was time for the Thai government to scrap such strict requirements to boost the economy," he said.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the number of foreign visitors is expected to rise from 20,000-25,000 per day to 25,000-30,000 when the Thailand Pass registration requirement ends.
In the first half of June, Thailand welcomed 348,699 foreign arrivals, with the main source markets Malaysia (61,486), India (51,800), Singapore (31,580), Vietnam (18,885) and the US (15,708).
Are any other regulations going to be relaxed soon?
Other changes pending publication in the Royal Gazette include the easing of temperature screening and the requirement for submitting antigen test kit (ATK) results.
Thermal scanning in buildings will soon be deemed unnecessary unless the area is at high risk of high transmission.
ATK testing will still be carried out for people showing respiratory symptoms. The Provincial Infectious Disease Committee must be convened if any large gatherings have more than 2,000 participants so they can monitor and prevent transmission.
The Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) said the government's decision to declare the whole country a "green zone", allowing all business activities to resume, will speed up efforts to restore the Thai economy to the level before the pandemic.
"The move is good for Thailand, which is driven by tourism and service industries," said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of EconThai. "This is a key measure for a quick economic recovery."
Mr Tanit said he expects the green zone measure to pave the way for an easing of the migrant worker shortage. Total legal migrant workers in Thailand stood at 2.9 million before the pandemic, but fell to 2.3 million after Covid-19 hit Thailand in 2020, he said.
What is the economic outlook for Thailand as it shifts to endemic status?
The SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) recently upgraded Thailand's 2022 GDP growth forecast to 2.9% from 2.7%, attributed to a rebound in the tourism and service sectors, backed by Thailand's reopening and easing border restrictions worldwide. The research group projects Thailand will welcome 7.4 million foreign arrivals this year, up from a previous estimate of 5.7 million.
Thailand's two main economic drivers have been exports and tourism. The export sector has been stifled because of global supply chain obstacles, rising oil prices and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
As a result, the EIC anticipates Thailand's tourism and service sectors will replace export-oriented manufacturing as a major economic driver in the period ahead.
Annual GDP is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until the third quarter of 2023, said the research house.
"A rebound in domestic spending would face headwinds from accelerating inflation, which is likely to stay elevated throughout the remainder of 2022, given limited policy space and persistent economic scars. Hence, Thailand's economic growth will witness a modest rebound this year," according to a report from the EIC.
People wearing face masks watch a musical performance at Benjakitti Park in Bangkok early this month. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Thailand has recorded 49 new cases of the two new Omicron subvariants -- BA.4 and BA.5 -- which are considered more contagious and can potentially bypass immunity, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics of Ramathibodi Hospital.
Wasun Chantratita, who heads the centre, said 26 cases of BA.5, 23 cases of BA.4 and 18 cases of BA.2.12.1 have been detected in the kingdom since April. He cited data from Gisaid, the global data science initiative, to back up his remarks.
Dr Wasun said the figure was based on random tests so the true number of infections could be considerably higher. The patients were admitted to hospital and their condition described as manageable.
"Omicron is not the last variant of Covid-19," he said.
"Despite the easing of protective measures, people must not let their guard down and should keep wearing face masks, particularly in high-density areas, as well as making sure they get vaccinated."
He said most of the patients infected with the subvariants had come from overseas.
No cases of BA.5 and BA.4 have been detected in Bangkok or its adjacent provinces, Dr Wasun said.
Over the past two months, Gisaid reported that BA.2 accounted for 44% of the Omicron subvariants detected in Thailand. This was followed by BA.2.9 (26%), BA.2.10 (7%), BA.2.3 (5%), BA.2.10.1 (4%), BA.2.27 (3%), and BA.5, BA.4 and BA.2.12.1 (1% each).
BA.5 and BA.4 have also shown up in South Africa and many European countries.
The genome sequencing of BA.5 was found to have mutated from the original Wuhan strain by almost 90 strains, while BA.4 showed 80 such changes in its code.
The findings indicated these subvariants may be able to bypass immunity leading to high rates of transmission.
