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From Thai PBS World Thailand’s new tourism promotional slogan for next year unveiled The Thai government plans to promote tourism next year under the new slogan “Visit Thailand 2022, Now Even More Amazing Thailand Has It All”, together with investments as well as the setting up of a tourism promotional fund to transform Phuket into a world class destination. The ambitious plan for Phuket and the tourism sector was approved during an online meeting today (Thursday) of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. A tourism promotion fund, with the support of the private sector and civil society, will be set up, not just to promote tourism but also to effect changes in the tourism industry for sustainable growth, as well as reducing as much red tape as possible to promote tourism. According to the NESDC, various lockdown restrictions have been eased to make travel easier, such as the shortening quarantine from 14 to 7 days, issuance of visa on arrival and the granting of permission for Russian passenger aircraft to land in Phuket. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-new-tourism-promotional-slogan-for-next-year-unveiled/

From Channel News Asia There’s a reason why China exists inside its own bubble but how long can it hold out as the rest of the world slowly open their borders, asks an observer. HONG KONG: What is normal in a post-pandemic world? How can the idea of a return to a normal state of affairs be articulated and realised by a state? The answers to these questions depends what country you are talking about. At present China equates a return to normal with zero COVID-19 cases, where China is safe from imported cases of the virus and where its population is protected from local transmissions. To achieve this, China has locked itself away from most of the world and put its population through an extensive campaign of vaccinations. According to China’s National Health Commission, by the first week of September, Chinese authorities had administered over 2 billion doses of the three Chinese vaccines currently available. Although it is unclear how many people have received both doses, it is an impressive effort. But this does not mean that China has successfully returned to normal. The efficacy of local vaccines is the biggest hurdle the government faces in moving towards a post-pandemic normal. China has undertaken a massive inoculation campaign and any vaccine is a good vaccine if it prevents the onset of severe symptoms or death but not all vaccines are equal. Chinese vaccine manufacturers Sinopharm and Sinovac have not released comprehensive phase three data for their vaccines for peer review. There was a May study on Sinopharm’s two vaccines, but it was notable for not including certain vulnerable populations nor those beyond the West Asian countries. Sinovac is yet to release its phase three vaccine data, but World Health Organization (WHO) estimates — released when it was given emergency approval — stated that it prevents symptomatic disease in only 51 per cent of the inoculated population. Both the efficacy of the vaccines and the transparency of the data supporting them is well below that offered by other vaccine producers. This is a problem because most of the world has chosen a different pathway to post-pandemic normal. Whether through conscious policy decisions to prioritise economic security over health security, political choices, access to more efficacious vaccines or simply because countries could not access sufficient vaccines for their populations, most of the world is living with the virus and its consequences. As a result, COVID-19 is going to be globally endemic rather than eradicated. The difference between these pathways presents major hurdles for China, medically, economically and politically. If China is to shift towards a post-pandemic normal, it will have to accept a greater likelihood of community transmissions than is presently the case. There is no indication that such a scenario is presently acceptable to the Chinese government. Given this reality, the Chinese government is unlikely to seek a new post-pandemic normal of opening up anytime soon. It first needs to deal with or significantly mitigate the medical, economic, and most importantly, the political threats posed by opening its borders and returning to the world. For now, China exists inside its own bubble. It is a safe but unsustainable option for any country seeking to return to normal. Nicholas Thomas is Associate Professor at the Department of Asian and International Studies at the City University of Hong Kong. This commentary first appeared on The East Asia Forum. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/china-covid-19-vaccine-travel-borders-economy-2209486

Prime Massage on Soi 6 and Adam Massage on Soi 4 are reportedly open according to their FB sites.

