Makan in Thailand

[steveluv]

Today's Covid new cases

New Cases
Thailand 3,879 ( +741 )
Prison 229 ( +193 )
———————————————-
Total 4,108 ( +934 )

Deaths 31 ( -20 )

[Mooose]

1 hour ago, steveluv said:

Today's Covid new cases

New Cases
Thailand 3,879 ( +741 )
Prison 229 ( +193 )
———————————————-
Total 4,108 ( +934 )

Deaths 31 ( -20 )

no sign it is being controlled ..

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2136647/covid-beds-running-out

Covid beds running out

Only 20 left for emergency patients

PUBLISHED : 23 JUN 2021 AT 04:00

NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS

WRITER: POST REPORTERS

People in Bangkok's Pomprap Sattruphai district are tested for Covid-19 at a makeshift site outside Bo Be Tower on Damrongrak Road on Tuesday. The mobile unit is part of proactive screening in the district where clusters of infections among migrant workers have been reported. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Beds designated for patients in critical condition at all state-run hospitals in Bangkok are now fully occupied by Covid-19 infected patients with severe symptoms, while the last 20 of such beds are strictly reserved for emergency patients, health authorities said on Tuesday.

Under the current circumstances, infected patients' access to hospital beds with life-saving equipment has become extremely limited, said Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) recorded 35 more Covid-19 fatalities and 4,059 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday.

Of the new cases, 3,963 were found in the general population, 75 among prison inmates and the rest were imported cases, said Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA spokesman.

The hospital bed shortage situation is of particular concern now, especially since demand for this specific type of hospital bed in the so-called yellow and red groups is high, he said.

Patients in the yellow group are those with moderate symptoms that run the risk of developing into a severe condition, while patients in the red group are already exhibiting serious symptoms, Dr Somsak said.

Over the past couple of months, Bangkok and its surrounding provinces have continued to record more than 1,000 new cases of Covid-19 infections per day, which has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of infected patients in both the yellow and red groups, he said.

As of Monday, all 409 hospital beds for patients with serious symptoms were fully occupied by Covid-19 patients in critical condition. The last 20 beds were reserved for emergency Covid-19 patients urgently requiring an operation or other serious medical interventions, Dr Somsak added.

Only about 300 hospital beds for patients in the yellow group are available as 3,937 others are already occupied, he said.

The limited number of hospital beds is stalling the work of medical personnel tasked with finding beds for patients who need to be urgently admitted to hospital for treatment, especially in the capital, he said.

Clinical Professor Dr Adune Ratanawichitrasin, a deputy dean at the Faculty of Medicine of Siriraj Hospital, meanwhile warned in a Facebook post that the Covid-19 outbreak in Bangkok is reaching a critical point.

Hospitals are being flooded with an overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients again, in a situation similar to the serious hospital bed shortage that happened late last month, he said.

"Worse, the source of infection for numerous new Covid-19 cases cannot be clearly identified, which is an indicator the virus has taken hold in many communities," he said.

He urged decision-makers at all levels to pay more attention to the problem before it gets out of control.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, ordered the Public Health Ministry to ensure there are enough hospital beds to accommodate the large number of infected patients in both the critical red group and the less critical yellow group who are still waiting for beds, said Kiattiphum Wongrachit, permanent secretary for public health after a discussion with the premier on Tuesday.

The ministry will continue operating Busarakam field hospital at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi until at least the end of August, to mainly serve patients in the yellow group, said Dr Kiattiphum.

This field hospital was initially scheduled to be closed at the end of this month, he said. As of last Sunday, the field hospital had about 928 beds available to receive new patients in the yellow group, he said.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang confirmed that almost all of the 2,000-plus beds at existing hospital-cum-hotels, known as hospitels, and field hospitals in Bangkok were full.

 

chulalongkorn hospital has now suspended covid tests from today to sunday due to shortage of hospital beds .. truly awesome management of the third wave that started 3 months ago!

