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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010334

The Royal Gazette website on Wednesday published an announcement by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) regarding the suspension of the Test & Go scheme under the Thailand Pass programme for foreign visitors in a bid to curb the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

The announcement, signed by CCSA chairman Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, stipulated that Thailand Pass will not accept new registrations from midnight on Wednesday (December 22) until January 4, when the CCSA will re-evaluate the situation and announce another decision.

During the suspension, foreign visitors can still enter the country under the Phuket Sandbox programme. Visitors who test negative upon arrival are required to stay in Phuket for seven days, after which they can travel to other provinces, provided they test negative via the RT-PCR method on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand.

Alternately, foreigners can choose to enter Thailand via the “alternative quarantine” channel approved by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. They will also need to take a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand before they can travel to other parts of the country.

The announcement also stipulated that those who have registered and been approved via Thailand Pass prior to the suspension will be allowed to enter the country, but they need to undergo two RT-PCR tests – the first on arrival and the second on the 5th or 6th day in Thailand. The test will be provided at designated public or private medical facilities and the cost will be covered by the government.

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Published : December 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010325

Many foreign tourists have cancelled their trips to Chiang Mai scheduled from January to February next year after the government suspended the Test & Go scheme, said Prasit Itthipattanakul, vice president of Standard Tour, a local tour operator.

Under the Test & Go scheme, registrants of the Thailand Pass programme could enter Thailand without having to quarantine provided they tested negative via the RT-PCR method upon arrival. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced on Tuesday that tourists cannot register for entry via Thailand Pass after Wednesday and that it would re-evaluate the situation on January 4 because of Covid-19 Omicron worries.

“Tourists who cancelled their trips are mostly Asians, especially from Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia,” Prasit said during an interview on Wednesday.

“In the past two years there have been almost no foreign visitors entering Chiang Mai until after the government announced the reopening of selected provinces on November 1,” he pointed out. “While the number of foreign visitors is starting to recover, the suspension of the Test & Go scheme will be a serious blow to Chiang Mai’s tourism industry.”

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Tourism Industry Council president Phanlop Saejew said the suspension of Test & Go has yet to show an immediate effect on the province’s tourism industry as there are still approximately 200,000 incoming tourists who have already been approved under Thailand Pass.

“However, after these tourists head back home we could start seeing the impact as there would be no new tourists entering the province,” he said.

“This also depends on how long the suspension will last, which we will only know after January 4.”

Phanlop said Chiang Mai International Airport is currently logging about 14,000 passengers per day, most of whom are Thais.

“If this trend continues for two more months, the tourism industry in the province should start to recover. We expect that tourism revenue in December could reach THB3 billion,” he added.

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Published : December 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010318

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (December 23) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,940 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 53 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 30, while 2,798 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 2,202,001 with 21,501 total deaths.
 

Published : December 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010310

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Thursday (December 23) that the moderate high-pressure system covers upper Thailand while the easterly winds prevail over the area. Cool to cold weather and morning fog are likely in the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East.

The westerly trough that moves pass the North also brings isolated rains to some parts of the upper country. People should take care of their health due to variable weather. All transports should take more caution due to poor visibility. Farmers in the upper North should prevent for crop’s damage due to isolated rains.

Meanwhile, the weak northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South, bringing isolated heavy rains to the lower South of Thailand. Waves in the Gulf are about a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers. 
 

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

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and isolated rains in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 14-17 degrees and highs of 28-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and isolated rains in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 14-21 degrees and highs of 30-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 9-16 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 18-21 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated rains in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 28-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Cool weather in the morning with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010297

A Department of Disease Control (DDC) subcommittee on Immunisation has initially approved the fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine for medical and public health personnel, front line health staff, patients with chronic diseases and those taking immunosuppressants, DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Wednesday.

The fourth dose will be administered three months after the third jab.

For example, those who received Sinovac as their first and second doses, and AstraZeneca as the third, will likely get AstraZeneca or Pfizer as the fourth shot, Dr Opas said.

A resolution will be drafted and presented to the National Communicable Disease Committee at a meeting with the Public Health minister on December 24.

Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010290

The European Union has decided to accept Covid-19 vaccine certificates issued by Thailand.

Deputy chief of mission of the European Union delegation to Thailand Giuseppe Busini announced on his Twitter account on Wednesday that Thailand is now connected to the EU Digital Covid Certificate system.