From Coconuts Bangkok A Dutch national said today he will appeal a court ruling against his lawsuit challenging dual-pricing at Thailand’s public hospitals as unconstitutional. Erwin Buse said the Administrative Court in Phetchaburi province relied on incorrect information provided by the health ministry in its Tuesday decision. “I am very disappointed that the court mainly follows and repeat statements of the defendant without fact check,” Buse said Wednesday afternoon in a message. He noted that the ministry had changed how it defined labor costs, a key factor in determining hospital fees. Erwin had asked the court to strike down the pricing structure in place since 2019 for violating the constitution’s equal protection guarantee, as by the ministry’s own regulations, the fees should be determined by actual costs. In its judgment, the court said that it did not see that as discriminatory – because the higher rates charged of foreigners, who it presumes earn more than Thais, is good for the nation. “The pricing was set on an appropriate basis of socioeconomic status, and it benefits Thailand, so it therefore doesn’t count as discrimination,” the court ruling said. His lawsuit named the ministry and its head, who is now Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. It asked the court to annul the rate structure and order the ministry to revert to unified rates in place since 2004. Buse first took on overcharging on a personal level several years ago when he was traveling 100 kilometers from his rural residence for cancer treatments at Hua Hin Hospital. He described being charged hundreds of baht in “additional fees” each time. Under new rules enacted in September 2019, public hospitals were instructed to charge patients at what amounts to four tiers based on their legal status: Thai nationals, citizens of neighboring countries and working foreigners on non-immigrant visas. The fourth group consists of tourists, retirees and included foreigners married to Thai nationals. Fees are much higher for the third group – which includes most expats – while those in the fourth pay much more, often double. For example, according to a ministry fee structure published at the time, simple antibody screenings cost Thais and ASEAN residents THB130 and expats THB190. Retirees and tourists pay double – THB260. On the higher end, a spinal MRI that costs citizens and their neighbors THB18,700 jumps up to THB23,375 for working expats and THB28,050 for retirees/tourists. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/dutch-expat-to-appeal-after-thai-court-sides-with-higher-hospital-fees-for-foreigners/

From Thai Enquirer Bangkok releases list of venues and businesses allowed to reopen in October he Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Thursday revealed a list of businesses and activities that will be allowed to reopen, and which ones will still be closed starting on October 1. Bangkok is also set to reduce its curfew from the current 9 pm – 4 am to 10 pm – 4 am starting on October 1. The venues, businesses and activities that will be allowed to reopen in Bangkok include: Schools (based on permission and regulations from related agencies) Children daycares (based on permission and regulations from Bangkok’s Health Department) Restaurants (closing time 9 pm, no alcohol sales, 50 per cent capacity limit for air-conditioned venues, 75 per cent capacity limit for outdoor venues and live bands will be allowed but no more than five musicians per band) Convenience stores and markets (closing time 9 pm) Libraries and museums (75 per cent capacity limit, no food and no drink) Cinemas (closing time 9 pm, 50 per cent capacity limit, no food and no drink) Beauty and nail parlors (closing time 9 pm and advance booking only) Tattoo parlors (closing time 9 pm, advance booking and customers must be fully vaccinated or tested negative for Covid via ATK or RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to service) Thai massage parlors and spas (advance booking, customers must be fully vaccinated or tested negative for Covid within 72 hours prior to service and no more than two hours service per person) Public parks, sports stadiums, open-air swimming pools or indoor swimming pools with proper airflow (closing time 9 pm) Gyms (closing time 9 pm, no sauna) Sports matches and competitions (based on permission and regulations from related agencies) Malls (closing time 9 pm) Productions of movies and television shows Theaters (based on permission and regulations from Bangkok’s Health Department, closing time 9 pm) Martial arts and dancing schools Weight loss facilities Amulets centers Zoos Venues that organize meeting rooms and ballrooms (only for traditional purposes such as weddings and no buffets) Hotels (no seminar) Venues, businesses and activities that will continue to be close include: Pubs, bars and karaoke lounges Bathing parlors Sauna activities Fun parks and water parks Playgrounds and children’s play equipment Sit-and-play gaming shops, internet shops and gaming arcades Exhibition halls and large meeting centers All indoor sports venues (except for the ones with proper airflow) Eldercare centers (except for overnight facilities) Cock-fighting, bull-fighting and horse racing venues The government is planning to reopen the capital to vaccinated tourists under the “Bangkok Sandbox” program on November 1. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2190251/man-held-for-allegedly-shooting-din-daeng-protester

