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12 minutes ago, steveluv said:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbulent-Thailand/COVID-brings-false-calm-to-Thailand-s-streets?utm_campaign=GL_coronavirus_latest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=10&pub_date=20210616150000&seq_num=7&si=44594

COVID brings false calm to Thailand's streets
Vaccine chaos fuels rage as protesters wait for pandemic's end

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Mothers of anti-government protest leaders facing lese majeste charges demand the release of their sons outside Remand Prison, in Bangkok on April 28.    © Reuters
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writerJune 16, 2021 14:00 JST

BANGKOK -- The third wave of COVID-19 that has broken over Thailand has brought a deceptive quiet to the country's streets. Anti-government protesters cannot stage big demonstrations, but the mood remains defiant and unrest is likely to erupt again as soon as the pandemic subsides.

The pro-democracy demonstrations, which drew massive support from young people last year, touch on the most sensitive issue in Thai politics: reform of the monarchy. But they have sputtered because the latest COVID-19 flare-up has forced would-be protesters to practice social distancing.

"COVID is the key reason [the demonstrations have died down], as the death toll is rising sharply, and I think the protest leaders are thinking the same thing, so that we don't see any big protests now," said Suthipan Sombatsuree, a 19-year-old university student who took part in protests last year.

The street agitation began in earnest last July, when more than 10,000 people gathered at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok to demand that the constitution be amended, that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha resign and that the monarchy, which backers have treated as semidivine for several decades, be reformed.

The protests gained momentum, peaking on Oct. 26, when a university student, Passaravalee Thanakijvibulphol, nicknamed "Mind," led thousands of people to the German Embassy to deliver a letter demanding the German government investigate whether the king had conducted Thai state affairs on German soil in violation of German law.

That prompted a crackdown by Thai authorities against the demonstrators. Many protest leaders have been arrested and charged with lese majeste, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. Imprisoned leaders include Parit Chiwarak, also known as "Penguin," and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul. Holding them in pretrial detention kept them off the streets and helped quell big demonstrations.

Still, other leaders staged sporadic protests around Bangkok to keep pressure on the government under the slogan, "Free-up our Friends."

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Supporters of arrested protest leaders King show the three-finger salute while waiting for their release on bail outside Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok on May 11.   © Reuters

Parit and Panusaya were released on bail, on condition that they not criticize the monarchy again and remain in the country. They have not staged any big protests since their release.

"The key reason is the third wave, the severe outbreak of COVID-19," Boonyakiat Karavekphan, a political science lecturer at Ramkamhaeng University told Nikkei Asia. "I think the leaders also realized that they could not draw massive [numbers of] protesters if they staged a protest now because they are afraid of COVID-19."

The third wave of the coronavirus outbreak, which began in April, has raised the average number of newly confirmed cases to more than 2,000 a day, up from double digits earlier in the pandemic. As of June 14, Thailand has had 191,264 cases in all, with the death toll at 1,466.

However, Boonyakiat of Ramkamhaeng University said the disappearance of big protests does not mean the pro-democracy protesters have given up. "What we see now is that the anti-government fight remains, but they have just changed the fighting format," said Boonyakiat.

That is a common theme among Thai political analysts following comments posted by Penguin on Twitter and Facebook, which said: "For me, the fight to reform the monarchy will continue." 

Yuthaporn Issarachai of Sukhothai Thammathirat University said protests have moved online in order to keep the momentum going. Government opponents are waiting for the right timing to take to the streets again with stronger demands.

"They keep posting on social media. ... There is much anti-government as well as monarchy-criticizing content on several social media platforms. These feelings, as well as anger against the government, remain, particularly at a time when the government is struggling to manage the vaccine rollout," Yuthaporn said.

Although the government had said 100 million doses of vaccines have been secured for Thais, and the vaccines rollout began March 1, only 1.6 million people have been fully vaccinated so far. That is only around 2.3% of Thailand's population of 69 million. And public and private hospitals have postponed inoculations amid a shortage of vaccines, derailing the inoculation effort. The government has not given a clear explanation to the public, raising concerns over whether Thailand will be able to overcome the pandemic and revive the weak economy by the end of this year as hoped.

