More restrictions will bring Thai tourism sector to its knees, laments TAT
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) believes that an extended lockdown period will be a blow to this year’s revenue target for the tourism sector.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the current Covid-19 situation will make it almost impossible for the tourism sector to meet its revenue target of 850 billion baht this year.
In fact, he said, if the government expands restrictions, the sector will suffer the worst decline, earning no more than 400 billion baht, or up to 56 per cent less than the 815 billion baht earned last year.
The biggest concern, he said, is the fact that even domestic travel has come to a stop because of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Based on the Covid situation in Thailand and overseas, TAT has come up with three possible scenarios for 2022:
ADVERTISEMENTx
More restrictions will bring Thai tourism sector to its knees, laments TAT
• Worst-case scenario: Total revenue will stand at 1.3 trillion baht if Thailand gets 10 million foreign tourists and there are 122 million domestic trips.
• Probable scenario: Total revenue will stand at 1.58 trillion baht if there are 13 million foreign tourists and 140 million domestic trips.
• Best-case scenario: The total revenue stands at 1.93 trillion baht if there are 18 million foreign tourists and 160 domestic trips.
New cluster of infections in Samui puts tourism model at risk
Another 39 people tested positive in Samui on Friday and were found to be related to the cluster of infections uncovered in a restaurant on Thursday. So far, 59 people have been infected from this cluster.
Dr Veerasak Lorthongkham, director of Koh Samui Hospital, met medics on Friday to discuss how these patients will be managed.
He said that since there may be more cases from this cluster, he and medical personnel resolved to set up more field hospitals to deal with the new cases.
At present, there are only 54 beds available for Covid-19 patients in Koh Samui Hospital and another 40 in hotels that have been converted into field hospitals.
Meanwhile, people who came into close contact with the patients or visited them in the hospital have been called in for a Covid-19 test.
This restaurant cluster may adversely affect the Samui Plus Model, which kicked off on July 15. Under this project, fully vaccinated tourists can visit the island and stay there without quarantine for 14 days before being allowed to travel elsewhere in Thailand.
ADVERTISEMENTx
New cluster of infections in Samui puts tourism model at risk
Phuket tightens rules for vehicles entering the province from August 3
Vehicles from outside Phuket will be barred from entering the province from August 3 to 16, as a part of Covid-19 preventive measures.
Exceptions will be made for:
• Ambulances, vehicles of rescue staff and of financial institutions
• Transport of medical tools, chemicals, medicines, animal feed, agricultural products, fuels, petrol, parcels, machines, construction materials and auto parts.
According to Phuket authorities, people with air tickets are allowed to fly. In addition, those with authorities’ permission can leave Phuket for other provinces on the specified dates, as well as those having a court appointment.
Other exemptions made by the order are:
• People who, for at least 14 days before arrival, have received full doses of Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, or one dose of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson
• People who have recovered from Covid-19 within 90 days.
ADVERTISEMENTx
In the case of those who are scheduled to get the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine in Phuket, they must have evidence of the vaccination appointment, and must have been tested for infection not later than 72 hours before entering the province.
Testing and primary care: Two critical elements in fighting the pandemic
From this week, Antigen Rapid Tests, a test kit for professional use, is available at hospitals and clinics across Thailand.
Individuals will also be able to buy self-test kits at all licensed pharmacies and primary care units.
The Public Health Ministry has authorised widespread use and over-the-counter sale of these medical devices in response to rising Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks.
Despite providing a result in 30 minutes, the rapid test kits were not approved for official use earlier because health experts were concerned about its inaccurate result. Only RT-PCR tests, which must be administered by a health professional and take between 24 and 48 hours to provide a result, were authorised.
Learning about the availability of Antigen Rapid Test kits, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) did not wait to introduce these devices into its coronavirus testing program. These kits will increase our daily testing capacity, especially in the Bangkok metropolitan region, where two-thirds of new confirmed cases are reported, and Covid-19 tests are in high demand.
ADVERTISEMENTx
From July 12, NHSO, in collaboration with the Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Ministry’s Department of Disease Control, and Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medical Technology, set up testing stations in the region.
Their locations include Thupatemi Royal Thai Air Force Sports Stadium in Pathum Thani, Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium, and the Government Complex. The total daily testing capacity is between 10,000 and 12,000 tests.