Edited June 24, 2021 by Mooose

[steveluv]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2137715/accused-hospital-gunman-surrenders

Accused hospital gunman surrenders
published : 24 Jun 2021 at 13:23
updated: 24 Jun 2021 at 14:46

Kawin Saengnilkul, 23, surrenders to police in Ranong early Thursday afternoon. (Photo supplied)

A former special forces soldier wanted for shooting dead a patient at a Covid-19 field hospital and a convenience store employee early on Thursday morning surrendered to police shortly after noon.

Kawin Saengnilkul, a 23-year-old from Pathum Thani's  Thanyaburi district, surrendered to police in Ranong province at 12.20pm and handed over two guns, police said.

Daily News reported that Pol Lt Gen Kitrat Phanphet, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, led senior police to the house of the gunman's relative in Ranong, where the suspect had holed up.

The Criminal Court approved a warrant for his arrest on initial charges of premeditated murder and carrying firearms in public for unsound reasons.

He is accused of breaking into the Princess Mother National Institute for Drug Abuse Treatment on Phahon Yothin Road in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani and killing a 54-year-old patient about 3.30am. The institute functions as a field hospital for Covid-19 patients.

Pathum Thani police also alleged that before the attack at the field hospital, the gunman had shot dead an employee at a convenience store in the Phahon Yothin area of Bangkok about 2am.

He served as a private in a special warfare unit in Lop Buri province, but was dismissed from the service in November 2019.

Mr Kawin had volunteered to serve as a private because of his enthusiasm for weapons, police said.

Police suspected he was mentally ill and said earlier he might be fleeing in a white Isuzu pickup truck to see a relative in the South.

He later surrendered in Ranong province, south of Bangkok.

A gunman, wearing camouflage clothing and red beret, fired a gunshot that shattered the locked front glass door of the institute, about 3.30am and entered the building and shot dead a patient.

Thai PBS reported that the patient was 54-year-old Suksant Sewaphan, who was walking out of a bathroom on the first floor of the male patients' zone when he was shot.

The gunman then moved to a ward and fired many more shots before escaping on a pickup truck. The subsequent shots did not hit anyone.

An army spokesman said earlier that the gunman in the camouflage outfit was not a soldier.

 

 

[steveluv]

Woke up early so cooked a nice breakfast for myself this Thursday

Soup

Veges

Fish

The Process

 

[Colin03]

A nice breakfast you have.

I like the way you cook your fish, make me hungry.

Is a heavy meal for the start of the day  

[Mooose]

Just a heads up for those looking forward to going to Phuket "without quarantine" as there are still many hurdles -

1) its not published in the gazette yet, so it is officially not law, which means that the foreign embassies cannot issue certificates of entry - so if you want to go to Phuket and go to the Thai Embassy here to apply for the COE they will not be able to issue you with one, in which case you will not book tickets to go ..

2) foreigners cannot share a room with a local (!)

3) if any of your group is tested positive, he/she will be removed and sent to hospital, and the rest of the party will be sent to quarantine

4) you have to use their SIM card (to be given at the airport to you) and download TWO of their apps to track you, and you need to report to your hotel SHA official everyday 

5) have health insurance covering covid of USD100000 minimum

6) minimum of 3 covid tests there costing B2800 (SGD 120) each 

7) many businesses are not open - because there are no tourists - but will tourists want to go if reportedly 3/4 of phuket businesses are shut?

8) return home will be subject to quarantine ..

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2138199/ironing-out-glitches-in-the-sandbox

Ironing out glitches in the sandbox

Phuket plan is full of inconsistencies and regulations that will put off tourists from visiting

PUBLISHED : 25 JUN 2021 AT 05:36

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS

WRITER: NARUMON KASEMSUK

An aerial view of Phuket's Patong beach during the tourism slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP

The Phuket sandbox scheme is still fixing inconvenient regulations, particularly regarding digital competency, in the buildup to its planned reopening on July 1. However, important short-haul markets are likely to be absent in the early months of the scheme.

