GOV’T CONFIDENT ON NOV. 1 REOPENING FOR VACCINATED TOURISTS

 

BANGKOK — Key government officials said the lifting of quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers from “low-risk countries” will definitely go ahead on Nov. 1, as announced by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier this week.

 

Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan told the media he believes visitors will be arriving in droves as soon as the new measure becomes effective on Nov. 1. He also urged businesses and the authorities to prepare for the large number of travelers who will be visiting Thailand.

 

Pipat said that Thailand has always been a popular winter destination with tourists from colder Western and Northern countries, who like to escape to the sunny beaches of Thailand and enjoy a warm winter.

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2021/10/14/govt-confident-on-nov-1-reopening-for-vaccinated-tourists/

The Prime Minister announced after the CCSA meeting that the country will continue with the plan to open the country on 1st November. He said they discussed measures to accept foreign tourists and considered the list of countries. Full details are expected soon.

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448526567924064261

All merchants at Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street will undergo a Covid-19 rapid antigen test on Thursday as the street is to be reopened for tourists this weekend.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007507

Another app to develop within 2 weeks, hope they give it a good testing environment before implementation.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just announced that the COE application process will be replaced by a simpler Thailand Pass system from 1st November onwards. More information soon #Thailand

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448533310955671555

 

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

Moderna, Racing for Profits, Keeps Covid Vaccine Out of Reach of Poor

 

Some poorer countries are paying more and waiting longer for the company’s vaccine than the wealthy — if they have access at all.

 

Thailand and Colombia are paying a premium. Botswana’s doses are late. Tunisia couldn’t get in touch with Moderna.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/business/moderna-covid-vaccine.html

Yet AZ is selling it's vaccine at cost and truly not making any money on it.  Saddens me to see a money grab.  Sure they are trying to recoup capital outlaid costs, but did not the US and a few of the Governments give them money to help fast track the vaccines?

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

From that link:

 

According to the minister, visitors will need to present evidence of full inoculation against COVID-19 as well as a pre-departure test result for COVID-19. They will need to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival in Thailand and must spend the first night at an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility or an authorized hotel to wait for the test result. 

 

So down to one nights quarantine, if this is what goes ahead the claims made yesterday including by Thai Airways urging people to book flights that Thailand is opening to quarantine free travel on the 1st Nov are false.

 

Another blatant Money grab.  The tests can be fast tracked, we have seen it done for special people and the results back in just a few hours.  Of course it all depends on the time of day the sample is taken and where they are shipping them off to, and then how many are collected......still seems ludicrous for a vaccinated traveler who tested negative prior to flying, but then some have tested positive on arrival. The issue at hand is what happens if you do pop positive, where do they send you and will the insurance one obtains from overseas for travel will cover only asymptomatic and quarantine requirements.  I know my insurance from the states will not cover me unless I am treated at a hospital, and even then that ruins the notion of a vacation now doesn't it.

45 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan told the media he believes visitors will be arriving in droves as soon as the new measure becomes effective on Nov. 1.

Again with delusions of grandeur.  Like lemmings to the sea or rats following the pied piper, this mans views are deranged at best.

13 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Another app to develop within 2 weeks, hope they give it a good testing environment before implementation.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just announced that the COE application process will be replaced by a simpler Thailand Pass system from 1st November onwards. More information soon #Thailand

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448533310955671555

 

They can not even get the appointment system for immigration working or even fix the glitches in 90 day reporting...ugh, no wonder people are driven to drinking.

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Another blatant Money grab.  The tests can be fast tracked, we have seen it done for special people and the results back in just a few hours.  Of course it all depends on the time of day the sample is taken and where they are shipping them off to, and then how many are collected......still seems ludicrous for a vaccinated traveler who tested negative prior to flying, but then some have tested positive on arrival. The issue at hand is what happens if you do pop positive, where do they send you and will the insurance one obtains from overseas for travel will cover only asymptomatic and quarantine requirements.  I know my insurance from the states will not cover me unless I am treated at a hospital, and even then that ruins the notion of a vacation now doesn't it.

This could also mean a 2 day quarantine depending on what time you get your flight in. Its certainly not what it was announced as, quarantine free entry.

 

Fine for a long term stayer but forget real tourists who come on a 2 week vacation and then face the risk of spending those 2 weeks incarcerated if they test positive.