We believe that if we keep testing people like this for at least two weeks, those who test positive will be isolated quickly and can access medicines and treatment. In return, this will reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
We are also placing more emphasis on our Covid-19 treatment program to reduce hospital overcrowding.
Around 80 per cent of people who tested positive were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. They don’t need intensive care at hospitals. They can recover by getting basic treatment in isolation, either at home or in community facilities.
Placing them under care and isolation, we have connected the patients to primary care clinics. In Bangkok, there are 204 clinics partnering with the NHSO. Each can look after 200 patients or 40,000 in total.
These clinics are part of our primary care network, a key asset of the Thai health system that plays a prominent role in fighting the pandemic.
When patients call the NHSO’s 1330 hotline to request medical care, our staff will match them with a physician in a clinic near their home address.
The clinic staff will then deliver medical devices such as a thermometer and an oxygen saturation monitor to the patient, who will also be provided medicine and meals. The physician will closely monitor the patient via video call or phone call.
We also support the community isolation program run by local communities in Bangkok metropolitan region.
The program engages community members in turning their communal spaces such as temples and community halls into isolation facilities. They run and manage the facilities and monitor the symptoms of patients who are mainly the community members or their neighbours.
Support by civil society groups, local communities are connected to doctors and medical staff, which assess the patients’ health conditions via online communication channels. If their symptoms worsen, hospital staff will send ambulances to pick them up and transfer them to a hospital facility for intensive care.
The NHSO also covers the expenses of medical services and provisions given to the patients in the isolation program – including RT-PCR and Antigen Rapid Test, laboratory service, patient transfer, mobile medical service, meals, medical devices, and personal protective equipment for medical staff.
You can see that many people are involved in this community isolation program, including community leaders and members, non-governmental and governmental organisations, and volunteers who help strengthen primary care.
Without them, it will not be possible to provide quality care to thousands of Covid-19 patients at once.
As it is unlikely the pandemic will end soon, all players in primary care will be even more critical to ensure access to Covid-19 treatment, and reduce the exhaustion of medical staff who should prioritise moderate to acute cases.
The NHSO will continue supporting the primary care network while expanding our daily testing capacity, as we have learned that both are critical elements for us to fight the pandemic.
Published : July 30, 2021
By : Dr Jadej Thammathach-Aree Secretary-General, National Health Security Office (NHSO)
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
The first lot of 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the United States arrived in Thailand on Friday morning.
The shipment will be immediately moved to the designated vaccine depot for storage, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Thursday.
The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius and medics need to be taught how to mix the doses, he said.
ADVERTISEMENTx
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
Heavy showers raise flash floods risk for the East and South
Isolated heavy showers are forecast for the East and the South regions, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday.
People should beware of the severe conditions and watchout out for overflows and flash floods, the department said.
A rather strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
Strong winds and waves up to 2-3 metres high are expected in the upper Andaman Sea from Phang Nga and above three metres high during thundershowers, about two metres high in the lower Andaman Sea and above two metres high during thundershowers, the department said.
All ships should proceed with caution, and small boats should stay ashore, the department said.
ADVERTISEMENTx
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Scattered thundershowers mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet and Tak provinces; minimum temperature 23-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 32-35°C; southwesterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Northeast: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces; minimum temperature 25-26°C, maximum 33-35°C; southwesterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Central: Scattered thundershowers mostly in Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Chainat, Angthong, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkhram provinces; minimum temperature 24-26°C, maximum 33-36°C; southwesterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
East: Scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Trat provinces; minimum temperature 25-27°C, maximum 30-35°C; southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr; waves 1-2 metres high and about two metres during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers mostly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces; minimum temperature 25-26°C, maximum 32-34°C; southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr; waves 1-2 metres high and about two metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain in Ranong and Phang Nga provinces; minimum temperature 21-26°C, maximum 30-33°C.
Phangnga northwards: Southwesterly winds 20-40 km/hr; waves 2-3 metres high and above three metres during thundershowers.
Phuket southwards: Southwesterly winds 20-35 km/hr; waves about two metres and above two metres in thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Scattered thundershowers; minimum temperature 26-27°C, maximum 33-35°C; southwesterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Govt intensifies ‘fake news’ crackdown despite outcry from media, netizens
The government on Thursday doubled down in its campaign against so-called “fake news”, shrugging off complaints by Thai media organisations and netizens of an ongoing state crackdown on free expression.
