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From CNN Travel After Italy's national airline Alitalia went bankrupt, a new logo is visible in the country's skies -- meet ITA Airways. The new carrier and its sleek blue planes debuted at a press event in Rome. "We have been born as a new Italian brand, and we have chosen to work only with Italian companies," ITA's president said at the unveiling. However, not everything is hewing to tradition. The airline is trying out an interesting new pay structure where all employees will have a part of their salary linked not only to company profits, but also to customer satisfaction.

From Free Press Journal Cambodia has lifted a ban on all flights from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines after most of the kingdom's population have been vaccinated against the Covid-19, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said. The decision to lift the ban was made by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday and it took effect immediately, Xinhua news agency quoted Bunheng as saying. "It's part of the country's move to reopen social and economic activities gradually in all areas by adapting to the new normal and to reactivate air transport services," the Health Minister added. Cambodia banned all flights from the three ASEAN member states in August last year in an effort to curb Covid-19 transmission. The ban's removal came after Cambodia had administered at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to 13.65 million people, or 85.33 per cent of its 16-million population, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said. Of them, 12.94 million, or 80.8 per cent, have been fully vaccinated, and 1.62 million, or 10.1 per cent, have received a booster dose, it added. https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/cambodia-lifts-ban-on-all-flights-from-malaysia-indonesia-philippines-after-1294-million-in-country-vaccinated-against-covid-19

Although this seems like a stretch at the moment, at least he's giving it lip service. From The Thaiger / Pattaya Mail Tourism Minister proposes reopening entertainment venues November 1 PM Prayut Chan-o-cha may be opening up Thailand to international travellers, but Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan is aiming to open up entertainment venues to those international travellers. The Tourism Minister plans on officially proposing that entertainment venues, bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, pubs and other nightlife venues be reopening in the Blue Zones, the new term for the expanded Sandbox destinations. n a TV interview today, the minister said he planned to introduce the measure in a CCSA general meeting next week, requesting that in key areas entertainment venues reopen on November 1. The proposal would focus on areas where nightlife and entertainment venues were an essential part of the economy for tourism. He singled out locations like Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang Nga, and Phuket that tourists traditionally flocked to not just for their beaches, but for their nightlife, bars, and party scene. The minister stopped short of including Bangkok on his list, citing concerns that entertainment venues in the city would be too hard to safely regulate and that the nightlife isn’t only a draw to international tourists, but also attracts Thai customers, so it could be higher-risk and lower benefit than other destinations. Pipat says that the focus is on drawing in foreign tourists, and including Bangkok may sway CCSA with their fears of Thai clubs that were the source of the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak in the first place. “The reopening might be initially only for foreign tourists to attract them to visit the country. Much of the concern from the CCSA about entertainment venues has nothing to do with tourism-related establishments but rather large Thai discos and places. But we still have to discuss if it would work or not.” The Tourism Minister says there’s wiggle room to try to create a way to reopen some nightlife. He hopes some can safely open with similar hours to what they held before Covid-19, opening until 1 or 2 am. But he believes that putting Bangkok on the table will fuel the CCSA’s worries of controlling Covid-19 in entertainment venues. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/tourism-minister-proposes-reopening-entertainment-venues-november-1

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-allow-some-travellers-south-asia-ease-stay-home-notice-restrictions-malaysia-and-indonesia-2263722

Some members over 74 reporting problem finding covid insurance. There's a US-based website offering policies from Thai insurer AXA up to age 99. https://www.squaremouth.com/

