reader

From Reuters / MSN Thailand readies for tourism reboot with reopening test-run BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand held a dry-run on Wednesday for its long-awaited, quarantine-free reopening to vaccinated travellers, as the country rushes to reboot an industry battered by an 18-month hiatus in international tourism. At Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand's main gateway, airport staff and health and immigration officials ran a simulation of the arrival of a plane full of visitors, to test out electronic screening measures. "All the passengers will get their QR code checked by the Department of Disease Control," said Kittipong Kittikachorn, the airport's general manager. "It will include all the details about insurance, vaccine certificate, or hotel booking." https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/thailand-readies-for-tourism-reboot-with-reopening-test-run/ar-AAQ0Nfn

From Bangkok Post PM presses Asean to reopen Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged other Asean members to follow Thailand's footsteps and start reopening to revive economies in the region and ensure the tangible implementation of the bloc's response to Covid-19. Gen Prayut addressed the issue via teleconference at the ongoing 38th and 39th Asean Summits, which are taking place online and opened under the chairmanship of Brunei on Tuesday. "Asean should start reopening and allowing for safe travel to revive its economies," he said, adding that the Asean Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework should be put into practice, with mutual recognition of vaccines and vaccine certificates to facilitate business travel, and later tourism. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2204491/pm-presses-asean-to-reopen

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to prepare guidelines to allow visitors from Thailand’s neighbouring countries, such as Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia, to take one-day trips to Thailand as the country prepares to reopen to tourism on November 1st. Today (Tuesday), Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said discussions are being held and plans are being drawn up to allow tourists to travel over the Malaysian border into Hat Yai in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, and tourists from Laos to travel to the north-eastern province of Nong Khai. Tourists crossing the Thai-Myanmar border will be able to visit Tak province. He also explained the preparations for the reopening of Thailand on November 1st, saying foreign arrivals must: Be arriving from a low-risk country on Thailand’s approved list. Be fully inoculated with a minimum of two doses of a recognised vaccine Have negative results from a RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the trip Take another RT-PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Thailand Have a minimum of US$50,000 health insurance coverage while in Thailand Have written or electronic confirmation of hotel bookings https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-aims-to-draw-neighbours-for-one-day-trips/

I contacted the Amara Hotel on Surawong to inquire if they were participating in he 1-night quarantine. I received a reply, confirming that they are offering rooms in all categories.. The lowest rate for the first night is BHT 6,100. They are partnered with a hospital for testing purposes and noted that turn-around time depends of flight arrival time. If a second night is required, the rate drops to BHT 2,500. Prices include transport from airport, RT-PCR test, antigens test kit and meals

From Vietnam Express Vietnam was considering welcoming fully vaccinated foreign tourists to sequestered resorts, which might not be a popular option. "I spent more than 20 years working as a tour guide in Vietnam... people want to see the wonders of Vietnam and experience its culture.. Some package holidays only last for two weeks... No one will come from overseas if they are fully vaccinated and have to spend 7 days in isolation. It is just not economically viable for them and they will go elsewhere or simply stay in their home countries". Garry Adams "If the traveler has been vaccinated and the city where he/she is going to is mostly vaccinated then it’s time to just let normal travel happen without all the restrictions. No one is going to sign up for a package where they can’t travel freely and also risk getting sent to a quarantine camp or getting stuck in a city that isn't their home for two months like what has happened." Tim "No international tourist will sacrifice seven days of a holiday to quarantine. This proposed model has been tried and failed in many top tourist destinations. Guess what, nobody came! Unless tourists have unrestricted travel options in their destination, very few will actually bother to book a trip." Christoph Holzapfel "I wouldn't worry too much about tourists arriving any time soon. No one is coming until ALL the businesses are open. Bars. Karaoke (parlors). Nail spas.What people come to do is to relax and have fun. Put yourself in a tourist’s position. Come to Vietnam while tourist attractions are shut down? Or spend your money elsewhere where you can have an enjoyable time?" Pbistline https://e.vnexpress.net/news/perspectives/no-international-tourist-will-sacrifice-seven-days-of-a-holiday-to-quarantine-4375567.html

