reader

Airbnb sees surge in searches for stays in Thailand From Bangkok Post Airbnb says it has seen a surge in searches for stays in Thailand in recent weeks by international travellers attracted by the reopening to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries. International guest searches for stays in Thailand within the next six months have more than doubled from one year ago, based on latest Airbnb search data for the week of Oct 18. International travellers are already planning to rediscover Thailand with Airbnb this coming holiday season, and villas are their most-searched stay of choice, the accommodation sharing platform said. Phuket's appeal remains undimmed, as the popular island destination continues to be one of the most searched Thai destinations on Airbnb by international guests, along with Bangkok, Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Resort destinations near Bangkok are also trending -- compared with September, Airbnb saw an 80% surge in the third week of October in international guest searches for stays in Phetchaburi for the next six months, and a more than 40% increase for both Pattaya and Hua Hin stays. Looking to escape the chilly winter, guests from North America and Europe are leading the surge in travel interest in Thailand. The top 10 countries of origin for searches of Thailand were: United States, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2209415/searching-for-thailand

From VN Express International travelers who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 can visit five destinations in Vietnam, with no quarantine mandated, starting this month. The Government Office announced Tuesday that Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has approved a pilot plan to welcome international visitors as proposed earlier by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The plan will be carried out in three phases. In the first phase that will open this month, foreigners will be able to visit: Vietnam’s biggest island Phu Quoc; the central city of Da Nang; Quang Nam Province, home to the ancient town of Hoi An; Khanh Hoa Province, home to the Nha Trang beach town; and Quang Ninh Province, where the famous Ha Long Bay is located. To be allowed entry, travelers must show valid proof of full vaccination or Covid-19 recovery, as well as a pre-departure negative coronavirus result obtained within the previous 72 hours. Vietnamese authorities will accept test results done either via the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) or the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT – PCR) methods. Visitors will also have to furnish medical or travel insurance including coverage for Covid-19 treatment worth at least $50,000 and book a package tour. Children under 12 years old traveling with a parent or guardian do not require a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19. They must install the IGOVN application on their smartphones and use it during their stay in Vietnam. No quarantine is mandated, but masking is required. On the first day of entry, visitors must do a rapid antigen test on themselves and if the result is positive, they will be taken to a medical facility and their treatment costs will be borne by insurance agencies or tour operators. The second phase of the plan is expected to take effect in January next year, allowing tourists to travel to other destinations allowed in the first phase after they have finished staying in one of them for seven days. The third phase is yet to have a specific timeline to be carried out but it will see Vietnam fully open to foreign visitors. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/foreign-travelers-can-visit-vietnam-this-month-4380594.html

Topic moved. See VN reopening details announced

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Ngọc Đông on Tuesday told the Vietnam News Agency that the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro line project will be inaugurated and put into commercial operation before November 10. According to the deputy minister, the ministry and the Hà Nội authorities met on Monday to discuss issues related to the handover and reception of the project, including documents for the two sides to sign at the handover ceremony of the project. The Hà Nội People’s Committee has announced the price of the tickets for the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro, with the lowest one being VNĐ8,000 ($0.35) for a trip and VNĐ30,000 for a day pass. A monthly pass for a passenger is priced at VNĐ200,000. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1071989/cat-linh-ha-dong-metro-line-to-begin-commercial-operation-before-november-10.html

From Bangkok Post Only 0.07% of 4,510 arrivals test positive in first two days There were 4,510 arrivals through Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday and Tuesday after the country's reopening to vaccinated visitors on Nov 1, with fewer than 1% testing positive for Covid-19, according to the government. Releasing the data on Wednesday, Dr Sumanee Wacharasin, hazard communication director of the Department of Disease Control, said the top five countries of origin were Japan, with 725 arrivals, followed by Singapore with 387, Qatar with 365, Germany with 283 and China with 273. Testing on arrival revealed three visitors were infected with Covid-19 under the “Test and Go” process for fully vaccinated travellers from specified countries. This was 0.07% of all visitors under the “Test and Go” process, Dr Sumanee said. Another three arrivals who were subject to quarantine also tested positive. They accounted for 0.94% of all visitors in this group, she said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2208987/4-510-arrivals-in-first-2-days-6-have-covid

This started as a post about a great project and has digressed into a discussion of lack of social discipline and bad habits of Thais. Less we forget, these are the same people some of us come half way around the world to be among. Maybe some of us come from places with crystal clear rivers, pristine streets and impeccably behaved citizens. If so, they'd be fools to leave such a paradise. Bangkok may not be perfect but I'm more than happy to take it just as it was when I last left, nasty water and all.