Rules regarding verification and tracking systems still pose a challenge, including redundant apps as Thailand is using at least two now. Vaccine certificate verification is another stumbling block as many countries are issuing a paper and digital version, said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association.

Guests flying to the island hoping to rejoin friends or loved ones may be disappointed as the sandbox does not allow inbound guests to share a room with domestic guests, he said.

"There is much debate about this question. The health authorities are strongly opposed to the idea of letting visitors and local residents stay together in the same hotel room in the sandbox area as health remains a vital concern," Mr Bhummikitti said.

He said this is one of many rules where all sides have to seek common ground.

"No one option will please all tourists, tourism operators and health officials at the same time," Mr Bhummikitti said.

While the scheme awaits final endorsement and publication in the Royal Gazette, which is expected no later than this Saturday, concerns remain about the authentication of vaccine certificates.

"Any mistake in this process will leave a big loophole as Phuket is the first destination to reopen," he said. "We have to find a way to effectively authenticate certificates originating from a different system."

For instance, in the US only New York has adopted e-certificates for inoculated citizens, while European countries employ digital health certificates and South Korea and Singapore use blockchain technology to trace vaccination records.

"We have to prepare a secure system to cope with all types of certificates," said Mr Bhummikitti.

Another hurdle for tourists that needs to be ironed out is redundant tracking apps. Visitors currently have to install both the "Mor Chana" and "Thailand Plus" apps on their mobile phone.

Tourism operators are urging the use of a single app to streamline tracking for the convenience of tourists, he said.

"We are still confused over tracking apps. Too many apps are not good for tourists who want to holiday here. We need to correct this urgently before reopening," Mr Bhummikitti said.

SHORT HAUL, LOW HOPES

A rush of new bookings is unlikely because the sandbox has not even been endorsed as an official law. The number of confirmed flights also remains unpredictable, he said.

Mr Bhummikitti said operators learned from airport authorities at least five carriers want to resume direct services to Phuket, however the airlines are all waiting for a final announcement from the government.

Meanwhile, discussions with Thai Smile Airways and Thai Airways show there is high demand from travellers, but many countries in Asia still mandate a strict quarantine for passengers flying back home, he said.

At present, only South Korea doesn't require vaccinated tourists to quarantine upon returning.

Mr Bhummikitti said the short-haul market will not likely return in the third quarter, leaving only hope for the long-haul market.

"Tourists may have already paid for airfares and hotels, but travel plans remain fluid as those transactions are refundable. They want confirmations to proceed with the entry process accordingly. The tourist flow should gain strength from July 15," he said.

Jiranee Poonnayom, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Seoul office, said the most likely scenario for the South Korean market is more arrivals in Phuket in the fourth quarter.

Despite the mass inoculation programme in South Korea progressing, with 13.7 million people or 26.7% of the population vaccinated with a first dose and 7.26% fully vaccinated, it is difficult to see an influx of tourists because the priority groups for full immunity are limited to the elderly, said Ms Jiranee.

She said during a discussion with tour operators in Korea, they voiced concerns about pricey Covid-19 tests, as 3-4 would be required for a journey to Thailand, even for a trip might last just six days.

"Vaccinated tourists need to show a negative result before boarding the plane, a second upon arrival at Phuket airport, a third test on day six, and then another result prior to arrival at home," Ms Jiranee said.

She said if a travel bubble between Thailand and South Korea could be established, the agency hopes many strict rules would be relaxed.

According to the Phuket Tourist Association, seven Covid-19 test centres will be set up across the island to facilitate tourists, with a cost of 2,800 baht per test. If visitors want to use test services from a hospital, the cost could be up to 3,500 baht.

Visitors must sign a consent form in advance, allowing the lab to send results to the Phuket Sandbox Command Center.

