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According to the new rules, the cost of two PCR tests will be added to the cost of the 7-day Sandbox quarantine. In news that I'm sure is a totally unrelated, the current Health Minister says he hopes to be a candidate for prime minster.

From Coconuts Bangkok City Hall announced late Thursday afternoon that it was canceling all official New Year’s events to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it was acting at the urging of the COVID-19 task force, which in turn cited WHO guidelines for the move, which comes as the disease’s so-called Omicron variant continues to spread. Though only several dozen cases of Omicron have been confirmed, about 100 more suspected cases are being studied. The city’s typical New Year’s Eve countdown events will not go forward, nor will a prayer pow wow planned outside City Hall. Private parties may go on as planned but should comply with public health measures. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/bangkok-cancels-nye/

Gov't clarifies new rules for approved "Test and go" pass holders From Bangkok Post The government has clarified the position of about 200,000 intending visitors who earlier received permission to enter the country without quarantine via the now-suspended Test & Go programme. Sumanee Wacharasin, hazard communication director of the Department of Disease Control, said on Wednesday that although the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) suspended registration for Test & Go from Wednesday, people previously approved would still be allowed in. The visitors could travel the country if their first RT-PCR test upon arival returned negative. However, hotel managements must ensure the visitors stayed in their overnight rooms until their test result was known. In addition, the visitors and their places of accommodation would be tracked around the clock via the MorChana app. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2236111/previously-approved-test-go-visitors-allowed-entry ============================================ Missing Covid-infected tourist surrenders on Koh Samui An Israeli tourist who sparked a manhunt by leaving his Bangkok hotel without waiting for his Covid-19 test result, which proved positive, surrendered to police on Koh Samui on Wednesday afternoon. He initially headed to Pattaya, but later went south to the holiday island. Ohad Baruch, 29, turned himself in shortly after noon. After talks, he was taken to Koh Samui Hospital by ambulance for Covid-19 testing. Health volunteers escorted him. ==================================================== From Richard Barrow Twitter Site Registrations for Phuket Sandbox are temporarily suspended due to a system update. Looks like they’ve realised that they need to charge arrivals for the second RT-PCR test on Day 7.

From MSN Laos has announced plans to partially re-open its borders to foreign visitors in the new year. The South-East Asian country has been closed to international arrivals for more than 18 months, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19. Fully vaccinated visitors on pre-booked tours will be able to enter Laos from January 1 and visit a select number of destinations, including the capital Vientiane, eco-tourism hotspot Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage-listed site in the north of the country. Further destinations will be opened in April and July as vaccination rates in Laos increase. For now, entry will be limited to tourists from 17 countries, predominantly in South-East Asia and Europe, as well as the US, Australia and Canada. All arrivals will need to test negative for Covid-19 before their journey. Vaccination rates in the country are expected to be bolstered by the recent opening of a railway connecting Vientiane to the south-western Chinese city of Kunming. The $6 billion rail link was hailed as a "new era of modern infrastructure development” by Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, and health authorities are already working to deliver Covid booster shots to people living in tourist spots along the train line. https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/laos-to-reopen-its-borders-to-international-visitors-on-january-1/ar-AARXwxt

According to the official announcement, even those who have received approved Thailand Pass but have not yet arrived will experience a new wrinkle: "Passengers who will arrive in Thailand under Test and Go and Sandbox Programme must undergo their 2nd COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (not ATK self-test) at government-designated facilities (no additional cost)."

After claiming less than five days ago that Thailand should keep the country open to tourists and not panic, the PM has does just that. Not withstanding that indeed, TIT, it's still sending an unambiguous message: don't trust your vacation plans to Thailand. Worse, it pulls the rug from under the hospitality industry--and the hundreds of thousands whose livelihood depends upon it. Heartened by the reports of the early arrivals, many of us have purchased air tickets, insurance and quarantine hotels. We have only ourselves to blame for trusting that the junta would make good on it's part of the arrangement. Thailand was receiving the safest tourists, fully vaccinated and tested before and after arrival. Now it erroneously languishes under the misconception that it can prevent an Omicron outbreak by keeping out these very individuals.