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn said a meeting of the anti-fake news committee has set up a special working group to combat misinformation on social media via administrative, tax and social measures.
The working group was tasked with the following duties:
– Prepare policy recommendations for relevant government agencies to counter fake news via legal and social measures.
– Combat the spread of false information on social media effectively and quickly.
– Support the work of the Anti-Fake News Centre in rapidly snuffing out misinformation.
– Closely coordinate with the anti-fake news hub of each ministry.
From June to July, courts approved eight charges of computer misuse relating to fake news, suspending a total of 94 URLs.
Another eight petitions covering 145 URLs are pending court proceedings. Meanwhile, the ministry has recently identified 54 URLs/users as purveyors of fake news.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed authorities to rigorously enforce emergency-decree restrictions against media and all webpages disseminating “fake news” which may cause public panic or misunderstanding that could jeopardise national security, public order or good morals.
Authorities have also threatened legal action against social media celebrities who criticise the government “without good cause”.
On Wednesday, media organisations said the emergency-decree restrictions on free expression showed the government was refusing to take responsibility for its own communication failures which were in turn the result of the prime minister’s mismanagement.
US gift of 1.5 million Pfizer vaccines to land on Thai soil early Friday
The first lot of 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the US will land on Thai soil at 4am on Friday.
As soon as the shipment arrives, it will be stored at the designated vaccine depot, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Thursday.
The Pfizer vaccine must be stored in temperatures of -70 degrees Celsius and medics need to be taught how to mix the doses, he said.
Unlike AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines, which can be loaded onto the syringe directly from the vial, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are concentrated and must be diluted with saline.
One vial of the Pfizer vaccine can be used to inoculate six individuals and must be prepared in line with the number of doses to be administered.
Medics at different vaccination points nationwide will be given online training of Friday.
Bang Sue to close walk-in jab service from Saturday – except for pregnant women
The walk-in service at Bang Sue Central Vaccination Centre will close from Saturday, except for pregnant women.
Bangkok’s main vaccination hub opened registration for AstraZeneca jabs via mobile operators on Thursday, but all available appointments were quickly snapped up.
The cancellation of walk-ins came after crowding at Bang Sue sparked fears of a Covid-19 outbreak.
Mingkwan Wichaidit, director of Bang Sue Vaccination Centre, said Bangkokians should seek out jabs closer to home.
“The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has opened more than 20 vaccination sites, so we want people to get the best service near their homes,” Mingkwan said.
Meanwhile, staff at Bang Sue Centre are trying to reduce crowding by working faster and urging people not to arrive before the centre opens. But changing people’s behaviour has proved difficult, Mingwai admitted. For example, on Wednesday staff began working early at 6am but found queues had already built up outside. Staff then organised social distancing in the queues until the vaccination service opened at 9am.
On Thursday, appointments for 10,000 people aged 18-59 and 10,000 vulnerable people were quickly booked up via the websites of Dtac, True, AIS and National Telecom.
Bang Sue ‘sting’ identifies scammer selling jab appointments
Health officials will file a police complaint against an employee of a mobile operator who allegedly sold appointments for free jabs at Bang Sue Central Vaccination Centre.
The suspect was identified after the Bang Sue Centre reported an usual rush of appointments being made just after the centre closed, Department of Medical Services Somsak Ankasil said on Thursday.
Health officials then contacted AIS, True, Dtac, and NT – the four big mobile providing the booking service – to identify people who had bought jab appointments, Somsak explained.
“On July 28, about 100 of these people showed up at the centre. We let them in but then cancelled their appointments immediately so they would come forward and complain. We then asked them who they had contacted for the appointments. They said their contact was an employee in the mobile phone company.”
The department and the Bang Sue centre’s director have passed the information to railway police and asked them to file charges against the suspect.
Meanwhile, railway police are investigating seven volunteers at the centre who are suspected of facilitating the same scam, in which appointments were reportedly sold for 400-1,200 baht.
Somsak said another suspect is still being traced. He warned that if any medics were found to be involved in the scam, there would be serious criminal and ethical consequences.
More restrictions will bring Thai tourism sector to its knees, laments TAT
New cluster of infections in Samui puts tourism model at risk
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
1.5 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the US arrives
