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From the Thaiger Thailand to strictly screen those arriving from countries with Monkeypox Thailand is creating a new emergency centre to monitor the spread of monkeypox, which has now been detected in at least 12 countries, although in very small numbers at this stage. The Bangkok Post reports that Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, virologist and director-general of the ministry’s Department of Disease Control says Thai health officials are closely monitoring the outbreak, even if the virus has not yet been reported here. According to Dr. Opas, following the recent easing of travel restrictions, Thailand now needs to be on alert, particularly when it comes to visitors from areas in Africa where monkeypox is endemic. To date, the virus has been reported in the US, Australia, and Canada, as well as in several European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. To date, over 100 cases have been reported in Europe.K The DDC says humans can contract monkeypox through close contact with an infected person or animal. The virus can be found in a variety of rodents and in primates. Human-to-human transmission is limited, but can occur through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. However, scientists say this virus is unlikely to result in another pandemic. At this stage a lot of the human-to-human transmission has happened through sexual contact. The symptoms of monkeypox include a fever, rash, body aches, fatigue, headache, and swollen lymph nodes, and can last between 2 and 4 weeks. Lesions, the ‘pox’ part of the name, will often fester, then slowly dry up and disappear in between the second and third week. Whilst monkeypox is rarely lethal, one variant of the disease has a fatality rate of around 10%, with deaths mostly occurring as a result of lung or brain inflammation and dehydration.

About half a dozen, as I recall. The standard “ping the pole” routine, Overall a long but fun show. The performers smile easily and are very accessible.

You raise a good point about the economics of operating a low passenger load flight under current conditions: I’d hazard a guess that Singapore it going to test how much premium passengers are willing to pay for convenience. One big advantage of that particular route is the proliferation of well-heeled customers at both ends. Couple that with the carrier’s reputation for excellence and it becomes a case of if anyone can pull it off it’s probably Singapore.

Fresh Boy show last night well attended with about 22 guys on stage representing Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam—all easy on the eyes. Six very energetic dancers. The LB show dancer (widely known for her dazzling costumes) was very well received. Show included all the standard specialty acts, all executed to satisfaction. if non-fem twinks and guy-next-door are your type, you won’t be disappointed. There’s were also three bigger, muscly guys on the menu. There were numerous off during the show (including two waiters). All performers were in jeans but those participating in the acts were in speedos The BC show towels that fell away.

As alluded to by PaulSF earlier this week, it seems the return to normalized nightlife is steadily progressing. As I walked along Thaniya the other night, the ladies of the evening were populating one side of the soi like it was 2019 again. This, I told myself, has to be a very good omen. This morning’s Bangkok Post reinforced this belief. ”The Ministry of Public Health will on Friday propose new Covid-19 zoning with some provinces to be classified as "green zones", according to its permanent secretary, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit. The ministry's proposal to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) involves the revised zoning of Covid-19 hit provinces only, with surveillance "green zones" added to the current high surveillance "yellow zones" and "blue zones" promoted for tourism in the colour-coded system, he said. Although no further easing of Covid-19 restrictions is proposed by the ministry, the provincial communicable disease committees in "green zones" can consider further relaxations and what activities may resume, he said. When translated into the vernacular, this allows otherwise restricted activities to proceed without violating laws or sensibilities.

The A350 performs the nonstop service between JFK and SIN. Now that it’s avoiding. Russian airspace the duration can be as much as 19 hours. depending on winds aloft. The 380 is filling the seats with Euro-bound and Asian bound travelers. As others have pointed out, Singapore has positioned itself ideally to provide efficient point-to-point and conventional routing through passenger rich heart of Europe. And it’s completive pricing in all classes is filling the seats. My mid-day arrival was swift and efficient. With no checked luggage, I made it from sky bridge to City Line train in about 20 minutes, most of it a welcome stroll through the sorely missed familiarity of Swampy (and I say that with affection). The ride up the escalator at Silom was a near emotional experience after a 26-month period of deprivation.

The A350 is the daily nonstop but Singapore also flies an A380 out of New York that stops in Frankfurt. It was just about full when I flew it this week.

