Chiang Mai shuts 23 restaurants after 152 customers test positive

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Chiang Mai’s governor on Friday ordered 23 restaurants in Muang district to shut down for between 3 and 14 days after customers sparked Covid-19 cluster outbreaks. All the establishments served alcohol.

Chiang Mai shuts 23 restaurants after 152 customers test positive

Health officials urged visitors to any of the restaurants to get tested immediately and isolate at home for 7 days even if the result is negative.

All staff including musicians will be ATK tested every three days during the closure. Restaurant owners failing to comply face a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or one year in prison.

Chiang Mai recorded 298 new infections on Friday, 152 of whom were customers of local restaurants. Local hospitals are treating 1,315 Covid-19 cases, while 672 are in community isolation and 503 people are isolating at home.

Restaurants shut until January 20:

– Living Machine, Suthep sub-district

– Zoe In Yellow, Sriphum

– Hom Bar, Patan

– Thachang Café, Changpheuk

Restaurants shut until January 13:

– Chalui Café, Changpheuk sub-district

– Siew Santitham Plaza, Changpheuk

– SOPA Café, Suthep

– THAY, Suthep

Restaurants shut until January 9:

– Too Nice Nimman, Suthep sub-district

– The PARK Society Bar & Hostel, Changkhlan

– Perng Café, Suthep

– Lao Tong, Fah Ham

– The Riverside Bar & Restaurant, Changmoi

– Seoulhigh, Sriphum

– Blacklist Cafe & Restaurant, Suthep

– 86’s Room, Changmoi

– SPV Café, Changmoi

– Café Wander, Changmoi

– Phojai Bar, Suthep

– Pi Lao in the Garden, Phra Singh

– The Good View Bar and Restaurant, Changmoi

– Lism Café, Changpheuk

– Good Bar Icon Park, Changpheuk

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Latest donation of Covid-19 jabs from China lands on Thai soil

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The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok announced on its Facebook page on Saturday that the latest donation of 500,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses had landed in Thailand.

Latest donation of Covid-19 jabs from China lands on Thai soil

China has so far donated 50.85 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand to help with its bid to build herd immunity.

The embassy said these donations were part of moves to strengthen Thailand and China’s strategic ties.

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Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

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The Department of Rail Transport (DRT), in conjunction with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), is getting ready to turn Nong Khai province into a logistics hub for the China-Laos high-speed railway.

Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

DRT’s deputy director Pichet Kunathammarak said the province is geographically well placed to serve as a shipping hub and container storage area for Thailand, Laos and China.

SRT is also eyeing the Na Tha station in Muang district to serve the purpose and is seeking funds to study and analyse options for a public-private partnership.

DRT, meanwhile, is looking to adjust regulations and solve problems related to logistics, overall cost and the efficient use of train and road transportation.

The department is also looking into using the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge for goods that need to be transported in a hurry.

DRT has also earmarked 80 rai of land to use as customs clearance and transfer area.

Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

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The China-Laos railway went into operation on December 3, and should serve as an important connector between Thailand, China and Laos.

However, the route is not running to its full capacity yet due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As of December 2020, 116,552 tonnes of goods worth approximately 4.64 billion baht crossed the Nong Khai border. However, after the China-Laos railway opened, the number of goods transported nearly doubled to 304,119 tonnes worth 6.91 billion baht in December alone.

Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

Omicron may spell pandemic’s end, predicts doctor

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The Omicron variant may be an indication that the Covid-19 pandemic will come to an end within this year, a respiratory expert with Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital predicted on Friday.

Omicron may spell pandemic’s end, predicts doctor

In a Facebook post, Dr Manoon Leechawengongs pointed out that the Omicron variant has mutated significantly from the original coronavirus and its impact is far milder.

“Omicron is proof of a virus’ nature, in that it adapts itself by producing milder symptoms so it does not kill the host and can live inside them for as long as it can,” he said. “Sooner or later, most people will be infected with the Omicron variant regardless of their ethnicity, sex or age.

“Dr Wasan [Chantrathit, chief of Ramathibodi Hospital’s Centre for Medical Genomics] and I agree that as more people get vaccinated against Covid-19, we will achieve herd immunity against the virus, causing the pandemic to come to an end this year,” Manoon said.

“Thanks to Omicron, Covid-19 will eventually become an endemic infection, with young children getting it every year.”

An endemic infection is one that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in people of a certain class or living in a particular location.

“Since Omicron produces milder symptoms than the Delta variant, vaccinated people who get it will mostly suffer from symptoms that are no different than a common cold,” he added. “However, I strongly advise those in risky groups, such as seniors, pregnant women and people with underlying health problems to get vaccinated as soon as they can. If you have already had two shots, get a booster before most people in the country are infected by the Omicron variant in the next month or two.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO), however, on Thursday warned against categorising the Omicron variant as mild, saying it was killing people across the planet.

“While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorised as mild,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as saying by AFP.

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CCSA keeps ‘blue-zone’ tourism areas untouched

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The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Friday that eight destinations will continue being part of the “blue zone” or tourism-pilot area.

CCSA keeps ‘blue-zone’ tourism areas untouched

All businesses and activities in blue zone areas can be run along the “new normal”. These include all shopping malls, convenience stores, markets, cinemas, etc. Restaurants and eateries can also open as per normal and also serve booze until 9pm, while meetings, fairs and events can be held with no limitations.