From Vietnam News HCM CITY — Kiên Giang Province People’s Committee on October 21 issued a pilot plan to welcome international tourists using "vaccine passports" to Phú Quốc Island beginning November 20. The plan aims to gradually restore the international tourism market, ensure security in tourism activities, and contribute to socio-economic development targets set for 2021. The People’s Committee of Kiên Giang Province requests all international tourists to have a vaccine passport and strictly comply with epidemic prevention measures in Việt Nam. At least 90 per cent of the population and workers in Phú Quốc have to be fully vaccinated in order to be ready to welcome international guests in the future. The pilot plan will be implemented in two phases within the course of six months. Specifically, from November 20, a number of charter flights will go to Phú Quốc for authorities to test the process of picking up and serving guests. Based on the experience, authorities will then evaluate the plan’s feasibility, make adjustments if necessary, and follow the official roadmap from December 20 onwards. During the first phase from December 20 to March 20, Phú Quốc will welcome 3,000 to 5,000 tourists per month via charter flights and allocate private experiences within limited locations and areas for guests. The second phase, which starts from March 20, 2022 to June 20, 2022, involves evaluation of the first phase and a scale of 5,000 to 10,000 guests per month if all requirements are met. With regards to the target audience, international tourists will be allowed to visit from countries and territories with high safety in COVID-19 epidemic prevention. They will enter Phú Quốc International Airport via charter flights with a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a proof of COVID-19 recovery recognised by relevant authorities in Việt Nam. Injection of the second shot must have been done at least 14 days before and no more than 12 months from the day of arrival. Visitors who have recovered from COVID-19 have to submit proof that their discharge from the hospital to the date they enter Phú Quốc has not exceeded six months. In addition, an English certificate of negative COVID-19 test results via the RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure must be prepared by visitors. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Đoàn Văn Việt said the ministry had proposed a roadmap to resume international tourism activities in three stages, with the first stage starting from November 2021, during which Phú Quốc in the southern province of Kiên Giang; Cam Ranh in the central province of Khánh Hòa, Quảng Nam Province and Đà Nẵng City are open to foreign visitors going on package tours and travelling on charter or commercial flights. In the second stage from January 2022, the sector will serve more foreign travellers and connect with destinations via charter and regular flights. In the third stage from the second quarter of next year, international tourism activities will be fully re-opened on the condition of ensuring adherence to pandemic prevention and control regulations. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1063879/phu-quoc-to-welcome-international-tourists-with-vaccine-passports-in-november.html =================================== Aviation authority wants regular int'l flights to resume right in fourth quarter HÀ NỘI — The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport permit airlines to resume international air routes right in the fourth quarter of this year. Under the proposal, the resumption will start with flights for Vietnamese citizens using a combo of airline ticket, COVID-19 testing fee, food and stay at a hotel for quarantine. Passengers will spend seven days in paid quarantine areas if all the passengers on their flight are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. Passengers from other flights will undergo 14-day quarantine. The first international air routes for reopening this year include those to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, France, Germany, Russia and Australia. International airports including Vân Đồn (in Quảng Ninh Province), Đà Nẵng (in Đà Nẵng City) and Cam Ranh (in Khánh Hoà Province) will receive the international flights. Other international airports could still be open but permissions from local authorities are pending. Municipal and provincial people’s committees will decide the frequencies of the international flights. At this time, Việt Nam only allows international flights that carry foreign tourists to specific locations including Phú Quốc Island, Khánh Hòa and Quảng Ninh. Once the CAAV’s proposal is approved, in the first month of implementation, there will be one flight a day. In the following month, it’s expected to increase to two flights daily. The CAAV also proposed that in the second phase of international air route reopening, regular international flights are only for fully vaccinated passengers or those who have recovered from COVID-19. Passengers will not have to obtain any documents to enter Việt Nam but meet requirements on immigration and health control. In this phase, Việt Nam will reopen air routes to China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Russia, Australia and other markets that are not recommended for limited travel by the national steering committee of COVID-19 prevention and control. It’s expected there will be four flights weekly on each route. Passengers are only allowed to check-in at their departure airports when it is confirmed that they have paid the cost of a 7-day quarantine at a designated hotel-charged quarantine facility in a locality of Việt Nam including ground transportation to the hotel. Depending on the results, the CAAV will propose adding new markets and increasing the frequency to match herd immunity and market demand. In the third phase expected to start from April 2022, regular passenger flights to Việt Nam will be deployed depending on the progress of vaccination in the country and assessment of herd immunity after mass vaccination. Post-entry quarantine is not required when applying the “vaccine passport” mechanism. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1063818/aviation-authority-wants-regular-intl-flights-to-resume-right-in-fourth-quarter.html

