The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to allow flights from India to land in Surat Thani’s Samui Island, Krabi Airport and Chonburi’s U-Tapao Airport in addition to the current set up in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, said this is part of a collaboration between Thailand and India, adding that the transport ministries on both sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to aviation.
The MoU will increase the quota of tourists from India by 6,150 a week based on an estimate of 23,609 arrivals weekly.
The Red Line suburban railway system running from Bang Sue to Rangsit and Taling Chan will go on a trial run on March 26, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Wednesday.
After the trial run on March 26, the line will be opened to groups or educational systems provided they book tickets with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Trial runs on the line will be opened to the general public in July before it goes into full public service in November.
Initially, 22 trains will run every 20 minutes during the morning and evening rush hour in a bid to alleviate traffic congestion.
Shuttle buses from Hua Lamphong Station to the Bang Sue Grand Station will also be provided soon. SRT is expected to negotiate with the Expressway Authority of Thailand to waive toll fees to allow speedy transfers and cut down on fares.
In a meeting on Monday, the Public Health Ministry’s national committee on communicable diseases resolved to reduce the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travellers.
This decision was made in line with the fact that Covid-19 vaccinations are easing the pandemic globally.
The new quarantine rules will apply to three types of travellers:
• Seven-day quarantine for foreigners who have a vaccination certificate dated no more than three months and no less than 14 days, plus a Covid-free certificate.
• Seven-day quarantine for Thais returning home with a vaccination certificate dated no more than three months and no less than 14 days, but do not have a Covid-free certificate.
• 10-day quarantine for foreigners who have a Covid-free certificate but no vaccination certificate.
These regulations apply to all except travellers from Africa, where a highly contagious variant of the virus has surfaced. Travellers from African countries will still have to undergo the full 14-day quarantine.
Bangkok will join the rest of the world by going green next week – but this has nothing to do with environmental friendliness.
To celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17, the capital will take part in the “Global Greening Programme 2021” by lighting up the iconic spire of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Irish green.
Other Bangkok buildings going green on Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm include the Thailand Cultural Centre, Conrad Hotel, the Irish Embassy on Wireless Road and All Seasons Place.
The Republic of Ireland has been running the Global Greening Programme since 2010, inviting cities around the world to splash themselves in Ireland’s national colour on its national day.
Among buildings and landmarks going green this Paddy’s Day are Australia’s Sydney Opera House, the UK’s London Eye big wheel, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and Niagara Falls in the US.
The Chiang Mai Night Safari deployed a water-spraying truck on Tuesday in a bid to protect its animals from heat and thick smog caused by forest fires in the North.
On Tuesday morning, the Air Visual website ranked Chiang Mai as having the worst air quality in the world for three consecutive days, with an air quality index at the “very unhealthy” level of 225 points.
Benjaphol Nakprasert, acting director of the zoo’s administrator, said every year during the summer officials spray water around the Savanna Safari and Predator Proud zones before the attraction opens.
“The mist helps keep animals cool and reduces the spread of dust particles and smog,” he said.
“Also, some animals enjoy the sprays of water, including elephants, red river hogs and capybaras. Water spraying is like a daily treat for them.”
Covid-19 restrictions mean bookings for the Chiang Mai Night Safari in Hangdong district must be made online at www.chiangmainightsafari.com or the official Line account: nightsafari. The zoo opens daily from 11am to 9pm. For more information, call 0539 99000.
If vaccination drives in other countries continue easing the pandemic situation, then Thailand should be fully reopened within this year, Apisamai Srirangsan, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson, said on Wednesday.
She said a CCSA team spoke with deputy Samut Sakhon governor Thiraphat Khashmat about infections in the province and learned that the number of new cases has been dropping continuously. CCSA will consider readjusting the colour-tier labels for provinces on March 19 because, over the past few weeks, only 10 provinces have been reporting infections.
The relaxation of more measures may be considered before April 1 so people can enjoy Songkran festival this year.
CCSA is considering the possibility of reopening the country on October 1 provided the government is fully prepared, businesses are willing to follow health measures and the public will maintain guard against the virus.
The plan to build a port for ferries on Koh Phaluai island in the South has passed community hearing involving villagers and government agencies in the area.