I doubt that many westerns have the same social discipline as the Thais or the Koreans. Just because that many may be poor, I wouldn't be so quick to assume that they'll automatically be tossing their trash in the water. The poor are just as capable of appreciating the beauty of comfort of a park-like environment as the wealthy. Thousands use Lumpini park every day and you don't see them throwing their refuse in the pond.

From Bangkok Post / AFP A positive atmosphere reigned on Monday as Thailand began welcoming vaccinated tourists arriving by air from 63 countries and all deemed at low-risk of Covid-19, without quarantine. The first flight into Suvarnabhumi airport was All Nippon Airways flight NH 805 from Tokyo, with 11 foreigners and 32 Thai nationals on board. It was followed by Thai Airways International flight TG 931 from Paris at 6am. The passengers went through stringent Covid-19 screening by airport staff wearing PPE suits, who also checked their travel documents and provided assistance as needed. Suvarnabhumi airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn said a total of 61 flights were scheduled to arrive on Monday, most of them from Europe, with about 3,000 passengers - 2,300 of them foreigners and the rest Thai returnees. Mr Kittipong said he was satisfied with the process, with the only problem being congestion at the screening stations where officials had to also check passengers' vaccination documents before allowing them to proceed. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said between Monday and Friday, flights operated by 27 airlines would arrive and depart from Suvarnabhumi airport with a total of 15,230 passengers. Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports were the gateways for tourists on the reopening day. "We are very, very happy," Andre Winkler, 55, told AFP after he and his partner passed immigration at Suvarnabhumi. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2207575/reopening-begins-in-positive-atmosphere ====================================== Brief video from AP / Yahoo https://news.yahoo.com/thailand-reopens-airports-boost-economy-084722873.html

From Bangkok Post Construction work has begun on the first section of the 4.5km Klong Chong Nonsi canal park which will open on Dec 25. Thana Boonlert Once known as the Venice of the East, Bangkok has seen its vast network of rivers winding through the capital vanish due to urban development. Construction has filled in klongs (canals) for roads and houses and the remaining waterways have become neglected and clogged with rubbish. However, the sound of pile drivers is once again pounding in the heart of the withering city. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is reviving canals and surrounding areas to increase clean water access and green space. Five pilot projects are expected to open by the end of this year. "I remember going to school and passing Klong Lot and Klong Phadung. I remember seeing people empty their bowels, wash dishes, and sell goods along the same canal. Urban development has overlooked waterways," Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, the BMA spokesman, told the press. "Canals are treated like sewers." City authorities have been trying to improve the condition of waterways, including those in the central business district. Inspired by the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project in Seoul, they are building Klong Chong Nonsi canal park, which flows into the Chao Phraya River. It will open on Dec 25. Once finished, the first section of the 4.5km Klong Chong Nonsi canal park will feature trees and water plants. Photo courtesy of Kotchakorn Voraakhom Pongsakorn said the new public space will use the pipe jacking method to carry wastewater to a treatment station and flush clean water to Klong Chong Nonsi. "Then, it will flow into Klong Sathorn, Lumpini Park, Klong Paisingto, Klong Tonson, and Klong Toey," he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/2207371/giving-new-life-to-canals