The government on Friday outlined conditions for quarantine-free entry from Nov 1 for arrivals by air from 46 countries, which also apply to people who recently left Thailand for those countries, according to the Bangkok Post. The announcement reiterated what was previously known but clarified some issues Regarding health insurance, they must also have general health insurance cover of at least US$50,000. (one earlier published report said Coid-19 coverage). People who had earlier left Thailand to visit any of the 46 countries, but stayed there less than 21 days will not be quarantined and will not be required to have health insurance cover of $50,000. They must download application software that will track their whereabouts. Additional information, go to: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2202535/conditions-for-no-quarantine-arrivals

From Bangkok Post The prime minister has ordered an end to the curfew in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, from Oct 31 to support the reopening of the country to fully vaccinated foreign tourists on Nov 1. The order, signed by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, was published in the Royal Gazette late on Thursday night. The curfew will therefore end at 11pm on Oct 31 in the "Sandbox" provinces that were declared maximum and strict control zones but have tourism significance and are designated for reopening. The 17 provinces where the curfew will end are: - Bangkok - Krabi - Chon Buri (only in Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Koh Si Chang and tambon Na Jomtien and tambon Bang Sare of Sattahip district) - Chiang Mai (in Muang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts) - Trat (on Koh Chang only) - Buri Ram (in Muang district only) - Prachuap Khiri Khan (in tambon Hua Hin and tambon Nong Kae only) - Phangnga - Phetchaburi (in Cha-am municipality only) - Phuket - Ranong (on Koh Phayam only) - Rayong (on Koh Samet only) - Loei (in Chiang Khan district only) - Samut Prakan (only at Suvarnabhumi airport) - Surat Thani (on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and on Koh Tao only) - Nong Khai (in Muang, Sangkhom, Sri Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts) - Udon Thani (in Muang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yoong, Nong Han and Prachak Silapakhom districts) The number of people at public gatherings in the tourist reopening zones will be capped at 500. Entertainment venues in the tourism reopening provinces will remain closed, including pubs, bars and karaoke shops, but operators and officials could begin preparing for their reopening, which would be permitted later. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2202459/curfew-to-end-in-17-tourist-provinces

From Bangkok Post Three schemes set to welcome visitors Thailand's reopening will introduce three entry schemes for international tourists, while the list of countries eligible for quarantine-free entry without area restrictions is expected to be released on Friday. The first scheme, called "Test & Go", will come with minimal requirements for inoculated tourists from low-risk countries who also have a high economic impact on Thai tourism, said Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor. Under the first scheme, tourists must show a vaccine certificate that shows complete doses of a vaccine type approved by the World Health Organisation administered at least 14 days before arrival, a negative RT-PCR result obtained no more than 72 hours before arrival and Covid-19 insurance. Covid-19 insurance coverage has been reduced from US$100,000 to $50,000. Travellers can arrive at any international airport in Thailand and must undergo another RT-PCR test which would have been pre-booked along with the first night in an SHA Plus hotel, as hotels will help manage the test procedure for their guests. While waiting for the result, guests must stay in a hotel within a two-hour drive from the airport. For instance, if tourists enter via Suvarnabhumi airport, they can choose an SHA Plus hotel in Bangkok or go directly to Pattaya. For destinations further away, they need to stay in Bangkok or a nearby province before continuing with their trips. After getting negative results, they can continue their journey to anywhere in the country without restriction and do not have to undergo a second test. The second scheme named "Living in Blue Zone" is reserved for inoculated tourists from other countries apart from the list. Travellers don't have to be kept in quarantine but can travel within 17 Blue Zone provinces during first seven days and must take the second test on day six or day seven with an antigen test kit, which is less expensive than RT-PCR. According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the Blue Zone will be expanded to 33 provinces from December, before increasing to 45 provinces from January 2022. Blue Zone provinces are designated areas that are ready to welcome international tourists and completed mass vaccination of at least 70%. Meanwhile, unvaccinated tourists still can visit the kingdom under the third scheme, named "Happy Quarantine", under which they must stay in alternative quarantine facilities for 10 days. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2202063/three-schemes-set-to-welcome-visitors