Analysts say these missteps are likely to spark new protests as soon as the pandemic dies down.

"When the COVID situation is better, the pro-democracy groups will definitely protest again because it is a matter of ideology, which protesters see as the government having taken power through the establishment, not by fair rules," said Sukhum Nuansakul, a political analyst and a former rector of Ramkhamhaeng University.
 

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https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Thai-Airways-clears-legal-hurdles-to-launch-rehab-plan?utm_campaign=GL_coronavirus_latest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=10&pub_date=20210616150000&seq_num=11&si=44594

Thai Airways clears legal hurdles to launch rehab plan
Bankruptcy court approves restructuring of cash-strapped flag carrier

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
The approved rehabilitation plan is designed to tackle Thai Airways' unprofitable businesses.   © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 15, 2021 21:47 JST

BANGKOK -- A Thai court formally approved Thai Airways International's rehabilitation plan on Tuesday, clearing all legal hurdles to set the plan in motion.

"The Central Bankruptcy Court granted an order to approve Thai Airways International's business rehabilitation plan," the airline said in a statement. "The plan administrators and all employees are committed to performing their duties for a successful implementation of the plan and for the utmost benefit of all creditors." 

In an online news conference held after the verdict was read, acting CEO Chansin Treenuchagron said that the company's ongoing restructuring efforts helped to "reduce almost 50% of expense related to workforce and remuneration packages. We were able to bring our cost down to lower than the industry standard. We will be able to compete in the next three to five years."

The airline only recorded annual profits twice in the past decade, and the rehabilitation program mainly deals with its unprofitable businesses. The plan consists of an organizational shake-up that will halve the airline's pre-COVID workforce and cut executive positions by 30%. The company has also been selling off jetliners, facilities and stockholdings as part of a review of its asset portfolio, and to raise working capital.

Some experts, though, say the plan is insufficient to repair Thai Airways' damaged balance sheet. The airline needs a major cleanup, including new funds to tide itself over during the five-to-seven-year rehabilitation. Creditors have been reluctant to grant large write-offs as part of the rehabilitation process due to the company's past mismanagement.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Uncertainties loom for Thai Airways, including how fast the world will recover from the pandemic and how travelers will behave in the post-COVID era.   © Reuters

Thai Airways got the nod for the plan from 28 out of 38 creditors at a meeting on May 19. The debt held by those creditors accounted for 91.56% of Thai Airways' total debt, well above the 50% required to proceed with the plan.

Winning creditors' backing was key; the court's approval was a formality by comparison. Nevertheless, it was a necessary legal step to implement the restructuring. The airline has been under court-supervised rehabilitation since September 2020. Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to international travel, dealing a further blow to the already floundering flag carrier.

The court approval gives Thai Airways a six-year extension on debenture redemptions. Three-year repayment concessions have also been negotiated with commercial banks. The airline reportedly offered creditors the right to convert debt to equity after the seventh year of rehabilitation.

Thai Airways Chief Financial Officer Chai Eamsiri said, "The plan is to ask for 25 billion baht from the government and another 25 billion baht from private institutions." However, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had said in May that the state would not get involved in the rehabilitation.

As part of the rehabilitation, the government stripped the flag carrier of its state enterprise status by reducing its shareholding below 50%, having determined that strong job protections for state company employees would impede the restructuring. In the past, the airline often counted on government assistance after management missteps.

"We want the funding as soon as possible, as our revenue is still not at the normal level and we have a limited time," said Chai. "At present, we won't be able to last until the end of the year with our current cash flow." 

But outside observers are also concerned about uncertainty in the air travel business.

The rehabilitation plan aims to bring the airline back to stable profitability by 2025. Meeting that target depends on both smooth execution of the rehabilitation and a recovery of the air travel market by 2024. But it is unclear how quickly the world will bounce back from the pandemic and how travelers will behave in the post-COVID era.

