Thailand to Open Nov 1

[S Landreth]

Thailand’s air traffic increases 25% during the first ten days of November

Air traffic in and over Thailand, during the ten days following the reopening of the country to foreign arrivals on November 1st, was 25% percent higher than in October, averaging 990 flights a day, including overflights, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Company (Aerothai).

2,243 international, 6,651 domestic and 1,025 overflights through Thai air space were recorded.

Aerothai executive vice president Tinnagorn Choowong said that the figures represent a good sign that traffic will further increase for the rest of the year.

He said that he is optimistic that, during the two festive months of December and January, air traffic will reach about 30,000-32,000 flights per month, or 1,000-1,100 flights a day,if the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailan...s-of-november/

Don’t think Thailand will see the fat angry lying unemployed loser smeg/Arthur Daley/nitcha, the TC lonely lying angry rejected fat pink panty wearing irresponsible fruit pickin' I support a loser day drunk closet homosexual Ms. Tinkles or Beta Blue on any flights

[S Landreth]

BMA eases curbs on booze sales

More restaurants and eateries will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages on Tuesday, after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) agreed to lift restrictions at venues certified by the Department of Health.

As of Tuesday, venues with "Thai Stop Covid Plus" certification will be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages in the same manner as businesses that have SHA (Safety and Health Administration) certification from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the BMA announced on Sunday.

While this means while more venues will be allowed to serve alcohol, the sale of such beverages will still be restricted after 9pm.

In the same announcement, the BMA said game shops and internet cafes will be allowed to reopen as long as they strictly enforce Covid-19 control measures, as most children in the capital have been fully vaccinated against the disease.

The relaxed restrictions will apply until Nov 30, when authorities will meet again to discuss the impact of the easing on infection numbers.

According to the director-general of the Department of Health, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, the move was intended to help more businesses reopen.

However, he said, the majority of these venues are actually capable of managing Covid-19 risks, as shown by their Thai Stop Covid Plus certification.

As such, Dr Suwanchai said, they should be allowed to serve alcohol again.

The Thai Stop Covid Plus certification was developed by the Department of Health to help businesses assess if their health and safety measures are up to standard amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businesses, Dr Suwanchai said, must have a good ventilation system and regularly conduct testing using antigen test kits, the frequency of which should be determined by the risk of exposure to infection sources.

Restaurants and eateries must immediately clean tables and chairs after use, frequently disinfect physical contact points and restrooms, and provide separate cutlery for each customer. In addition, Covid-19 tests must be carried out periodically to ensure the safety of service providers and consumers.

"The [Thai Stop Covid Plus] focus is on the providers and recipients of services and the practices of the businesses," said Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

As of Nov 10, 6,579 businesses in Bangkok had obtained SHA certification, while 700 had received SHA Plus certification.

An SHA-certified venue has public health measures in place to prevent contagion, while SHA Plus certification means at least 70% of the staff are vaccinated.

The Thai Restaurant Association welcomed the latest announcement and urged business operators to strictly adhere to disease control measures to keep the virus at bay.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said more than 30,000 restaurants and eateries are certified as Thai Stop Covid Plus venues, as they have been preparing for the reopening since May this year.

She said that personally she does not see a huge difference between Thai Stop Covid Plus and SHA/SHA Plus systems and urged the government to raise public awareness about the labels and what they mean.

She also called on the government to allow operators to serve alcohol until 11pm, after recent infection figures showed the easing of restrictions did not cause an uptick in new cases.

Currently, restaurants and eateries in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket with SHA certificates are allowed to serve alcohol until 9pm.

Khao San Business Association president Sanga Ruangwattanakul said the most businesses have put in place Covid-19 control measures that are on par with Thai Stop Covid Plus, even before they were mandated by the government.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...on-booze-sales

[S Landreth]

Cabinet approves reopening of pubs, bars on January 16

The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday has approved the reopening date for entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke joints across Thailand on January 16, said deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek on Tuesday.

“The government had announced earlier that it would consider the reopening date for entertainment venues based on the Covid-19 situation, with the timeframe set between December 1 to January next year,” she said. “However, after discussing with Ministry of Public Health and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the Cabinet agreed that the suitable reopening date should be January 16, which will yield the highest benefit to the country.”

“December 1 is not the promised date for reopening. It is just the start of the timeframe. Therefore, the approved reopening date on January 16 is not a postponement,” she pointed out.