If a positive result is detected, a hotel manager who has passed special training would relocate the guest to the hospital.

For tourists testing positive upon arrival at the airport, they will receive a full refund from the hotels and be escorted to an alternative local quarantine (ALQ) facility, said Mr Bhummikitti.

"I'm confident there will be low infection rates among vaccinated tourists based on the past record of ALQ, which saw 3% positive cases despite visitors not being vaccinated," he said.

 

 

[steveluv]

1 hour ago, Colin03 said:

A nice breakfast you have.

I like the way you cook your fish, make me hungry.

Is a heavy meal for the start of the day  

Did not have anything for lunch and came home 7.30pm had another bowl of soup 

[steveluv]

2 minutes ago, Mooose said:

Just a heads up for those looking forward to going to Phuket "without quarantine" as there are still many hurdles -

1) its not published in the gazette yet, so it is officially not law, which means that the foreign embassies cannot issue certificates of entry - so if you want to go to Phuket and go to the Thai Embassy here to apply for the COE they will not be able to issue you with one, in which case you will not book tickets to go ..

2) foreigners cannot share a room with a local (!)

3) if any of your group is tested positive, he/she will be removed and sent to hospital, and the rest of the party will be sent to quarantine

4) you have to use their SIM card (to be given at the airport to you) and download TWO of their apps to track you, and you need to report to your hotel SHA official everyday 

5) have health insurance covering covid of USD100000 minimum

6) minimum of 3 covid tests there costing B2800 (SGD 120) each 

7) many businesses are not open - because there are no tourists - but will tourists want to go if reportedly 3/4 of phuket businesses are shut?

😎 return home will be subject to quarantine ..

Hey buddy thanks for this post really informative.

1. After reading it my conclusion is please don't come now as many things are unsure and knowing stupid Prayut and his cronies lots of things can and will change suddenly which will ruin your holiday

2. Also its really stupid to have so many tests and even before you buy your tickets and rooms you know you have to pay $360 for the 3 tests (as a matter of fact yesterday I read from another forum we were told its 4 tests, you see, so many uncertainties)

3. With the current Indian/Delta/Delta+ variants its worth to wait out

[Mooose]

1 hour ago, steveluv said:

Hey buddy thanks for this post really informative.

1. After reading it my conclusion is please don't come now as many things are unsure and knowing stupid Prayut and his cronies lots of things can and will change suddenly which will ruin your holiday

2. Also its really stupid to have so many tests and even before you buy your tickets and rooms you know you have to pay $360 for the 3 tests (as a matter of fact yesterday I read from another forum we were told its 4 tests, you see, so many uncertainties)

3. With the current Indian/Delta/Delta+ variants its worth to wait out

no worries and thanks, no intention to travel at the moment .. the quarantine on return will drive me mad 🤪

[Mooose]

4 hours ago, Mooose said:

Just a heads up for those looking forward to going to Phuket "without quarantine" as there are still many hurdles -

1) its not published in the gazette yet, so it is officially not law, which means that the foreign embassies cannot issue certificates of entry - so if you want to go to Phuket and go to the Thai Embassy here to apply for the COE they will not be able to issue you with one, in which case you will not book tickets to go ..

2) foreigners cannot share a room with a local (!)

 

an update on the bold part .. the head of the phuket tourism association khun phoomkiat has now come out to say that media have misinterpreted/misquoted but he does not actually say what is or is not allowed .. except to say to await an announcement in the gazette (!) 🤪

[steveluv]

I had lunch at a Thai beef noodle place 2 days ago

 

 

[Mooose]

more interesting than the number of infections everyday (which is still in the 3000+ region .. today it was reported that there were 3644 infections and 44 deaths) the number of people in intensive care and on oxygen over the past week are -

19 Jun - 1343/383

20 Jun - 1374/390

21 Jun - 1436/395

22 Jun - 1479/410

23 Jun - 1526/433

24 Jun - 1564/445

25 Jun - 1603/460

obviously the authorities are not able to bring down the numbers .. the steady increase in numbers in icu and oxygen daily will likely mean more deaths ..