From Bangkok Post The government is expected to revise its list of "Test & Go" countries following the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 as details on Monday emerged of the country's earliest recorded local case of the strain. Gen Supoj Malaniyom, chief of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration's (CCSA) operations base, said the list of of low-risk countries eligible for the tourism opening scheme will be reviewed and Covid-19 screening measures will be intensified. Gen Supoj said the CCSA's operation centre will identify "high-risk" countries before holding a meeting on Friday to decide on the extent to which the "Test & Go" scheme may need to be revised. If the risk of further infections is considered high, the scheme may be suspended completely. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2235135/test-go-country-list-to-change ================================ 'Test & Go' rumour irking operators Tourism operators are crying foul over a proposal to scrap the "Test & Go" scheme, as an immediate change would affect the international market during the high season. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) insisted no such decision has been made. "We still have to hear from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration [CCSA] about the final decision this week. The CCSA has stated clearly it plans to listen to all stakeholders carefully before nailing down a decision," said Yuthasak Supasorn, the TAT governor. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2235183/test-go-rumour-irking-operators

With a 30-day visa as the prize, a 7-day quarantine might as well be 30 days when measured in effect. It would only be considered by returning citizens or retirees with residence in Thailand. And a small numbers of those on business.

Sorry, I meant that I was hoping very much for temporary closing of Madrid.

Many videos are available on the history of Patpong but the latest entry includes up-to-date stuff I found of interest. Sadly, it reports that Madrid has closed, although it doesn't say if it's temporary or permanent (hoping very much for the latter). From The Thaiger How did the first Go-Go bar in Thailand start? Patpong is more than just a seedy bar area. It is in fact a puzzle with so many pieces containing unique stories, history and legends. Everyone who has been to Thailand has their own perception regarding Patpong and all it has to offer. Follow Bangkok Pat as he lets you have a deeper look into the world of Patpong. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-go-go-bars-and-red-light-district-history

From The Thaiger British Airways cancels over 2,000 flights including Bangkok In the face of the spread of Covid-19 as infections surge in the UK, British Airways have suspended all their flights travelling to Bangkok until October of next year. Rumours began circulating about the possible cancellation earlier this week with popular travel sites speculating about the major airline suspending the route. Many passengers told stories of receiving cancellation notices from British Airways and the rumours were confirmed by a spokesperson for the airline who talked about refunds. Aside from refunding, the airline is offering to reaccommodate passengers on cancelled flights on Qatar Airways flights from London to Doha to Bangkok instead, though the agreement between airlines is reported to be confirmed only until the end of March. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/british-airways-cancels-over-2000-flights-including-bangkok ================================= Thailand sees tourism dropping due to Omicron worries Thailand is seeing a dip in new incoming tourists that Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn has said is the predictable side effect of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. Since December 8, the number of daily international travellers entering Thailand has fallen to less than 3,000 people per day. Many are worried about the Omicron, which seems to be more transmissible than previous variants, though data suggests infections caused by the strain tend to be less severe. Travellers are choosing to cancel or postpone their travels, waiting until 2022, when hopefully we will have a better understanding of Omicron as well as better vaccine protection against it and containment. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-sees-tourism-dropping-due-to-omicron-worries

From The Thaiger What options are there for people who want to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days? A lot of people travel to Thailand for a short holiday and often decide that they want to stay for longer. But what do they do when it comes to visa? What about the smart visa that helps people fall in between the lines such as the digital nomads? Tim Newton sits with Ben Hart from Integrity Legal and talks all things related to long term visa in Thailand. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/long-term-visa-thailand