#UPDATE: The nightly curfew will be shortened in “dark red #COVID19 zones” (incl. Bangkok) starting Saturday Oct 16 @oc_ccsa announces. It’ll run now from 11pm to 3am. Businesses can also now close later for the day accordingly.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1448539488485974017

 

27 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Another app to develop within 2 weeks, hope they give it a good testing environment before implementation.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just announced that the COE application process will be replaced by a simpler Thailand Pass system from 1st November onwards. More information soon #Thailand

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448533310955671555

 

Video by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the new Thailand Pass and the vaccination certification process that starts from 1st November [2/2] #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448540870827855873

 

3 minutes ago, anchadian said:

#UPDATE: The nightly curfew will be shortened in “dark red #COVID19 zones” (incl. Bangkok) starting Saturday Oct 16 @oc_ccsa announces. It’ll run now from 11pm to 3am. Businesses can also now close later for the day accordingly.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1448539488485974017

 

Furthermore, the initial list of countries whose fully vaccinated arrivals can skip quarantine has NOT been finalized at today’s

@oc_ccsa

@prayutofficial

said in a TV address on Monday, that it’d “10, incl. China, UK, US, Germany and Singapore”.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1448541395623432192

 

8 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

This could also mean a 2 day quarantine depending on what time you get your flight in. Its certainly not what it was announced as, quarantine free entry.

 

Fine for a long term stayer but forget real tourists who come on a 2 week vacation and then face the risk of spending those 2 weeks incarcerated if they test positive.

If as a local you are required to be vaccinated, and then tested prior to flying which is required now, but then not upon your arrival, say flying from BKK to Chiang Mai, and then do not need to test upon arrival and then stay in an ASH+ facility for 24 hours before being allowed to travel while that test is confirmed, I see this as a non starter for many people as it is a major inequity.  To tell me that a tourist coming internationally is any different from a domestic tourist is ludicrous.

November the 1st... good luck, and even more good luck for December the 1st ambitiousness. It'll probably start going south after the long weekend on the 22nd.

The upshot of all of this is likely to be that infection rates will rise substantially -- killing hundreds or even thousands of people who otherwise would have lived -- but there won't be enough tourists to do anything positive for the economy.  All brought to you by that brilliant pair, Prayut and Anutin.

A post discussing another member has been removed:

 

25) No public discussion is allowed with regard to other forum members

I’m pretty sure this so-called list of low risk countries is really going to be a list of countries that send the most tourists to #Thailand. Particularly if the TAT has anything to do with compiling it. And I have the feeling they will release the list on 31 October

 

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1448550040075530242

 

National Vaccination Rollout:

 

DAY 123: 911,677

DAY 124: 1,010,072

DAY 125: 230,852 <— Sat

DAY 126: 688,481 <— Sun

DAY 127: 805,146

DAY 128: 962,558

DAY 129: 583,994

 

TOTAL: 62,579,803 doses since 28 February

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448545545140637696

34 minutes ago, Macrohistory said:

The upshot of all of this is likely to be that infection rates will rise substantially -- killing hundreds or even thousands of people who otherwise would have lived -- but there won't be enough tourists to do anything positive for the economy.  All brought to you by that brilliant pair, Prayut and Anutin.

What they are missing aside from having vaccination levels up to the required status are the other raft of measures that should be in place, as the Thai Chamber of Commerce said but that would cost them money rather than rely solely on tourists:

 

"Chief Sanan Angubonkul said that he expected 100,000 tourists per month to come to Thailand. 

 

But he admitted this number would have a minimal impact on GDP, reported Manager."

 

"We expect 100,000 extra tourists a month," he said, "though this will mean GDP improvements in the 0-1% range".

 

"He said that other measures proposed by his organisation would have more benefits to the economy such as opening more businesses and expanding stimulus and benefit measures."

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Yet AZ is selling it's vaccine at cost and truly not making any money on it.  Saddens me to see a money grab.  Sure they are trying to recoup capital outlaid costs, but did not the US and a few of the Governments give them money to help fast track the vaccines?

The US government gave them $2.5 billion.

 

Moderna vaccine funded by government spending

10 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

What they are missing aside from having vaccination levels up to the required status are the other raft of measures that should be in place, as the Thai Chamber of Commerce said but that would cost them money rather than rely solely on tourists:

 

"Chief Sanan Angubonkul said that he expected 100,000 tourists per month to come to Thailand. 

