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It's clear from Oz's post today that Thailand will--at some yet undetermined time--allow expats to be administered vaccine. The government is still working on a policy, according to press reports. That is discrimination based on national origin and limited vaccine supply. Since the expats (resident foreign nationals) represent many different races, as does the citizenry of Thailand itself, it's not "racially" based discrimination. Malaysia is to be lauded for it's policy of inclusion. Lets hope that pressure continue to build toward the waiver of intellectual property protection for COVID vaccines. The Biden administration Wednesday got on board that proposal, drafted by India and South Africa, but many holdouts remain. Nevertheless, it's an encouraging step that could allow developing nations to produce their own supplies of the most successful vaccines.

How exactly does not providing inoculations to foreign nationals automatically amount to racial discrimination? If you accept that premise, you're claiming that Thailand is racially discriminating against expats because they won't allow them to be inoculated before its own citizens.

You're absolutely right, Anddy, about the Pfizer and Moderna jabs. They could get the J&J with normal refrigerated shipping (it's good for at least three months if kept between 35-46F). But I agree that the the easiest solution would be to allow select hospitals to receive it on the behalf of foreign embassies and their citizens pay for the cost of injection. It may not fall under normal consular services, but these aren't normal times. Given the exports that Thailand sends to the US, EU and UK, it shouldn't take a lot of persuasion to get it done.

Don't think there's any other way to see it. But as Anddy points out, this comes as no surprise. What puzzles me is that the embassies that represent expats in large numbers residing in Thailand aren't stepping up to the plate to inoculate their own citizens. Countries like the UK, US, Australia and Japan (and others) have access to vaccines and the ability to import them. Although I'm no expert on expert on diplomatic immunity, it would appear that embassies would be in a perfect position to offer vaccinations to their own citizens abroad, particularly if they were done on embassy grounds. They have most likely inoculated their own staffs by now. I believe that all of the governments mentioned above are already sending COVID aid to distressed nations in one form or another. It seems unreasonable to expect expats to have to travel outside Thailand to obtain something that their government is in a position to provide.

Having been there 50+ times over several years, it was anything but a disaster for me. You're right about there being a lot of straight looking Viet guys there but I like straight-looking guys. Guess I'm just funny that way. Also found them--and their Lao colleagues--more than capable of providing satisfactory service. I found that it has as much to do with how I treated them as how they treated me. It's also been my experience that judging a massage shop based on a single visit with one guy isn't a good basis for making such a sweeping assessment. Longer than you think. The shop is permanently closed and owner has moved back to Isan where he's opened a shop..

From The Thaiger ull steam ahead. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s insists that the sandbox re-opening plans for 6 of Thailand’s most economically sensitive tourist magnets will start on July 1… July 2021. Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai will, according to the TAT, be open to foreign tourists who have received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine (or 1 if that’s the vaccine dose of a registered vaccine in Thailand). Phuket will be the first destination to lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ program. And the TAT say the date WILL be July 1, 2021. “Tourists will be required to spend the first seven days on the island, before travelling to other Thai destinations.” The media release doesn’t specify any of the paperwork or travel restrictions that may still be imposed on international travellers to the 6 targeted areas. The TAT says that authorities continue to work on vaccination programs on the island “to safely achieve herd immunity against Covid-19 for 70% of Phuket’s population, including residents, workers in tourism-related businesses, and migrant workers.” So far, the best intentions of Phuket officials have only vaccinated around 90-100,000 residents, less than 25% of the island’s resident population but well ahead of other parts of the country. The Thai government are trying to acquire additional vaccines to reach the target of 100 million doses to vaccinate 50 million people across Thailand by the end of the year, according to the TAT. “Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri which includes Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Surat Thani which includes Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, as well as 8 other high-risk provinces were being prioritised in the rollout of the first vaccine doses.” The Thaiger keeps receiving complaints from foreigners who are trying to register with the app but, like many Thai people at the moment, the app and Line registration have been crumbling under the initial high levels of registrations since it opened last Saturday. Foreigners will currently need a Pink ID card to register but many foreigners with even a Pink Thai ID card are reporting problems getting a receipt of their registration. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/6-of-thailands-top-tourist-zones-will-start-opening-for-quarantine-free-travel-in-july-tat