From Reuters / MSN DUBAI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Qatar Airways will resume flights with Airbus A380s earlier than planned to make up for capacity lost in the regulator grounding of some of its A350s, according to a report published on Wednesday. The airline last year indefinitely parked its 10 A380s after the COVID-19 collapse in long-haul travel, and said it would only ever use five of them once they returned to service. Executive Traveller, quoting the airline's chief executive, said Qatar Airways would operate flights with five of its parked A380s from November, with all 10 possibly returning next year. “We have to find capacity for our passengers who need airlines to take them to their loved ones for Christmas,” Akbar Al Baker was quoted as saying. A Qatar Airways representative confirmed the report was accurate. The five A380s would give the Gulf carrier more than half the 4,000-seat capacity it had lost in the Qatari regulatory grounding of 13 A350s in August. The grounding followed Qatar Airways allegations that the fuselage surface below the paint on each of the jets was deteriorating. The airline has been locked in a months-long public dispute with Airbus over the allegations, insisting it would not take any A350 deliveries until the problem was resolved. Al Baker in January said the A380s - the world's biggest passenger jet - was the "worst aircraft" with regards to emissions. Executive Traveller also reported that Qatar Airways was looking to hire "additional" Boeing 777 pilots from British Airways for "at least the next six months." Qatar Airways is a minority owner of British Airways-owner IAG . https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/qatar-airways-to-fly-unwanted-a380s-after-a350-grounding-report/ar-AAOXWac

From Channel News Asia Myanmar's currency has lost more than 60 per cent of its value since the beginning of September in a collapse that has driven up food and fuel prices in an economy that has tanked since a military coup eight months ago. "This will rattle the generals as they are quite obsessed with the kyat rate as a broader barometer of the economy, and therefore a reflection on them," said Richard Horsey, a Myanmar expert at the International Crisis Group. In August, the Central Bank of Myanmar tried tethering the kyat 0.8 per cent either side of its reference rate against the US dollar, but gave up on Sep 10 as pressure on the exchange rate mounted. The shortage of dollars has become so bad that some money changers have pulled down their shutters. "Due to the currency price instability at the moment ... all Northern Breeze Exchange Service branches are temporarily closed," the money changer said on Facebook. Those still operating were quoting a rate of 2,700 kyat per US dollar on Tuesday (Sep 28), compared to 1,695 kyat on Sep 1 and 1,395 kyat back on Feb1, when the military overthrew a democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. In a report published on Monday, the World Bank predicted that the economy would slump by 18 per cent this year, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and said that Myanmar would see the biggest contraction in employment in the region and a rise in the number of poor in the country. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/myanmars-junta-powerless-currency-drops-60-four-weeks-economy-tanks-2209931

From Thai Enquirer The tale of Sudarat the Elephant made international headlines earlier this month when a global fundraising campaign managed to save the 45-year-old elephant from being forced back into the tourism industry by raising 47,000 USD to purchase her from her owner. “Our hope to rescue Sudarat and have her stay at Samui Elephant Haven forever, with her family and friends is a reality!” the sanctuary posted on Facebook on Monday. While netizens from all over the world celebrated the good news, the story of Sudarat’s rescue has raised questions about the state of animal welfare, in particular elephants, in Thailand and the intersections of culture, animal rights, and tourism. Sudarat, like most tamed and commercialized working elephants in Thailand, has had a long and tragic life. She began life as a logging elephant based in the north of Thailand, where she was forced to sleep standing up. Later, she was sold to a family of mahouts in Pattaya, where she was used for the tourism industry, carrying tourists up to 60 times a day and walking on hot concrete for almost a decade, as a means for the family to generate income. When Sudarat’s mahout got into a life-threatening accident, his family sent her to the sanctuary. But after three years of living freely as a retired elephant with her newfound family and herd of 4 elephants, the family want her back. “[The Mahout] has decided that now is the time to take her back and as he is her legal owner we, unfortunately, have no right to keep Sudarat,” the sanctuary announced on their Facebook page. “Over the past few years, we have tried many times to negotiate with her owner in the hope of buying Sudarat to ensure that she could stay with us and her herd forever. However, he has no desire to sell Sudarat to us but we thank everyone for their kind offer of raising funds and helping in any way they could.” Sudarat’s fate to retire at the sanctuary, just a week ago, seemed far-fetched. The owner demanded $47,000 dollars for her outright purchase – not a small sum in a country decimated economically by the pandemic. “We only have until the end of the month to raise the funds since he has already organized the truck and team to collect her,” said the sanctuary. What happened next has gone viral. Through the kindness of internet strangers, a global fundraising campaign managed to get enough money to buy Sudarat her freedom. Continues with photos and video https://www.thaienquirer.com/33295/the-curious-tale-of-sudarat-the-elephant/

