A 63-year-old US national was arrested on Thursday – one day before the statute of limitations expired – in relation to charges of tech fraud committed more than a decade ago.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district. He has denied all allegations.
In 2006, the suspect is believed to have set up a fake banking website to trick people into revealing their banking information. The fraudster then allegedly transferred their money to his own accounts.
In 2007, two suspected accomplices were arrested and one of them named the American man, who was then arrested, charged and granted bail. The American skipped the appointment with his attorney and has been missing until he was tracked down on Thursday.
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is setting up strict control measures at its six major airports as Thailand gets ready to open its doors on November 1.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Friday that people entering Thailand will be required to show proof of having received both jabs of a World Health Organisation (WHO)-approved vaccine and a negative RT-PCR test result.
He said the same rules apply to domestic travellers.
All travellers will be screened with an automatic infrared thermometer as soon as they land, and rescreened if their temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius.
If the second screening shows their temperature to be higher than 37.5 degrees then they will be sent to the hospital immediately.
Meanwhile, Don Mueang Airport will provide vaccines and Covid-19 tests for 900 walk-ins daily.
Airports across Thailand get ready for the big day
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) earlier this week issued guidelines for people heading to Thailand from low-risk countries once it partially reopens on November 1.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said though people from low-risk countries do not have to undergo the 14-day quarantine, they are required to:
• Stay in Thailand for at least 21 days.
• Provide proof of having received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine that has been approved by either the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Thailand’s Public Health Ministry.
• Provide a negative Covid-19 result taken no more than 72 hours ago. If they test positive, they must provide evidence proving they had contracted the virus over the past three months and provide proof of US$50,000 insurance coverage.
• Provide evidence of reservation in a SHA-plus hotel on the first night.
• Download the MorChana application as soon as they land in Thailand.
The authorities have also released guidelines for travellers from other countries as well as those who have not been fully vaccinated.
Yuthasak said travellers from countries outside the low-risk list can stay in any of the “blue zone” areas for seven days before they can travel to other parts of Thailand.
As for those who have not been fully vaccinated, Yuthasak said those arriving by air will be quarantined for 10 days and those arriving by land for 14 days.
The blue zone comprises areas that are considered safe based on the number of local residents vaccinated and the number of Covid-19 patients currently in hospital.
The blue zone at present covers:
• Phuket
• Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao)
• Phang Nga (Khao Lak area and Ko Yao)
• Krabi (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai and Railay Beach)
Blue zones that will open on November 1:
• Bangkok
• Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
• Phang Nga province
• Krabi province
• Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Khae)
• Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao districts)
• Ranong (Koh Phayam)
• Nong Khai (Muang, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo and Sangkhom districts)
• Loei (Chiang Khan district)
• Buri Ram (Muang)
• Udon Thani (Muang, Na Yung, Nong Han, Prachaksinlapakhom, Kumphawapi and Ban Dung districts)
• Rayong (Koh Samet)
• Trat (Koh Chang)
Blue zones to open in December:
• Chiang Rai
• Mae Hong Son
• Lamphun
• Phrae
• Sukhothai
• Phetchabun
• Pathum Thani
• Ayutthaya
• Khon Kaen
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Trang
• Phatthalung
• Songkhla
• Yala
• Narathiwat
Blue zone provinces that will open in January are:
The British Embassy says it expects Thailand to announce a net-zero carbon emissions target date at or before the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) between October 31 and November 12.
British Ambassador Mark Gooding said during a press conference on Wednesday that the UK COP26 presidency has identified four core goals:
> Mitigation: secure global net-zero emissions by 2050 while capping a global warming rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius.
> Adaptation: adapt to protect communities and natural habitats.
> Finance: mobilise public and private climate finance.
> Collaboration: work together to deliver.
Gooding pointed out that Thailand is the 20th largest emitter in the world and the 9th most impacted country by extreme weather events between 1999 and 2018.
“We hope Thailand will join others in the region to aim for net-zero emissions by 2050,” he said. “We also hope Thailand will make an ambitious statement on energy, particularly a ban on new coal-fired power plants. The UK and other partners stand ready to support Thailand in these efforts.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Beirne, Economic & Prosperity Counsellor, Thailand, like other countries in the region, was likely to be at particular risk from heat waves, flooding, sea water inundation and crop failure due to climate change.
Beirne said that if key tipping points are passed, such as the melting of polar ice caps, global temperatures will rise faster and it will be difficult to reverse.
“Some studies now predict that Thailand’s crop output may drop due to extreme weather, drought and flooding – possibly within 15 years,” he warned.
He advised Thailand to seize three opportunities in tackling climate change in the next ten years:
* Energy: promote the use of low cost renewable energy resources.
* Transportation: promote the development of electric vehicles.
* Agriculture: promote low-carbon farming.
“Apart from escaping risks from global warming, all this will help Thailand draw more investment and boost the country’s competitiveness,” he added.
Separately, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft of the country’s long-term strategy for climate change proposed by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The draft states that Thailand would aim to reach net zero emissions “as early as possible in the second half of the century”.