From the BBC Australian flag carrier Qantas made history recently by ferrying passengers nonstop between South America and Australia. The aeroplane – a Boeing 787 Dreamliner – departed Buenos Aires shortly past noon local time. Some 9,300 miles (14.973km) and 17-plus hours later, QF 14 landed in Darwin. In doing so, the carrier set two internal records: longest distance covered and longest time in the air for a commercial flight. Captain Alex Passerini, who commanded QF 14, later said: "Qantas has always stepped up to a challenge, especially when it comes to long-haul travel, and this flight is an excellent example of the capabilities and attention to detail of our flight planning team." Contrary to popular belief, flying for so many hours isn't entirely new. In the 1930s, Pan Am jets hopscotched across the Pacific Ocean with regularity. Passengers on board the Honolulu clipper could expect 20-hour flight times when shuttling between Hawaii and the continental United States. Qantas followed suit a decade later. In 1943, the Flying Kangaroo launched service between Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Australia, its flying boats taking up to 33 hours to complete the trip. Passengers who did were subsequently admitted to "The Rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise", so named because of the two sunrises they would see during the trip. The 21st Century has seen the long-haul, nonstop trend continue. In 2004, Singapore Airlines made headlines when it launched service between New York and Singapore; a 9,500-plus mile (15,289km) haul that can – depending on prevailing winds – take up to 19 hours. Less punishing (though not by much) is Qatar Airways’ Doha to Auckland, New Zealand service which clocks in at 9,000 miles (14,484km). Passengers on board the Boeing 777 cross 10 time zones and virtually the entire length of the Indian Ocean, continental Australia, and the Tasman Sea before arriving in the City of Sails. Trip time? 18 hours. Similar feats of flight are expected later this year when United and American Airlines launch services between the United States and India. Continues at https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220513-how-long-haul-travel-will-change-post-covid

From CNBC The European Union is set to drop its mask mandate for passengers on flights and in airports from Monday, following an update to guidelines for the aviation industry. The recommendation for mandatory wearing of medical masks in airports and on board a flight is being lifted on May 16, EU’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said last week, while noting that a face mask is still one of the best protections against the transmission of Covid-19. The updated guidance takes into account the latest developments in the pandemic, “in particular the levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the accompanying lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries,” the EASA said in a statement. However, individual airlines can still choose to recommend or require mask-wearing on board the EASA said, with rules likely to continue to vary by airline beyond Monday. For example, flights to or from a destination where mask-wearing is still required on public transport should continue to encourage mask wearing, according to the recommendations. Vulnerable passengers should continue to wear a face mask regardless of the rules, the EASA added, and social distancing should be encouraged in indoor areas at the airport where possible.

Just when you thought it was safe to come in again, The Nation is reporting that one public health official (vice-chairman Chalermchai Boonyaleephan) wants Thailand to begin quarantining visitors from Portugal and South Africa due to an emerging variant. “Thailand should consider quarantining tourists from Portugal and South Africa or at least having them undergo RT-PCR tests to prevent these subvariants from entering the country,” he said. “The World Health Organisation, however, has not named BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern yet,” he added. Separately, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said an mRNA booster for people whose first two jabs are inactivated vaccines helps boost immunity against Covid-19 effectively. “The immunity provided by a Pfizer booster after receiving two Sinovac or Sinopharm jabs is similar to three Pfizer jabs,” he said, citing a study conducted by Chulalongkorn University's Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, which he heads. He added that this combination should also provide high immunity to children.

You're right about that. The only good news I see here is that more ways of getting to Thailand are coming online. Hopefully the competition will help keep fares in check.

From Korea Herald Following the government’s eased rules on COVID-19 testing for travelers, air carriers are bracing for the summer holiday season as they reopen suspended international routes and refurbish cargo planes to carry passengers. On Sunday, the country’s largest flag carrier Korean Air announced that it is adding more than 30 flights per week to Europe and US routes from next month. The number of flights to popular destinations such as San Francisco, Vancouver, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt is expected to exceed 190 flights per week from the current 159 flights. Korean Air is also considering resuming the operation of ceased services to Southeast Asian countries. From Thursday, it will reopen the Incheon-Cebu route to operate two flights a week. The company said it plans to gradually turn six of its 16 cargo planes to passenger planes by reattaching the seats. Asiana Airlines is also resuming its Incheon-Rome and Incheon-Paris routes from June, with talks still ongoing for the resumption of the Gimpo-Haneda route. Budget carrier T’way said it will also reopen service to Ho Chih Minh, Bangkok and Dah Nang as well as opening a new route to Singapore. A number of the flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Guam and Saipan will be added too. Jeju Air said it will resume its Jeju-Bangkok and Busan-Singapore routes from June and increase its number of flights to Bangkok, Cebu and Manila. The Transport Ministry projected the number of international flights to surge from this month’s 532 flights per week to 762 flights per week next month. The Korean government has eased rules on quarantine and COVID-19 screening tests upon arrival.