From Channel News Asia BALI: After 18 months of almost no activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hoped that some international tourists would be back by now in Bali’s famous beaches of Kuta and Nusa Dua, or enjoying views of the forests and lush paddy fields in Ubud. However, two weeks after Bali’s reopening on Oct 14 to travellers from 19 countries, no international flight has landed at its airport. As of Monday (Oct 25), Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport has yet to receive any request from airlines to land there, said its spokesman Taufan Yudhistira when asked by CNA. If airlines want to land in Bali, ideally they should give a notice of seven to 14 days in advance, he said. “We cannot predict (when they will arrive), but one thing for sure, informally or formally the airlines have not filed a request to us. We cannot predict when the first flight will be,” Yudhistira said. A receptionist at one of the villas in Ubud told CNA that although there has been a spike in occupancy by domestic travellers in recent weeks as the impact of the second COVID-19 wave dampens, there are still no signs of international tourists. Among the standard operating procedures that apply to foreigners include a five-day quarantine upon arrival as well as the need to purchase insurance coverage worth at least 1 billion rupiah that would cover treatment for COVID-19. I Ketut Ardana, the Chairman of Bali’s Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) told CNA that even when the borders were still closed, many overseas tour operators inquired about travelling to Bali. “When it was reopened, there were even more inquiries. But it seems some of the information we gave them prevented them from coming,” he said. “For example the five-day quarantine regulation, PCR testing and having insurance coverage worth at least 1 billion rupiah,” added Ardana. He said that most of the inquiries came from Europe and Asia. “For ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, the quarantine is definitely a barrier because travellers from ASEAN countries tend to only stay for four days and three nights,” he said. “Travellers from China also on average only stayed for five days and four nights,” Ardana noted. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bali-indonesia-international-tourism-reopening-quarantine-covid-19-2277961

From Bangkok Post The Foreign Ministry on Saturday announced Thailand is to admit visitors from 17 more countries without quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of pre-flight negative Covid-19 test results from Nov 1, increasing the number to 63. The announcement was signed by Thani Thongphakdi, the ministry's permanent secretary. On Oct 21, Thailand issued an announcement to allow fully vaccinated travelers from 46 low-risk countries and territories to enter the country without quarantine from Monday. That number has now increased to 63. The 17 additional countries announced by the Foreign Ministry are: India, Taiwan, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Croatia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Luxembourg. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2207027/thailand-open-to-17-more-countries-nov-1

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has released a long list of frequently asked questions regarding entrance requirements today. Although much of of the information has been previously published in one form or another, this one clarifies an issue for those arriving with a mobile phone: What if I do not have a mobile phone, how could I present my QR Code? - If you do not carry a mobile phone with the QR Code, you may print out a hard copy of the QR code and bring it with you to present it to the officers at the airport. https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailand-pass-faqs

From AP / MSN Cambodia’s government announced plans Tuesday to reopen the country in several stages to fully vaccinated foreign tourists starting from the end of next month. The program beginning November 30 will allow visitors who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to skip being quarantined if they stay at least five days in designated areas, the country’s tourism ministry announced. The first such areas are two seaside provinces, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong, on the Gulf of Thailand. On arrival, visitors must show proof they have been vaccinated and take a rapid results test for COVID-19. They can proceed without quarantine if the results are negative. Siem Reap province, home to the famous Angkor Wat temples, is to be added to the quarantine-free province list in January. Other destinations will then be added if the program is judged successful, with the entire country opening up when the coronavirus is considered under control. https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/cambodia-announces-phased-reopening-for-vaccinated-travelers/ar-AAQ6pGW

From Bangkok Post Bangkok has been designated blue, a new tourist-oriented area with few Covid-19 restrictions including on alcohol, alongside Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket, starting Monday. But on Friday, an announcement was published on the Royal Gazette banning any public gathering "in a manner that could spread the virus". Violators face two-year imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than 40,000 baht. The announcement, signed by Gen Chalermpol Srisawasdi as head of a Covid-19 team, takes effect on Monday. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Friday that CCSA had approved key changes to the zoning, which also included a drastic cut in the number of dark-red provinces for maximum and strict control to seven from 23 now. "We are already familiar with Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket which have been the sandbox provinces for country reopening... Bangkok is included here," Dr Taweesilp said. However, he said it was up to provincial authorities in the four blue provinces, including Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, to impose some restrictive measures as approproiate to ensure safety. The red zones will be Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chachoengsao, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Rayong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Sa Kaeo, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Ang Thong, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani. Alcohol sales and consumption will be banned in the dark-red, red and orange zones and allowed in yellow and blue zones. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2206323/bangkok-added-to-new-blue-zones =============================== From Coconuts Bangkok Bangkok’s restaurants can serve alcohol again Monday Restaurants in Bangkok as well as Krabi, Phang-nga and Phuket provinces may sell alcohol again starting Monday. Timed with the reopening of the country to vaccinated travelers from 46 nations, the lifting of the months-old booze ban was announced Friday afternoon by the COVID-19 task force. Though the ban will be lifted in tourism pilot areas, it was not immediately clear whether it applied to bars, which have either been shuttered for months or resorted to selling illicitly. It was not addressed specifically by the task force. A slide used during the press briefing only used the word “restaurants.” The tourism authority today announced that bars, pubs and nightlife venues would remain closed. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/bangkoks-restaurants-can-serve-again-monday/

