It’s official

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

For the few still holding out hope, it’s now official: Pattaya is not reopening to foreign tourists Sept. 1.

In truth, it never was. No matter how much Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome and tourism-industry associations talked up the “Pattaya Move On” plan, Sept. 1 was never a realistic date and the plan was never approved by anyone.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand – which, in fact, can’t open a noodle stand on its own, let alone a city – said Aug. 10 there was no way Pattaya could start welcoming fully vaccinated foreigners in three weeks and wouldn’t even predict when Pattaya will be.

Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome, however, admitted defeat, saying that, without TAT’s backing, Pattaya cannot continue to lobby for reopening.

Pattaya is not alone. TAT also pulled its support for reopening of Hua Hin.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/its-official-pattaya-not-reopening-sept-1-367286

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Covid-19 sinks Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry

The Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry survived summer storms, pier renovations and mechanical issues, but Covid-19 finally sunk the service.

Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome announced Aug. 10 that Royal Passenger Line Ltd. had requested that its contract for Pier 3 at the Bali Hai jetty not be renewed and that it was suspending its catamaran service to Prachuap Khiri Khan, probably forever.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/covid-19-sinks-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-367278

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92% of Covid-19 patients in Thailand are infected by Delta variant

Thailand’s Department of Medical Science (DMS) has revealed that more than 90% of COVID-19 patients have been infected by the Delta variant of the virus.

DMS Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the department has been studying new infections each week and, of the 1,632 samples surveyed last week, 1,499, or 91.9%, had been infected by the Delta variant, while 129, or 7.9%, had picked up the Alpha variant and 4, or 0.2%, had the Beta strain. No other strains of COVID-19 have been detected in Thailand so far.

He said the trend of infections in Thailand shows that the Delta variant is fast becoming the mainstream and can be found in every province, while the Alpha variant will eventually cease to exist. As for the Beta variant, it will remain in southern provinces and not spread to other regions.

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/92-of-covid-19-patients-in-thailand-are-infected-by-delta-variant-367402

[PeterRS]

5 hours ago, reader said:

From Pattaya Mail

For the few still holding out hope, it’s now official: Pattaya is not reopening to foreign tourists Sept. 1.

In truth, it never was. No matter how much Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome and tourism-industry associations talked up the “Pattaya Move On” plan, Sept. 1 was never a realistic date and the plan was never approved by anyone.

How many times have we heard similar nonsense by those hoping to influence both the public and the powers-that-be that miracles will happen, only for them to lose face in having to climb down when reality hits them in the face?

[reader]

From The Nation

Thailand will have over 32 million doses of Pfizer jabs before yearend

Thailand will receive 32.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine within the fourth quarter of this year, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ministry had placed an order for 20 million doses with Pfizer as part of its vaccine procurement plan. In addition, he said, Pfizer has also offered to send another 10 million doses to the country within this year.

“This, combined with the 2.5 million doses donated by the US – 1.5 million doses of which have already been delivered – will bring the total of Pfizer vaccines up to 32.5 million doses,” Anutin said.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004572

[reader]

14 hours ago, PeterRS said:

How many times have we heard similar nonsense by those hoping to influence both the public and the powers-that-be that miracles will happen, only for them to lose face in having to climb down when reality hits them in the face?

There's worst things you can lose than face. And none is more important than hope.

[PeterRS]

14 minutes ago, reader said:

There's worst things you can lose than face. And the most necessary one is hope.

If you read my post I was referring specifically to the powers-that-be who have been making regular pronouncements of this opening up date or that opening up date, only for them to eat their words when no dates are met and the situation in cities and the country as a whole just goes from bad to worse. Of course hope is vitally important. But rather than overly optimistic prognostications, a harsh dose of reality is surely far better at this time. That and providing a great deal of much needed assistance to all those who have been so badly affected by incompetent and corrupt government actions.