From Bangkok Post Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says Thailand will open the country to visitors from 46 countries instead of only 10 Covid-19 low-risk countries announced earlier, starting from Nov 1. He did not name the countries in the post on his Facebook page on Thursday evening, but wrote it was now necessary to speed up the opening. "If we wait until everything is fully ready, we'll be too late. Besides, tourists may choose to go elsewhere," read the post. He added that he was aware the acceleration brought with it the risk of more local infections. "But this is a risk we must accept. I think, like other countries, Thailand is now better equipped to deal with the risk. And we need to learn to live with it." Visitors from the 46 countries, described as the first low-risk group, may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of negative test results before taking flights. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2201875/thailand-welcomes-visitors-from-46-countries-from-nov-1 =============================== I read last night that the Aviation Authority of Thailand is planning exercises at international airports, simulating arrival of international tourists under the seven conditions previously released. The exercises are scheduled for Oct. 25. Those will presumably determine fine tuning of how tourists will be received andprocessed.

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Tokyo will lift curbs on bar and restaurant opening hours as COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital hit their lowest level this year, officials said on Thursday (Oct 21). It is the latest softening of coronavirus restrictions in Japan, where cases have been in free fall for weeks, which experts ascribe to a rapid increase in the vaccination rate. Nationwide, new infections have plunged from record highs of more than 25,800 in August to fewer than 400 in recent days. And Tokyo, a city of 14 million people, has reported an average of 47 daily cases over the past week - lows not seen since June 2020. The country has never imposed a blanket lockdown, but for most of this year, a COVID-19 state of emergency was in place in major cities and other areas, targeting alcohol sales and crowd sizes at large events - including the Tokyo Olympics, held mostly behind closed doors. The emergency measures ended three weeks ago, but some restrictions have remained, including Tokyo's restaurants and bars being asked to close by 9pm. From next Monday, establishments in the capital that take sufficient anti-infection measures will be free to open late, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said, after surrounding regions announced similar steps. Although Japan's vaccine drive started later than in many other developed economies, about 68 per cent of its population is now fully inoculated - more than the United States' 57 per cent. The borders of the world's third-largest economy remain shut to almost all foreign nationals, and mask-wearing is not mandatory but ubiquitous in public places. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-covid-19-tokyo-ditch-nightlife-curbs-2259061

From Bangkok Post Health cover perks for foreigners The Public Health Ministry is expanding the health insurance ceiling, covering Covid-19 treatment, to at least US$100,000 (3 million baht) for non-immigrant visa O-A applicants, to bolster their confidence to stay in the kingdom. Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said on Wednesday the health insurance criteria have been revised for foreigners who hold the non-immigration visa type O-A for a one-year stay. The change came into effect on Tuesday. In addition, visa holders can also submit an application for this health insurance from their countries, Mr Sathit said. The proposal was submitted by the ministry and other related agencies to the cabinet which approved it on June 15. The health insurance ceiling for foreigners holding this type of visa would be expanded from 40,000 baht for outpatient care and 400,000 baht for inpatient care to at least 3 million baht which covers medical expenses and Covid-19 treatment. Mr Sathit said the move was to follow the government's policy to promote health tourism and turn Thailand into a global medical hub. The development will also focus on Thai herb products, traditional Thai massage and spa, and boost the potential of the hospitality sector to attract more foreign tourists. Since last year, 3,768 elderly foreign nationals have applied for the non-immigration visa for a one-year stay, Mr Sathit said. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said this type of visa is granted to elderly people from overseas who cannot take out insurance in Thailand or where their insurance certification form is not valid for Thailand's systems. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2201423/health-cover-perks-for-foreigners