Richard Barrow has been invited by Tourism Ministry to test the reopening process at BKK. https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/reopening-of-thailand-dispatch-1-826907

From Thai PBS World International airlines have returned as many as 80% of their airport slots at Thailand’s six international airports between October 31st and March 26th next year, indicating their uncertainty over a recovery in the aviation sector, according to Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn, the managing director of Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company. AOT operates Suvarnabhumi, Don Muaeng, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang international airports. He disclosed that the lowest point for the aviation industry in Thailand was from July to September, this year, after the Thai government suspended all regular flights as a precautionary measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, during which average daily arrivals at the six international airports was only 50 passengers. The situation has improved since Thailand eased travel restrictions in October this year, with an average of 30,000 arrivals a day. Airlines have given up 100% of their slots at Don Muaeng airport and about 70% of those at Suvarnabhumi, said Nitinai. AOT suffered 11 billion baht in operational losses in the first nine months of this year and an estimated 10 billion baht for the whole year, he said, adding that business over the next two years will, however, gradually recover. Penyos Pibulsongkhram, director of commercial affairs for the Vietjet airline, said that the aviation industry is still in crisis, although the situation is improving. Airport slots represent permission granted to an airline by the owner of an airport to use the airport’s facilities for landing and take-off. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/international-airlines-return-80-of-their-airport-slots-in-thailand-for-the-next-five-months/

From CNN Travel After Italy's national airline Alitalia went bankrupt, a new logo is visible in the country's skies -- meet ITA Airways. The new carrier and its sleek blue planes debuted at a press event in Rome. "We have been born as a new Italian brand, and we have chosen to work only with Italian companies," ITA's president said at the unveiling. However, not everything is hewing to tradition. The airline is trying out an interesting new pay structure where all employees will have a part of their salary linked not only to company profits, but also to customer satisfaction.

From Free Press Journal Cambodia has lifted a ban on all flights from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines after most of the kingdom's population have been vaccinated against the Covid-19, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said. The decision to lift the ban was made by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday and it took effect immediately, Xinhua news agency quoted Bunheng as saying. "It's part of the country's move to reopen social and economic activities gradually in all areas by adapting to the new normal and to reactivate air transport services," the Health Minister added. Cambodia banned all flights from the three ASEAN member states in August last year in an effort to curb Covid-19 transmission. The ban's removal came after Cambodia had administered at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to 13.65 million people, or 85.33 per cent of its 16-million population, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said. Of them, 12.94 million, or 80.8 per cent, have been fully vaccinated, and 1.62 million, or 10.1 per cent, have received a booster dose, it added. https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/cambodia-lifts-ban-on-all-flights-from-malaysia-indonesia-philippines-after-1294-million-in-country-vaccinated-against-covid-19

Although this seems like a stretch at the moment, at least he's giving it lip service. From The Thaiger / Pattaya Mail Tourism Minister proposes reopening entertainment venues November 1 PM Prayut Chan-o-cha may be opening up Thailand to international travellers, but Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan is aiming to open up entertainment venues to those international travellers. The Tourism Minister plans on officially proposing that entertainment venues, bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, pubs and other nightlife venues be reopening in the Blue Zones, the new term for the expanded Sandbox destinations. n a TV interview today, the minister said he planned to introduce the measure in a CCSA general meeting next week, requesting that in key areas entertainment venues reopen on November 1. The proposal would focus on areas where nightlife and entertainment venues were an essential part of the economy for tourism. He singled out locations like Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang Nga, and Phuket that tourists traditionally flocked to not just for their beaches, but for their nightlife, bars, and party scene. The minister stopped short of including Bangkok on his list, citing concerns that entertainment venues in the city would be too hard to safely regulate and that the nightlife isn’t only a draw to international tourists, but also attracts Thai customers, so it could be higher-risk and lower benefit than other destinations. Pipat says that the focus is on drawing in foreign tourists, and including Bangkok may sway CCSA with their fears of Thai clubs that were the source of the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak in the first place. “The reopening might be initially only for foreign tourists to attract them to visit the country. Much of the concern from the CCSA about entertainment venues has nothing to do with tourism-related establishments but rather large Thai discos and places. But we still have to discuss if it would work or not.” The Tourism Minister says there’s wiggle room to try to create a way to reopen some nightlife. He hopes some can safely open with similar hours to what they held before Covid-19, opening until 1 or 2 am. But he believes that putting Bangkok on the table will fuel the CCSA’s worries of controlling Covid-19 in entertainment venues. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/tourism-minister-proposes-reopening-entertainment-venues-november-1