From Bangkok Post Vaccine tourism to US Thais seeking to get free Covid-19 vaccines as part of tour packages to the United States should contact the Foreign Ministry first before paying since not all states offer the service, according to the Foreign Ministry. Spokesman Tanee Sangrat said on Tuesday before making the decisions, buyers should check the regulations in the states they plan to to go since the situation is still fluid. In general, people aged 16 and more who live in or have legally entered the US can seek Covid vaccination free of charge. However, the criteria and procedures differ in each state. For example, he said, vaccine recipients are required to have permanent residences or jobs in some states. But in others, tourists may be able to get vaccinated by simply showing their passports. Mr Tanee urged them to first check with the following Thai government agencies before paying for such a trip. In Thailand, they can cantact the Consular Affairs Department, Foreign Ministry, by calling 02-572-8442 or through the Thai Consular mobile app. In the US, they can contact: - Thai Embassy in Washington DC, (+1 202-684-8493); - Thai Consulate in Los Angeles (+1 323-962-9574); - Thai Consulate in Chicago (+1 312-664-3129); - Thai Consulate in New York (+1 212-754-1770, ext 304, 311 and 313) According to ads seen by the Bangkok Post, a package to San Francisco, Monterey and Los Angeles of 10 days or seven nights including boarding and breakfast offers a vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson. The prices range from 175,000 baht each for two persons to 76,000 baht each for a group of 8-10, excluding air fares. The popularity of such packages is an indicator how desperate some Thais have been to get vaccinated in the wake of the third wave. The government on Saturday kicked off vaccination registration for the first group who are not health workers — people aged 60 or more and those with seven existing conditions, but vaccination won't begin until June. Younger people can then register in July. Apart from the slow speed of vaccination, many are upset about the lack of vaccine choice. Although the government aims to administer 100 million shots by the end of this year, more than half of them will be made by AstraZeneca and Sinovac, which are perceived to have lower efficacy rates than other brands widely used in the US. While the government agreed to buy 35 million shots from US-based Pfizer and J&J and Russia-based Gamaleya, people are not allowed to choose the vaccine they will get. People who can afford it therefore start looking to get immunised at private hospitals. However, it will take months for the alternative vaccines to be approved by Thailand's Food and Drug Administration and imported by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization for them. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2110171/thai-warned-about-vaccine-tourism-to-us

Narita appears to have daily fights to Guam. The RT fares (BKK-NRT-GUM) are about $1100 on flights operated by Al Nippon. Total flight time 11:45. Sounds like a good alternative. Good luck!

In addition to the avenues mentioned above, many foreign nationals gain legal entry to select countries by becoming the spouse of a citizen. Some may grant citizenship expeditiously while others have a meticulous process that my take years. Others may not grant citizenship but allow the foreign national to remain legally so long as they remain married.c Countries that recognize same sex marriage or civil unions present options for LBGTQ individuals. 15 COUNTRIES THAT GRANT CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE https://facts36.com/15-countries-that-grant-citizenship-by-marriage/

From The Nation The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Monday launched an official Line account for residents seeking emergency Covid-19 treatment. The Line account is @bkkcovid19connect. Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the account would speed up the emergency response for Covid-19 patients, providing an alternative to the Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre's 1669 hotline. "A strength of this account is that it enables the BMA to manage Covid-19 patients effectively," he said. "Once officials finish checking a person's information submitted via the account, they will contact the person within an hour." He also asked people who contacted the account to prepare their information and self-isolate at their residence until officials arrive.

From CNN World 'I thought I would die.' Myanmar protesters describe torture they suffered in detention The 19-year-old's eyes are so swollen he cannot open them properly. His face is marked with big purple welts and bruises. Etched into his shoulders and back are long, dark lacerations that have yet to heal over -- wounds, he said, that were inflicted when Myanmar military officers who had detained him whipped him repeatedly with cable wires. "I thought I would die," the teenager, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said of his three-day stint in a military detention camp, while showing a photo of his wounds. He is one of more than 4,400 people detained by Myanmar's security forces since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, according to advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The round-up, part of a systematic and bloody crackdown on any perceived opposition to the takeover, has ensnared politicians, protesters, journalists, striking workers, celebrities, and even children and bystanders. Many people have been taken in terrifying nighttime raids or abducted off the streets and held in secretive facilities out of contact from their families. Little is known about the conditions they are kept in. The 19-year-old said he was repeatedly beaten while held in military detention. But the accounts of those who have been released, as well as from defectors from the military and family members, detail brutal acts of violence and torture. The teen was traveling back to Yangon from Bago on his moped when he said he was stopped at a military checkpoint on April 9. It was a long drive, and it was already getting late. That day had seen one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters, with more than 80 killed by security forces in the town, according to AAPP. Searching his bag and phone, soldiers found images of him with a shield at protests. The 19-year-old said he was taken to a military compound, where his hands were tied and he was repeatedly beaten by the guards, who used cables, the butts of guns, and glass bottles. His back shows the scars from being whipped with cable wires, after he was released from military detention. "The commander tied my hands from the back and used small scissors to cut my ears, the tip of my nose, my neck and my throat. (He) hit my head with a glass bottle, beat me up, pointed at me with guns but the bullets did not come out. He used the gun to threaten me as soon as I got to their station. Then he let his fellow soldiers beat me up that night," he said. Continues with photos https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/27/asia/myanmar-coup-detainees-torture-intl-hnk/index.html

Record 31 Covid deaths 2,041 new infections The Public Health Ministry on Monday reported a new daily high of 31 coronavirus deaths and 2,041 new infections over the previous 24 hours. This took the total number of cases to 71,025 since the pandemic began last year. The death toll now stands at 276. This was about 50% up on the 21 deaths reported on both Saturday and Sunday. The new wave, which includes the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant first detected in Britain, has accounted for more than half of total cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic. As the rising toll was announced, a respected professor of medicine warned the kingdom faces a crisis if the number deaths continues to rise. "If the figures do not go down and instead continue to rise, that means we are moving towards the real crisis stage," Prasit Watanapa, dean of Siriraj Hospital's faculty of medicine, said during the daily briefing of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Dr Prasit urged people to be strict about wearing face masks, to follow all measures advocated to curb the latest outbreak and to accept vaccination. Dr Apisamai said the main concern was in Bangkok, especially three communities in Klong Toey district of Bangkok, the centre of a new cluster. The district reported 304 new transmissions last month, most of them in three congested communities of Pattana Mai, 70 Rai and Rim Klong Wat Saphan, she said. These three communities were the prime focus of mass testing. Plans to curb new infections in Klong Toey district were the main agenda of talks between health authorities on Monday afternoon. Deputy Defence Forces spokeswoman Col Chatrapee Poonsawat said on Monday the military was erecting a new field hospital for up to 300 patients at a warehouse at Klong Toey Port. The CCSA said the country recorded only one new imported case, a Thai national who returned from Cambodia on April 22. He was under treatment at Sa Kaeo Hospital. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2109635/record-31-covid-deaths-2-041-new-infections

NOTE -- Before the deal, SIA had 55 A350's and 15 B787's, the most fuel efficient aircraft in its fleet. No doubt it would have preferred to eliminate some of its 19 A380's but there are no takers for that type at the moment. From Reuters Singapore Airlines Ltd said on Monday it had raised about S$2 billion ($1.50 billion) through sale-and-leaseback deals for 11 of its planes to help bolster liquidity as it grapples with the pandemic-related plunge in travel. The airline said it would continue to explore other ways to raise liquidity after reaching deals with four parties over seven Airbus SE A350-900s and four Boeing Co 787-10s. Rivals such as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Qantas Airways Ltd have done similar deals during the pandemic. “The additional liquidity from these sale-and-leaseback transactions reinforces our ability to navigate the impact of the COCVID-19 pandemic from a position of strength,” Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong said in a statement. Singapore Airlines said it had access to more than S$2.1 billion of undrawn credit lines and an option to raise up to S$6.2 billion in convertible bonds before its annual meeting in July 2021. The airline lacks a domestic market and has been hit hard by the virtual halt to international passenger travel because of border controls and quarantine measures. Singapore Airlines reported a 99.6% decline in passenger numbers in April relative to the prior year. https://www.reuters.com/article/singapore-air-financing/singapore-airlines-raises-15-bln-from-airplane-sale-and-leaseback-deals-idUSL1N2MQ016

If you go to the website that produced this video (gaythaicool) you'll find a tab that contains listings and photos of many massage shops in Bangkok and Pattaya. https://gaythaicool.com/tag/boy-massage/

From Khaosod English Facebook By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer It’s never a good time to be poor, or an ordinary person with no connections. When there’s a COVID-19 outbreak, it could quickly become fatal. Your chance of dying, if infected, is much higher than the rich and well-connected that will in no time be taken to a plush hospital. At Klong Toey Slum, Thailand’s largest shanty town, 50 people have been infected by midweek. Many called for a field hospital bed in vain. No field hospital beds were available for most of them. They had to wait and they ended up having to quarantine themselves inside their tiny and over-crowded homes, often with many other family members who shared the space and exposed the rest to the risk of infections, until an ad hoc space was set at a temple inside the community on Thursday. “It’s very congested. It’s like being imprisoned at home,” Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, founder of Klong Toey-based Duang Prateep Foundation told me earlier this week about the situation. You don’t need to be a slum dweller to be more acutely vulnerable. Half a dozen ordinary people called the government COVID-19 hotline 1668 in vain over the past 10 days. They died before or as help arrived. Some of these people died a lonely death. They called and called and called but the hotline was busy, busy and busy. When help came, it came too late. Political artist Sina Wittayawiroj even made a parody out of Jacques-Louis David’s famous 1793 painting, “The Death of Marat” about the situation. Instead of French Revolutionary leader Jean-Paul Marat, it’s an anonymous ordinary Thai male lying on a bed with the same posture, dead. His left hand holding on to a smartphone after failing to get help from the government’s hotline centre, the word “HELP” was written on the floor. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/2021/05/02/opinion-covid-19-exposes-deadly-inequalities-in-thailand/

From The Nation All travellers to Singapore from May 2, 11.59pm (Singapore time), who have a history of travel to Thailand 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore, will now be required to serve their 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. he announcement by Singapore's Ministry of Health applied to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok said. "Travellers will no longer be able to opt out of serving their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities," the embassy said.

I would not be shocked if I learned that a young Thai man used some of the cash I sent him to have fun. Unlike many westerners, who primarily concern themselves with how many assets they have gathered right up until they draw their last breath, Thai culture has always been more concerned with fun in the moment. And it's not fun unless it's in a social context. Thais don't care to enjoy themselves alone--if that's even possible--and more they like to eat alone. In fact, I'd be glad he got some joy from my gift. Many, if not most, of the guys we meet know poverty from childhood. They come to BKK or Pattaya to escape it and send some of their earnings back home in the time honored tradition. But they're also young and place a high priority of celebrating their youth with their buddies. And as we are constantly reminded, you're only young once. Those guys from Thailand (or any of the other SE Asian nations whose sons gravitate to Thailand) who ask us for something aren't robbing us like the man in the OP who used coercion in one form or another. They're just taking a chance and asking. If we choose to demand a litmus test, it becomes a transaction instead of a gift. No, I'm not advocating sending off cash on a whim to someone I've never met. But I am talking about young men we have come to know; those who made our lives more bearable because they didn't reject us out of hand as many in our own country would. If there was ever a time in our world we might see our way free to return the favor, this very well might be that time.

From Popular Science This cryptic megalithic site is thousands of years old, but its origin story is still not fully known Nestled in the mountain ridges and hilly slopes of northern Laos lies one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. Strewn across about 30 square miles, in seemingly random formation, are thousands of large stone jars. Popularly called Laos’s Plain of Jars, this unique place became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, though its origins are still shrouded in mystery. Archaeologists have spent years hypothesizing the purpose and origin story of these megalithic vessels, which range from 3 to 10 feet in height and can weigh up to 14 tons. But nobody has found strong evidence for any one theory until now. New research published in PLOS One in March shows that these jars were used as burial sites. And while the jars themselves could be more than 3,000 years old, analysis of human remains suggest people were buried alongside these jars as recently as 700 or 800 years ago. A multicultural team assembled to complete this research, which involved several excavation expeditions to four jar sites in the Laos mountainsides. During their last trip, in February 2020, they quickly uncovered more human burial sites and collected samples for later analysis. The team then promptly had to disperse, making it home in time for their respective countries’ COVID lockdowns. Using a variety of techniques including radiocarbon dating, team members in Australia concluded that vessels in the Plain of Jars were placed there as early as the late second millennium BCE. The human remains, on the other hand, seem to come from between the ninth and 13th centuries. That’s a pretty large age difference. It’s possible that the jars have always been used for burials, and that scientists only managed to find younger evidence. But it’s impossible to rule out other theories. It’s also possible that the jars were not originally used for mortuary purposes. Some theories say that these jars were for brewing celebratory rice wine or whiskey. Then, later descendants of the original jar users might have repurposed the vessels for burial rites. While this new research is illuminating, the study authors note that there are still plenty of jar sites in Laos that have not been examined. Those untouched jars could potentially hold new information that might reveal more of the history, and finally close the book on these jars’ mysterious origin story. https://www.popsci.com/story/science/plain-of-jars-laos-burial-site/

Much has changed since the OP nearly two months ago. More than 700 have died and countless numbers driven from their homes. As the military cracked down on media working inside the country, an increasing amount of news has been coming from afar. The following video, however, shows what it's like on the ground. The faces of the victims tell us more than can be conveyed by words alone. From CNN / MSN Fighting between Myanmar's military and armed ethnic groups is moving so close to the border it can be seen from Thailand. While a leader from the Karen National Liberation Army says their small victories against the junta can help the country-wide push for democracy, it comes at a cost to people living near the border. CNN's Paula Hancocks reports. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/rare-footage-shows-gun-battle-at-myanmar-thailand-border/vi-BB1gda17

From The Thaiger Bangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year With Bangkok as the epicentre of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, infecting over 10,000 people in the capital since April 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says they now aim to vaccinate 70% of Bangkok residents by the end of the year. Since Thailand started its national Covid-19 vaccination plan in late-February, just 1.4 million doses have been inoculated. Priority was initially given to Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations said to be of “economic significance” in an effort to reach herd immunity and reopen the islands to foreign tourists. In Bangkok, health officials have focused on vaccinated frontline healthcare workers and other people at high risk rather than the general population like Phuket and Koh Samui. Bangkok has a population of around 10 million people. The administration says those 18 and older will be included in the vaccination plan. Governor Aswin Kwanmuang says 10 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered between June and December. People need be injected with 2 doses for the vaccine to be effective. Aswin says that starting in June, they plan to administer 40,000 to 50,000 doses a day. Those in Bangkok seeking a Covid-19 vaccine can register by messaging the @MorPhrom Line account. The vaccines will be administered at public hospitals in Bangkok as well as some department stores, according to Nation Thailand.

Of course. It was the victims' fault!

From Travel and Leisure It's safe to say that The Standard, the hip and highly hyped hotel brand with locations in the U.S., U.K., and Maldives, is different than the rest — in the best way possible. And according to Amar Lalvani, CEO of Standard International, the hotel's parent company, that's exactly the point. "I'd like to think many in the hospitality business are sort of backward looking," Lalvani told Travel + Leisure over a recent Zoom call. "And I think we're very forward looking." Partnering with King Power Group, a major player in the world of duty-free shopping, Standard International will open two new locations in Thailand, starting with its Asian flagship, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. Scheduled to open in December, the hotel will house 155 rooms in the 78-story King Power Mahanakhon, a futuristic skyscraper towering over the Thai capital city that Lalvani calls "one of the most impressive developments in the region, if not the world." The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon will also be home to the country's first Mott 32, the popular Cantonese restaurant with locations in Hong Kong, Las Vegas, and Vancouver, as well as "creative interpretations of the iconic Standard Grill," among other bars and restaurants. The Alice in Wonderland-like tea parlor, The Tea Box, and a rooftop restaurant overshadowing neighboring skyscrapers are sure to be Bangkok's next "it" Instagram-worthy stops. Standard's second venture in Thailand eschews the hustle and bustle of the city for Hua Hin, a beach town popular with Bangkok's rich, famous, and royal set. "It is maybe overused, but it's like the Hamptons of Bangkok, if you will," Lalvani explained of the coastal retreat about two and a half hours from the capital. Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, The Standard, Hua Hin offers beachfront access, but is still within walking distance of the town's street food stalls and markets. With 199 rooms, guests can opt for a yellow King Suite with garden views and a rain shower, or turn it up with one of the 19 pool villas featuring a private deck, plunge pool, and soaker tub. The resort, also scheduled to open in December, will have a number of eateries, including The Lido, an all-day Mediterranean dining spot and bar; Praia, a Thai beach bar and restaurant; and The Juice Bar. A spa melding holistic and modern techniques, a gym, and a pool round out the resort's amenities. Continues with video and photos https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/standard-bangkok-hua-hin-thailand-expansion

From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: From Thursday (Apr 29), users of Singapore's PayNow and Thailand's PromptPay will be able to send up to S$1,000 or THB25,000 daily across the two countries using just a mobile number, as the two real-time payment systems are linked. In a joint media release, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) said the link would allow customers of participating banks to transfer funds “seamlessly and securely” between accounts in the two countries. “The transfers will be completed within a matter of minutes, representing a marked improvement over the average of one to two working days needed by most cross-border remittance solutions,” they said. The MAS and BOT called the link the "first of its kind globally". The participating banks in Singapore are currently DBS, UOB and OCBC in Singapore, while in Thailand, the four participating banks are Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krung Thai Bank and The Siam Commercial Bank. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-paynow-thailand-promptpay-funds-transfer-14712130

From The Nation The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Thursday that all arrivals from overseas will be required to complete their 14-day mandatory quarantine regardless of their vaccination status or nationality. The CCSA said the 14-day mandatory quarantine will also apply to all those who hold a certificate of entry (COE) issued on or after May 1. Travellers who hold a COE that was issued before May 1 and who arrive before May 6 will be quarantined for seven to 10 days depending on their inoculation status. People arriving after May 6 will be quarantined for 14 days. Travellers checking into alternative state quarantine venues will be required to stay inside their rooms at all times. They will not be allowed to use any facilities the hotel may offer and are required to undergo three Covid tests during the quarantine period. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000374 =========================================================== From The Thaiger All foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan All expats living in Thailand are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, according to deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natapanu Nopakun. He says Thailand plans to roll out a “massive vaccination plan” to vaccinate all people who are living in Thailand, including foreign residents. “All people residing in Thailand, regardless of nationality, are eligible to receive the vaccine under the plan.”He made the announcement during the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing today. Natapanu says more information on the vaccination plan for foreigners residing in Thailand will be released at a later date. Health officials in Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations that have been said to be of “economic significance,” have already been rolling out mass vaccination campaigns in an effort to reach herd immunity and reopen the islands to foreign tourists by July. An expat who works as an English teacher at a school in Koh Samui says he received both doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine this month. He says the school helped with the registration process and both doses of Covid-19 vaccine were free. =========================================================== From The Thaiger Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones Disease control restrictions are tightening nationwide. Bangkok and 5 other provinces with a high number of Covid-19 infections are now classified as “dark red” zones under the highest control to combat the spread of the coronavirus, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Under the new zoning measures, the dark red provinces include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. Those provinces have reported more than 100 Covid-19 cases per day. Regulations in those areas include: Events or gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited. Dine-in services at restaurants and cafes are prohibited, but takeaway services until 9pm are allowed. Stadiums, gyms, fitness centres are closed except for sports facilities that are in open areas. Those facilities must close by 9pm. Shopping centres can stay open until 9pm. Arcades and entertainment activities must close until the Covid-19 situation improves. Alcohol is not allowed to be sold at restaurants nationwide. There is now a nationwide order requiring face masks to be worn in public places. Most provinces have already set local orders requiring masks to be worn. The new zoning goes into effect at midnight Saturday. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/restrictions-tighten-nationwide-bangkok-and-5-other-provinces-now-dark-red-zones

From Bangkok Post New wave spoils Elite cardholders' plans The Thailand Privilege Card Co (TPC) is banking on the Phuket tourism sandbox model to bring new arrivals who are Thailand Elite Card members after the resurgence of the virus delayed their travel plans to Thailand indefinitely. "No quarantine -- like the Phuket sandbox concept -- and containing the virus are key factors to help existing members finalise their decision to visit Thailand," said Somchai Soongswang, president of TPC, the operator of the Thailand Elite Card service. As of April 15, 1,100 tourists had visited Thailand under the Thailand Elite Members Quarantine Programme approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) back in August 2020. Meanwhile, 1,500 members who expressed a desire to visit Thailand are still waiting for documents to be processed, available flights, or wish to get vaccines in their home country first before travelling. Some members had already received certificates of entry (COE) but they postponed their plans due to the latest wave. After Songkran, only 69 members requested to visit Thailand, down from over 100 per week as everyone wants to wait until the situation improves. As part of Elite Flexible One, which is aiming to drive property sales by offering a 500,000-baht membership for a five-year multiple-entry visa to those who buy 10-million-baht properties in Thailand, Mr Somchai said a property developer had already received a potential bid but the negotiation was interrupted by the new outbreak as the buyer delayed their decision. During the first half of fiscal year 2021 (Oct 1, 2020-Mar 31, 2021), TPC approved 2,552 new members, a growth of 93% compared to 1,322 from the same period last year. Of the new members, 26% are in the 40-49 age group and 24% are in the 30-39 bracket, which surpassed the retirement age group (23.7%) for the first time. He said younger members are mostly digital nomads or those who work as programmers or software engineers, especially from Japan, the US and Europe. TPC will work with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to offer products that serve the specific demands of this group, including a shorter visa period of less than five years and co-working spaces with useful facilities. He said the firm will achieve its target of getting 2,600 new members by April which will help them end accumulated losses of 240 million baht this fiscal year. The number of Elite cardholders reached 13,564 as of March 30.