Thanks, stijntje, for filing the a report based on observations >minute. I look forward to soon paying a visit.

I think you've made a strong case why you shouldn't go to the bars where the guys on stage are wearing pants. You're evidently doing quite well on the apps. For me--and a fair number of others--the bars remain attractive options even if the young men aren't scampering around in their underwear. Not unlike the boys in massage shops, they wouldn't be there if they didn't want to meet those of us who come through the door. I find men in jeans a perfectly acceptable arrangement. It's not my first rodeo so I have a fairly reliable idea of what looms underneath. And if I don't find out for sure until I take the guy back to my room, that's fine, too. Sort of akin to the excitement of unwrapping a gift. Not that I'd walk out of a place where those on stage were in briefs--or less, but there's a hell of lot you can't determine just by looking at a guy in his underwear. To determine whether he has a playful approach to his job, or brings passion to the meeting, or satisfies your individual needs, you need to sit down with him. Sure, it will probably cost you 350 baht (50 of which goes to the boy) but that's what help covers the overhead. As for Fresh Boys, I'd be pleased to find that they're fielding a crew that represents a cross section of Asian men of different ethnicity, size and appearance. It's that great diversity that I'm looking for in any bar.

The Pattaya News is reporting that the Thailand Health Ministry plans to propose lowering the national Covid alert level from 3 to 2 at the next meeting of the Center for Covid Administration on May 20. Level 2 means that the public can mostly resume life almost as normal to the pre-Covid period. More preventive measures will be relaxed and more businesses will be reopened or fully operated. This may include the (legal) return of entertainment venues and some relaxed measures at outside venues like parks and beaches, such as mask mandates in certain settings.

From Thiager / Thairath Thailand’s PM and the Minister of Defence Prayut Chan-o-cha is asking all relevant departments to recruit migrant workers using the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU system. The PM has also directed the Ministry of Labour to “take care of each worker”, and ensure that Covid-19 prevention measures are adhered to. Today, the PM’s Spokesperson, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, told Thai media that the government had been closely monitoring the shortage of workers and would recruit more foreign workers to solve the problem. In the wake of the Thai government’s border closures in April 2020, many hundreds of thousands of migrant workers headed home to wait out the pandemic. This led to a critical labour shortage in Thailand. The spokesperson says that Thailand had recruited 588 Burmese migrant workers and let them enter Thailand through the Yangon-Myawaddy-Maesot Route on May 10 and 11. He emphasised that this was considered the “first migrant group” to be allowed to enter after travel measures were relaxed on May 1 (abandoning quarantine and testing for vaccinated people). PM Prayut asked that every relevant department should prepare local health measures to get ready and “welcome the foreign workers” too. According to the report, the Ministry of Labour required each worker to show an employment document, vaccination certificate, and Covid-19 insurance covering at least US$4,000 (which is less than international travellers who currently must cover up to US$10,000) After entering, the workers would receive a visa for a 2 year stay, get a health check and ATK tests by medical workers, and could start working if testing negative. Thailand has relied on up to 2 million Burmese and other migrant workers (Cambodians, Laotians, Vietnamese) to bolster its lower paid jobs for many decades. There is also a 2,500 kilometre long border between Myanmar and Thailand where people frequently cross, undocumented, to do lowly-paid cash jobs, and are susceptible to trafficking and poor working conditions.

From Channel News Asiia YANGON: Myanmar's junta will allow tourists to apply for visas after a break of more than two years, state media said Thursday (May 12), sparking calls by an activist group for foreign travellers to stay away. The country closed its borders to visitors in March 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in an attempt to prevent infections rising. It was further isolated after the army toppled the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, prompting huge protests and a bloody military crackdown on dissent. "With an aim to develop the tourism sector ... e-Visa (Tourist) applications will be allowed and accepted from May 15, 2022," said a notice in the Global New Light of Myanmar. It did not give details on when the first visitors could be expected to arrive. Activist groups warn that the military's vested interests in swathes of the economy - including mines, banks, petroleum, agriculture and tourism - mean tourist dollars will likely end up in the junta's coffers. "Even if foreign visitors avoid hotels and transport owned by the Myanmar military and their associates, they will still fund the junta through visa fees, insurance and tax," said activist group Justice for Myanmar. "We call on anyone considering a holiday in Myanmar to boycott."