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-allow-some-travellers-south-asia-ease-stay-home-notice-restrictions-malaysia-and-indonesia-2263722

Some members over 74 reporting problem finding covid insurance. There's a US-based website offering policies from Thai insurer AXA up to age 99. https://www.squaremouth.com/

From Vietnam News HCM CITY — Kiên Giang Province People’s Committee on October 21 issued a pilot plan to welcome international tourists using "vaccine passports" to Phú Quốc Island beginning November 20. The plan aims to gradually restore the international tourism market, ensure security in tourism activities, and contribute to socio-economic development targets set for 2021. The People’s Committee of Kiên Giang Province requests all international tourists to have a vaccine passport and strictly comply with epidemic prevention measures in Việt Nam. At least 90 per cent of the population and workers in Phú Quốc have to be fully vaccinated in order to be ready to welcome international guests in the future. The pilot plan will be implemented in two phases within the course of six months. Specifically, from November 20, a number of charter flights will go to Phú Quốc for authorities to test the process of picking up and serving guests. Based on the experience, authorities will then evaluate the plan’s feasibility, make adjustments if necessary, and follow the official roadmap from December 20 onwards. During the first phase from December 20 to March 20, Phú Quốc will welcome 3,000 to 5,000 tourists per month via charter flights and allocate private experiences within limited locations and areas for guests. The second phase, which starts from March 20, 2022 to June 20, 2022, involves evaluation of the first phase and a scale of 5,000 to 10,000 guests per month if all requirements are met. With regards to the target audience, international tourists will be allowed to visit from countries and territories with high safety in COVID-19 epidemic prevention. They will enter Phú Quốc International Airport via charter flights with a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a proof of COVID-19 recovery recognised by relevant authorities in Việt Nam. Injection of the second shot must have been done at least 14 days before and no more than 12 months from the day of arrival. Visitors who have recovered from COVID-19 have to submit proof that their discharge from the hospital to the date they enter Phú Quốc has not exceeded six months. In addition, an English certificate of negative COVID-19 test results via the RT-PCR method within 72 hours before departure must be prepared by visitors. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Đoàn Văn Việt said the ministry had proposed a roadmap to resume international tourism activities in three stages, with the first stage starting from November 2021, during which Phú Quốc in the southern province of Kiên Giang; Cam Ranh in the central province of Khánh Hòa, Quảng Nam Province and Đà Nẵng City are open to foreign visitors going on package tours and travelling on charter or commercial flights. In the second stage from January 2022, the sector will serve more foreign travellers and connect with destinations via charter and regular flights. In the third stage from the second quarter of next year, international tourism activities will be fully re-opened on the condition of ensuring adherence to pandemic prevention and control regulations. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1063879/phu-quoc-to-welcome-international-tourists-with-vaccine-passports-in-november.html =================================== Aviation authority wants regular int'l flights to resume right in fourth quarter HÀ NỘI — The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport permit airlines to resume international air routes right in the fourth quarter of this year. Under the proposal, the resumption will start with flights for Vietnamese citizens using a combo of airline ticket, COVID-19 testing fee, food and stay at a hotel for quarantine. Passengers will spend seven days in paid quarantine areas if all the passengers on their flight are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. Passengers from other flights will undergo 14-day quarantine. The first international air routes for reopening this year include those to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, France, Germany, Russia and Australia. International airports including Vân Đồn (in Quảng Ninh Province), Đà Nẵng (in Đà Nẵng City) and Cam Ranh (in Khánh Hoà Province) will receive the international flights. Other international airports could still be open but permissions from local authorities are pending. Municipal and provincial people’s committees will decide the frequencies of the international flights. At this time, Việt Nam only allows international flights that carry foreign tourists to specific locations including Phú Quốc Island, Khánh Hòa and Quảng Ninh. Once the CAAV’s proposal is approved, in the first month of implementation, there will be one flight a day. In the following month, it’s expected to increase to two flights daily. The CAAV also proposed that in the second phase of international air route reopening, regular international flights are only for fully vaccinated passengers or those who have recovered from COVID-19. Passengers will not have to obtain any documents to enter Việt Nam but meet requirements on immigration and health control. In this phase, Việt Nam will reopen air routes to China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, Russia, Australia and other markets that are not recommended for limited travel by the national steering committee of COVID-19 prevention and control. It’s expected there will be four flights weekly on each route. Passengers are only allowed to check-in at their departure airports when it is confirmed that they have paid the cost of a 7-day quarantine at a designated hotel-charged quarantine facility in a locality of Việt Nam including ground transportation to the hotel. Depending on the results, the CAAV will propose adding new markets and increasing the frequency to match herd immunity and market demand. In the third phase expected to start from April 2022, regular passenger flights to Việt Nam will be deployed depending on the progress of vaccination in the country and assessment of herd immunity after mass vaccination. Post-entry quarantine is not required when applying the “vaccine passport” mechanism. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1063818/aviation-authority-wants-regular-intl-flights-to-resume-right-in-fourth-quarter.html

The government on Friday outlined conditions for quarantine-free entry from Nov 1 for arrivals by air from 46 countries, which also apply to people who recently left Thailand for those countries, according to the Bangkok Post. The announcement reiterated what was previously known but clarified some issues Regarding health insurance, they must also have general health insurance cover of at least US$50,000. (one earlier published report said Coid-19 coverage). People who had earlier left Thailand to visit any of the 46 countries, but stayed there less than 21 days will not be quarantined and will not be required to have health insurance cover of $50,000. They must download application software that will track their whereabouts. Additional information, go to: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2202535/conditions-for-no-quarantine-arrivals

From Bangkok Post The prime minister has ordered an end to the curfew in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, from Oct 31 to support the reopening of the country to fully vaccinated foreign tourists on Nov 1. The order, signed by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, was published in the Royal Gazette late on Thursday night. The curfew will therefore end at 11pm on Oct 31 in the "Sandbox" provinces that were declared maximum and strict control zones but have tourism significance and are designated for reopening. The 17 provinces where the curfew will end are: - Bangkok - Krabi - Chon Buri (only in Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Koh Si Chang and tambon Na Jomtien and tambon Bang Sare of Sattahip district) - Chiang Mai (in Muang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts) - Trat (on Koh Chang only) - Buri Ram (in Muang district only) - Prachuap Khiri Khan (in tambon Hua Hin and tambon Nong Kae only) - Phangnga - Phetchaburi (in Cha-am municipality only) - Phuket - Ranong (on Koh Phayam only) - Rayong (on Koh Samet only) - Loei (in Chiang Khan district only) - Samut Prakan (only at Suvarnabhumi airport) - Surat Thani (on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and on Koh Tao only) - Nong Khai (in Muang, Sangkhom, Sri Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts) - Udon Thani (in Muang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yoong, Nong Han and Prachak Silapakhom districts) The number of people at public gatherings in the tourist reopening zones will be capped at 500. Entertainment venues in the tourism reopening provinces will remain closed, including pubs, bars and karaoke shops, but operators and officials could begin preparing for their reopening, which would be permitted later. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2202459/curfew-to-end-in-17-tourist-provinces