On October 11 Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said during a national television broadcast that within December 1 the government would consider allowing the serving of alcoholic drinks in restaurants as well as allowing entertainment venues to open under appropriate disease control measures. The PM said the move will help stimulate tourism during the new year festival.

“I realized that this decision is risky, as it is almost certain that the number of new infections will increase after disease control measures are relaxed,” said Prayut. “This is why we will monitor the situation closely. We cannot lose this golden opportunity to promote the economy for two years in a row.”: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008916

[S Landreth]

New 2022 tourism campaign gets nod

The cabinet has approved a new campaign called "Visit Thailand Year 2022" to promote tourism, while the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has established a committee to oversee pandemic-related obstacles for the industry.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the cabinet on Tuesday approved the ministry's proposed campaign in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's target of reviving the local tourism industry.

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand will oversee the campaign to draw foreign visitors to travel in Thailand using a budget drawn from both the government and private sector. The campaign will focus on Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Ayutthaya," Mr Phiphat said.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the goal of the campaign is to hit a hotel occupancy rate of 50% in targeted provinces.

"Promotional packages will be implemented based on the collaboration of hotels and airlines. The TAT has also ordered overseas offices and domestic offices to revise their working plan for 2022 in a bid to meet the target of the campaign," Mr Yuthasak said.

"We will focus on the Middle East and Indian markets in the coming year."

He said the CCSA also approved on Nov 12 the establishment of a new Centre for Tourism and Sports Situation Administration, chaired by Mr Chote Trachu, permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, in a bid to ease the difficulties encountered when traveling during the pandemic.

Mr Yuthasak said the centre will help facilitate visitors with Covid-19 prevention procedures in order to travel to each province.

He said visitors to blue zone provinces must present a vaccine passport before entering, despite having already had to present it at Suvarnabhumi airport.

Mr Yuthasak added that with all the measures in place, the tourism sector is expected to rebound and meet a target of recovering to 50% of its 2019 level in terms of revenue by next year.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...paign-gets-nod

[S Landreth]

soon......

Still no evidence from the TC posters who don’t live here (even part-time) and what their plans are to visit Thailand

But I will be posting why the fat angry lying loser smeg/Arthur Daley/nitcha will not be showing up any time soon.

[S Landreth]

I forgot

will do it soon

[S Landreth]

maybe this weekend

Still no evidence from the TC posters who don’t live here (even part-time) and what their plans are to visit Thailand

But I will be posting why the fat angry lying loser smeg/Arthur Daley/nitcha will not be showing up any time soon.

[S Landreth]

Tourists under Test & Go scheme must have paid, one-night stay at SHA++ hotel

In its latest update on Friday, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that tourists arriving under the Test & Go scheme must have a fully-paid one-night stay at an SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotel.

SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotels are those that meet the Amazing Thailand SHA Plus standards and have partnered up with certified hospitals for the RT-PCR test. The list of hotels is available at https://web.thailandsha.com/shaextraplus.

TAT also said it takes up to seven working days for a Thailand Pass to be issued. As for test results, TAT said the normal waiting period should be 24 hours, though it may vary depending on the laboratory’s working hours.: https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-...ation/40009056

[S Landreth]

Some hotels deceiving travellers with Thailand Pass packages

Some hotels are deceiving visitors from overseas, taking room reservations but omitting transport from the airport and Covid-testing, which means they must buy a new package on arrival or be rejected.

Apisamai Srirangson, a spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Monday that some hotels misled visitors and booked them only for the room.

The charge did not include a limousine service from the airport to the hotel or the RT-PCR Covid-19 test on arrival, even though both were required as conditions of entry on a Thailand Pass.

However, the hotels gave misleading details, which were used by the applicant for QR approval for a Thailand Pass via the foreign ministry's web portal.

On arrival they then had to buy a new package or be denied entry.

Some hotels did not give refunds to visitors who then cancelled their room reservation and bought a package elsewhere, Dr Apisamai said.

Thailand Pass replaced the certificate of entry (CoE) on Nov 1 when the kingdom reopened to visitors. It requires visitors to have been fully vaccinated, have a clean RT-PCR test within 72 hours before boarding their flight and have US$50,000 health insurance.

Visitors from 61 countries and two territories in the "Test and Go" programme must have a limousine service from the airport directly to their hotel without a stopover, and at their hotel must be tested for Covid-19 right away by staff from specified hospitals, Dr Apisamai said.