Accordingly, Raja Ferry Port has been given permission to build a berth for up to 500 gross tonnage passenger vessels.
Construction is expected to take up to a year. It is believed that this port will support transfers and tourism in the neighbouring Nok Phao Island as well.
Apichart Chayopas, managing director of the ferry company, said there are currently no ferry services available on the island and building a port will serve as another island gateway for Surat Thani province.
Phaluai is the largest in the Mu Koh Ang Thong group of islands and falls under the Koh Samui district of Surat Thani.
The hot tension between two of Thailand’s Michelin-star restaurants has cooled off after a conflict over search engine results.
Both Sorn and R-Haan restaurants have earned Michelin stars for years of fine dining, with Sorn specialising in southern food and R-Haan in royal Thai cuisine.
Despite their unique specialities, customers have been confused when making reservations online.
When searching for “Sorn”, “Sorn Bangkok” or “Sorn southern cuisine”, the first links that pop up suggest R-Haan restaurant even though Sorn is known for its specialty southern fare. Many have made a wrong reservation, thinking both restaurants are owned by the same person.
Executive chef and Sorn owner Supaksorn “Ice” Jongsiri took to Instagram to clarify the issue. However, his move promptly triggered legal action from R-Haan, with the latter suing Supaksorn for Bt50 million and requiring him to delete the post forthwith.
The conflict continued until the prosecutor ordered the case into mediation and urged them to settle the issue.
Celebrity chef and R-Haan owner Chumpol Jangprai subsequently came out to say the conflict has been resolved and apologised for being hotheaded, promising it will not happen again.
Netizens can continue to reserve a table at either Sorn or R-Haan as usual.
The Department of Land Transport has organised a “Free Vehicle Check-up for Road Safety” campaign in cooperation with auto service centres nationwide for both cars and motorcycles from March 10 until April 10, director-general Jirut Wisanjit said.
“This year’s Songkran holidays start as early as April 10 and last until April 15, and we estimate that a lot of people will travel by road to their hometowns or tourist attractions, which could result in a spike in the number of road accidents,” he pointed out.
“The ‘Free Vehicle Check-up for Road Safety’ activity therefore aims to urge owners to keep their vehicles in the best condition to prevent any accident and promote road safety for all.”
Under the campaign, vehicle owners can avail of free check-up services at participating service centres nationwide.
“The free check-up will cover up to 20 items, such as the brake system, tyre condition, wiper blade condition, motor oil leakage, lighting and signal systems, air filter and more,” Jirut said.
“Please look for the campaign banner in front of the service centre, which indicates that such an establishment is a partner under this campaign,” he said.
Besides checking the condition of your vehicle before setting out, the department also advises vehicle users to obey traffic laws, maintain legal speeds, wear a seat belt, do not consume alcohol and make sure to get adequate rest – at least 7-8 hours – before driving during the long holidays.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 39 new cases, five of whom are from overseas.
Of the total, 21 were exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas. Samut Sakhon leads the list with 11 cases, followed by three each in Tak and Pathum Thani, one each in Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Phetchaburi and Bangkok.
Proactive testing has led to the discovery of 13 cases, eight in Samut Sakhon and five in Pathum Thani.
Of the travellers found to be infected, two are Thai nationals returning from Sweden and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a Nepali student, and an arrival each from France and Sweden.
Meanwhile, 95 patients have recovered and been discharged.
As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in
Thailand had risen to 26,540. Of these, 23,657 had been contracted locally, including 14,722 found via proactive testing, while 2,883 were returnees. So far, 25,946 have recovered, 509 patients are still being treated and the death toll remains at 85.
According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 118.2 million (up by 388,611), 93.9 million have recovered, 21.7 million are active cases (89,762 in severe condition) and 2.6 million have died (up by 8,970).
Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 29.8 million, followed by India 11.26 million, Brazil 11.13 million, Russia 4.34 million and the United Kingdom 4.23 million.
Apisamai Srirangsan, CCSA deputy spokesperson, said the bubble and seal measures or factory quarantines will be lifted in Samut Sakhon on Wednesday. In the province, 112,595 people have been tested since December 26 and only 975 were found negative.
Apisamai Srirangsan
