Reopening of Phuket and Surat Thani to foreign tourists confirmed for July

 

 

Thailand’s cabinet has confirmed that Phuket will reopen to fully vaccinated tourists on July 1st, under the “Phuket Sandbox” project, as planned. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, in Surat Thani province, will follow a similar model on July 15th, said Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri today (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221351-reopening-of-phuket-and-surat-thani-to-foreign-tourists-confirmed-for-july/

CCSA Has Back-up Plans for Phuket Reopening

 

 

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) – The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is going ahead with the Phuket Sandbox reopening plan, saying the tourism scheme can be adjusted or cancelled, depending on the Covid-19 situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221355-ccsa-has-back-up-plans-for-phuket-reopening/

Pattaya tourism and business sector tell government “Let us open the city fully, give us the Covid-19 vaccines. Enough is Enough.”

 

 

Eight major business and tourism associations in Pattaya stated today that they have met recently with the Minister of Tourism, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and have stated that they want to be able to open to foreign tourists (and domestic tourists) in August and that vaccines must be prioritized for Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221357-pattaya-tourism-and-business-sector-tell-government-“let-us-open-the-city-fully-give-us-the-covid-19-vaccines-enough-is-enough”/

Delta variant to replace Alpha strain globally in next 4-5 months – Dr. Yong Poovorawan

 

 

Respected Thai virologist, Prof. Dr. Yong Poovorawan, of Chulalongkorn University, has predicted that the Delta (Indian) variant of COVID-19 will replace the Alpha (UK) variant as the dominant strain around the world in the next 4-5 months, because it is 1.4 times more transmissible than the Alpha strain.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221377-delta-variant-to-replace-alpha-strain-globally-in-next-4-5-months-–-dr-yong-poovorawan/

 

Nai Yang Beach cleanup collects 240kg of oil spill tar ball debris

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: A cleanup at Nai Yang Beach on Sunday collected more than 240kg of tar balls and oil-smothered debris, Sirinath National Park Chief Pramote Kaewnam has confirmed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221378-nai-yang-beach-cleanup-collects-240kg-of-oil-spill-tar-ball-debris/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thailand’s Four Cannabis Strains Will Be Registered as Items of National Heritage

By Woraprat Lerpaisal

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The country’s Ministry of Public Health reports that four cannabis strains from Thailand will be registered as items of National Heritage, to promote research into their use.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221231-bright-future-seen-for-thai-cannabis-strains/?do=findComment&comment=16588137

 

Minister Blocks Vietnamese Durian Fraud

 

 

BANGKOK – Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has ordered decisive action against the import of Vietnamese durian fruits to fraudulently cash in on the quotas of Thai durian exports destined for China.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221379-minister-blocks-vietnamese-durian-fraud/

 

Covid-19 patients who had to live in tents due to lack of hospital beds finally finds care

By Pear Maneechote

 

 

Seven people infected with Covid-19 who made headlines around the country for camping outside their flats in Din Daeng due to the lack of hospital beds has been given help, an official told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221380-covid-19-patients-who-had-to-live-in-tents-due-to-lack-of-hospital-beds-finally-finds-care/

 

Phuket sandbox could be closed if there is a widespread outbreak

By Erich Parpart

 

 

A widespread Covid outbreak in Phuket could mean the cancellation of the Sandbox scheme, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221381-phuket-sandbox-could-be-closed-if-there-is-a-widespread-outbreak/

 

Senior doctor warns Sinovac should not be considered for Phuket sandbox

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Travelers who have been vaccinated with Sinovac should not be allowed to participate in Thailand’s ‘Phuket Sandbox’ program, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221382-senior-doctor-warns-sinovac-should-not-be-considered-for-phuket-sandbox/

 

COVID-19: Thailand reports 51 more deaths and 3,174 new case

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand on Wednesday (June 23) reported 3,174 new COVID-19 cases and 51 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221390-covid-19-thailand-reports-51-more-deaths-and-3174-new-cases/

 

Thailand must open to foreign tourism and accept some risk: PM

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News reported from Government House yesterday where a cabinet video-conference meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha took place. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221393-thailand-must-open-to-foreign-tourism-and-accept-some-risk-pm/

 

Loud bang heard, green light seen in Thailand’s North could be a bolide

 

 

The mysterious explosive sound and turquoise glow seen and photographed in northern Thailand on Tuesday evening could be a bolide, a kind of very bright meteor, said the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221394-loud-bang-heard-green-light-seen-in-thailand’s-north-could-be-a-bolide/

 

Leading Chula professor criticizes government’s Sinovac obsession

By Pear Maneechote

 

 

A leading professor at Chulalongkorn University has come out this week to criticize the government for its continued obsession with acquiring Sinovac vaccines. The professor joined Thai Enquirer to outline her grievances, the same one she shares with millions of other Thais.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221396-leading-chula-professor-criticizes-government’s-sinovac-obsession/

 

Dengue fever: 80% reduction in cases in first five months of 2021

 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

Thailand's health minister Anutin Charnvirakul reported that Thailand had experienced a reduction of 80% in dengue fever cases in the first five months of 2021 compared to the same period last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221398-dengue-fever-80-reduction-in-cases-in-first-five-months-of-2021/

 

Thailand Reopening: Foreign visitors must have received two doses of WHO approved vaccine

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

PM's office spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri outlined three points of interest based on Prayut Chan-o-cha's plan to reopen Thailand to foreign tourism over the next 120 days, reported Thai Rath yesterday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221400-thailand-reopening-foreign-visitors-must-have-received-two-doses-of-who-approved-vaccine/