From The Thaiger Two suspects allegedly drugged a Kuwaiti tourist before stealing about 200,000 baht from him, around US$5,700, in Bangkok in March, although they were only arrested yesterday. The victim said the suspects took him to a hotel on Bangkok’s famous Sukhumvit road to have sex. He said he was then drugged, and became unconscious. When he woke up, he saw that his money had been stolen. After collecting evidence, Lumpini police eventually arrested the two subjects, 28 year old Chadaporn Aomsin, and 26 year old Sipan Thienkrachang. Both are transgender women. The police arrested Chadaporn in Bangkok, and Sipan in Nonthaburi. Police say that Chadaporn confessed to the allegation when she was interrogated at Lumpini police station, and say she had committed similar crimes 3 times before with British and Chinese tourists after she was released from Thonburi Remand Prison. Both suspects are now detained at Lumpini Police Station awaiting further legal proceedings. The hotel where they took the tourist is reportedly on Sukhumvit Soi 5, in the Lumpini district. Last month, a tourist in Pattaya claimed last week that two thieves stole his gold necklace worth about 33,000 baht. The tourist said the thieves were a Thai woman, and a ‘transgender individual’, who both wore ‘sexy dresses’. The tourist, 45 year old Sathishkumar Govindarju, told The Pattaya News the pair also tried to convince him to sleep with them. Sathishkumar said he noticed later, after he had rejected the alleged thieves’ approach, that his pricey necklace was missing.

From The Thaiger New wages for skilled workers Thailand’s cabinet has approved new wages for construction workers, industrial arts workers and service workers. The new wages are expected to come into effect 90 days after the announcement was made on Tuesday. In the construction industry, tilers considered ‘level 1’ will earn 465 baht per day. Those considered level 2 will earn 550 baht a day. Level 3 tilers would earn 650 baht a day. Level 1 building painters will earn at least 465 baht a day, and level 2 building painters will earn at least 600 baht a day. Draughtsmen/women will earn at least 645 baht a day. Level 1 gypsum board installation workers will earn 450 baht a day. Level 2 gypsum workers will earn 595 baht a day. Thailand’s cabinet has approved new wages for construction workers, industrial arts workers and service workers. The new wages are expected to come into effect 90 days after the announcement was made on Tuesday. In the construction industry, tilers considered ‘level 1’ will earn 465 baht per day. Those considered level 2 will earn 550 baht a day. Level 3 tilers would earn 650 baht a day. Level 1 building painters will earn at least 465 baht a day, and level 2 building painters will earn at least 600 baht a day. Draughtsmen/women will earn at least 645 baht a day. Level 1 gypsum board installation workers will earn 450 baht a day. Level 2 gypsum workers will earn 595 baht a day. In the industrial arts industry, level 1 decorative item workers will earn 450 baht a day, those in level 2 will earn 550 baht a day, and those in level 3 will 650baht a day. Furniture assembly workers in level 1 will earn 430 baht a day, and those in level 2 will earn 550 baht a day. In the service industry, bakers in level 1 will earn 400 baht a day, and those in level 2 will earn 505 baht a day. Hairdressers in level 1 will earn 440 baht a day, and those in level 2 will earn 510 baht a day. Those in level 3 will earn 650 baht a day. Barbers will earn just slightly less than hairdressers, with those in level 1 earning 430 baht a day, and those in level 2 earning 500 baht a day, those in level 3 earning 630 baht a day. Waiters in restaurants and hotel bars will earn 440 baht a day. Meanwhile, Thailand government is currently considering increasing the country’s minimum wage to 492 baht a day. There has not been an increase to the daily minimum wage rate since December 2019, when the rate for unskilled workers rose from 308 – 330 baht to between 313 and 336 baht. ======================== Cabinet cuts 10 year Long Term Resident visa fee to 50k ba Thailand’s Cabinet has agreed to reduce the Long Term Resident visa fee by 50% to attract highly skilled foreigners into the kingdom. The fee for the LTR visa, which allows you to stay in Thailand for 10 years, has been reduced from 100,000 to 50,000 baht. Changes to the visa requirements could make the lucrative “digital nomad” lifestyle a more realistic option for foreigners who wish to work remotely in the kingdom too. Ratchada said the potential LTR visa applications could include wealthy foreigners, retired foreigners, foreigners with “special skills” and their families (spouses and no more than 4 children under 20 years old). LTR visa holders are allowed to apply for work permits. To apply, the applicant must buy health insurance covering at least US$50,000 to cover medical fees for at least the first 10 months of their stay in the kingdom OR a social security certificate covering medical expenses OR a cash deposit of at least US$100,000 in a domestic or foreign bank account for 12 months before applying for the visa. “High-income” foreigners who wish to apply must have an annual income of US$80,000 for two years prior to applying.