Definitely back to normal 😉

Two things I feel need to be acknowledged: first, it may have taken a lot of fits and starts but Thailand is making good on its promise to restore its tourism sector. Second, we all owe a tip of the hat to those members who have been among the vanguard of returnees and posted about their experiences. They are giving the rest of us renewed hope and entertainment while we impatiently await our trip. A few naysayers were predicting that some Pattaya and Bangkok entertainment zones would never reopen. And the one most frequently cited was Walking Street, Sin City's celebrated girlie bar haven. So I smiled when I read an item (below) the Pattaya Mail this morning. Some were assuring us that Soi 4 was doomed and Patpong was toast. Today Soi 4 seems to be nearly as popular as ever and Patpong 2 is slowly emerging from the doldrums. ============================================== Pattaya’s Walking Street is back in business By Barry Kenyon Both pilloried and praised for 40 years, Pattaya’s most famous street is sputtering into life after being left for dead. Many buildings remain in darkness or disrepair, but about 10 commercial enterprises have already opened up in earnest in recent days. They include the New York Diner, a lavishly renovated eatery and extensive bar area which stretches from the cobbled street to the sea, an area of about 200 yards. The multi-page menu carries the logo of the former Insomnia nightclub. It’s popular with Thais and the as-yet small number of foreign tourists in town......Pattaya Walking Street began in the 1960s as a rest and recreation haunt for American service personnel. It has undergone many changes and, prior to the Covid pandemic, had already lost its wilder elements and pornographic shows. Many had assumed that the Asian foreign investors in the Eastern Economic Corridor (which includes Pattaya) were planning to knock down the entire street and establish a family-orientated leisure and business district. That is still on the cards. But the Walking Street certainly knows how to put up a fight for survival. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/pattayas-walking-street-is-back-in-business-383057

Coconuts Bangkok has posted a great photo essay about the reprieve that Hua Lamphong (aka, Bangkok Railway Station) has received. End of the line for Bangkok’s grand rail terminal? Not quite yet. Continues at https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/end-of-the-line-for-bangkoks-grand-rail-terminal-not-quite-yet-photos/

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — Fully vaccinated foreign arrivals with negative COVID-19 test results will only need to self-quarantine at home or places of accommodation for three days upon entry into Việt Nam by air, according to the latest guidance from the health ministry issued on Thursday. The new policies will be effective from January 1, 2022, the day Việt Nam is set to resume – on a pilot basis – regular international flights, starting first with Beijing/Quangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan, China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco/Los Angeles (the United States), before pushing ahead with more destinations, including Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), and Moscow (Russia). According to the guidance, the arrivals must have proof of negative COVID-19 test results (using the gold-standard PCR method) within 72 hours prior to entry (except in the case of children under two years old), must declare their health status before entry and must install Việt Nam’s PC-COVID app (available on both Android and iOS) for contact tracing and medical declaration purposes. The installation of the app is only on a ‘recommended’ basis for diplomats and entrants on official businesses. Two RT-PCR tests will be conducted, on the first and third day of entry. If the results return negative, then the entrants still need to self-monitor their health status for 14 days after arrival, but this is already a huge step down from the current policies of mandatory seven days of centralised quarantine and seven days of follow-up medical self-observation. If they are willing to get a COVID-19 test (RT-PCR) on the tenth day, then the medical self-observation could end then. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1106932/viet-nam-cuts-self-quarantine-to-three-days-for-fully-vaccinated-arrivals-with-negative-covid-19-tests-health-ministry.html

From Richard Barrow Twitter site A useful graphic showing all of the MRT stations in #Bangkok where you can transfer to other forms of transportation such as BTS, railways, and boats.

NOTE -- When I attempted to access the site with the hyperlink below, I encountered a problem. It may be a work in progress. From Bangkok Post Thailand has launched a new tourism website, aiming to make travel to the country easier for the 8-15 million tourists expected to visit next year. The central platform, named Entry Thailand, includes necessary information before arrival, providing basic information and documents that tourists have to prepare in advance with complete links to third-party organisations involved with entry requirements, websites for authorised SHA+ hotels, Covid-19 insurance, Thailand Pass registration and MorChana -- the official tracking app. The extensive services also cover arrival, tax refunds and online alerts to the Tourist Police through an application. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the ministry created the portal website as a part of its e-service roadmap between 2022 and 2024 to facilitate tourists who face more difficulties due to complicated requirements during the pandemic. "The pile of paperwork and several organisations tourists have to deal with are inconvenient. The ministry wants this platform to help reduce their difficulties when planning trips to Thailand," said Mr Phiphat. As the Covid-19 situation has improved recently, he said the government is hoping that border reopening to four neighbouring countries -- Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia -- will drive the number of tourists next year to 8-15 million, generating 1.3-1.8 trillion baht for the economy. He said if the upward trend gains momentum in 2023, Thailand should receive 20 million international tourists, and that will require the country to have an established system to handle such huge demand. According to the ministry, the portal website will help centralise the scattered information regarding travel experiences in Thailand, such as attractions, transportation and food. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2232631/tourism-ministry-unveils-portal-to-assist-visitors

