Rhacsyn

As per WHO, they advise to look at positivity rate amongst other variables. UK positivity rate is less than 5% (thereby pandemic deemed under control there) and US 7.5% also relatively low, Singapore 4% etc. You can check most countries in the link below. As per yesterday, Thailand plans to add to the 10 countries anyway: https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-summer-tracker-in-depth-guide-to-how-different-countries-rates-compare-12324242

Insult noted

Sorry, no idea if it can be deleted as it is a Google "service". I just keep it turned off

A very good point. Cellular tracking for all mobile phones is simple and widespread. Those with Android phones may wish to check a Covid tracking app that was loaded quietly on all phones. Go to settings, Google and Google services and there you will find Covid 19 notifications. If you don't want to be tracked make sure it is turned off. Same applies to Google location history under Privacy.

If you followed the story of "that lady in Phuket" to fruition, you would know that she was comfortable with the ASQ hotel she was allocated and had no real issues as she was coming long term. She flew with Emirates airline and their Covid insurance covered her ASQ costs (SHA+ hotel costs were reimbursed in full as per policy). Once this was known, it was droppped from the "news". Her name was Stefanie and she was from Germany fyi.

Agree with the original poster. There are many flights and i have also flown to Thailand three times in the last twelve months, with a fourth pending on 1st November. Two from London and two from Dubai for me.

There was no lockdowns or Covid global pandemic in 2019

Your point noted. It has been posted regularly on here that the most important aspect regarding numbers of Covid cases, deaths etc is the rolling average over the last 7 days especially since Delta started and not to look at the "pandemic" in it's entirety. After an agonisingly slow and infuriating start to vaccination in Thailand, looking at the recent or last 7 days of vaccination numbers would it be fair to say that things are finally progressing well and moving forward?

Just as a matter of personal interest, and nothing else, in estimating herd immunity with 85% vaccinated, does anybody know if the estimation computation include variables such as number of people already exposed to Covid, demography and country population spread for example?

Thankfully that is about to change also: http://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-foreign-office-relaxes-travel-advice-to-51-countries-12429163

I am happy to put a positive slant having read all the previous posts. I support a few small outlets in Patong which between them have about 30 staff. They had been running, pre Covid, for around 20 years. The sandbox, so easily criticised from outside, has not been a failure for all. Fact. The outlets in question would most probably have closed for good without the sandbox lifeline.

I read a few posts questioning why bars cannot open. Unfortunately, simple bars have entertainment licences and are therefore grouped with clubs and nightclubs which, for sure, cannot open now. However, many bars also have restaurant licences and will therefore be allowed to serve alcohol. There are two types of bar restaurants. Those with full approved kitchens and some without kitchens. The licence is simply an approval to sell food. Nothing more. If you sell food without a kitchen you must, however, have the ability to dispose of the food and plates properly. This could simply mean returning them to the kitchen who supplied them. Hence you will see many restaurant licenced "bars" legally operating from 1st October. It is also worthwhile noting that the local authorities are currently very helpful in trying to assist small start up business of this kind or to help the few who survived. As an example, the current cost of a restaurant licence is ZERO. The downside to this is if some bars abuse this little bit of leeway and behave as out and out entertainment venues. They, as before, could then spoil it for everybody

Circling around Patong this morning it may be preemptive but many restaurants and official cafe bar restaurants are preparing for alcohol sales from 1st October. Hopefully not wishful thinking again. Story is they will sell under Covid controls from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm

Above is a screen shot for Thailand. This particular data base is updated daily for Sky news, UK and covers most countries in the world. I went looking for it out of interest when Thailand remaoned a red zone whereas Bangladesh and Pakistan went to amber in the UK. The positivity rate is what I was looking for in particular as I had learnt that Thailand did do some sequence testing (not saying enough or wish to open a discussion) and reported a handful of new variations each day to WHO. The charts above do show an encouraging trend. You can find the full report in the link below, which as stated, is updated daily for most countries. It also gives 14 day averaging. It opens up for Spain, but you can enter any country as well as choose particular dates. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-summer-tracker-in-depth-guide-to-how-different-countries-rates-compare-12324242

Title edited and changed to Friday

Kata, Karon, Surin etc all pretty empty. However, if you travel around there are localised areas that are pretty busy such as Patong, Laguna.. For example, it was nice to see Bangla road in Patong pretty much full late evening yesterday with many outlets open. Quiet in the day and lights out at 10:30pm but I haven't seen it that busy since before Covid landed.

Just read on another thread (and Phuket News) that the official lockdown order was only issued just after 4pm yesterday!

The first place to open on Bangla did just that as well as installing a kitchen. It was "checked" regularly by local, Phuket town and BKK authorities. Was it cost effective? No, but it did get the place moving, get staff some work and get the other places going too.

A few outlets on Bangla already had restaurant licences and one or two others made the effort of obtaining such and were first to open.

Many health workers, volunteer groups such as these and community officers that I know have not had a day off in the last three months. As they are out mixing in the community several have also chosen to isolate themselves from their families during those months. I was kindly invited to take a look at the ongoing activities at Jungceylon vaccination centre in Phuket yesterday and they were piling in the AZ vaccine (around 2,500 for yesterday and the day before). An impressive set up. I cannot condone the overall rollout "plan" for Thailand, but one thing is for sure, there is a huge ongoing vaccination programmme. I can question the government but I cannot question the commitment of these people.

I have just finished my second sandbox. Total spent Baht 39,000 for two pleasant entries to Thailand. It cost me Baht 52,000 for one ASQ in Bangkok in December. As an aside the UK wants me to spend Baht 100,000 approx for 10 days in a box in London for quarantine. Which is the biggest rip off / scam?

Just finished my second sandbox tour for entry. Yes second. It is a fairly simple, pleasant way to enter Thailand

You are welcome to pop down and say hello any time. As I said earlier I am here every day. Black Horse or Blue Lotus cafe on Bangla could be a good place to start as they are in the middle

I work there. 10am to 10pm approx every day

There is a detailed daily report in Phuket News including a breakdown on patient sickness levels . Today it states Covid bed occupancy is 78%, up from 77% yesterday