Today's article on Richard Barrow's site regarding latest information on Thai reopening entrance procedures: Required Documents: A Certificate of Vaccination (fully vaccinated) with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling. Those previously infected within 3 months must have received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling. Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians, are exempt from the vaccination requirement. A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling (all travellers). A confirmed payment for a 1-night stay at SHA+, AQ, OQ, or AHQ accommodation, and 1 RT-PCR test. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. Applying for a Thailand Pass (1) Register for a Thailand Pass at https://tp.consular.go.th/ (available from 1 November, 2021). Until then, apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/. (2) Upload the required document (along with the valid visa/re-entry permit, if required), and allow 3-5 working days for the approval process. Wait for the approval of the Vaccine Certification and paid accommodation, including the RT-PCR test. (3) Confirm the approval, and receive a Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE). Arrival in Thailand (4) Present the Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE) to the Health Control to carry out checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures. (5) Undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 test at the reserved accommodation, or the pre-arranged test centre. (Children aged under 6 years have a saliva test.) (6) Proceed to the hotel by the pre-arranged airport transfer. (Distance from the airport within 2 hours.) (7) Download and install the MorChana application at the hotel. During Your Stay (8) Wait for the test result within the hotel room. (9) If testing negative for COVID-19, you will receive an Antigen Test Kit (ATK) for COVID-19 self-testing on Day 6-7. (10) Get an alert for the self ATK testing on Day 6-7, and to record the result in the MorChana application. (11) Practice the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application. When You Are Leaving (12) Free to go anywhere in Thailand or leave Thailand to other countries. However, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province/country of their destination. For more information, please visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/.

From Reuters / BP Lao police have seized a record haul of illicit drugs in the Golden Triangle region, two security sources in Thailand confirmed on Thursday, in what the United Nations said was Asia's largest single drug bust ever. More than 55 million amphetamine tablets and over 1.5 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine were intercepted by Laos police on Wednesday, who stopped a truck carrying beer crates in northern Bokeo, which borders Thailand and Myanmar, the two sources told Reuters. Jeremy Douglas, Southeast Asia regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the discovery was "by far the largest seizure in the history of East and Southeast Asia". The bust on Wednesday followed the confiscation by Lao police of a combined 16 million amphetamine tablets in two separate busts in the same area over a one week period. https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2205623/laos-makes-asias-largest-drug-bust

News from From Richard Barrow site about walk-through simulation https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-main-airport-runs-tests-ahead-of-countrys-reopening-on-monday/

From Reuters / MSN Thailand readies for tourism reboot with reopening test-run BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand held a dry-run on Wednesday for its long-awaited, quarantine-free reopening to vaccinated travellers, as the country rushes to reboot an industry battered by an 18-month hiatus in international tourism. At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand's main gateway, airport staff and health and immigration officials ran a simulation of the arrival of a plane full of visitors, to test out electronic screening measures. "All the passengers will get their QR code checked by the Department of Disease Control," said Kittipong Kittikachorn, the airport's general manager. "It will include all the details about insurance, vaccine certificate, or hotel booking." https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/thailand-readies-for-tourism-reboot-with-reopening-test-run/ar-AAQ0Nfn

From Bangkok Post PM presses Asean to reopen Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged other Asean members to follow Thailand's footsteps and start reopening to revive economies in the region and ensure the tangible implementation of the bloc's response to Covid-19. Gen Prayut addressed the issue via teleconference at the ongoing 38th and 39th Asean Summits, which are taking place online and opened under the chairmanship of Brunei on Tuesday. "Asean should start reopening and allowing for safe travel to revive its economies," he said, adding that the Asean Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework should be put into practice, with mutual recognition of vaccines and vaccine certificates to facilitate business travel, and later tourism. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2204491/pm-presses-asean-to-reopen