Edited June 25, 2021 by Mooose

[steveluv]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel-Leisure/Phuket-to-reopen-for-vaccinated-tourists-without-quarantine-5-things-to-know2?utm_campaign=GL_coronavirus_latest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=10&pub_date=20210625150000&seq_num=9&si=44594

Phuket to reopen for vaccinated tourists without quarantine: 5 things to know
'Sandbox' experiment will be steppingstone for further reopening

Tourists will be able to roam around Phuket after testing negative for the virus upon arrival.    © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 25, 2021 13:20 JST

BANGKOK -- In less than a week, Thailand will start accepting vaccinated international travelers at Phuket.

The limited reopening, named the "Phuket sandbox," will be an important steppingstone that may clear the path for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy to fully allow tourists to roam around its soil by mid-October.

Success with reopening Phuket is key to the recovery of the Thai economy, as tourism and related businesses accounted for one-fifth of the country's gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.

To balance incoming visitors' convenience and residents' infection risks, the government has set complicated rules for entering the Andaman island.

What is the Phuket sandbox?

The Phuket sandbox is a field experiment the Thai government has decided to conduct on the world-famous island. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet gave final approval on Tuesday to begin the experiment from July 1.

Phuket will accept vaccinated tourists from abroad without any quarantine period. They will be able to roam around the tropical island after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. If they go on to other destinations in Thailand, they must spend at least 14 nights in Phuket before leaving.

Incoming travelers will also be required to download an app tracing their location. The data will be used to notify them if they have come in close contact with any virus cases.

Who will be able to visit the island?

Incoming travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their departure with vaccines registered with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health or approved by the World Health Organization. A vaccine certificate must be presented as a proof.

A negative PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure must also be presented. They also must buy insurance for COVID-19 expenses, with a minimum coverage of $100,000.

Visitors must arrive on a direct flight from a low- to medium-risk country categorized by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health using daily confirmed cases and the Global COVID-19 Index published by Malaysian consultancy firm Pemandu Associates, and must have spent at least 21 days in that country before departure.

Old Phuket Town is seen in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.   © AP

The country list is updated twice a month. The most recent list, released on June 16, shows that low-risk areas include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Qatar, Israel and Norway.

China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. are in the medium-risk category.

Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Oman, the Netherlands, France and Brazil are seen as highly risky. Thailand categorizes itself as a high-risk country.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singapore Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways and Emirates will operate direct flights from July 1, and Thai Airways International will start the following day.

Why would the Thai government conduct such an experiment?

Using the Phuket sandbox experiment as a steppingstone, Thailand has a plan to gradually open up the country for international tourists.

From July 15, the kingdom is set to extend its island-reopening approach to Samui, roughly 250 km northeast of Phuket. Although visitors to Samui will not initially be able to travel freely around the tropical island like in Phuket, they will be able to move around the vicinity of their resort without confining themselves in their room, and travel farther in stages.

The approach will be expanded to other islands such as Phi Phi, Ngai, Railay and Yao in southern Thailand from August, according to the Tourism Authority. The mainland tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Buriram will start accepting vaccinated tourists from September. From mid-October, all parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, will be reopened to vaccinated tourists without quarantine.

Tourism and related businesses used to account for 20% of the country's gross domestic product. The Thai economy shrank 6.1% in 2020 due to a lack of tourists. On Wednesday, the Bank of Thailand lowered its economic outlook for 2021 and 2022 from 3.0% and 4.7% to 1.8% and 3.9% respectively, as it saw that the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would reduce the number of tourists the country could allow.

What will make the experiment success or failure?