Cases of infection by one of the two have jumped 80% at hospitals in Portugal, and by 50% in the United Kingdom, Austria, Netherlands, France and other parts of Europe.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not yet raised the alert level against either subvariant, Dr Wasun said.
Meanwhile, Sorawit Thanito, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, confirmed that a veterinarian in Songkhla had been diagnosed with Covid-19 last year after being sneezed on by an infected cat, which contracted the disease from its owners.
The research was carried out by the Prince of Songkla University's Department of Health Science and Medical Research.
Mr Sorawit said genome sequencing had confirmed the link in the infections between the vet, the cat and its owner.
The finding suggests the virus is indeed transmissible from animals to humans, although it is much harder to do so than from person to person.
Furthermore, some variants can cause fever-like diseases in humans and other forms of illness among cows, buffaloes, camels, bats and other mammals.
The investigation found that most pets appeared to contract the virus through close contact with their infected owners.
The department was monitoring the condition of pets that travelled with their owners from foreign shores to see whether they were at risk of getting infected, Mr Sorawit said.
The cabinet has reduced the AstraZeneca vaccine budget in favour of purchasing the pharmaceutical giant's long-acting antibody treatments instead.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the cabinet has approved a reduced order of 35.4 million doses of vaccine, down from 60 million, lowering the budget from 19 billion baht to 11 billion baht. The saving will be put towards an order of 257,500 doses of long-acting antibody (LAAB).
LAAB, branded as Evusheld, was developed by AstraZeneca and registered in June last year. It was authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use in the US on Dec 8 last year. Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting antibodies (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) and works on the principle of "passive immunisation". It is administered as two injections, with protection lasting for at least six months.
It is for people with poor immune systems who cannot be vaccinated, such as those on dialysis, transplant patients and people with immune disorders, and is estimated to be 83% effective, he said.
AstraZeneca has already delivered 13.2 million doses of vaccine during the first quarter of this year and will distribute 11.2 million more by year's end, with an order of 11 million already having been agreed for next year.
THAI's head of finance Chai Iamsiri said the national carrier's performance has improved following restructuring of the organisation and costs.
"The company may be able to exit the rehabilitation programme sooner than initially planned. But I can't tell how soon because there must be steps to be taken first," Chai said.
The Cabinet gave the green light for THAI to undergo rehabilitation under the Bankruptcy Act in May 2020, while the airline's protection filing was granted by a court in June last year. Chai said THAI's initial five-year rehab plan can be extended twice by a year each time, meaning a maximum rehab period of seven years.
He added that the airline may not have to seek a new loan of up to Bt25 billion as earlier expected because its cashflows have increased.
THAI filed for bankruptcy protection after reporting total debts of 245 billion baht at the end of 2019. The rehabilitation programme requires the airline to halve its 30,000-strong workforce and cut costs to 53 billion baht this year.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand has suspended trading in THAI shares, with the airline handed a deadline of 2025 to resolve the problems that triggered suspension.
Chai said the airline was committed to improving performance so that trading could resume before the 2025 deadline.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has his temperature taken before chairing the Police Commission meeting at the Royal Thai Police office on Monday. The premier said the government has not yet cancelled the emergency decree. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday insisted the government has not yet cancelled the emergency decree as there remain concerns that the special law is still needed, although easing of restrictions will continue and the cabinet will reassess the situation when the time is right.
Gen Prayut's remarks came after Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rangsiman Rome urged the government to stop renewing the decree, which has been extended 18 times in two years despite the drop in Covid-19 cases and easing of restrictions.
The premier said the emergency decree was invoked to facilitate government efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 and the special law has been an effective tool in helping to achieve that target.
He said the government would have to examine the Covid-19 situation and decide if the emergency decree was still necessary. If the emergency decree is lifted, the government will have only the public health laws at its disposal, he noted.
On Sunday, Mr Rangsiman demanded the government lift the special law which he claimed has been used to take legal action against anti-government protesters rather than curbing the spread of the virus.
He said the government had eased several Covid-19 restrictions including allowing people to take off their face masks in open-air spaces, so there was also no need to maintain the decree.