The eight provinces are:

  • Bangkok
  • Kanchanaburi
  • Krabi
  • Chonburi
  • Nonthaburi
  • Pathum Thani
  • Phang Nga
  • Phuket

These eight provinces along with blue zone districts in 18 provinces that fall under the “controlled” orange zone will be regulated along the lines of green-zone provinces.

The 18 provinces are:

  • Khon Kaen
  • Chanthaburi
  • Chiang Rai
  • Chiang Mai
  • Trat
  • Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Buri Ram
  • Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Ayutthaya
  • Phetchaburi
  • Ranong
  • Rayong
  • Loei
  • Samut Prakan
  • Surat Thani
  • Surin
  • Nong Khai
  • Udon Thani
CCSA keeps ‘blue-zone’ tourism areas untouched

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The CCSA has indefinitely postponed the opening of an additional six provinces under the blue zone, namely Trat (Khlong Yai), Sa Kaew (Muang and Aranyaprathet), Mukdahan (Muang district), Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Ratchathani (Muang and Sirindhorn).

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

The latest on travelling to Thailand

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The Royal Thai Consulate General in New York posted the latest on travelling to Thailand on Saturday.

The latest on travelling to Thailand

As of January 7, the following regulations apply:

• Those who obtained the Thailand Pass for the Test & Go scheme by registering before December 22 will be qualified for a one-day quarantine provided their Covid-19 test is negative upon arrival. There is no restriction on the date of arrival.

• Those who have obtained the Thailand Pass by registering after December 22 will be required to stay in an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel or within a sandbox area for seven days if they are fully vaccinated. The period is extended to 10 days for the unvaccinated or those who have received their vaccines less than 14 days before arrival.

• Those who have had Covid-19 over the past three months can enter Thailand by presenting a medical clearance letter. The consulate also noted that former Covid-19 patients may be required by the airline to present a negative RT-PCR result before boarding or at their transit airport.

As of Friday, the sandbox scheme has been expanded to cover more destinations apart from Phuket, namely Surat Thani’s Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao, and the provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi. Under the scheme, fully vaccinated Thai and foreign travellers are required to book seven nights in an AQ hotel and take two RT-PCR tests.

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Curfew in Ubon Ratchathani to curb contagion

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Ubon Ratchathani residents have been ordered to stay indoors from 11pm to 4am from Saturday onwards until further notice, though exceptions will be made for emergencies and the transportation of goods.

Curfew in Ubon Ratchathani to curb contagion

Governor Phongrat Phiromrat announced the curfew on Friday, saying that it was necessary to control the rising number of new infections in the province. As many as 525 new patients were reported on Friday in the province, where 3,149 are still undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, a longer curfew has been imposed in five villages where cluster cases were reported until January 21. The villages are Rakthai in Na Yia sub-district, and Non Sawang, Sam Yaek Wang Sua, Sawang Aron and Sawang Sukkasem villages in Phaiboon sub-district.

Residents of these villages are required to stay indoors from 9pm to 4am, while gatherings of more than two people, dining at restaurants and the sale of alcohol is also banned during the said period.

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6 Covid-positive foreigners missing in Koh Chang

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Trat authorities are searching for six foreign tourists who entered Thailand under the Test & Go scheme and checked out of their hotels in Koh Chang after being tested for Covid-19 on January 4.

6 Covid-positive foreigners missing in Koh Chang

Under the Test & Go scheme, visitors are required to wait in their hotels until their tests come back negative. After that, they can travel to selected areas.

“Their test results came back positive for Covid-19, but the authorities have not been able to contact them since Wednesday [January 5] and we believe they may have left the island,” acting Koh Chang district chief Chanchai Phacharawarangkun said on Friday.

“The district has filed a missing person report at Koh Chang Police Station so officials can launch a search for them. Hotels in Trat have also been instructed to notify officials immediately if they find the six tourists.”

The tourists being sought are:

• Arnaud Cachia, 32 (France)

• Romain Gretten, 32 (France)

• Marek Zbignien Bonleckl, 62 (Poland)

• Krause Dariusz Tomasz, 51 (Poland)

• Oleheming Borgem Kolstad, 38 (Norway)

• Johan Debernardi, 31 (Switzerland)

On Friday, Trat reported 53 new infections, with 173 patients currently being treated for Covid-19. No new deaths from Covid-19 were reported in the province.

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Thailand records 8,263 Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths on Saturday

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Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (January 8) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 8,263 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 110 of whom have been found in prisons.

Thailand records 8,263 Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths on Saturday

Death toll increased by 14, while 2,865 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country (since April 1, 2021) are at 2,232,176 with 21,813 total deaths.
 

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

Cool to cold weather in the North and Northeast, isolated thundershowers in the lower South

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The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday (January 8) that another moderate high-pressure system from China covers the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea. Cool to cold weather in the morning is forecast in the North and the Northeast, while the Central and the East regions will experience cool morning with light fog.

Cool to cold weather in the North and Northeast, isolated thundershowers in the lower South

Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 5 to 15 °C.

The Department also mentioned that the weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South and brings isolated thundershowers to the lower South.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 14-19 degrees and highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 14-18 degrees and highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 19-20 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 19-23 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and over a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and about 2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and over a meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION