reader

From The Thaiger TUI Nordic continue their European flights into Phuke Yesterday it was reported that Europe’s largest travel firm TUI Nordic announced it had cancelled scheduled chartered flights to Phuket from December to April next year. The Thaiger has since been contacted by TUI Nordic to say that the information, originally published by The Nation, was incorrect. European travel giant TUI, with their headquarters in Sweden, have now confirmed that TUI will indeed continue with its flights to Phuket throughout the northern winter schedule, as planned. A Phuket representative was quoted originally, but the Senior Product Manager of TUI Nordic, Pontus Svensson, sent an email to The Thaiger this morning stating that TUI Nordic will continue services into Phuket, and also, because of the changes to the government’s Test and Go arrival program, happily reroute TUI passengers through Phuket, where the Sandbox Program is still accepting applications. “Customers that have booked holidays outside of Phuket, will be contacted and offered to change their holiday to Phuket instead – and for the ones that had time to fill in Thailand Pass before the restrictions changed, their holiday remains unchanged.” https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/tui-tourists-european-travel-firm-cancels-flights-to-phuket-2

Or for those who recall with fondness Babylon in its salad days, a sort of outdoor "garden of earthly delights."

From Thai Enquirer The number of daily Covid cases could reach 30,000 per day by mid-March if the majority of people and businesses fail to strictly follow prevention measures, the Ministry of Public Health warned on Monday. Thailand discovered more than 500 Omicron cases so far and the ministry does not want to suggest another lockdown. “We are now at a new crossroad because of the outbreak of Omicron and the new variant has a high transmission rate,” said Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, the ministry’s permanent secretary. “If we do nothing, the outbreak will be hard to control and it could take up to three to four months to control it and the daily number of cases could reach 30,000 cases,” he said. For the scenario where cases rapidly increase after the New Year season but people continue to get vaccinated, follow universal prevention measures, get tested regularly if they were at risk and businesses continue to adhere to the Covid-Free Setting regulations then cases could reach 17,000 cases by the end of January and decrease to around 16,000 by the end of March. For the best-case scenario where there is no rapid increase of cases after the New Year season with no major clusters and people and businesses continue to strictly follow prevention measures then cases could reach 14,000 cases by February and decrease to around 10,000 by the end of March. “If we prevent it well, cases could be around 10,000 and the outbreak would take around two months to control,” Kiattiphum said. “What the ministry wanted to see is obviously the best-case scenario so we all have to work together once more and we do not want to lock down the country,” he said. In terms of the hospital bed situation, only 13.7 per cent of the total 178,139 hospital beds around the country are occupied at the moment. There are now 514 Omicron cases in Thailand since the first case was discovered in late November. Of the 698 samples that were taken from around the country between December 24 and 26, 44.3 per cent were Omicron and 55.4 per cent were Delta. In a study with 100 Omicron samples that were discovered in Thailand, 48 were asymptomatic. Of the 41 cases that have symptoms, 34 patients have experienced mild symptoms including coughing (54 per cent), sore throat (37 per cent), fever (29 per cent), muscle ache (15 per cent), runny nose (12 per cent), headache (10 per cent), difficulty breathing (5 per cent) and less sense of smell (2 per cent). Seven patients, who were all vaccinated with two doses of Covid vaccines, have a lung infection but none of them require a ventilator and no one died from Omicron in Thailand so far. Out of 20 patients that were given Favipiravir, 10 of them have improved medical conditions within 24-72 hours after receiving the anti-viral drug. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36120/omicron-numbers-could-reach-30000-per-day-if-people-are-not-vigilant/

From Richard Narrow Twitter site The government has announced four additional holidays next year to make four more long weekends in order to help stimulate travel and the economy. Friday, 15 July (five days) Friday, 29 July (4days) Friday, 14 October (4 days) Friday, 30 December (4 days)

From The Thaiger Following the cancellation of Thailand’s “Test & Go” tourist scheme amidst fear of an Omicron outbreak, the Europe’s largest travel firm TUI Nordic announced it had cancelled scheduled chartered flights to Phuket from December to April next year. Around 30,000 people had plans to travel to the island province. The head of the Phuket Hotels Association (Kata and Karon), Angkhana Thaneswisetkul, said most visitors were hesitant to visit Thailand after Omicron cases piled up despite the New Year’s holidays, and that some EU nations are already instituting quarantine for returnees from countries with the new variant. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/plans-change-for-30000-tourists-european-travel-firm-cancels-flights-to-phuket

From Richard Barrow's Twitter site As promised, the Bangkok Governor opened the first section of the Chong Nonsi Canal Park on Christmas Day. This section, between Sathon Road and Narathiwat Ratchanakarin 7, is only 200 metre long, but by the time it is finished, it will run for 4.5km

From Bangkok Post No new Covid surge There were 22 more Covid-19 fatalities and 2,532 new cases registered during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry said on Sunday morning. This compared with 30 coronavirus-related fatalities and 2,766 new cases reported on Saturday morning. On Saturday, 3,771 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the coronavirus. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said in the afternoon briefing that almost half of the new deaths occurred in the southern region. The 22 new fatalities were Thai nationals between the ages of 25 and 93, 10 of them in the southern region – three in Nakhon Si Thammarat, two in Satun and one each in Krabi, Chumphon, Trang, Ranong and Surat Thani. Bangkok registered one fatality while none were detected in the city’s adjacent provinces. The 2,532 new cases included 2,449 local infections and 60 imported cases. Bangkok had 414 new cases, followed by 179 in Chon Buri, 144 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 79 in Samut Prakan, 73 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 66 in Chiang Mai, 60 in Surat Thani, 55 in Kalasin, 54 in Trang and 51 in Pathum Thani. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2237923/2-532-new-covid-cases-22-more-death

From CNN The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will go ahead with its New Year's Eve fireworks celebration, according to a news conference Thursday from Mayor Eduardo Paes. This comes after the mayor had previously canceled celebrations nearly three weeks ago due to rising Covid-19 concerns. “We want the celebrate the end of the year in a calm, safe and organized manner. We met with the scientific committee, which confirmed that it would be safe to hold the city’s New Year’s celebrations under the previsions presented by the city government. We also got authorization from the state’s scientific committee. We’re doing all we can in order to avoid large displacements or gatherings,” Paes said. The city’s famous fireworks display is set to last for 16 minutes over Copacabana Beach. The area will be restricted to residents of the beachfront neighborhood. Paes said traffic and public transportation to the area will be blocked during evening hours on Dec. 31. Revelers are encouraged to stay close to their homes to “avoid unnecessary travel.” “We’re putting a special plan in place for Copacabana because it is traditionally the largest gathering place for the city. Copacabana’s New Year’s Eve celebration is shown on television screens around the world. It’s going to be a beautiful New Year’s celebration and I hope it will be inspirational and bring us hope. We hope 2022 will be a better year,” Paes added.

While on the subject of Richard Barrow, he's posted this week about taking the night train to Chiang Mai and spending a day in the Diplomatic Suite at La Meridian. Check it out for some great photos and video.

From Pattaya News Hotel room bookings in Pattaya have dropped significantly after the Thai government suspended the “Test & Go” scheme earlier this week. This has led to a rising number of business leaders asking for Pattaya to become a Sandbox zone like Phuket during the suspension. Mr. Boonanan Pattanasin, the president of the Pattaya Businessmen and Tourism Association, told TPN media, “After the “Test & Go” no-quarantine tourism scheme for all international tourists has been suspended and only the Phuket Sandbox allowed with the other sandbox zones closed, the number of hotel rooms booked in Pattaya have dropped significantly.” “Many tourists are planning to come to Pattaya during the high season from January to February. We need either the “Test & Go” system to remain open for this registration so that tourists can come to Pattaya after New Year or allow Pattaya to become a Sandbox.” Boonanan added. “Pattaya is similar to Phuket. We have many tourism attractions and businesses and rely on tourism for about 85 percent of our GDP. Only having the Phuket Sandbox cannot drive the whole countries tourism economy.” Boonanan stated. https://thepattayanews.com/2021/12/24/pattaya-hotel-room-bookings-drop-significantly-after-test-go-scheme-suspended-more-business-leaders-call-for-pattaya-to-be-a-sandbox-again/

There are two alternative ways to access Richard Barrow and neither require registration: https://www.richardbarrow.com/ Richard Barrow's Twitter site

Politician and BS are frequently used in the same sentence.....and not without cause.

From Bangkok Post New Year countdown to stay The private sector will still be allowed to host New Year countdown festivities under strict precautions while City Hall has decided to cancel all events it had planned to mark the New Year in Bangkok amid fears of a surge in Omicron cases. National Security Council secretary-general Gen Supoj Malaniyom, in his capacity as head of operations at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said the CCSA is permitting the private sector to proceed with its plans but they must seek permission first. City Hall's decision to cancel its activities has nothing to do with the CCSA's policy, Gen Supoj said. At least two major New Year countdown parties remain on the calendar in Bangkok -- one at Iconsiam and the other at CentralWorld. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2236891/new-year-countdown-to-stay

I believe that it is correct for the test and go, as stated in the link (above) you posted about the new rules.

According to the new rules, the cost of two PCR tests will be added to the cost of the 7-day Sandbox quarantine. In news that I'm sure is a totally unrelated, the current Health Minister says he hopes to be a candidate for prime minster.

From Coconuts Bangkok City Hall announced late Thursday afternoon that it was canceling all official New Year’s events to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it was acting at the urging of the COVID-19 task force, which in turn cited WHO guidelines for the move, which comes as the disease’s so-called Omicron variant continues to spread. Though only several dozen cases of Omicron have been confirmed, about 100 more suspected cases are being studied. The city’s typical New Year’s Eve countdown events will not go forward, nor will a prayer pow wow planned outside City Hall. Private parties may go on as planned but should comply with public health measures. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/bangkok-cancels-nye/

Gov't clarifies new rules for approved "Test and go" pass holders From Bangkok Post The government has clarified the position of about 200,000 intending visitors who earlier received permission to enter the country without quarantine via the now-suspended Test & Go programme. Sumanee Wacharasin, hazard communication director of the Department of Disease Control, said on Wednesday that although the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) suspended registration for Test & Go from Wednesday, people previously approved would still be allowed in. The visitors could travel the country if their first RT-PCR test upon arival returned negative. However, hotel managements must ensure the visitors stayed in their overnight rooms until their test result was known. In addition, the visitors and their places of accommodation would be tracked around the clock via the MorChana app. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2236111/previously-approved-test-go-visitors-allowed-entry ============================================ Missing Covid-infected tourist surrenders on Koh Samui An Israeli tourist who sparked a manhunt by leaving his Bangkok hotel without waiting for his Covid-19 test result, which proved positive, surrendered to police on Koh Samui on Wednesday afternoon. He initially headed to Pattaya, but later went south to the holiday island. Ohad Baruch, 29, turned himself in shortly after noon. After talks, he was taken to Koh Samui Hospital by ambulance for Covid-19 testing. Health volunteers escorted him. ==================================================== From Richard Barrow Twitter Site Registrations for Phuket Sandbox are temporarily suspended due to a system update. Looks like they’ve realised that they need to charge arrivals for the second RT-PCR test on Day 7.

From MSN Laos has announced plans to partially re-open its borders to foreign visitors in the new year. The South-East Asian country has been closed to international arrivals for more than 18 months, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19. Fully vaccinated visitors on pre-booked tours will be able to enter Laos from January 1 and visit a select number of destinations, including the capital Vientiane, eco-tourism hotspot Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage-listed site in the north of the country. Further destinations will be opened in April and July as vaccination rates in Laos increase. For now, entry will be limited to tourists from 17 countries, predominantly in South-East Asia and Europe, as well as the US, Australia and Canada. All arrivals will need to test negative for Covid-19 before their journey. Vaccination rates in the country are expected to be bolstered by the recent opening of a railway connecting Vientiane to the south-western Chinese city of Kunming. The $6 billion rail link was hailed as a "new era of modern infrastructure development” by Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, and health authorities are already working to deliver Covid booster shots to people living in tourist spots along the train line. https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/laos-to-reopen-its-borders-to-international-visitors-on-january-1/ar-AARXwxt

According to the official announcement, even those who have received approved Thailand Pass but have not yet arrived will experience a new wrinkle: "Passengers who will arrive in Thailand under Test and Go and Sandbox Programme must undergo their 2nd COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (not ATK self-test) at government-designated facilities (no additional cost)."