 

Thai government urged to vaccinate more people against Dengue Fever

 

Image credit: AFP

 

The BBC reported that amid the continuing pandemic and everything Covid-19 related some diseases have tended to be put on a back burner.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221405-thai-government-urged-to-vaccinate-more-people-against-dengue-fever/

 

Netizens in uproar! Media investigates after claims that three year old is force-fed Mekhong and Lao Khao

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News went to a village in the north east of Thailand after a clip appeared on a "So You Wanna Be famous" site online that suggested a three year old child had been forced to drink spirits. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221413-netizens-in-uproar-media-investigates-after-claims-that-three-year-old-is-force-fed-mekhong-and-lao-khao/

 

Pattaya: 16 card game gamblers arrested - they brought 100K each to the party!

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Nong Prue station chief Pol Col Chitdecha Songhong and his subordinates formed a raiding party that went to a pool villa in the area after information received about illegal gambling and gathering in contravention of Covid-19 rules. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221415-pattaya-16-card-game-gamblers-arrested-they-brought-100k-each-to-the-party/

 

Deep south arrivals face 14-day mandatory quarantine

By The Phuket News

 

Arrivals from the four deep south provinces will face 14-day mandatory quarantine, Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong confirmed. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Arrivals from the four southern border provinces must face mandatory quarantine for 14 days after arriving Phuket regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or can prove they have tested negative for COVID-19 within seven days of travelling to Phuket.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221417-deep-south-arrivals-face-14-day-mandatory-quarantine/

 

Thai transport industry bullish on prospect of return of foreign and domestic tourism

 

File photo

 

Representatives from the ferry company that transports visitors to Koh Samui and Air Asia were optimistic about the return of both foreign tourists and domestic tourism in the coming months. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221426-thai-transport-industry-bullish-on-prospect-of-return-of-foreign-and-domestic-tourism/

 

‘Secret’ security spending under fire as Thai budget prioritises defence over health

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk

 

(Photo by Krit Phromsakla Na SAKOLNAKORN / THAI NEWS PIX / AFP)

 

The opposition is targeting a “secret budget” worth more than Bt1 billion while vetting the Bt3.1-trillion budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221427-‘secret’-security-spending-under-fire-as-thai-budget-prioritises-defence-over-health/

 

Tourism Authority Aims to Ease Quarantine Requirements in Thailand and Visitors’ Countries

By Woraprat Lerpaisal

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to offer “city bubble” and activity-based travel agreement in “sandbox” areas, to ease quarantine requirements both in Thailand and in the visitor’s home country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221430-tourism-authority-aims-to-ease-quarantine-requirements-in-thailand-and-visitors’-countries/

 

Aviation Authority Prepares for Reopening of Thailand to Foreign Tourists

By Woraprat Lerpaisal

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has approved measures to prepare the aviation industry for the reopening of Thailand to foreign tourists, starting with Phuket on 1 July under the Phuket tourism “sandbox” scheme.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221432-aviation-authority-prepares-for-reopening-of-thailand-to-foreign-tourists/

 

Thai woman who left children with sister-in-law discovers two year old has drowned and been buried 

 

Picture: INN

 

INN reported on the case of a Thai mother who they said was 30 year old "A" who appealed to the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation after her daughters aged four and two went missing last week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221434-thai-woman-who-left-children-with-sister-in-law-discovers-two-year-old-has-drowned-and-been-buried/

 

50 million baht in assets seized in money laundering/drugs raid at house in Tak

 

Picture: INN

 

INN reported that several agencies including the Department of Special Investigation, money laundering authorities and local police armed with a search warrant went to a house in Muang district of Tak in Thailand's north west. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221435-50-million-baht-in-assets-seized-in-money-launderingdrugs-raid-at-house-in-tak/

 

Inoculation of French nationals aged 55+ in Thailand begins Wednesday, June 23

 

Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

 

Inoculation of French nationals in Thailand, aged 55 and over, begins today (Wednesday) for two weeks at eight hospitals across the country, according to the French Embassy in Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221443-inoculation-of-french-nationals-aged-55-in-thailand-begins-wednesday-june-23/

 

Cocaine coming into Thailand, heroin going out - latest busts include arrest of Nigerian

 

Picture: INN

 

INN reported on the latest seizures and arrests in the ongoing fight against drugs being sent through the postal service. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221445-cocaine-coming-into-thailand-heroin-going-out-latest-busts-include-arrest-of-nigerian/

 

720 more “fancy” lamp posts worth 68 million Baht approved for Samut Prakan

 

 

Despite widespread public criticism of inappropriate spending and alleged over-pricing, the Racha Thewa Tambon Administration Organization (TAO) Council, in Bang Phli district of Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, has decided to spend another 68 million baht on installing an additional 720 decorative lamp posts in the sub-district.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221452-720-more-“fancy”-lamp-posts-worth-68-million-baht-approved-for-samut-prakan/

 

Lackluster response to Thailand’s “Ying Chai Ying Dai” stimulus scheme

 

People walk in a street food market in Bangkok on June 9, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

Only about 310,000 Thais have joined the Finance Ministry’s “Ying Chai Ying Dai” (The More You Spend, the More You Get) stimulus scheme, launched on Monday in the hope of encouraging people with high purchasing power to spend to stimulate the struggling economy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1221455-lackluster-response-to-thailand’s-“ying-chai-ying-dai”-stimulus-scheme/