From Bangkok Post THAI to start flying to high-jab rate countries Thai Airways International (THAI) has announced it will start selling tickets on select international flights to destinations with high vaccination rates, from Oct 1. The airline will re-commence flights to lucrative markets in Europe such as Britain, France and Germany as well as some cities in Japan and Australia. The decision to resume flights came after these countries reported high rates of vaccination at around 70% of their populations. China, another highly profitable destination, is expected to be back on THAI's scheduled passenger flight network next year, according to Chai Eamsiri, acting executive vice president of THAI's Finance and Accounting Department. The company has set a target of cutting back up to 53 billion baht in investment costs by the end of next year. So far, it has saved 44 billion baht towards the goal. The cutbacks have resulted from continued implementation of more than 600 retrenchment and austerity programmes of all sizes. Among them is the downsizing of the workforce achieved by shedding 48% of employees to 15,300 from 29,500 two years ago. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2189343/thai-to-start-flying-to-high-jab-rate-countries

Having flown the New York to Singapore non-stop four times in each direction, I appreciate the flexibility that very long haul service offers. But there's a more important back story in the Bamboo news. Just last month,Vietnam Airlines took a step closer in establishing service between HCMC and the US west coast with a refueling stop in Hong Kong. Once these two carriers begin scheduled operations, Vietnam will be on its way to making the country another hub for southeast Asia air travel with frequent connecting service throughout the region. It's a long-term strategy for that lucrative positioning that can boost the nation's economy well into the future.

Real airplane. But I can fully understand how you were so easily fooled, Z. Both have wings and some green paint in the back. Don't worry, easy mistake.

From VN Express Bamboo Airways and SFO sign agreement to promote nonstop Vietnam-US flights Bamboo Airways has signed an MoU with San Francisco International Airport (SFO), aiming to bridge the gap between the two aviation markets and countries through nonstop commercial flights. On Sept. 24 (local time), a welcome ceremony for Bamboo Airways's first nonstop flight connecting Vietnam and the United States was held at San Francisco International Airport, California, U.S. Within the framework of the event, Bamboo Airways and SFO signed a Memorandum of Understanding. On the basis of the MoU, Bamboo Airways and SFO would deploy regular nonstop flights from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to SFO subject to U.S. government approval. Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways said: "Active cooperation between BAV and SFO in promoting regular nonstop flights between Vietnam and the United States marks a turning point in the airline's history, proving a successful partnership between both sides. We expect this movement would bring direct benefits to both aviation markets, making a substantial contribution to the development of bilateral and multilateral trade, tourism, and economics, especially in the post-epidemic period." "We are truly proud to be the first airport in the United States to offer nonstop flights to Vietnam," said SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. "This decision reinforces SFO as the premier U.S. gateway of choice, offering a world-class airport experience with seamless access throughout San Francisco Bay Area. We thank BAV for choosing San Francisco for their U.S. expansion, and we are committed to making this new service a success for both BAV and the customers they serve. Bamboo Airways' wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight QH9149 landed at San Francisco International Airport on the evening of Sept. 23. The flight took approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes, significantly shorter compared to current connecting flights between Vietnam and the U.S. The Quy Nhon Town aircraft has surpassed seven countries and territories, covering one of the longest routes in the world at nearly 12,500 kilometers. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/bamboo-airways-and-sfo-sign-agreement-to-promote-nonstop-vietnam-us-flights-4362767.html

From Coconuts Bangkok Postponed time and again, a ruling on the legality of same-sex civil unions was again punted today by the court. The Constitutional Court this morning postponed its ruling on a challenge that the legal definition of marriage – man and woman – violates the constitution’s equal protection clause. It now plans to render judgment on Dec. 14. The case was brought by Permsub Sae-ung and Puangphey Hengkham – who were together over 12 years when their marriage registration was rejected at Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen District Office on the basis that they were “a woman and a woman.” The couple filed a complaint at the Central Juvenile and Family Court to Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code – which specifies that marriage is between heterosexuals – because it contravenes the constitutional guarantee that every Thai is entitled to equal rights. The court’s ruling has been delayed many times since it was first on the docket, from December 2020 to April, June and then today. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/court-once-again-delays-ruling-on-same-sex-thai-marriage/