From Bangkok Post he government is planning to launch four big events in Bangkok to promote tourism in the capital, says Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy government spokesperson. A panel assessing the impact of Covid-19 on the economy on Friday decided to extend its "Visit Thailand" campaign for one year to stimulate growth in the tourism industry, she said yesterday. Under the campaign, "Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters", Bangkok will host four events under the theme of "Unfolding Bangkok", she said. The spokesperson added these events will allow Thai and foreign visitors to experience the capital from next month to January next year. The events are titled "Sound of Music", "Greeting Bangkok", "Vivid Chao Phraya" and "Living Hua Lamphon", she said. Sound of Music is a live music show that will be held at the Benchakitti Park and Ratchaprasong intersection area during weekends from June to July, she said. Greeting Bangkok will take tourists to visit landmarks in Bangkok and Thon Buri during tours from July to September, she said. Vivid Chao Phraya, moreover, will allow tourists to see a decoration of lights along the river, she said, adding it will be held to welcome attendees of the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November. Finally, Living Hua Lamphong involves an art display at the Hua Lumphong Railway station and nearby areas as part of Bangkok Design Week from December to January, she said.

NOTE -- This article claims that Thai Pass will be discontinued June 1. From The Thaiger Thailand’s once-mandatory Covid-19 tracking application “Mor Chana”, or Doctor Wins, will be discontinued from June 1. Mor Chana was once commonly used to track coronavirus cases and notify people if they had been exposed to Covid-19. Mor Chana, which was launched on April 29 2020, used GPS and Bluetooth to track the movement of users, who were expected to use the application to scan a barcode to “check in” to venues during the height of the pandemic. In January 2021, health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said anyone who contracted Covid-19 without having previously downloaded and used the app would be subject to up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to ฿40,000. The threat was criticised as unfair on people without smartphones. However, over time, use of the Mor Chana fell out of use and many venues no longer expected attendees to “check in” using the app. Yesterday, Mor Chana made an announcement via Facebook that the application will be discontinued from June 1. Mor Chana didn’t provide reasoning, but the move is thought to have something to do with Thailand moving towards declaring Covid-19 as an endemic disease. The Thailand Pass is also expected to be discontinued from June 1.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Public Health Ministry moved the Covid-19 alert down one level (from 4 to 3) on Monday as the country remains on course to declare the coronavirus an endemic disease. The main difference between the two stages is that people can enter entertainment venues and crowded places with caution. Level 4 encourages people to stay away from those places.

The Thai Enquirer reports that "Thailand’s government is aiming to remove the remaining travel restrictions and travel pass requirements by the end of July in a bid to further boost tourism, a source in the health ministry told Thai Enquirer on Monday."

The Bangkok Post reports that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be pressed by 10 organizations representing nighttime entertainment operators for permission to open their establishments on June 1. .The request will be made during a meeting on Monday of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

From Bangkok Post Laos will drop Covid-19 entry restrictions for fully vaccinated tourists from Monday after the country reported falling coronavirus cases and deaths, senior officials said. From January travellers had been required to complete seven days of quarantine, present a negative Covid-19 test, and were limited to travelling within certain areas with officially sanctioned tour groups. The relaxed measures will see international checkpoints re-opened for Laotian citizens and foreigners, provided they are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated visitors must produce a Rapid Antigen Test issued within 48 hours of leaving their origin country. Tourists will also have to pay for their own medical treatment should they become Covid-19 positive. Laos officials added that pubs and karaoke bars could reopen. =========================== From Laotian Times Citizens of countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with Laos may now apply for a visa at a Lao embassy or consulate abroad or via the e-Visa online system. Visa on arrivals will also be reinstated at certain international checkpoints.