From Thai PBS World From November 1st, foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, without being required to enter quarantine, must meet seven conditions, according to the Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion of the Disease Control Department, today (Wednesday). Foreign arrivals must: Come from countries specified by the Thai Public Health Ministry as being low risk and arrive by air. Have certificates to confirm that they have received two doses of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine. Have negative COVID-19 results from RT-PCR tests conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival in Thailand. Have a minimum of US$50,000 health insurance coverage. Have written/electronic confirmation of hotel bookings in Thailand. Download and install a specified app upon arrival at the airport and undergo RT-PCR tests within 24 hours of arrival. Have negative test results before travelling domestically without quarantine. The government’s policy of reopening the country to foreign travellers is based on three models. The first is that arriving tourists, who are not fully inoculated, will be required to be isolated for 7 to 14 days depending on the case. The second is the “sandbox” model, which will be on trial in 17 provinces and the third is no quarantine for tourists who meet the seven conditions set by the Thai government. Although foreigners can enter Thailand with the fewest possible restrictions, the government attaches importance to the safety of the Thai people and the country’s health system, which must be capable with coping with the new challenge, said the department. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-sets-out-seven-conditions-for-foreign-arrivals-without-quarantine/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon A news report that some visas based on retirement could now require two insurances has stirred confusion on social media. Deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha, in comments first relayed by ThaiPBSWorld, is quoted as saying that applications for one year 0/A visas would carry the extra requirement of “health” insurance of US$100,000, or over 3 million baht. However, the minister did not provide any backup information. O/A visas are one year (usually multiple entry) permissions of stay issued by Thai embassies abroad to wannabe retirees aged 50 and above. In 2019, a pre-pandemic era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a general medical insurance requirement of 400,000 baht (inpatient) and 40,000 (outpatient). The Thai insurance companies and consortia offering such a specific deal imposed an age limit of 75. However, some retirees had their own foreign-based policies which covered these requirements. The 400,000 baht insurance was made mandatory in 2020 for renewals (actually extensions of stay) of the 0/A visa at Thai immigration offices. This has caused great difficulty for elderly expats who found that the insurance was simply not available, or was subject to exclusions, which meant that claims were impossible as the self-payment conditions amounted to the totality of the policy. However, some immigration offices allowed a flexible interpretation which permitted acceptance of insurance policies designed to cover accidental injuries or death payouts. The deputy health minister appears now to be requiring a second policy, specifically for Covid-related illness, to be added to the required 0/A documentation. This is the same US$100,000 cover presently required of all entrants to Thailand, no matter what visa or permission they apply for. However and crucially, we still do not know what, if any, changes will be introduced from November 1 when the Thailand Pass replaces the Certificate of Entry. So the minister seems to be referring to renewals/extensions of stay of 0/A visa holders already here. Most expat retirees with one year extensions do not in fact have 0/A visas, but 0 visas based on retirement. What concerns them is whether the latest 0/A regulations apply to them when they attend immigration for their annual extension of stay. Currently the answer is no. Many 0/A visa holders have sought to transfer to an 0 at their immigration office, only to discover that they cannot change without first leaving the country in a complicated procedure. The Covid-specific US$100,000 insurance is available outside Thailand for entrants up to the age of 99, for example at http://covid19.tgia.org/ a Thai consortium which bases the cost only on duration of stay and country of departure. However, that popular policy is not available for retirees applying from within Thailand, whilst some other companies have a cut off age date around 75. So the whole insurance issue for foreigners based in Thailand is now extremely complex. Some commentators believe that Thai authorities are attempting to move retirees as a group from one year extensions to the Elite visa which lasts for five years, or more, but requires a non-refundable registration of at least 600,000 baht. Whether the squeeze is now taking root without escape tunnels remains to be seen. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/new-financial-headache-for-some-retirement-visa-holders-376327 re

From Thai Enquirer Thai netizens have been engaged in an online debate that has gone viral on Wednesday involving the use of real-life people and celebrities in works of fan fiction. The hashtag #การติ่งและGender (obsessed fan and gender) trended on Twitter after some netizens expressed outrage at erotic fan fiction which depicted celebrities or other real-life famous people. Some of the works of fiction are sold for money. One netizen expressed his concern that rights were being violated when these celebrities were featured in erotic stories without consent and then shared. Many of these stories involve an LGBTQ+ angle. Many have come out to stand their ground to support the authors stating that reader discretion is required as this is only an imaginative story, moreover, this helps the popularity of the subject matter and the celebrities. https://www.thaienquirer.com/34197/viral-debate-over-y-y-fiction-in-thailand-and-the-use-of-celebrities-in-erotic-fiction/

The answer to the confusion lies in all the actual political (jurisdictional) entities that make up the metropolitan Bangkok area. The Province of Bangkok, however is smaller and does not encompass Samat Prakan (where BKK airport is located), Nakhon Phathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samat Sakhon. Taken together they form what is considered the metropolitan Bangkok planning area as described in this chart: https://citypopulation.de/en/thailand/bangkokmetropolitan/ As with population figures anywhere, they are fluid. As you look at all the smaller jurisdictions in the listing above (and even these figures are estimates dating back to 2019) you get a feel for the complexity of what metropolitan Bangkok looks like. In any case, the deputy governor in the Bangkok Post article was speaking for his province (Bangkok). Now if Samut Prakan was included in the inoculation zone because travelers arriving by air would have to pass through it to get into Bangkok, you'd come up with a total population in the vicinity of roughly 7.6 million, about the number that z909 cites in his post above.

From Bangkok Post Seventy percent of the population in Bangkok -- 5.43 million people -- have so far received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Deputy Bangkok governor Sophon Phisutthiwong said on Tuesday that Bangkok was ready to reopen in line with the government’s policy to admit fully vaccinated foreign tourists next month. Pol Lt Gen Sophon spoke during a meeting with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation via a teleconference. He said 5.43 million people, or 70.63% in the capital have also received a second shot to date. It was expected that 80% of the population would receive the second dose by Oct 30. BMA health and district officials had inspected 247 businesses at shopping malls between Oct 14 and Oct 15 and found that 244 of them strictly followed Covid guidelines. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2200559/70-of-population-in-bangkok-now-fully-vaccinated

From Thai Enquirer Thailand’s central bank and bankers’ association on Tuesday vowed to repay money lost to a recent e-commerce fraud within five days, and to tighten the security system to detect unusual transactions. Last weekend, local media reported fraudulent debit and credit card transfers in various commercial banks that drained money from bank client’s accounts in successive transactions. The central bank said those transactions were not associated with leaks in bank databases but third-party overseas e-commerce platforms. (Read more here) Since October 1, the central bank revealed that around 10,700 debit and credit cardholders had seen money transferred, amounting around 130 million baht of losses. The banks will reimburse the money to affected debit cardholders within five days in accordance with a request from the central bank, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the bankers’ association, said. For credit cardholders, the banks will cancel all fraudulent payments and freeze the card immediately. Commercial banks have mechanisms in place to detect suspicious transactions, said central bank’s assistant-governor Siritida Panomwon Na Ayudhya. “Recently, there have been a lot of strange transactions, prompting banks to not alert their customers in time, with some cardholders finding the fraud themselves,” Siritida said. https://www.thaienquirer.com/34135/commercial-banks-given-five-days-to-repay-fraund/

From Thai Enquirer Transgender celeb on the run from religious authorities gives thanks to Thailand after being resettled A Malaysian transgender entrepreneur who received asylum status in Australia after fleeing religious authorities in her native country posted a special thank you to Thailand for hosting her while her asylum request was processed. “Kap kun kap Thailand ka,” Muhammad Sajjad Kamaruz Zaman, better known as Nur Sajat, wrote on her Twitter page on Tuesday. Attached to her post was a message by a Thai news reporter who said that she has reached Australia. She also wrote “Good Morning universe!!! Now Im freedom yaaaahoooo” on October 18. https://www.thaienquirer.com/34096/transgender-celeb-on-the-run-from-religious-authorities-gives-thanks-to-thailand-after-being-resettled/

From The Star First of its kind: The Lane Xang train passing the China-Laos borderline inside a tunnel. — Xinhua VIENTIANE: The dream of the Lao people to transform the land-locked country into a land-linked hub in the region is coming true as the streamlined “China-standard” bullet train for the China-Laos railway arrived in Lao capital Vientiane. The electric multiple unit (EMU) train was officially delivered to the Laos-China Railway Co, Ltd, a joint venture in charge of the railway’s construction and operation, at a handover ceremony in the newly-built China-Laos Railway Vientiane Station with the attendance of Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong and Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Viengsavath Siphandone on Saturday. Jiang said Laos has received the first modern train in its history which is a decisive progress in the construction of the China-Laos railway. He said it is also a landmark achievement of the strategic docking between the Belt and Road Initiative and Laos strategy to convert itself to a land-linked hub. The construction of the railway started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be completed and operational in December. According to the China State Railway Group, the new train, with the maximum operating speed of 160kph, consists of nine carriages, including a locomotive, a dining coach, a first-class and six second-class coaches, and has altogether 720 seats. It will be put into a trial run soon. The train is called Lane Xang (million elephants) as Laos was once called the Lane Xang Kingdom. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/10/18/china-laos-bullet-train-arrives-in-vientiane

From Bangkok Post Thailand will stop using the Covid-19 vaccine of China's Sinovac when its current stock finishes, a senior Public Health Ministry official said on Monday, having used the shot extensively in combination with Western-developed vaccines. Thailand used over 31.5 million Sinovac doses since February, starting with two doses to frontline workers, high-risk groups and residents of Phuket, the holiday island that reopened to tourists in July in a pilot scheme. In July, Thailand started inoculating people with Sinovac as a first dose followed by the Oxford University-developed AstraZeneca. Thailand was the first country to combine a Chinese and Western shots, a strategy its health officials said has proved effective. "We expect to have distributed all Sinovac doses this week," said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the Department of Disease Control director-general, adding the programme will switch to combining the AstraZeneca vaccine with that made by Pfizer and BioNTech. Thailand next year plans to buy 120 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in total and has already booked 60 million doses of AstraZeneca, a vaccine it manufactures locally. Thailand has said it will only procure vaccines effective against new variants. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2199827/thailand-to-cease-sinovac-vaccine-use-when-stocks-end-this-month

Many it seems are asking the same thing. But the powers that be may yet avoid snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

From The Star BANGKOK, Oct 17 (Bernama): Discussions will be held to add Malaysia in the list of low-risk countries where fully vaccinated visitors will skip the 14-day mandatory quarantine when entering Thailand. Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel said Thailand wanted to end quarantine for fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries travelling by air starting Nov 1, as the Covid-19 situation in Thailand continued to improve. However, Malaysia is not included in the list. "Malaysia’s infection has dropped due to higher vaccination rate. To date, more than 90 per cent of the adult population in Malaysia have completed their COVID-19 vaccination. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/10/17/discussions-will-be-held-to-add-malaysia-in-thailand039s-list-of-low-risk-countries

From Bangkok Post Bangkok is set to reopen to fully vaccinated international visitors next month with "swab hubs" being set up to test tourists upon their arrival in the capital. Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said that the government has laid down a policy to reopen the country on Nov 1 and precautions include testing and quarantine measures. As for the shortening of nighttime curfew hours starting on Saturday, City Hall will wait for an official announcement of the easing of virus curbs to be published in the Royal Gazette, Pol Gen Aswin said, adding that details regarding countdown events will then be discussed. Pol Capt Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, City Hall spokesman, said that City Hall has put in place measures to welcome back foreign visitors that are in line with the government's reopening plan. Bangkok needs to try and prevent transmissions among residents and foreign visitors so City Hall will set up Covid-19 screening points in the capital, similar to Phuket, he said. In Phuket, screening points are set up at hotels where tourists check-in. But City Hall plans to set up swab hubs across the capital to carry out swab tests on foreign visitors. They will then be quarantined at hotels and wait for the result of RT-PCR tests, the spokesman said. Measures will also be in place to contain transmissions, particularly at night entertainment venues which may be allowed to resume operations on Dec 1. Measures include carrying out rapid antigen tests and administering vaccines in Bangkok's popular tourist spots, Pol Capt Pongsakorn said. Asked about the Tourism and Sports Ministry's plan to invite Andrea Bocelli, the world-renowned Italian opera tenor, to perform at a countdown event in Bangkok, Pol Capt Pongsakorn said that City Hall cannot make a decision on the matter as approval must be sought from the Public Health Ministry and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). She also said the CCSA on Friday discussed a proposal by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for foreign visitors who have received two vaccine shots with the result of RT-PCR test before arrival to use the Thailand Plus tracing app instead of the certificate of entry, Dr Apisamai said. She added that this will reduce their time of seeking permission to enter Thailand from 3-6 to 1-3 days. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2198587/swab-hubs-for-arriving-tourists ==================================== Clear entry edicts demanded now Tourism operators urged the Thai government to issue clear and definitive entry regulations for foreigners as soon as possible or the country stands to lose out on lucrative markets in the high season. The Russian government indicated it plans to lift the ban on international commercial flights with Thailand from Nov 9. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, said tour operators such as Pegas Touristik cannot sell packages to Russians nor operate charter flights here without clear regulations. He said if the government plans to replace the certificate of entry (CoE) system with the Thailand Pass, tour operators need to know more details about the new system to prepare their operations in advance. "If complete travel requirements are not announced soon, the country might lose the chance to welcome the Russian market this high season, as they will choose destinations with more convenient entry," Mr Thanet said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2198779/clear-entry-edicts-demanded-now