Thailand plans to accept vaccinated international visitors to Phuket island without quarantines, starting July 1. The "sandbox experiment" is an effort to revive Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, whose tourism and related industries accounted for 20% of gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.

Thai Airways will take part in the experiment by welcoming vacationers from five European cities. Flights to Phuket from Paris, Copenhagen, and Frankfurt, Germany, will begin July 2. Routes from London and Zurich will resume the next day. The test's success will bring the airline closer to achieving its recovery target, while failure to attract visitors will add to the uncertainty over its future.

"We will execute our plan," said CEO Chansin, "and then in three or six months, we will update you with our progress."

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20 hours ago, steveluv said:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Thai-Airways-clears-legal-hurdles-to-launch-rehab-plan?utm_campaign=GL_coronavirus_latest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=10&pub_date=20210616150000&seq_num=11&si=44594

Thai Airways clears legal hurdles to launch rehab plan
Bankruptcy court approves restructuring of cash-strapped flag carrier

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
The approved rehabilitation plan is designed to tackle Thai Airways' unprofitable businesses.   © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 15, 2021 21:47 JST

BANGKOK -- A Thai court formally approved Thai Airways International's rehabilitation plan on Tuesday, clearing all legal hurdles to set the plan in motion.

"The Central Bankruptcy Court granted an order to approve Thai Airways International's business rehabilitation plan," the airline said in a statement. "The plan administrators and all employees are committed to performing their duties for a successful implementation of the plan and for the utmost benefit of all creditors." 

In an online news conference held after the verdict was read, acting CEO Chansin Treenuchagron said that the company's ongoing restructuring efforts helped to "reduce almost 50% of expense related to workforce and remuneration packages. We were able to bring our cost down to lower than the industry standard. We will be able to compete in the next three to five years."

The airline only recorded annual profits twice in the past decade, and the rehabilitation program mainly deals with its unprofitable businesses. The plan consists of an organizational shake-up that will halve the airline's pre-COVID workforce and cut executive positions by 30%. The company has also been selling off jetliners, facilities and stockholdings as part of a review of its asset portfolio, and to raise working capital.

Some experts, though, say the plan is insufficient to repair Thai Airways' damaged balance sheet. The airline needs a major cleanup, including new funds to tide itself over during the five-to-seven-year rehabilitation. Creditors have been reluctant to grant large write-offs as part of the rehabilitation process due to the company's past mismanagement.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Uncertainties loom for Thai Airways, including how fast the world will recover from the pandemic and how travelers will behave in the post-COVID era.   © Reuters

Thai Airways got the nod for the plan from 28 out of 38 creditors at a meeting on May 19. The debt held by those creditors accounted for 91.56% of Thai Airways' total debt, well above the 50% required to proceed with the plan.

Winning creditors' backing was key; the court's approval was a formality by comparison. Nevertheless, it was a necessary legal step to implement the restructuring. The airline has been under court-supervised rehabilitation since September 2020. Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to international travel, dealing a further blow to the already floundering flag carrier.

The court approval gives Thai Airways a six-year extension on debenture redemptions. Three-year repayment concessions have also been negotiated with commercial banks. The airline reportedly offered creditors the right to convert debt to equity after the seventh year of rehabilitation.

Thai Airways Chief Financial Officer Chai Eamsiri said, "The plan is to ask for 25 billion baht from the government and another 25 billion baht from private institutions." However, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had said in May that the state would not get involved in the rehabilitation.

As part of the rehabilitation, the government stripped the flag carrier of its state enterprise status by reducing its shareholding below 50%, having determined that strong job protections for state company employees would impede the restructuring. In the past, the airline often counted on government assistance after management missteps.

"We want the funding as soon as possible, as our revenue is still not at the normal level and we have a limited time," said Chai. "At present, we won't be able to last until the end of the year with our current cash flow." 

But outside observers are also concerned about uncertainty in the air travel business.