He said the Covid-19 certificates issued by Thailand will be accepted in the European Union while the EU Digital Covid Certificate will be recognised by Thailand.

On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to approve certificates issued by Thailand, Montenegro, Taiwan, Tunisia and Uruguay.

“This year has been a successful one when it comes to the rollout of the EU Digital Covid Certificate,” European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said.

“Sixty countries and territories in five continents are now connected to our system. We have seen the need and the added value of such certificates for safe travel. Even with Covid-19 variants, it will continue to serve in the future,” Reynders added.

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Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010288

Surat Thani police on Wednesday arrested Israel national Ohad Baruch at a restaurant on Koh Samui after he escaped quarantine at a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area.

“The suspect arrived in Thailand on December 17 and tested positive for Covid-19 via the RT-PCR method,” said Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaengaek.

“He was transported to an alternate quarantine hotel on Sukhumvit Road to wait for confirmation and treatment, but fled from the hotel the same day. Witnesses said he got in a taxi heading to a hotel in Pattaya, Chonburi.”

Officials tracked down Baruch and found that he rented a van in Chonburi and drove to the southern provinces.

CCTV cameras spotted him on December 20 in Chumphon in the morning and later in Surat Thani in the afternoon.

“Police officers then searched tourist attractions in Surat Thani for the suspect until they found him at a restaurant near Nathon Beach on Koh Samui on Wednesday afternoon,” said Jiransan.

“Baruch will be charged with violating the communicable disease control act, but for now he has been transported to a hospital for treatment.”

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Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010287

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) issued airlines with a special Notice to Airmen on the country’s latest entry policy on Tuesday.

CAAT ordered every airline to carefully check passenger documents and monitor the Covid-19 situation chiefly relating to the Omicron variant, while airlines must see that their passengers strictly follow the new measures.

The notice also highlighted guidelines for passengers to follow:

– Passengers who received a QR Code from the Thailand Pass system can enter Thailand under approved conditions.

– Passengers who have not received the QR Code will have to wait for approval. They can enter Thailand only after approval.

– New passengers cannot register to travel under the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes, which are temporarily on hold. However, these passengers can register under the Alternative Quarantine scheme or the Phuket Sandbox programme.

– Passengers already approved under the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes will have to take a second RT-PCR test seven days after arrival free of charge.

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Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010286

Bangkok is all set to celebrate New Year but with strict Covid-19 prevention measures, while setting up an Emergency Operations Centre in all 50 districts in a bid to keep the virus from spreading.

Permanent secretary of Bangkok Kajit Chatchavanich told reporters on Wednesday that every district in the capital is setting up an EOC for the New Year festival.

He said the centres would have systems to screen and isolate infected patients immediately, with a database system to provide information 24 hours a day.

Kajit said New Year activities and events, especially at restaurants that are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages until 1am on January 1, will be closely monitored by district offices.

He urged event organisers to strictly follow prevention measures, especially having a Covid-free setting and seeing that guests and customers strictly follow the DMHTTA pattern (distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, testing and using the ThaiChana app).

Source: www.prbangkok.com

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• 7 govt agencies ready New Year gifts for people
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Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010283

Koh Samui has not been affected so far by the Omicron variant as foreign and Thai tourists continue to visit the Surat Thani island, the Tourism Association chairman said even as tourism businesses voiced concern about the government’s latest move to suspend the Test & Go programme.

On Monday, it was reported that three tourists on the island were infected with Omicron.

Koh Samui Tourism Association chairman Ratchaporn Poolsawat said on Tuesday that the three tourists were tested under prevention measures. They were isolated on the island courtesy of the Public Health Ministry and are undergoing treatment.

He believes the Omicron situation will not affect tourism on the island as the number of tourists and bookings have increased until New Year.

Around 8,000 foreign tourists entered the island under the Test & Go scheme this month, which allowed more hotel and restaurants to reopen, he said.

Meanwhile, tourism businesses are worried after the government decided to suspend the Test & Go programme. They feel it will affect tourism in Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao.

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Ratchaporn said tourism operators were ready to cooperate with the government in following public health measures. However, they wanted the government to consider the economic aspect too.

They wanted the government to find a solution to increase safety but did not agree with re-introducing quarantine or, worse, closing the country altogether because it would affect tourism.

Published : December 22, 2021

By : THE NATION