 

But he admitted this number would have a minimal impact on GDP, reported Manager."

 

"We expect 100,000 extra tourists a month," he said, "though this will mean GDP improvements in the 0-1% range".

 

"He said that other measures proposed by his organisation would have more benefits to the economy such as opening more businesses and expanding stimulus and benefit measures."

 

Yes, that's pretty devastating for all these people bleating that "they have to reopen because it's time to focus on the economy."  Yet the Thai Chamber of Commerce says "no, this is not the way to help the economy."  Pretty sure the Thai Chamber of Commerce has a good handle on what's needed for the economy.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

4 hours ago, anchadian said:

Thai tourism minister said the government is looking to spend Bt200 million to hire Lisa Blackpink & Andrea Bocelli for its countdown party in Phuket. "จะมีการว่าจ้าง “ลิซ่า” และ “แอนเดรีย” มาร่วมงานเคาต์ดาวน์ที่ภูเก็ตจริง โดยใช้งบประมาณราว 200 ล้านบาท"

 

https://twitter.com/erich_parpart/status/1448484205323685891

 

Expand  

Insanity at its best, and YG entertainment will have the final word, not LaLisa herself.

Just like a sporting or any other big event, if it brings in directly and indirectly more than 200 million baht to the Phuket and Thai economy the numbers make sense.

More confirmation this is only a partial re-opening, hope nobody bought their tickets yesterday after Thai Airways announcement without waiting for the real details to emerge.

 

The CCSA are planning to re-open only 15 provinces between 1-30 November as a test and not the whole country. Decision expected to be announced soon

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448555855587078155

 

Ranking of 10 provinces with highest #COVID19 transmission, as of 14 October 2021

https://twitter.com/prdthailand/status/1448555886415282184

 

4 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Just like a sporting or any other big event, if it brings in directly and indirectly more than 200 million baht to the Phuket and Thai economy the numbers make sense.

I think you may have read the article wrong. They are looking at spending 200 million baht on hiring these people!! Will that outlay be recouped or exceeded?

1 minute ago, worrab said:

I think you may have read the article wrong. They are looking at spending 200 million baht on hiring these people!! Will that outlay be recouped or exceeded?

I think you’re the one who read his post wrong. 

The maid's teenage daughter living with grandparents in Ubon province has had a very bad reaction to her first Pfizer shot.  Granparents think she needs hospitalization but all the hospitals in the area have refused to take her because they are full with COVID cases.  Doesn't sound like cases are falling in that particular part of the country.  Also we are not hearing much of serious side effects of Pfizer in children but the folk up there say she is not an isolated case.  I don't really how bad the girl is but it is worrying that she can't get any medical assistance. I hope she recovers soon.  

 

The case of the school girl who had her leg amputated down south due to a thrombosis after AZ as a follow up shot to SV is also horrific.  Can't say if SV+AZ was the problem but it seems utterly irresponsible to give SV+AZ without any reputable stage 3 trials. Better to just take the kickbacks from the SV and dump it into landfill or tell the Chinese to just ship empty boxes apart from the one that gets opened in front of the TV cameras.    

2 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

I think you’re the one who read his post wrong. 

He stated that if it brought in directly or indirectly 200 million baht when the article clearly stated that figure as expenditure!! So who read it wrong?

5 minutes ago, worrab said:

He stated that if it brought in directly or indirectly 200 million baht when the article clearly stated that figure as expenditure!! So who read it wrong?

“if it brings in directly and indirectly more than 200 million baht to the Phuket andThai economy the numbers make sense.”

 

See the word “more “ As in a profit on layout. 

 

Hope it makes sense now. 

14 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

More confirmation this is only a partial re-opening, hope nobody bought their tickets yesterday after Thai Airways announcement without waiting for the real details to emerge.

 

The CCSA are planning to re-open only 15 provinces between 1-30 November as a test and not the whole country. Decision expected to be announced soon

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1448555855587078155

 

If they’re going to limit tourists/returning expats to only 15 provinces, then to control this, I think they will just do like the Phuket Sandbox. Meaning you must pre-book SHA hotels in approved provinces for the first 7 days to stop you going elsewhere. Including your own home.

 

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1448562329788973056