From Bangkok Post Three schemes set to welcome visitors Thailand's reopening will introduce three entry schemes for international tourists, while the list of countries eligible for quarantine-free entry without area restrictions is expected to be released on Friday. The first scheme, called "Test & Go", will come with minimal requirements for inoculated tourists from low-risk countries who also have a high economic impact on Thai tourism, said Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor. Under the first scheme, tourists must show a vaccine certificate that shows complete doses of a vaccine type approved by the World Health Organisation administered at least 14 days before arrival, a negative RT-PCR result obtained no more than 72 hours before arrival and Covid-19 insurance. Covid-19 insurance coverage has been reduced from US$100,000 to $50,000. Travellers can arrive at any international airport in Thailand and must undergo another RT-PCR test which would have been pre-booked along with the first night in an SHA Plus hotel, as hotels will help manage the test procedure for their guests. While waiting for the result, guests must stay in a hotel within a two-hour drive from the airport. For instance, if tourists enter via Suvarnabhumi airport, they can choose an SHA Plus hotel in Bangkok or go directly to Pattaya. For destinations further away, they need to stay in Bangkok or a nearby province before continuing with their trips. After getting negative results, they can continue their journey to anywhere in the country without restriction and do not have to undergo a second test. The second scheme named "Living in Blue Zone" is reserved for inoculated tourists from other countries apart from the list. Travellers don't have to be kept in quarantine but can travel within 17 Blue Zone provinces during first seven days and must take the second test on day six or day seven with an antigen test kit, which is less expensive than RT-PCR. According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the Blue Zone will be expanded to 33 provinces from December, before increasing to 45 provinces from January 2022. Blue Zone provinces are designated areas that are ready to welcome international tourists and completed mass vaccination of at least 70%. Meanwhile, unvaccinated tourists still can visit the kingdom under the third scheme, named "Happy Quarantine", under which they must stay in alternative quarantine facilities for 10 days. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2202063/three-schemes-set-to-welcome-visitors

From Bangkok Post Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says Thailand will open the country to visitors from 46 countries instead of only 10 Covid-19 low-risk countries announced earlier, starting from Nov 1. He did not name the countries in the post on his Facebook page on Thursday evening, but wrote it was now necessary to speed up the opening. "If we wait until everything is fully ready, we'll be too late. Besides, tourists may choose to go elsewhere," read the post. He added that he was aware the acceleration brought with it the risk of more local infections. "But this is a risk we must accept. I think, like other countries, Thailand is now better equipped to deal with the risk. And we need to learn to live with it." Visitors from the 46 countries, described as the first low-risk group, may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of negative test results before taking flights. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2201875/thailand-welcomes-visitors-from-46-countries-from-nov-1 =============================== I read last night that the Aviation Authority of Thailand is planning exercises at international airports, simulating arrival of international tourists under the seven conditions previously released. The exercises are scheduled for Oct. 25. Those will presumably determine fine tuning of how tourists will be received andprocessed.

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Tokyo will lift curbs on bar and restaurant opening hours as COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital hit their lowest level this year, officials said on Thursday (Oct 21). It is the latest softening of coronavirus restrictions in Japan, where cases have been in free fall for weeks, which experts ascribe to a rapid increase in the vaccination rate. Nationwide, new infections have plunged from record highs of more than 25,800 in August to fewer than 400 in recent days. And Tokyo, a city of 14 million people, has reported an average of 47 daily cases over the past week - lows not seen since June 2020. The country has never imposed a blanket lockdown, but for most of this year, a COVID-19 state of emergency was in place in major cities and other areas, targeting alcohol sales and crowd sizes at large events - including the Tokyo Olympics, held mostly behind closed doors. The emergency measures ended three weeks ago, but some restrictions have remained, including Tokyo's restaurants and bars being asked to close by 9pm. From next Monday, establishments in the capital that take sufficient anti-infection measures will be free to open late, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said, after surrounding regions announced similar steps. Although Japan's vaccine drive started later than in many other developed economies, about 68 per cent of its population is now fully inoculated - more than the United States' 57 per cent. The borders of the world's third-largest economy remain shut to almost all foreign nationals, and mask-wearing is not mandatory but ubiquitous in public places. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-covid-19-tokyo-ditch-nightlife-curbs-2259061

From Bangkok Post Health cover perks for foreigners The Public Health Ministry is expanding the health insurance ceiling, covering Covid-19 treatment, to at least US$100,000 (3 million baht) for non-immigrant visa O-A applicants, to bolster their confidence to stay in the kingdom. Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said on Wednesday the health insurance criteria have been revised for foreigners who hold the non-immigration visa type O-A for a one-year stay. The change came into effect on Tuesday. In addition, visa holders can also submit an application for this health insurance from their countries, Mr Sathit said. The proposal was submitted by the ministry and other related agencies to the cabinet which approved it on June 15. The health insurance ceiling for foreigners holding this type of visa would be expanded from 40,000 baht for outpatient care and 400,000 baht for inpatient care to at least 3 million baht which covers medical expenses and Covid-19 treatment. Mr Sathit said the move was to follow the government's policy to promote health tourism and turn Thailand into a global medical hub. The development will also focus on Thai herb products, traditional Thai massage and spa, and boost the potential of the hospitality sector to attract more foreign tourists. Since last year, 3,768 elderly foreign nationals have applied for the non-immigration visa for a one-year stay, Mr Sathit said. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said this type of visa is granted to elderly people from overseas who cannot take out insurance in Thailand or where their insurance certification form is not valid for Thailand's systems. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2201423/health-cover-perks-for-foreigners

From Thai PBS World From November 1st, foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, without being required to enter quarantine, must meet seven conditions, according to the Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion of the Disease Control Department, today (Wednesday). Foreign arrivals must: Come from countries specified by the Thai Public Health Ministry as being low risk and arrive by air. Have certificates to confirm that they have received two doses of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine. Have negative COVID-19 results from RT-PCR tests conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival in Thailand. Have a minimum of US$50,000 health insurance coverage. Have written/electronic confirmation of hotel bookings in Thailand. Download and install a specified app upon arrival at the airport and undergo RT-PCR tests within 24 hours of arrival. Have negative test results before travelling domestically without quarantine. The government’s policy of reopening the country to foreign travellers is based on three models. The first is that arriving tourists, who are not fully inoculated, will be required to be isolated for 7 to 14 days depending on the case. The second is the “sandbox” model, which will be on trial in 17 provinces and the third is no quarantine for tourists who meet the seven conditions set by the Thai government. Although foreigners can enter Thailand with the fewest possible restrictions, the government attaches importance to the safety of the Thai people and the country’s health system, which must be capable with coping with the new challenge, said the department. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-sets-out-seven-conditions-for-foreign-arrivals-without-quarantine/

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon A news report that some visas based on retirement could now require two insurances has stirred confusion on social media. Deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha, in comments first relayed by ThaiPBSWorld, is quoted as saying that applications for one year 0/A visas would carry the extra requirement of “health” insurance of US$100,000, or over 3 million baht. However, the minister did not provide any backup information. O/A visas are one year (usually multiple entry) permissions of stay issued by Thai embassies abroad to wannabe retirees aged 50 and above. In 2019, a pre-pandemic era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a general medical insurance requirement of 400,000 baht (inpatient) and 40,000 (outpatient). The Thai insurance companies and consortia offering such a specific deal imposed an age limit of 75. However, some retirees had their own foreign-based policies which covered these requirements. The 400,000 baht insurance was made mandatory in 2020 for renewals (actually extensions of stay) of the 0/A visa at Thai immigration offices. This has caused great difficulty for elderly expats who found that the insurance was simply not available, or was subject to exclusions, which meant that claims were impossible as the self-payment conditions amounted to the totality of the policy. However, some immigration offices allowed a flexible interpretation which permitted acceptance of insurance policies designed to cover accidental injuries or death payouts. The deputy health minister appears now to be requiring a second policy, specifically for Covid-related illness, to be added to the required 0/A documentation. This is the same US$100,000 cover presently required of all entrants to Thailand, no matter what visa or permission they apply for. However and crucially, we still do not know what, if any, changes will be introduced from November 1 when the Thailand Pass replaces the Certificate of Entry. So the minister seems to be referring to renewals/extensions of stay of 0/A visa holders already here. Most expat retirees with one year extensions do not in fact have 0/A visas, but 0 visas based on retirement. What concerns them is whether the latest 0/A regulations apply to them when they attend immigration for their annual extension of stay. Currently the answer is no. Many 0/A visa holders have sought to transfer to an 0 at their immigration office, only to discover that they cannot change without first leaving the country in a complicated procedure. The Covid-specific US$100,000 insurance is available outside Thailand for entrants up to the age of 99, for example at http://covid19.tgia.org/ a Thai consortium which bases the cost only on duration of stay and country of departure. However, that popular policy is not available for retirees applying from within Thailand, whilst some other companies have a cut off age date around 75. So the whole insurance issue for foreigners based in Thailand is now extremely complex. Some commentators believe that Thai authorities are attempting to move retirees as a group from one year extensions to the Elite visa which lasts for five years, or more, but requires a non-refundable registration of at least 600,000 baht. Whether the squeeze is now taking root without escape tunnels remains to be seen. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/new-financial-headache-for-some-retirement-visa-holders-376327 re

From Thai Enquirer Thai netizens have been engaged in an online debate that has gone viral on Wednesday involving the use of real-life people and celebrities in works of fan fiction. The hashtag #การติ่งและGender (obsessed fan and gender) trended on Twitter after some netizens expressed outrage at erotic fan fiction which depicted celebrities or other real-life famous people. Some of the works of fiction are sold for money. One netizen expressed his concern that rights were being violated when these celebrities were featured in erotic stories without consent and then shared. Many of these stories involve an LGBTQ+ angle. Many have come out to stand their ground to support the authors stating that reader discretion is required as this is only an imaginative story, moreover, this helps the popularity of the subject matter and the celebrities. https://www.thaienquirer.com/34197/viral-debate-over-y-y-fiction-in-thailand-and-the-use-of-celebrities-in-erotic-fiction/

The answer to the confusion lies in all the actual political (jurisdictional) entities that make up the metropolitan Bangkok area. The Province of Bangkok, however is smaller and does not encompass Samat Prakan (where BKK airport is located), Nakhon Phathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samat Sakhon. Taken together they form what is considered the metropolitan Bangkok planning area as described in this chart: https://citypopulation.de/en/thailand/bangkokmetropolitan/ As with population figures anywhere, they are fluid. As you look at all the smaller jurisdictions in the listing above (and even these figures are estimates dating back to 2019) you get a feel for the complexity of what metropolitan Bangkok looks like. In any case, the deputy governor in the Bangkok Post article was speaking for his province (Bangkok). Now if Samut Prakan was included in the inoculation zone because travelers arriving by air would have to pass through it to get into Bangkok, you'd come up with a total population in the vicinity of roughly 7.6 million, about the number that z909 cites in his post above.

From Bangkok Post Seventy percent of the population in Bangkok -- 5.43 million people -- have so far received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Deputy Bangkok governor Sophon Phisutthiwong said on Tuesday that Bangkok was ready to reopen in line with the government’s policy to admit fully vaccinated foreign tourists next month. Pol Lt Gen Sophon spoke during a meeting with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation via a teleconference. He said 5.43 million people, or 70.63% in the capital have also received a second shot to date. It was expected that 80% of the population would receive the second dose by Oct 30. BMA health and district officials had inspected 247 businesses at shopping malls between Oct 14 and Oct 15 and found that 244 of them strictly followed Covid guidelines. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2200559/70-of-population-in-bangkok-now-fully-vaccinated

From Thai Enquirer Thailand’s central bank and bankers’ association on Tuesday vowed to repay money lost to a recent e-commerce fraud within five days, and to tighten the security system to detect unusual transactions. Last weekend, local media reported fraudulent debit and credit card transfers in various commercial banks that drained money from bank client’s accounts in successive transactions. The central bank said those transactions were not associated with leaks in bank databases but third-party overseas e-commerce platforms. (Read more here) Since October 1, the central bank revealed that around 10,700 debit and credit cardholders had seen money transferred, amounting around 130 million baht of losses. The banks will reimburse the money to affected debit cardholders within five days in accordance with a request from the central bank, Payong Srivanich, chairman of the bankers’ association, said. For credit cardholders, the banks will cancel all fraudulent payments and freeze the card immediately. Commercial banks have mechanisms in place to detect suspicious transactions, said central bank’s assistant-governor Siritida Panomwon Na Ayudhya. “Recently, there have been a lot of strange transactions, prompting banks to not alert their customers in time, with some cardholders finding the fraud themselves,” Siritida said. https://www.thaienquirer.com/34135/commercial-banks-given-five-days-to-repay-fraund/