The rehabilitation plan aims to bring the airline back to stable profitability by 2025. Meeting that target depends on both smooth execution of the rehabilitation and a recovery of the air travel market by 2024. But it is unclear how quickly the world will bounce back from the pandemic and how travelers will behave in the post-COVID era.

Thailand plans to accept vaccinated international visitors to Phuket island without quarantines, starting July 1. The "sandbox experiment" is an effort to revive Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, whose tourism and related industries accounted for 20% of gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.

Thai Airways will take part in the experiment by welcoming vacationers from five European cities. Flights to Phuket from Paris, Copenhagen, and Frankfurt, Germany, will begin July 2. Routes from London and Zurich will resume the next day. The test's success will bring the airline closer to achieving its recovery target, while failure to attract visitors will add to the uncertainty over its future.

"We will execute our plan," said CEO Chansin, "and then in three or six months, we will update you with our progress."

its actually a pity if thai goes under .. have always enjoyed thai .. great service at reasonable fares ..

and it seems somehow that their flights get airbridges with less walking in the ginormous suvarnabhumi ..

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Today’s Covid new cases.

New Cases
Thailand 2,599 ( -73 )
Prison 459 ( +2 )
———————————————-
Total 3,058 ( -71 )

Deaths 22 ( -8 )

OZCfavY.jpg
 

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https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thailand-to-open-borders-early-taking-calculated-risk?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20210617190000&seq_num=17&si=44594

Thailand to open borders early, taking calculated risk
Prayuth strives to balance economic and health needs

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
People receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine inside a gymnasium at Thammasat University, in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on June 7.   © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 17, 2021 15:45 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand has given up achieving herd immunity as it races toward fully reopening its borders to vaccinated globe-trotters, and as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighs economic imperatives against risks to public health.

Prayuth on Wednesday launched an ambitious plan to start accepting visitors to all parts of Thailand in 120 days, but ongoing vaccine shortages have evoked skepticism among Thai citizens.

"I know this decision comes with some risk because, when we open the country, there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions," the prime minister said in a televised address. "But, I think, when we take the economic needs of people into consideration, the time has now come for us to take that calculated risk."

The government's road map targets an average of 10 million shots to be administered every month beginning in July. If all goes as planned, this will allow almost 50 million people to receive at least their first shot by early October, before vaccinated foreign tourists are welcomed to roam the kingdom.

"The first shot already enormously increases your body's ability to cope with an infection and can save your life," Prayuth said.

A successful opening in October could help Thailand salvage its busy tourist season, which usually begins in mid- to late November, when the monsoon rains subside.

The government has contracted for 105.5 million doses, roughly 60% of which are to be the AstraZeneca vaccine, and most of these supplies are to come from Siam Bioscience. The biopharmaceutical company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in November obtained an exclusive Southeast Asia license from U.K. drugmaker AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha tells the kingdom that "I know this decision comes with some risk because there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions." (Photo by Masayuki Yuda)

According to a report published in medical journal The Lancet, a single AtraZeneca dose has an efficacy of 76% against symptomatic COVID-19 in the first 90 days.

Prayuth's address signifies a dramatic turnaround in Thailand's vaccine and reopening strategy. The government originally planned to reopen the kingdom at the outset of 2022, after reaching herd immunity by giving two jabs to 70% of all residents. The new plan brings forward the reopening date by a month and a half and makes do with nearly half the jabs required in the previous plan.

The long-ailing economy prompted the rethink. Since March, Thailand has been suffering through a third wave of infections and subsequent business lockdowns. No statistical data on the economic toll is yet available, but Bangkok's once-lively streets show the story. One by one, shops and restaurants have been permanently closing down.

"We've somehow survived through two waves," the owner of a Japanese restaurant said, "but this third wave has really hit us hard." The restaurant this month closed indefinitely.

In May, the Bank of Thailand made economic projections for three scenarios. If herd immunity is achieved by the first quarter of 2022, it forecasts growth of 2% in 2021 and 4.7% in 2022.