The purpose of the experiment is to build confidence among Thais on accepting foreign tourists while controlling the local epidemic. It will help the government nurture a public mood accepting gradual expansion of the program and eventually will allow the country to fully reopen to vaccinated visitors.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said a command center would be set up to monitor epidemics on the island. The center will determine whether to continue, suspend or completely stop the program, depending the situation. Ninety confirmed cases per week, transmission across three districts or six subdistricts, or the wide spread of new variants would trigger a halt to the experiment, affecting the plan for further reopening.

What key factors could bring success?

Cooperation among tourists and residents in guarding against the virus is critically important.

To ensure the safety of Phuket's residents and incoming travelers, the islanders are now being rapidly vaccinated -- as of Tuesday, 45.3% had received a second dose. The government is racing to bring the percentage to over 70% before the reopening test begins.

Islanders are being asked to strictly follow precautions named DMHTTA, which stands for distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature-checking, testing and alert application installing.

In order to minimize the risk of the virus entering the kingdom, Thai authorities must stringently check if tourists correctly meet all the requirements.

Phuket may also have to regain its charms. Its turquoise-blue waters and white beaches remain attractive, but long closures have put some popular restaurants and shops permanently out of business. Partygoers used to choose Phuket for debaucheries, but pubs and bars are not currently allowed to operate, although restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol.

[steveluv]

55 minutes ago, Mooose said:

more interesting than the number of infections everyday (which is still in the 3000+ region .. today it was reported that there were 3644 infections and 44 deaths) the number of people in intensive care and on oxygen over the past week are -

19 Jun - 1343/383

20 Jun - 1374/390

21 Jun - 1436/395

22 Jun - 1479/410

23 Jun - 1526/433

24 Jun - 1564/445

25 Jun - 1603/460

obviously the authorities are not able to bring down the numbers .. the steady increase in numbers in icu and oxygen daily will likely mean more deaths ..

I am starting to suspect this straight line numbers for so long, really suspicious, covid don't happen like this if you look around.

[Mooose]

4 minutes ago, steveluv said:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Travel-Leisure/Phuket-to-reopen-for-vaccinated-tourists-without-quarantine-5-things-to-know2?utm_campaign=GL_coronavirus_latest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=10&pub_date=20210625150000&seq_num=9&si=44594

Phuket to reopen for vaccinated tourists without quarantine: 5 things to know
'Sandbox' experiment will be steppingstone for further reopening

Tourists will be able to roam around Phuket after testing negative for the virus upon arrival.    © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 25, 2021 13:20 JST

BANGKOK -- In less than a week, Thailand will start accepting vaccinated international travelers at Phuket.

The limited reopening, named the "Phuket sandbox," will be an important steppingstone that may clear the path for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy to fully allow tourists to roam around its soil by mid-October.

Success with reopening Phuket is key to the recovery of the Thai economy, as tourism and related businesses accounted for one-fifth of the country's gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.

To balance incoming visitors' convenience and residents' infection risks, the government has set complicated rules for entering the Andaman island.

What is the Phuket sandbox?

The Phuket sandbox is a field experiment the Thai government has decided to conduct on the world-famous island. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet gave final approval on Tuesday to begin the experiment from July 1.

Phuket will accept vaccinated tourists from abroad without any quarantine period. They will be able to roam around the tropical island after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. If they go on to other destinations in Thailand, they must spend at least 14 nights in Phuket before leaving.

Incoming travelers will also be required to download an app tracing their location. The data will be used to notify them if they have come in close contact with any virus cases.

Who will be able to visit the island?

Incoming travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their departure with vaccines registered with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health or approved by the World Health Organization. A vaccine certificate must be presented as a proof.

A negative PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure must also be presented. They also must buy insurance for COVID-19 expenses, with a minimum coverage of $100,000.

Visitors must arrive on a direct flight from a low- to medium-risk country categorized by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health using daily confirmed cases and the Global COVID-19 Index published by Malaysian consultancy firm Pemandu Associates, and must have spent at least 21 days in that country before departure.