Introduced on March 26, 2020 to control the spike in Covid-19 cases, the emergency decree gave the prime minister full control of anti-virus measures as head of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Gen Prayut said the economic outlook after the reopening of the country was positive due to an increase in the number of international tourists.
However, he said the government had several issues still to tackle including the overcrowding problem at immigration checkpoints.
He said that some Covid-19 restrictions would have to be maintained to keep the chances of a resurgence in cases to a minimum.
"The people are in [economic] hardship. Don't you think the prime minister is troubled by that? We're trying to help to the best of our ability without causing more problems," he said.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he had instructed City Hall officials to contact the Indian embassy and hold talks on how to attract more tourists from the country.
He said the move came after he learned that Indian tourists were now the country's top arrivals and that the talks should help City Hall determine policies that can help stimulate the local tourism industry.
Mr Chadchart also urged people to get a third booster shot after the CCSA postponed relaxing regulations on their use in the capital due to the low number of people who received a third shot against Covid-19.
He said he was less concerned about a spike in infections following the reopening of night entertainment venues, than the current safety of the venues, particularly regarding fire safety standards, as they had been closed for an extended period.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the agency is putting together a new tourism promotion scheme for submission to the cabinet for consideration.
The new scheme, which was approved in principle by the National Tourism Policy Committee, is designed to target 2.5 million people in the public sector.
According to Ms Thapanee, over the next six months, about 90% of this group would spend two days working in the provinces to help stimulate tourism in those areas.
She said the new scheme was designed to cater to those in the public sector because they had income security and had been less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is estimated that local tourists spend 4,100 baht per head per trip on average, said Ms Thapanee.
"If 90% of 2.5 million people in this sector join the scheme, it would generate a cash flow of at least 50 billion baht," she added.
Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product.
Thailand has announced that it would abandon its much-criticized pre-registration process for foreign visitors and no longer require face masks to be worn in public, responding to a slower COVID-19 spread.
Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan told reporters that the "Thailand Pass" system, where foreign tourists must seek prior approval from Thai authorities, will be halted from July 1, removing one of the country's last remaining travel curbs.
The kingdom is one of the world's most popular travel destinations, but tourism businesses have long complained that its requirement for foreigners to submit multiple documents – from vaccine and swab test certificates to medical insurance and hotel bookings – was impeding the sector's recovery.
Thailand was visited by nearly 40 million people in 2019, but received less than 1% of that number last year despite easing its quarantine requirements.
Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakansaid "Thailand Pass" system, where foreign tourists must seek prior approval from Thai authorities, will be halted from July 1, removing one of the country's last remaining travel curbs.
Though tourism has picked up in recent months, the industry is far from recovering, with huge jobs and business losses in a sector that typically accounts for about 12% of Thai gross domestic product.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) also said the use of face masks would be voluntary starting next month, but advised people to wear them if in crowded settings or if suffering from health conditions.
Thailand has recorded more than 30,000 COVID fatalities overall, but has largely contained its outbreaks, helped by a vaccination rate of more than 80%.(NNT)
July 1 is looming as the day Thailand really opens up again, with all the 'Covid' paperwork (aka. The Thailand Pass) being binned. They're even scrapping the TM6 form, at least in the short to medium term (maybe permanently?).
But if you want a reminder about some of Thailand's more hypocritical and absurd Covid restrictions, just go for a flight, domestically.
Now, I have been a frequent flyer, domestically, almost exclusively out of BKK (Suvarnabhumi) to HKT (Phuket) over the past 20 months. I've totalled 138 domestic flights in Thailand in that time. Although my experience has been limited to mainly 2 carriers, the same rules apply for flying anywhere inside Thailand at the moment.
I am sure all this is about to be given the heave-ho, and none of it particularly bothers me, but I just battle to grasp the logic of it all.
It all starts with the check in area where you need to wear your face masks, only to remove them for the check-in attendant when they make sure your mouth and nose look something like your passport photo. If there's a long queue you are waiting in line with people that will be well inside your 'Covid personal space'.