A herd immunity delay to the third quarter would slow the rates to 1.5% and 2.8%, while a further lag till the fourth quarter would bring growth down to 1% and 1.1%.

The forecasts show how vulnerable Thailand is without tourism and the businesses that flourish because of it. Pre-COVID, this sector accounted for 20% of the kingdom's gross domestic product. Without it in 2020, Southeast Asia's second largest economy shrank 6.1%.

For Prayuth, whose term expires in 2023, even the central bank's best-case scenario spells potential doom. "We cannot wait for a time when everyone is fully vaccinated with two shots to open the country or for when the world is free of the virus," the prime minister said. "We must be ready to live with some risk and just try to keep it at a manageable level, and let people go back to being able to earn a living."

Lowering the inoculation bar reflects the uncertainty surrounding vaccine deliveries amid rising international demand. Prayuth himself recognizes the issue.

"I am the top executive in this war against the coronavirus," he stated. "I must apologize for the problems that have happened, and I take all responsibility." He was specifically referring to vaccine shortages that resulted in complaints from the public on Tuesday, one day before he addressed the nation.

"The vaccine deliveries have taken some time because they had to wait for time-consuming production and quality checks," he said. "Many countries have faced the same problem."

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Monday announced a plan to delay vaccination programs at 25 specially set up locations. A number of public and private hospitals also announced postponements for people with reservations for this week.

At Monday's news conference, Bangkok Gov. Aswin Khwanmuang said the city had already used up "nearly all of the vaccines allocated by the government."

As Siam Bioscience has no previous experience manufacturing vaccines, there is speculation that it may be having teething problems in ramping up production. A government official at the news conference denied any production issues and said the supply shortage is "temporary and will be resolved soon."

But the shortages have cast enough doubt to make Thai citizens skeptical of the government's handling of the vaccination program.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Siam Bioscience makes the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at this location outside Bangkok. It is Southeast Asia's only producer of the vaccine   © Reuters

Thailand still has a lese-majeste law, which makes it a serious offense to demean or attack senior members of the royal family. Discussion of anything relating to Siam Bioscience is therefore fraught. A former opposition party leader was charged in January after raising questions about the company's exclusive production during a Facebook livestream. A maximum prison sentence of 15 years can be handed down to those found guilty of lese-majeste, with sequential terms possible for those judged to have committed multiple offenses.

Siam Bioscience's vaccine exports have come under scrutiny. Reuters reported that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen last Friday said delivery of 10 million shots from Thailand faces a delay because, she said, Thailand is prioritizing its domestic needs.

There have also been reports of delayed deliveries to the Philippines and Malaysia.

On June 2, AstraZeneca said vaccines produced by Siam Bioscience would be ready for export in July.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul tweeted late on Saturday that there is no official policy to block AstraZeneca exports. She quoted Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying vaccine exports and distribution are the domain of Siam Bioscience, not the government.

Siam Bioscience has remained silent and not revealed if there have been any production glitches. Many of those who since May 1 have registered for shots now face an uncertain wait.

All of Southeast Asia is off to a slow vaccination start. Only 7% of the Thai population has received at least one dose. In the Philippines, the figure is 4%, and in Indonesia it's 7%. With vaccines coming over the horizon, a major concern is variants, particularly those that spread quickly.

Additional reporting by Yohei Muramatsu and Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat in Bangkok

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3 hours ago, steveluv said:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Thailand-to-open-borders-early-taking-calculated-risk?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20210617190000&seq_num=17&si=44594

Thailand to open borders early, taking calculated risk
Prayuth strives to balance economic and health needs

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
People receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine inside a gymnasium at Thammasat University, in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on June 7.   © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 17, 2021 15:45 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand has given up achieving herd immunity as it races toward fully reopening its borders to vaccinated globe-trotters, and as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha weighs economic imperatives against risks to public health.

Prayuth on Wednesday launched an ambitious plan to start accepting visitors to all parts of Thailand in 120 days, but ongoing vaccine shortages have evoked skepticism among Thai citizens.