Old Phuket Town is seen in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.   © AP

The country list is updated twice a month. The most recent list, released on June 16, shows that low-risk areas include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Qatar, Israel and Norway.

China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. are in the medium-risk category.

Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Oman, the Netherlands, France and Brazil are seen as highly risky. Thailand categorizes itself as a high-risk country.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singapore Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways and Emirates will operate direct flights from July 1, and Thai Airways International will start the following day.

Why would the Thai government conduct such an experiment?

Using the Phuket sandbox experiment as a steppingstone, Thailand has a plan to gradually open up the country for international tourists.

From July 15, the kingdom is set to extend its island-reopening approach to Samui, roughly 250 km northeast of Phuket. Although visitors to Samui will not initially be able to travel freely around the tropical island like in Phuket, they will be able to move around the vicinity of their resort without confining themselves in their room, and travel farther in stages.

The approach will be expanded to other islands such as Phi Phi, Ngai, Railay and Yao in southern Thailand from August, according to the Tourism Authority. The mainland tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Buriram will start accepting vaccinated tourists from September. From mid-October, all parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, will be reopened to vaccinated tourists without quarantine.

Tourism and related businesses used to account for 20% of the country's gross domestic product. The Thai economy shrank 6.1% in 2020 due to a lack of tourists. On Wednesday, the Bank of Thailand lowered its economic outlook for 2021 and 2022 from 3.0% and 4.7% to 1.8% and 3.9% respectively, as it saw that the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would reduce the number of tourists the country could allow.

What will make the experiment success or failure?

The purpose of the experiment is to build confidence among Thais on accepting foreign tourists while controlling the local epidemic. It will help the government nurture a public mood accepting gradual expansion of the program and eventually will allow the country to fully reopen to vaccinated visitors.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said a command center would be set up to monitor epidemics on the island. The center will determine whether to continue, suspend or completely stop the program, depending the situation. Ninety confirmed cases per week, transmission across three districts or six subdistricts, or the wide spread of new variants would trigger a halt to the experiment, affecting the plan for further reopening.

What key factors could bring success?

Cooperation among tourists and residents in guarding against the virus is critically important.

To ensure the safety of Phuket's residents and incoming travelers, the islanders are now being rapidly vaccinated -- as of Tuesday, 45.3% had received a second dose. The government is racing to bring the percentage to over 70% before the reopening test begins.

Islanders are being asked to strictly follow precautions named DMHTTA, which stands for distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature-checking, testing and alert application installing.

In order to minimize the risk of the virus entering the kingdom, Thai authorities must stringently check if tourists correctly meet all the requirements.

Phuket may also have to regain its charms. Its turquoise-blue waters and white beaches remain attractive, but long closures have put some popular restaurants and shops permanently out of business. Partygoers used to choose Phuket for debaucheries, but pubs and bars are not currently allowed to operate, although restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol.

i wish phuket every success .. the locals especially those in the tourism and hospitality related fields have suffered long enough ..

but looking at a local cartoonist's cartoon .. 😂

[Mooose]

3 minutes ago, steveluv said:

I am starting to suspect this straight line numbers for so long, really suspicious, covid don't happen like this if you look around.

yup, numbers dont lie .. despite there being a shortage of ICU beds, our friend anutin has come out to tell us not to worry, everything will be ok! 🤪

[Mooose]

4 hours ago, steveluv said:

I am starting to suspect this straight line numbers for so long, really suspicious, covid don't happen like this if you look around.

lung tuu now announced closing of some construction sites/ workers dorms for a month .. these are only a part of the many clusters .. will it be enough to stem the spread?

 

Edited June 25, 2021 by Mooose

[steveluv]

1 hour ago, Mooose said:

lung tuu now announced closing of some construction sites/ workers dorms for a month .. these are only a part of the many clusters .. will it be enough to stem the spread?

 

He is a blind clueless fxxk what do you think.