Then the seating areas are marked with an alternate tick and a cross. Social distancing is in force here and suddenly becomes an acute problem, compared to the laissez-faire attitude in the check-in queues. Those damn green tick and red cross stickers have been stuck to the vinyl for a couple of years, and proudly adorn most of the seating at Airports of Thailand facilities around the country. I fear the stickers may take half the upholstery with them when ripped off. But the visual signal, the red cross, was a sure sign no one would sit there. We are then frequently reminded of the importance of social distancing whilst waiting in the airport – in Thai, English and Chinese languages. Often. (Why bother with the Chinese language announcements at the moment??)
Then we queue up to get into the bus or make our way onto the plane. Any social distancing we've been practicing for the past 30 minutes or so is gone again as people cram the lines in fear that the plane is going to leave without them. Some of the budget carriers park in a remote section of the airport to save on gate fees and require a bus ride from the terminal to your plane.
If you have the misfortune of travelling to your plane by bus then you'll know it gets really silly with the buses fitted out with foot stickers showing people where they should stand to avoid close contact. If you used the guide of the foot stickers, only about 20 people would actually get on the bus. But they've wasted their money on these feet-shaped stickers because 1) the airline treats the buses as sardine cans to ferry the impatient passengers to their plane and 2) NO one stands on the foot stickers – NOBODY.
Once in the plane any pretence to social distancing is completely irrelevant because we're sitting within spitting distance of any number of strangers.
We're continually reminded to wear our masks at all times during the flight and the attendants, with little else to do these days, are particularly attendant to your mask being properly worn at all times.
The food and beverage cart doesn't make an appearance, not that I need a cold tea or stale piece of cake in a one hour flight, but they seem to be be able to wheel the merchandise cart down the aisle (does anyone ever buy the airline merch?). It's been almost two years since you could buy a sandwich on a budget airline, or get handed out the free catering from the full-service airlines.
Then getting off the aircraft, after being crammed next the snotty-nosed kid on side and the snoring tourist on the other, only inches away from my head, we're told we have to deplane "row by row" and "five aisles at a time" to adhere to the airline's social distance policy.
By the time I get off the plane, and back into the terminal building, I am totally bewildered where, on the one hand, I've been bombarded with announcements by the airline – in the boarding area and the plane – about the importance to wear your face mask and socially distance, whilst on the other hand me, and another 150 or so people, have been crammed into a space about 30 metres x 4 metres (approx. 100 x 13 feet) for the past hour.
Over the past month the need to show my Covid vaccination certificate at check-in has almost completely disappeared, so they're no longer fussy who they transport on their aircraft. So why all the residual, and contrary, restrictions?
From July 1 just about all restrictions in Thailand are gone, including the Thailand Pass and the compulsory US$10,000 insurance. So the whole experience of coming to Thailand will be back to normal… unless you're travelling on a domestic flight.
It's now time for the civil aviation authorities in Thailand, the AoT and airlines to urgently come into line with the rest of the country to provide the best, most transparent and 'normal' travel experience as possible.
I will also move into the upholstery business as they start ripping off all those seat stickers!
AOT prepares for 50% increase in passengers during high season
The Airports of Thailand (AOT)'s board of directors will mete on Wednesday to adjust its estimation of arrivals in line with the October to March flight schedule.
"Since Thailand is lifting restrictions, we believe that in October, Suvarnabhumi Airport will see up to 100,000 passengers per day, which is about 50 per cent of the pre-Covid levels," AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said on Sunday. "The AOT board will adjust its estimates accordingly to prepare for the surge in arrivals in time for the winter or the high season."
Nitinai added that AOT expects to see more arrivals from India and Singapore, as well as some passengers from China, which has started allowing business people and students to travel overseas.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is currently welcoming up to 80,000 passengers daily, 50,000 of whom are international arrivals.
Six airports come under AOT's jurisdiction, namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Chiang Rai.
"Airports upcountry are also seeing a surge in passengers. Hat Yai Airport has reported an 85 per cent increase, while Phuket and Chiang Mai are also seeing more chartered flights from South Korea," Nitinai added. "We believe these six airports could see more than 200,000 passengers per day during the winter season."
To cope with this increase in passengers, AOT has instructed all airports to open more check-in counters as well as increase the number of self-service and bag drop counters to allow passengers to check in and drop off their luggage automatically.