From Bangkok Post Special tourist visa programme extended The cabinet resolved on Tuesday to extend the Special Tourist Visa (STV) programme for one year until Sept 30 next year to woo well-to-do visitors. Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said the cabinet approved the proposal from the Tourism and Sports Ministry to extend the special visa programme for visitors' long stays from its original end this Thursday. The extended programme was intended to attract foreigners with high purchasing power to visit the country with their families and stay for 90-270 days. The visits would bring in money and support tourism and related business, Ms Traisuree said. The Tourism and Sports Ministry told the cabinet that over the past year the STV programme brought 5,609 visitors to Thailand and their stay caused at least 1.24 billion baht to be circulated. The long-stay visitors came from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Croatia. Their favourite destinations after their quarantine were Bangkok, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Phuket, Udon Thani, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Chiang Mai and Rayong. Their stays averaged 90 days, Ms Traisuree said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2189067/special-tourist-visa-programme-extended

From Thai Enquirer Thailand stood as one of the slowest economies to recover from Covid-19 crisis in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, worsened by the Delta variant, the World Bank said Tuesday, with a further cut in 2021 economic growth forecast to 1 per cent. “The Thai economy will likely require a longer time to rebound owing to delay in foreign tourist return,” said the Bank’s senior economist for the country Kiatipong Ariyapruchya. This latest figure was lowered from the previous one in July at 2.2 per cent, while 2022 is set to see 3.6-per-cent growth. “The uneven recovery in the EAP region is now facing a setback,” said the bank’s report. Economies of Thailand, the Philippines, and many Pacific Islands will remain below pre-covid levels even in 2023. Myanmar will be the slowest country in recovering in light of the military coup earlier this year. “Accelerated vaccination and testing to control Covid-19 infections could revive economic activity in struggling countries as early as the first half of 2022,” said Aaditya Mattoo, the Bank’s chief economist for the region. However, “in the longer term, only deeper reforms can prevent slower growth and increasing inequality, an impoverishing combination the region has not seen this century,” he noted. One of the crucial reforms needed is education, the report said, as many countries including Thailand already faced learning crises with poor educational outcomes and school closures amid the outbreak. On Monday, the Thai government announced it would waive Covid-19 quarantine for vaccinated travellers in Bangkok and other nine provinces from November 1, in hopes to revive its battered tourism-reliant economy which onced recorded 40 million arrivals pre-Covid. https://www.thaienquirer.com/33281/thai-economy-at-bottom-of-regional-recovery-table-world-bank-says/

I cherry pick that the news today--official or otherwise--is better than the news yesterday, official or otherwise.🙂

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — Thanks to Government’s Resolution No. 105/NQ-CP on support for enterprises, cooperatives, and business households, the criteria for obtaining a Work Permit as a foreigner in Việt Nam has been eased. To resolve some of the difficulties facing enterprises and foreign workers, this resolution has been approved by the Prime Minister and was issued on September 9. To facilitate foreign workers coming to work in Việt Nam, the Government requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to relax some of the regulations and conditions on granting and extending Work Permits, while ensuring pandemic prevention and control measures are not compromised. Under Point A, Clause 3, Article 3 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP, foreigners must hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or an equivalent degree, and have at least three years of work experience in the field were trained. That experience and academic qualification must match the job that the Work Permit application is related to. This rule has now been eased; foreigners must still hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or an equivalent degree, and have at least three years of work experience in a field relating to the Work Permit application. However, Point A, Clause 6, Article 3 of Decree No 152/2020/ND-CP states that the requirement for “having at least three years of work experience in the specialities that workers were trained in” has now been amended to “having at least three years of work experience that matches the jobs foreigners plan to work in Việt Nam”. Point B, Clause 4, Article 9 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP supports this with the term “giấy chứng nhận” (testimonial). This means that previous issued Work Permits can now be used as documentation to prove eligibility for new Work Permit applications, removing the need for all previous experience to have been gained outside of Việt Nam. It now reads: “The papers proving experts and technical workers under regulations in Clauses 3, 6 in Article 3 of this Decree are: diplomas, degrees, certificates, testimonials; confirmation documents issued by agencies, organisations, and enterprises in other countries about the years of experience of experts and technical workers; or the already granted work permits to prove experience.” — VNS https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1049266/new-resolution-eases-requirements-for-work-permit-applications-for-foreigners.html

There's a rumor making the rounds that international tourists will be required to spend their first week in a hotel approved by the government. That's seemingly to facilitate testing, at least in phase one of the plan. I'm sure more "illuminating" details are yet to come.