The Cabinet also appointed the ministry to submit the draft to the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change during COP26.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday announced the list of countries and territories permitted to enter Thailand from November 1 onward under the government’s plan to reopen the country.
Visitors from the 46 countries, described as low-risk group, may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for Covid-19 prior to arrival. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival.
The 46 countries and territories are:
1. Australia 2. Austria 3. Bahrain 4. Belgium 5. Bhutan 6. Brunei Darussalam 7. Bulgaria 8. Cambodia 9. Canada 10. Chile 11. China 12. Cyprus 13. Czech Republic 14. Denmark 15. Estonia 16. Finland 17. France 18. Germany 19. Greece 20. Hungary 21. Iceland 22. Ireland 23. Israel 24. Italy 25. Japan 26. Latvia 27. Lithuania 28. Malaysia 29. Malta 30. Netherlands 31. New Zealand 32. Norway 33. Poland 34. Portugal 35. Qatar 36. Saudi Arabia 37. Singapore 38. Slovenia 39. South Korea 40. Spain 41. Sweden 42. Switzerland 43. United Arab Emirates 44. United Kingdom 45. United States 46. Hong Kong
The ministry has earlier issued guidelines for foreign travelers wishing to enter Thailand from November 1 onward, with details as follow:
Travelers from 46 countries can enter Thailand without quarantine from November 1
Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (October 22) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 9,810 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19.
Death toll increased by 66, while 10,513 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.
The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,831,389 – 1,710,447 of whom have recovered, 102,317 are still in hospitals and 18,625 have died.
Separately, another 318,428 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 368,380 their second shot and 27,296 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 69,217,162.
According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 243.3 million on Friday, 220.49 million of whom have recovered, 17.86 million are active cases (76,785 in severe condition) and 4.95 million have died (up by 7,194).
Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 46.17 million, followed by India with 34.14 million, Brazil with 21.7 million, the UK with 8.64 million and Russia with 8.13 million.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday (October 22) that the high-pressure system from China covers upper Laos and the upper South China Sea while the easterly and the southeasterly winds prevail over upper Thailand the Gulf of Thailand, the South and Andaman Sea.
Thundershowers with gusty winds will be likely over the country with isolated heavy rains in the North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South regions. People in risky areas should beware of severe conditions and rain accumulation that may cause flash flood and overflows.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees and highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius.
Northeast: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees and highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius.
Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.
East: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and 1 meter during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and 1 meter during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 19-25 degrees, highs of 28-31 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and 1 meter during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with gusty wind and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.
The Covid-19 crisis is tending to ease especially in Bangkok and its vicinity, but health officials are keeping an eye on the situation in the four southern provinces as infections there continue to rise, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said.
He also said all those who received two Sinopharm vaccine doses will get a booster shot starting late November or early December.
A committee has asked Chulabhorn Hospital to submit evidence that studies have shown that a booster dose is necessary to increase immunity against the virus.
Once this evidence is received, the dates on which people can get the booster shots will be announced.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is preparing to officially sign and announce the reopening of the country no later than tomorrow (October 22) after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration considers final criteria on Thursday.
The CCSA committee is still reviewing the list of countries from which tourists will be allowed to enter Thailand when it starts reopening from November 1.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn has revealed initial guidelines for accepting tourists from various countries from November 1.
TAT has divided tourists into three groups:
1. Fully vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries with high economic value can travel without quarantine throughout the country.
2. Tourists that don’t arrive from low-risk countries can travel without quarantine for 7 days in a specific area (so-called “blue zone”).
3. Tourists who are not vaccinated according to the criteria will have to go into “alternative quarantine”. Tourists who arrive by plane will be quarantined for 10 days, while those entering through land borders will be quarantined for 14 days.
Thailand will open pilot areas (blue zones without quarantine) in 45 provinces. Such zones are currently in operation in four provinces – Phuket, Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao), Phang-nga (Khao Lak, Koh Yao), and Krabi (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai, Railay beach).
Under phase 1, blue zones will be opened in another 15 provinces between November 1 and 30. The 15 are Bangkok, Samut Prakan. (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Phang-nga (the whole province), Krabi (the whole province), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin, Nong Kae), Phetchaburi (Cha-am municipality), Chonburi (Pattaya, Bang Lamung districts, Na Chom Thian subdistrict, Bang Saray subdistrict, Koh Si Chang district, Si Racha district), Chiang Mai (Mueang district, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Doi Tao), Ranong (Koh Phayam), Nong Khai (Mueang, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo, Sangkom), Loei (Chiang Khan), Buriram (Mueang), Udon Thani (Mueang, Na Yung, Nong Han, Prajaksilpakom, Kumphawapi, Ban Dung), Rayong (Koh Samet), and Trat (Koh Chang).
Under phase 2, more blue zones will be opened between December 1 and 31: in Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat.
And under phase 3, blue zones will be created from January 1 in Surin, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Tak, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Bueng Kan, Ubon Ratchathani, Nan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Satun.
Airports across Thailand get ready for the big day
Travelers from 46 countries can enter Thailand without quarantine from November 1
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