"Some visitors booked hotel rooms via websites and did not buy limousine service, RT-PCR Covid-19 testing and antigen test kits," she said.

Officials had informed hotel booking websites in advance of the conditions, and told them that air travellers who did not buy a limousine service and Covid-19 testing would be denied entry of a Thailand Pass, she said.

"Some hotels had the packages that included limousine and Covid-19 testing, but also allowed visitors to reserve only rooms and seek RT-PCR testing themselves. This shows that such hotels intentionally deceived visitors.

"Visitors who were unaware of the requirement and bought incomplete packages, and later had to cancel their reservation and in some cases did not receive a refund," Dr Apisamai said.

Travellers apply for Thailand Pass by the ministry's web portal, providing documentation, and receive a QR Entry Code or Thailand Pass ID by email, which is then used upon entering Thailand. : https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-pass-packages

[S Landreth]

Tourists refusing to mind their Covid-19 manners will be fined, warns CCSA

Since Thailand opened 17 “blue zone” provinces to vaccinated foreign tourists on November 1, it has been reported that some visitors have blatantly ignored mandatory disease control measures, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Tuesday.

“Hotel and business operators have notified the CCSA that some of their customers refused to wear facemasks, while others insisted on dining together in large groups, which increases the risk of the virus spreading,” CCSA deputy spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said.

“Officials have visited these establishments and issued warnings to customers violating regulations set by the Public Health Ministry. Repeat offenders can face a fine up to 20,000 baht as per the Communicable Disease Control Act.”

Meanwhile, she said, some tourists have also complained about hotels not being totally transparent about their pricing schemes. “These hotels apparently only display their room fees, and when travellers arrive they learn they have to pay for the transfer from the airport and Covid-19 tests,” she said. “By then it’s too late for a refund.

“Thailand has been open for 22 days, and hotel owners should know by now that they are required to include all mandatory expenses in the room package,” Apisamai said. “Advertising just the room price can be seen as a deceitful business practice, so any hotels still doing this should stop immediately.”

Apisamai also urged hotels, restaurants, spas, tuition schools, music academies, public transport operators and tour guide businesses to apply for the Safety & Health Administration (SHA) standard to prove that they have strictly followed all disease control measures and are safe from Covid-19. The SHA standard is accredited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in association with the Public Health Ministry.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009150

[S Landreth]

3rd TC poster review

Still no evidence from some TC posters who don’t live here (even part-time) and what their plans might be to visit Thailand.

Towards the end of November now and Thailand has been open to foreign visitors. However, there is another TC poster who is a fat angry lying unemployed loser which has no meaningful achievements or talents and has been a burden to society and likes to exaggerates, a lot.

One of the many exaggerations are the trips it says it takes outside of the dark dank country it lives in.

That poster is Smeg/Arthur Daley/Nitcha/tim

A review of why it doesn’t travel

worthwhile holidays Smeg/Arthur Daley/Nitcha/tim never goes on and the reason why.

03-08-2020 Heading here tomorrow.

………….

09-01-2021 Back on topic, as Malaysia has screwed my plans to return there on the MM2H, which is currently the best country in Asia to spend the next year or two of retirement in, once travel restrictions end?

…………..

09-03-2021 Still waiting though

……………..

I'm interested in Asia's value for money sweetspots.

……………..

and is about 25% cheaper for many things.

……………..

liveable city, it's cheaper.

A little about the MM2H visa

Under the new regulations, those intending to apply for the programme must prove liquid assets worth between RM500,000 and RM1.5mil depending on their age.

They must also have a monthly offshore income of at least RM40,000 (about 9,600.00 US dollars) compared to RM10,000 previously. Additionally, they must stay a minimum of 90 days in the country per year.

Smeg/Arthur Daley/Nitcha never goes on any worthwhile holidays or will spend “the next year or two of retirement in” because it has never held a long-term job and it’s cheap (“money sweetspots., 25% cheaper, it's cheaper”).

Nitcha right for contributing 712 posts of travel pics etc

etc

Can anyone show me a handful of threads started by Smeg/Arthur Daley/Nitcha/tim on a worthwhile holiday (with pictures not taken from the net) on any of the three forums we know the unemployable loser will post/posted on?