From Bangkok Post and Thai Enquirer Rescuers string a rope to people perching on a rooftop in flooded Nong Phak Waen village in Chaiyaphum's Bamnet Narong district. (Photos: Prasit Tangprasert) CHAIYAPHUM: All but two districts of this central northeastern province have been hit by the worst flooding in 50 years, governor Wichian Chantaranothai said on Monday. Of the 16 districts, only Kaeng Khro and Sap Yai had not been flooded. The 14 others had been declared disaster zones, the governor said. Nearly 59,000 households have been affected by flooding in the central region, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said on Monday. Tropical Storm Dianmu, which struck Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, also passed over Thailand during the past week, leading to floods in 27 provinces since September 23. Rescuers help evacuate villagers from the upper floor of a house. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2188363/most-of-chaiyaphum-a-flood-disaster-zone#group=nogroup&photo=2 https://www.thaienquirer.com/33203/nearly-59k-homes-hit-by-floods/

From Channel News Asia Thailand to reduce COVID-19 quarantine period, reopen to international visitors in 4 phases BANGKOK: Thailand is preparing to downscale its COVID-19 quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international tourists and reopen the country in four phases, starting from October, according to the COVID-19 Situation Administration Centre (CCSA). Starting from Oct 1, international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus for at least 14 days and can prove it with a vaccination certificate will only be required to undergo seven days of quarantine upon their arrival. However, there will no quarantine requirement in certain provinces that will have reopened to international travellers. “They’ll be swabbed twice. The first time is between Day 0 and Day 1, which is the first day they arrive. The second time is between Day 6 and Day 7,” said CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin during a press conference on Monday (Sep 27). International travellers who are not fully vaccinated will have to be quarantined for 10 days if they enter Thailand by sea or air. If they enter by land, the quarantine period will be 14 days. According to CCSA, they will also be required to take PCR tests twice after their arrival. Besides adjusting the quarantine requirements, Thailand has also laid out a plan to reopen to international tourism in four phases. In each stage, different provinces will be added to the so-called Blue Zone, where travel is not restricted and various social activities as well as gatherings of no more than 500 people are allowed. The initial pilot phase is from Oct 1 to Oct 31. It covers Phuket and parts of Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani such as the popular islands of Phi Phi, Samui and Pha-ngan. While parts of these provinces have reopened to international travellers since July, others still need to speed up their vaccination programmes and ensure the COVID-19 situation remains under control for the full reopening next month. The second phase is from Nov 1 to Nov 30. It covers ten provinces where income from international visitors usually makes up at least 15 per cent of their tourism revenue. They include Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chonburi, among others. CCSA's announcement confirmed a change of plan for the Thai capital, where reopening to international tourism was initially scheduled for mid-October. “We are confident that on Oct 15, Bangkok will be able to reopen to international tourists,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan on Sep 15 after a discussion with Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. At least 70 per cent of Bangkok residents were expected to have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by that time. However, based on CCSA’s Monday announcement, its reopening has been postponed to November. The third phase is from Dec 1 to Dec 31 and the last phase takes effect from January 2022 onwards. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-reduce-covid-19-quarantine-reopen-international-tourists-bangkok-2204921 ============================================== From Bangkok Post More reopening, shorter curfew More businesses will be allowed to reopen from Friday, the night curfew and quarantine periods will be shortened and pilot reopening areas expanded, but the state of emergency will remain in force. The government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) chaired by the prime minister passed resolutions to this effect at its meeting on Monday. The eased disease control measures apply to the 29 provinces declared dark-red zones of maximum and strict disease control, and would take effect this coming Friday. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the CCSA extended the state of emergency to cope with Covid-19 until Nov 30 and shortened the night curfew in dark-red zoned areas by one hour, from 10pm to 4am. The curfew will continue for at least another 15 days and shopping centres and convenience stores will close at 9pm. The CCSA approved the reopening of beauty salons, beauty clinics, massage and spa parlours and movie theatres and permitted music performances at restaurants. Also to reopen are nurseries, libraries, museums, learning centres and manicure and tattoo shops. Exhibition and convention centres will remain closed. Closed stadiums can open until 9pm and competitions can be organised, but without spectators. Open-air stadiums can allow spectators to a maximum 25% of seating capacity. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2188415/more-reopening-shorter-curfew