"I know this decision comes with some risk because, when we open the country, there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions," the prime minister said in a televised address. "But, I think, when we take the economic needs of people into consideration, the time has now come for us to take that calculated risk."

The government's road map targets an average of 10 million shots to be administered every month beginning in July. If all goes as planned, this will allow almost 50 million people to receive at least their first shot by early October, before vaccinated foreign tourists are welcomed to roam the kingdom.

"The first shot already enormously increases your body's ability to cope with an infection and can save your life," Prayuth said.

A successful opening in October could help Thailand salvage its busy tourist season, which usually begins in mid- to late November, when the monsoon rains subside.

The government has contracted for 105.5 million doses, roughly 60% of which are to be the AstraZeneca vaccine, and most of these supplies are to come from Siam Bioscience. The biopharmaceutical company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in November obtained an exclusive Southeast Asia license from U.K. drugmaker AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha tells the kingdom that "I know this decision comes with some risk because there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions." (Photo by Masayuki Yuda)

According to a report published in medical journal The Lancet, a single AtraZeneca dose has an efficacy of 76% against symptomatic COVID-19 in the first 90 days.

Prayuth's address signifies a dramatic turnaround in Thailand's vaccine and reopening strategy. The government originally planned to reopen the kingdom at the outset of 2022, after reaching herd immunity by giving two jabs to 70% of all residents. The new plan brings forward the reopening date by a month and a half and makes do with nearly half the jabs required in the previous plan.

The long-ailing economy prompted the rethink. Since March, Thailand has been suffering through a third wave of infections and subsequent business lockdowns. No statistical data on the economic toll is yet available, but Bangkok's once-lively streets show the story. One by one, shops and restaurants have been permanently closing down.

"We've somehow survived through two waves," the owner of a Japanese restaurant said, "but this third wave has really hit us hard." The restaurant this month closed indefinitely.

In May, the Bank of Thailand made economic projections for three scenarios. If herd immunity is achieved by the first quarter of 2022, it forecasts growth of 2% in 2021 and 4.7% in 2022.

A herd immunity delay to the third quarter would slow the rates to 1.5% and 2.8%, while a further lag till the fourth quarter would bring growth down to 1% and 1.1%.

The forecasts show how vulnerable Thailand is without tourism and the businesses that flourish because of it. Pre-COVID, this sector accounted for 20% of the kingdom's gross domestic product. Without it in 2020, Southeast Asia's second largest economy shrank 6.1%.

For Prayuth, whose term expires in 2023, even the central bank's best-case scenario spells potential doom. "We cannot wait for a time when everyone is fully vaccinated with two shots to open the country or for when the world is free of the virus," the prime minister said. "We must be ready to live with some risk and just try to keep it at a manageable level, and let people go back to being able to earn a living."

Lowering the inoculation bar reflects the uncertainty surrounding vaccine deliveries amid rising international demand. Prayuth himself recognizes the issue.

"I am the top executive in this war against the coronavirus," he stated. "I must apologize for the problems that have happened, and I take all responsibility." He was specifically referring to vaccine shortages that resulted in complaints from the public on Tuesday, one day before he addressed the nation.

"The vaccine deliveries have taken some time because they had to wait for time-consuming production and quality checks," he said. "Many countries have faced the same problem."

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on Monday announced a plan to delay vaccination programs at 25 specially set up locations. A number of public and private hospitals also announced postponements for people with reservations for this week.

At Monday's news conference, Bangkok Gov. Aswin Khwanmuang said the city had already used up "nearly all of the vaccines allocated by the government."

As Siam Bioscience has no previous experience manufacturing vaccines, there is speculation that it may be having teething problems in ramping up production. A government official at the news conference denied any production issues and said the supply shortage is "temporary and will be resolved soon."