After claiming less than five days ago that Thailand should keep the country open to tourists and not panic, the PM has does just that. Not withstanding that indeed, TIT, it's still sending an unambiguous message: don't trust your vacation plans to Thailand. Worse, it pulls the rug from under the hospitality industry--and the hundreds of thousands whose livelihood depends upon it. Heartened by the reports of the early arrivals, many of us have purchased air tickets, insurance and quarantine hotels. We have only ourselves to blame for trusting that the junta would make good on it's part of the arrangement. Thailand was receiving the safest tourists, fully vaccinated and tested before and after arrival. Now it erroneously languishes under the misconception that it can prevent an Omicron outbreak by keeping out these very individuals.

From Bangkok Post The government is expected to revise its list of "Test & Go" countries following the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as details on Monday emerged of the country's earliest recorded local case of the strain. Gen Supoj Malaniyom, chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) operations base, said the list of of low-risk countries eligible for the tourism opening scheme will be reviewed and Covid-19 screening measures will be intensified. Gen Supoj said the CCSA's operation centre will identify "high-risk" countries before holding a meeting on Friday to decide on the extent to which the "Test & Go" scheme may need to be revised. If the risk of further infections is considered high, the scheme may be suspended completely. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2235135/test-go-country-list-to-change ================================ 'Test & Go' rumour irking operators Tourism operators are crying foul over a proposal to scrap the "Test & Go" scheme, as an immediate change would affect the international market during the high season. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) insisted no such decision has been made. "We still have to hear from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration [CCSA] about the final decision this week. The CCSA has stated clearly it plans to listen to all stakeholders carefully before nailing down a decision," said Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT governor. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2235183/test-go-rumour-irking-operators

With a 30-day visa as the prize, a 7-day quarantine might as well be 30 days when measured in effect. It would only be considered by returning citizens or retirees with residence in Thailand. And a small numbers of those on business.

Sorry, I meant that I was hoping very much for temporary closing of Madrid.

Many videos are available on the history of Patpong but the latest entry includes up-to-date stuff I found of interest. Sadly, it reports that Madrid has closed, although it doesn't say if it's temporary or permanent (hoping very much for the latter). From The Thaiger How did the first Go-Go bar in Thailand start? Patpong is more than just a seedy bar area. It is in fact a puzzle with so many pieces containing unique stories, history and legends. Everyone who has been to Thailand has their own perception regarding Patpong and all it has to offer. Follow Bangkok Pat as he lets you have a deeper look into the world of Patpong. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-go-go-bars-and-red-light-district-history

From The Thaiger British Airways cancels over 2,000 flights including Bangkok In the face of the spread of Covid-19 as infections surge in the UK, British Airways have suspended all their flights travelling to Bangkok until October of next year. Rumours began circulating about the possible cancellation earlier this week with popular travel sites speculating about the major airline suspending the route. Many passengers told stories of receiving cancellation notices from British Airways and the rumours were confirmed by a spokesperson for the airline who talked about refunds. Aside from refunding, the airline is offering to reaccommodate passengers on cancelled flights on Qatar Airways flights from London to Doha to Bangkok instead, though the agreement between airlines is reported to be confirmed only until the end of March. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/british-airways-cancels-over-2000-flights-including-bangkok ================================= Thailand sees tourism dropping due to Omicron worries Thailand is seeing a dip in new incoming tourists that Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn has said is the predictable side effect of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. Since December 8, the number of daily international travellers entering Thailand has fallen to less than 3,000 people per day. Many are worried about the Omicron, which seems to be more transmissible than previous variants, though data suggests infections caused by the strain tend to be less severe. Travellers are choosing to cancel or postpone their travels, waiting until 2022, when hopefully we will have a better understanding of Omicron as well as better vaccine protection against it and containment. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-sees-tourism-dropping-due-to-omicron-worries