From Richard Barrow Twitter site Percentage of positive cases has risen compared to last month Test & Go: 0.08% ~> 0.12% Sandbox: 0.21% ~> 0.23% Quarantine: 0.81% ~> 2.16% 1-30 November: 171 cases 1-14 December: 189 cases ======================== In November, most people flew to #Thailand from USA, Germany, Netherlands, UK and Russia. This month: Germany - 8,739 UK - 6,818 Russia - 4,549 UAE - 3,966 USA - 3,705 France - 3,702 Sweden - 3,637 Singapore - 3,260 Israel - 3,000 S. Korea - 2,813

From Richard Barrow Twitter site Local media are reporting that Bangkok Railway Station is not closing on 23rd December after all. SRT will allow 11 commuter routes to continue to operate out of this station. Most of the other trains will operate out of Bang Sue Grand

If you follow the government rubik's cube scheme of color-coded zones, you'll have one less color--red--to deal with come Thursday. You will, however, still have to make sense of the following seemingly endless lists of colors, zones, restrictions and exclusions. From Bangkok Post All maximum Covid-19 control zones will be lifted and the number of tourism pilot zones increased from Thursday this week. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Monday that red zones of maximum control will be lifted in all 23 declared provinces. The number of provinces declared control zones (orange zones) will increase from 23 to 39. High surveillance zones (yellow zones) will rise from 24 provinces to 30 provinces. The number of blue-coded tourism pilot zones would increase from seven to eight - all of Chon Buri (the 23rd red zone), Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phangnga and Phuket. Some provinces had some districts declared as tourism pilot zones, and altogether tourist pilot zones would exist in 26 provinces. In addition, Bung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Trat (Khlong Yai district), Sa Kaeo (Muang and Aranyaprathet districts), Mukdahan (Muang district) and Ubon Ratchathani (Muang and Sirindhorn districts) will become tourism pilot zones on Jan 1. "We have waited long to see this picture of relaxed controls to facilitate business and activities," Dr Taweesilp said. The 39 provinces that will be orange (control) zones will be - Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Trang, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Prachin Buri, Ayutthaya, Phatthalung, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Ranong, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri, Lampang, Lamphun, Satun, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani. In orange zones, alcohol consumption is still banned at eateries. Enclosed amusement areas and water parks remain closed at malls. he 30 provinces that are yellow (high surveillance) zones will be - Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Bung Kan, Buri Ram, Phichit, Phayao, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Roi Et, Loei, Si Sa Ket, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Ang Thong and Amnat Charoen. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2231147/no-more-maximum-covid-control-zones

From Bangkok Post Longer quarantine for 'sandbox' visitors The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will extend quarantine for visitors arriving from overseas through sandbox and quarantine schemes from five to seven days, from this Thursday. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said Monday's decision was in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and increase in infections in some countries. Fully vaccinated visitors from countries included in the Test and Go scheme, who must stay only one night in a hotel, will undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival and then be required to antigen test themselves. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2231175/longer-quarantine-for-sandbox-visitors

I know two westerners I met on a visit three years ago who had been there five and seven years, respectively, and are still there. They don't of course refer to themselves as retirees but expats. Like anyplace in Asia, it's about being careful not to become involved in the country's political affairs. Like in Thailand, all things are possible. One group of expats in HCMC was even cited by the local (government) press for their volunteer work in helping to provide meals for shuts-ins during the pandemic there.

Nevertheless foreigners have found ways to actually retire in Vietnam. Just because we're not aware of the in's and out's of how they managed it doesn't mean it's not possible.

Thailand's ramped up inoculation efforts appear to be paying off. From Bangkok Post Fewest new Covid deaths since June There were 20 Covid-19-related fatalities during the previous 24 hours - the fewest since June 14 - along with 3,787 new cases, the Public Health Ministry said on Sunday morning. There were 3,782 cases in the general population and five among prison inmates. This compared with 39 coronavirus-related fatalities and 4,079 new cases reported on Saturday morning. Greater Bangkok had no new deaths while other central plain provinces further from the capital recorded six more deaths - in Prachin Buri (2), Phetchaburi (1), Chanthaburi (1), Chon Buri (1) and Ratchaburi (1). https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2230547/20-more-covid-deaths-fewest-since-june-14-and-3-787-new-cases