From The Thaiger / National News Bureau Thailand set a domestic record yesterday with more than one million Covid-19 vaccines administered in one day. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked the public and everyone involved in making yesterday Thailand’s most successful vaccination day and expressed confidence that Thailand will reach its inoculation goals by the end of 2021. The massive campaign of 1 million vaccines was launched as a celebration of Mahidol Day, the holiday that commemorates the death of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej in 1929, who is widely considered the father of modern medicine and public health. Government officials stated they chose this day as a nod appreciation to the monarchy. Aside from first and second vaccines, yesterday kicked off the government’s booster shot program, giving a third vaccine to those who had previously received 2 Sinovac vaccines. Previously, booster shots had mainly been administered to medical personnel and frontline workers. At Bang Sue Grand Station, a campaign was launched yesterday to give booster shot vaccines to 15,000 people per day over the weekend and 10,000 a day for several weeks after. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/record-breaking-1-million-covid-19-vaccines-given-yesterday

There are scores of reasons why Pattaya's plans to reopen can go awry. Who, what, when where and how? But at least efforts are being made by the private sector to innovate despite a seemingly conflicted public sector. Today's Pattaya Mail detailed all the possible roadblocks, all of which we've been discussing on the forums for more than a year. It was overwhelmingly depressing--but only if you took to heart everything it said. Nevertheless I continue to believe that Thailand has no other reasonable alternative to reopening to the fully vaccinated. If vaccination remains the single metric that the country applies to its own population, then it needs to be the same, single metric that applies to tourists. All of the other issues will gradually fall away if the powers that be acknowledge the realities of jump startling the economy.

From Channel News Asia TAIPEI: The situation in the Taiwan Strait is "complex and grim", Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote in a congratulatory letter on Sunday (Sep 26) to the newly elected leader of Taiwan's main opposition party, who has pledged to renew talks with Beijing. Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) elected as their leader on Saturday former New Taipei City mayor Eric Chu, who said he would rekindle stalled high-level contacts with China's ruling Communist Party. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up military and political pressure to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty, even though most Taiwanese have shown no interest in being governed by Beijing. In Xi's letter, a copy of which was released by the KMT, he said both parties had had "good interactions" based on their joint opposition to Taiwan independence. "At present, the situation in the Taiwan Strait is complex and grim. All the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation must work together with one heart and go forward together," wrote Xi, who is also head of the Communist Party. He expressed hope that both parties could cooperate on "seeking peace in the Taiwan Strait, seeking national reunification and seeking national revitalisation". Chu, who badly lost the 2016 presidential election to current President Tsai Ing-wen, responded to Xi that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were "all the children of the Yellow Emperor" - in other words, all Han Chinese. Chu blamed Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for tensions with Beijing after pursuing anti-China policies. Chu, who met Xi in China in 2015, said he hoped to "seek common ground and respect differences, increase mutual trust and geniality, strengthen exchanges and cooperation so as to allow the continued peaceful development of cross-strait relations". Under outgoing KMT leader Johnny Chiang's 17-month tenure, high-level contacts with China stalled amid military tensions and suspicion in Beijing the party was not sufficiently committed to the idea Taiwan was part of "one China". Continues at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/taiwan-kuomintang-eric-chu-xi-jinping-china-2202881

From Pattaya Mail Large swathes of Pattaya’s main districts are being demolished by bulldozers and replaced by high screens and metal walls. New condos, hotels and entertainment parks await only the go ahead from the civic authorities. Runway 88 on Second Road will specialize in street food from various continents. There is already a Pakistani Airlines 747 parked as the main attraction and enough space for 200 eateries, market stalls and kids’ play areas. If you don’t believe that Pattaya is changing fast and preparing for a very different future, here’s the evidence.

From Phuket News A local villager in Phuket was on a jog Thursday morning when he stumbled on a substance that he believes may be worth up to 30 million baht. the man didn’t find gold, or diamonds, or even birds’ nest. The treasure that the 66 year old Mai Khao resident discovered? Whale poop. Ambergris is a waxy, solid substance that sperm whales create in their intestines, which is then passed out of the whale with its faeces, hence often being referred to as “whale poop”. The material is surprisingly valuable, revered in Asian cultures for use in medicine and traditional treatments as well as being used as a spice. In Western culture, the substance is also prized for its usefulness in stabilizing perfume scents. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-man-finds-30-million-baht-surprise-on-beach-whale-poop