[S Landreth]

November 25, 2021 - Everything you need to know about traveling to Thailand

Thailand, one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world, has been slow to reopen to visitors.

Now, after various reopening experiments, the Southeast Asian nation is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from 63 approved countries, including the United States, to visit quarantine-free under a program called Test and Go. Children under 12 traveling with parents don't need to be vaccinated to enter.

The 15 months without international tourism gave Thai people the opportunity to have the country to themselves, said Bangkok local Tasara Taksinapan, who works in the travel industry.

"I went to temples around Thailand I wouldn't normally go to because they were touristy and crowded," Taksinapan said.

As tourism has not fully returned, "it would be the perfect time to visit Thailand right now while everything's still fresh and not too busy," he added.

Here's what travelers need to know to plan a trip to Thailand.

- What you need to enter Thailand

Through the Test and Go program, there are a few steps vaccinated travelers need to take before heading to Thailand. They need to purchase an insurance policy that covers at least $50,000 in coronavirus treatment, and they must book a one-night package at a government-approved hotel that includes private transportation and a PCR test on arrival.

"Just as an example, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is one of those hotels, so our clients can stay in the most luxurious and comfortable hotels while getting over jet lag and waiting for the result," Desiree Overhage, an adviser for BookHuman.Travel, said in an email.

A warning: Double-check that the room purchase includes transportation and testing. Some hotels and websites have deceived Test and Go travelers, resulting in visitors being forced to buy a new package or get sent home.

Travelers will have to upload their documents, including their vaccination proof and accommodations, to the Thailand Pass system, which provides a QR code.

Marion Walsh Hedouin, a spokesperson for Minor Hotels, which operates the Anantara and Avani hotels in Thailand, said the Thailand Pass can be a challenge for travelers who apply at the last minute. Because of the current spike in demand, it may take seven days to get the code.

Before boarding, passengers must present to the airline proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of departure. Upon arrival, they will present the Thailand Pass QR code and then be taken via the pre-arranged transportation to the property for their on-site PCR test.

Visitors must then wait for a negative result at the hotel, and once that clears, they are free to go. They will receive an antigen test kit to use on day six or seven of the trip and will log the result into the MorChana tracing app.

Foreigners who aren't fully vaccinated are not eligible for Test and Go. Instead, they must follow rules for the Alternative Quarantine program and stay in a pre-booked, government-approved hotel for a 10-day quarantine after arrival, among other restrictions.

As with everything in the pandemic, restrictions evolve. "By the time someone travels, whether that's December or February, we anticipate that things may change as well - hopefully for the better," said Jeffrey Krevitt, a spokesman for Inside Travel Group, which operates InsideAsia Tours.

- What to know about restrictions

Once in Thailand, travelers won't be asked to show their vaccination status at tourism sites and businesses, but there are some changes compared to visiting before the pandemic.

"There are not many restrictions," Taksinapan said. "It's about 80 percent back to normal."

Everyone in Thailand is required to wear a mask indoors and outdoors in public settings. Tourists are already drawing attention for breaking the rule, which comes with a fine of about $600.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), entertainment venues such as bars and karaoke spots remain closed. But most businesses and activities in the country's "Blue Zone" destinations, such as Bangkok and Phuket, have reopened with normal hours; restaurants, markets, theaters, scuba diving, massage facilities and spas are among the places and activities that are operating.

"You can go out and about the city, catch a taxi, go to a museum and restaurant, travel to Chiang Mai," Hedouin said. "The only thing which might be different than perhaps other countries right now is when you're outdoors you must wear a mask."

As for the country's famed street food, "it's definitely here," Taksinapan said. "There's maybe even more than before."

- Where to get a coronavirus test before returning home

At this time, anyone aged 2 and older must take a coronavirus test to fly into the United States, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated Americans have a three-day window to get their test before their flight, and unvaccinated travelers must get their test within one day of their flight. Those who have recovered from a case of covid-19 in the past 90 days can provide a note from a licensed health-care provider.

Taksinapan said travelers shouldn't have trouble finding a coronavirus test in Thailand. Rapid and PCR tests that fulfill U.S. testing requirements can be arranged at local hospitals, and they range in price from 1,500 Thai baht (about $45) to upwards of 4,000 baht ($120). Some hotels in the country offer special packages that include coronavirus testing.