But the shortages have cast enough doubt to make Thai citizens skeptical of the government's handling of the vaccination program.

https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.am
Siam Bioscience makes the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at this location outside Bangkok. It is Southeast Asia's only producer of the vaccine   © Reuters

Thailand still has a lese-majeste law, which makes it a serious offense to demean or attack senior members of the royal family. Discussion of anything relating to Siam Bioscience is therefore fraught. A former opposition party leader was charged in January after raising questions about the company's exclusive production during a Facebook livestream. A maximum prison sentence of 15 years can be handed down to those found guilty of lese-majeste, with sequential terms possible for those judged to have committed multiple offenses.

Siam Bioscience's vaccine exports have come under scrutiny. Reuters reported that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen last Friday said delivery of 10 million shots from Thailand faces a delay because, she said, Thailand is prioritizing its domestic needs.

There have also been reports of delayed deliveries to the Philippines and Malaysia.

On June 2, AstraZeneca said vaccines produced by Siam Bioscience would be ready for export in July.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul tweeted late on Saturday that there is no official policy to block AstraZeneca exports. She quoted Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul saying vaccine exports and distribution are the domain of Siam Bioscience, not the government.

Siam Bioscience has remained silent and not revealed if there have been any production glitches. Many of those who since May 1 have registered for shots now face an uncertain wait.

All of Southeast Asia is off to a slow vaccination start. Only 7% of the Thai population has received at least one dose. In the Philippines, the figure is 4%, and in Indonesia it's 7%. With vaccines coming over the horizon, a major concern is variants, particularly those that spread quickly.

Additional reporting by Yohei Muramatsu and Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat in Bangkok

wouldnt it be better for the long suffering people to not have the person who substantially caused this economic and health mess compound it further by risking the economy and health with this?

if people dont feel safe people wont come .. you may open your doors to welcome people but if you have no clear direction - just see the phuket sandbox where the open doors are now closed to domestic visitors - and there are risks, and you put hurdles in front of people, people just wont come ..

ok there will be that number who will die die want to go there for certain personal reasons .. but when you look at the general consensus in the world, there are plenty of other places to travel to ..

admittedly this is a nice place to go to, the people are nice and friendly, things are relatively cheap if you dont get the farang pricing .. but people dont want to have to jump hoops and hurdles, get that COE to enter, buy the expensive insurance .. and yet risk getting infected .. 

truly wish this place is safe to visit soon, but with all the hoops and hurdles and risks .. sadly it does not look ready to visit, open or not its doors are ..

 

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Today’s Covid new cases.

New Cases
Thailand 3,232 ( +633 )
Prison 435 ( -24 )
———————————————-
Total 3,667 ( +609 )

Deaths 32 ( +10 )

818545967_WhatsAppImage2021-06-19at08_44_29.thumb.jpeg.2ac857f476ad9ee6a54c1e63fb406e2d.jpeg

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Was craving for Singapore's mee siam for a few days so I have to cook it myself

The beehoon
wVWrrJl.jpg

The sambal
Xxn4i0I.jpg

Lunch
fjJxVQ0.jpg

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14 hours ago, steveluv said:

Was craving for Singapore's mee siam for a few days so I have to cook it myself

The beehoon
wVWrrJl.jpg

The sambal
Xxn4i0I.jpg

Lunch
fjJxVQ0.jpg

your sambal prawn looks really good 👍

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(edited)
57 minutes ago, Hoseyboh said:

many hurdles remain .. wish it succeeds but not optimistic it will ..

 

BANGKOK, June 18 (Reuters) - Thailand’s planned reopening of the resort island Phuket next month to vaccinated visitors, bypassing quarantine requirements, has met a lukewarm response, with hotel bookings indicating expected occupancy of less than 20% so far.

The "Phuket Sandbox" initiative from July 1 will allow free movement on the island for tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no self-isolation on arrival. They will be given a green light to travel elsewhere in Thailand after 14 days.

But there are a few tricky conditions, too, and many industry professionals have complained that uncertainty and constant rule changes are deterring bookings. The plan won't be finalised until later this month.