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to prepare guidelines to allow visitors from Thailand’s neighbouring countries, such as Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia, to take one-day trips to Thailand as the country prepares to reopen to tourism on November 1st. Today (Tuesday), Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said discussions are being held and plans are being drawn up to allow tourists to travel over the Malaysian border into Hat Yai in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, and tourists from Laos to travel to the north-eastern province of Nong Khai. Tourists crossing the Thai-Myanmar border will be able to visit Tak province. He also explained the preparations for the reopening of Thailand on November 1st, saying foreign arrivals must: Be arriving from a low-risk country on Thailand’s approved list. Be fully inoculated with a minimum of two doses of a recognised vaccine Have negative results from a RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the trip Take another RT-PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Thailand Have a minimum of US$50,000 health insurance coverage while in Thailand Have written or electronic confirmation of hotel bookings https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-aims-to-draw-neighbours-for-one-day-trips/

I contacted the Amara Hotel on Surawong to inquire if they were participating in he 1-night quarantine. I received a reply, confirming that they are offering rooms in all categories.. The lowest rate for the first night is BHT 6,100. They are partnered with a hospital for testing purposes and noted that turn-around time depends of flight arrival time. If a second night is required, the rate drops to BHT 2,500. Prices include transport from airport, RT-PCR test, antigens test kit and meals

From Vietnam Express Vietnam was considering welcoming fully vaccinated foreign tourists to sequestered resorts, which might not be a popular option. "I spent more than 20 years working as a tour guide in Vietnam... people want to see the wonders of Vietnam and experience its culture.. Some package holidays only last for two weeks... No one will come from overseas if they are fully vaccinated and have to spend 7 days in isolation. It is just not economically viable for them and they will go elsewhere or simply stay in their home countries". Garry Adams "If the traveler has been vaccinated and the city where he/she is going to is mostly vaccinated then it’s time to just let normal travel happen without all the restrictions. No one is going to sign up for a package where they can’t travel freely and also risk getting sent to a quarantine camp or getting stuck in a city that isn't their home for two months like what has happened." Tim "No international tourist will sacrifice seven days of a holiday to quarantine. This proposed model has been tried and failed in many top tourist destinations. Guess what, nobody came! Unless tourists have unrestricted travel options in their destination, very few will actually bother to book a trip." Christoph Holzapfel "I wouldn't worry too much about tourists arriving any time soon. No one is coming until ALL the businesses are open. Bars. Karaoke (parlors). Nail spas.What people come to do is to relax and have fun. Put yourself in a tourist’s position. Come to Vietnam while tourist attractions are shut down? Or spend your money elsewhere where you can have an enjoyable time?" Pbistline https://e.vnexpress.net/news/perspectives/no-international-tourist-will-sacrifice-seven-days-of-a-holiday-to-quarantine-4375567.html

Richard Barrow has been invited by Tourism Ministry to test the reopening process at BKK. https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/reopening-of-thailand-dispatch-1-826907

From Thai PBS World International airlines have returned as many as 80% of their airport slots at Thailand’s six international airports between October 31st and March 26th next year, indicating their uncertainty over a recovery in the aviation sector, according to Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn, the managing director of Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company. AOT operates Suvarnabhumi, Don Muaeng, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang international airports. He disclosed that the lowest point for the aviation industry in Thailand was from July to September, this year, after the Thai government suspended all regular flights as a precautionary measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, during which average daily arrivals at the six international airports was only 50 passengers. The situation has improved since Thailand eased travel restrictions in October this year, with an average of 30,000 arrivals a day. Airlines have given up 100% of their slots at Don Muaeng airport and about 70% of those at Suvarnabhumi, said Nitinai. AOT suffered 11 billion baht in operational losses in the first nine months of this year and an estimated 10 billion baht for the whole year, he said, adding that business over the next two years will, however, gradually recover. Penyos Pibulsongkhram, director of commercial affairs for the Vietjet airline, said that the aviation industry is still in crisis, although the situation is improving. Airport slots represent permission granted to an airline by the owner of an airport to use the airport’s facilities for landing and take-off. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/international-airlines-return-80-of-their-airport-slots-in-thailand-for-the-next-five-months/