Alternatively, travelers can pack an approved self-test, like this BinaxNOW kit, ahead of time.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-...ation/40009260

[S Landreth]

Travel agents urge state to delay new fee

A new fee to be imposed on international tourists should be postponed until the travel industry fully recovers, as the country faces headwinds during this high season, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).

Atta president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said that since Thailand's reopening on Nov 1, there had been 3,000-4,000 international tourists per day on average. However, the tourism market's confidence is not strong as many countries in Europe, the main target for this high season, are facing a resurgence of Covid-19 infections.

Meanwhile, the compulsory RT-PCR test upon arrival, which is still priced differently to origin countries such as India, which prices the test at only 250-400 baht, might deter tourists as many countries are ramping up their own tourism recovery plans by loosening entry restrictions for inbound travellers.

Atta secretary-general Adith Chairattananon said the fee for the tourism transformation fund, which the Tourism and Sports Ministry would like to start collecting next year, should be implemented when international markets are more stable.

Tourism operators also want the government to clarify the objectives and mechanisms of the fund management, such as who will benefit from the fund and what types of tourism project developments are the main targets for the financial aid.

Mr Adith also suggested the government establish a budget early on, and ensure the transparency of the project by including the private sector on the fund committee.

He said that after one month of reopening, most of Thailand's tour operators haven't benefited from the scheme as the entry rules only require hotel operators to handle airport transfers and provide Covid-19 tests and accommodation.

However, the Tourism Ministry has already asked the Foreign Ministry to include tour operators in the Thailand Pass system to provide travellers with more choices, as the operators can help facilitate tourists during their entry process from the airport to hotels.

Mr Adith said tour operators also have strong customer bases and overseas networks, which could support tourists who face inconvenience during their applications or entry processes.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will today consider further relaxation of the second phase of reopening from Dec 1, which may replace RT-PCR tests with antigen test kits for arrivals.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...-delay-new-fee

[S Landreth]

Travellers can enter Thailand by sea and land from December 24^th

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) decided today (Friday) to allow travellers to enter Thailand by sea and land, in addition to current access by air. The north-eastern province of Nong Khai, bordering the Lao PDR, will be the first overland entry point to reopen on December 24th, according to CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.

To enter Thailand via a seaport, travellers are required to be fully inoculated, have passed an RT-PCR test within the 72 hours prior to departure or since their last port of call, to have no infections among passengers and crew on the same vessel and have “Thailand Pass” registration before arrival.

Travellers under the “Test and Go” program will be exempted from quarantine and from providing proof of hotel bookings. “Sandbox” program travellers will have to stay at a hotel in the “sandbox” area for five days and have proof of SHA+ booking payments.

Dr. Taweesin said children under 6, who are accompanied by their parents, will not be subject to RT-PCR tests, but their parents must have negative results from RT-PCR tests taken within the 72 hours prior to travel and will be required to take rapid antigen tests upon arrival.

For Thais who want to travel abroad and need a vaccine passport, he said the CCSA has approved the use of the “Mor Prom” application to apply for the document online.

According to the CCSA, 104,065 foreign and Thai travellers entered Thailand between November 1st and 25th under the “Test and Go”, “sandbox” and quarantine programs. Of these, 135 or 0.13% were found to be infected with COVID-19.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/travell...december-24th/

[S Landreth]

Airlines notified of Thailand’s restrictions on travellers from 8 African countries

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has notified all airlines about the Thai government’s travel restrictions, including the entry ban on travellers from eight African countries now facing, or at risk of facing, the spread of the new coronavirus variant, known as Omicron.

The countries are Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Omicron infections have also been detected in Hong Kong, Israel, Belgium and, most recently, in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

According to the CAAT’s restrictions, travellers from the eight African nations, who have already been already granted entry permits, will be allowed to enter the country if they arrive before November 30th, but will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, regardless of whether the permits were granted under “Test and Go” or “sandbox” programs.

From December 1st, arrivals from these countries will be prohibited from entering Thailand, even if they were issued with permits under “Thailand Pass” system. All entry permits already issued will become invalid and no more entry permits will be granted to citizens from the eight countries until further notice.

Travellers from other African countries, who have already received entry permits, can enter Thailand until December 14th. After this date they will be required to enter state quarantine for 14 days.

The CAAT also asked all airlines flying to Thailand to intensify the screening of their passengers, especially those travelling from the eight African countries, and to inform them of the travel restrictions in Thailand.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/airline...can-countries/