"This will be a slow process. None of us are expecting a 100% occupancy on July 2," said Anthony Lark, president of the Phuket Hotels Association.

Thai Airways (THAI.BK) is on board, with direct flights from six European cites to Phuket from July, although it anticipates only a fraction of seats being filled, with about 100 passengers in the first week, one the airline's representatives said.

For an economy reliant on tourism for jobs and consumption, the new arrivals won't bring immediate relief, although removal of the costly, two-week quarantine requirements that deterred tourists for more than a year offers some hope.

"We're seeing strong interest, particularly from the Middle East, UK, Europe and Scandinavia already, to return to Phuket gradually," Lark said.

Thailand lost about $50 billion in tourism revenue last year when foreign arrivals plunged 83% to 6.7 million, from a record 39.9 million in 2019. The slump was attributed to global travel curbs and Thailand's tough entry requirements. Phuket was particularly hard hit by job losses and business closures.

The government hopes the Phuket Sandbox will draw 129,000 visitors to the country in the third quarter - a far cry from the average 3.3 million monthly arrivals to Thailand in 2019. Typically, a quarter of Thailand's visitors go to Phuket.

Thailand had just 28,701 visitors in the first four months of this year.

SKEPTICS ABOUND

One Phuket hotel owner said the sandbox initiative was "a bunch of bull" that would make little difference, in part because much of the target audience - middle class and wealthy Asians - must quarantine upon their return home.

"More than 50% of Phuket tourism comes from China," said the hotelier, who asked not to be named.

"Without that market it will be difficult."

The island's hotel association has projected a gradual increase in occupancy to 30%-40% towards year-end, rising from 10%-20% over July-October, which includes local bookings.

Several major airlines are backing the plan and offering direct flights, including Emirates, El Al (ELAL.TA), Air France (AIRF.PA), Qatar Airways, British Airways and Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) told Reuters its Phuket flights will increase from two per week to seven from July, after receiving interest from customers.

But a few obstacles remain, with outbound movement restrictions in some key markets, like China, Japan and Malaysia, while Thai health authorities have banned visitors from some high-risk countries, like India.

Critics also complain of onerous conditions, like mandatory swab tests, insurance coverage of a minimum $100,000 for COVID-19 treatment and use of a tracking application.

For its part, Phuket has been racing to vaccinate 70% of its residents - a requirement for reopening - with 60% having received a first dose so far, a rate far higher than capital Bangkok, epicentre of Thailand's worst outbreak yet.

Phuket has recorded single digit cases most days since May, when it introduced negative test requirements for domestic arrivals. Bangkok, in contrast, recorded hundreds of new cases each day last month.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday said Thailand was reopening to visitors within 120 days, and called it a calculated but necessary risk. read more

If the Sandbox scheme goes smoothly, authorities plan to replicate it in destinations like Krabi and Koh Samui.

“Its a totally new situation. You are trying to reopen the country to tourism to help the economy but at the same time you need to be cautious,” said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor of TAT.

Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, with additional reporting by Orathai Sriring and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin Petty and Tom Hogue

Edited by Mooose
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New Cases
Thailand 3,035 ( -69 )
Prison 140 ( -438 )
———————————————-
Total 3,175 ( -507 )

Deaths 29 ( +9 )

66K8cRb.jpg

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Saved a last portion for today's breakfast. Love this mee siam!

sxhcIm9.jpg

PGOhomw.jpg

Have a great week ahead everyone

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48 minutes ago, steveluv said:

Saved a last portion for today's breakfast. Love this mee siam!

sxhcIm9.jpg

PGOhomw.jpg

Have a great week ahead everyone

looks delicious, you have a great week ahead too!

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1 hour ago, steveluv said:

New Cases
Thailand 3,035 ( -69 )
Prison 140 ( -438 )
———————————————-
Total 3,175 ( -507 )

Deaths 29 ( +9 )

66K8cRb.jpg

mai penlai! lung tuu says country will open on 1 october ..

erm .. or was that before the back pedalling on the date or the timing by him and other people? 🙄

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