Until I had an opportunity today to view the National Geographic documentary about the rescue of the Thai Wild Boars football team, I thought I had a pretty comprehensive idea of what happened three years ago. After all, I’ve read whatever I could find on the incident and saw an earlier film about it when it debuted in Bangkok. I was wrong. “The Rescue” approaches the event from the viewpoint of the rescuers themselves. With never seen before footage- much of it from the cameras of the UK lead cave divers, the chaos, the disillusionment and near failure are described in chilling detail. But so are the final three days that saw all 13 saved. They were unlikely heroes. Mostly middle-aged, grey and balding, who shared the eccentric hobby of cave diving. It’s a small circle and those who have been at it for any length of time eventually get to know the others regardless of where they come from. Without those connections, the mission would not have succeeded. The first handful to arrive about three days into the event. After persuading the Thai Seals that they really could take care of themselves, they were allowed to venture inside. As they made their way toward a chamber known as Pattaya beach where authorities believed the team may have found refuge, they came upon a chamber where they discovered four stranded Thai pump workers who had become marooned there when rapidly rising water levels blocked their escape. In an account I don’t recall hearing before, the divers used a spare mouthpiece that allowed them to share their air. They managed to get all four safely out despite panic attacks when they had to briefly had to submerge them through very tight quarters. That panic experience with the four men would eventually become the key factor that ended up making the removal of the 13 possible. What is well known by all is that moment when the UK divers advanced further into the cave than anyone had done so far. They reached Pattaya beach but found it empty. They ventured on and at one point surfaced and removed their masks to sniff the air. Experienced divers know that odors in confined spaces can be a telltale clue as what to expect. What they smelled told them that they were close to their goal. Shortly after they emerged at the next chamber and were greeted by a sight that they had come to doubt was possible. When they spoke in English, a youth from Myanmar responded in kind. When they got word back to the command center, all the world knew about it within the hour. But the battle to get them out was just beginning. At first, the Thai Navy seals took the lead and managed to get medics to the chamber where the team was trapped. But because they lacked the rare skills and specialized equipment to operative effectively in that environment for extended periods, the rag tag volunteers increasingly became the go-to guys in tight situations. At one point, a monk from Myanmar, much revered in the local community, was brought to the scene to pray for the boys and their rescuers. He blessed bracelets that Thais wear on their wrists for many reasons and asked that they be brought to the boys. When the divers distributed them to the boys, they immediately put them on and were visibly comforted. Since they shared the same tongue, they collaborated easily with the US military personnel who helped them strategize and, along with the Thai seals, set up staging areas for supplies and air bottles in chambers between the boys and the entrance. The operation nearly came undone by disagreement about how to get the boys out. The Thais were initially favoring the idea of waiting until the monsoon season ended, while keeping the boys supplied with food and medicine. But the reality was that the cave would flood completely and all would drown before then. In the meantime, one of the UK divers, who had been keeping in touch with another diver in Australia. A surgeon by profession, the Aussie was asked if it would be possible to sedate the boys because of he was sure that they would panic during the long ordeal of underwater removal. At first the doctor came up with a dozen ways the sedation could backfire (i.e., aspirating into their masks). But his friend told him that he could visualize no other way they boys could be removed. The surgeon agreed to come to see for himself and arrived within a few days. After visiting the chamber and examining the boys, he reluctantly agreed it was the best alternative. Then it became the task to convince Thai authorities. It was highly risky he told them. Such a thing had never before been attempted, but the plan was their last best hope. The go ahead was given and the rest is history. If you get an opportunity to see “The Rescue,” you won’t be disappointed. It’s as inspirational a film as I’ve ever seen.