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NOTE - Stickboy is not to be confused with Stickman who stopped posting in 2018. From The Thaiger / Coconuts Bangkok (Jan. 18) Popular “sexpat” blogger Stickboy leaves Thailand over dead nightlife, restrictions The popular redlight district blogger (and “sexpat”) Stickboy has left Thailand, apparently due to the lack of nightlife over the past two years. Stickboy, whose real name is Mike McKay, has been a long time expat in Thailand. He calls himself a “party animal with hollow legs” and is known for his posts of busty women mixed in with general information on Thailand… especially on the bar scene. On Mike’s Twitter bio, he said “Time for something new… South America maybe.” He says he’s left Thailand for good, and “no,” don’t worry, he hasn’t had a serious mental breakdown. Mike told Coconuts Bangkok said it was really the continued postponement of the reopening of bars and nightclubs that led to his decision to leave. Bars and nightclubs have been closed since April, but also faced closure orders early on in the pandemic. Bangkok’s booming nightlife districts have been dark and quiet. Nine months ago, Mike made a post on his website Stickboybkk.com with a photo of Soi Cowboy, a popular redlight district. All the bars were closed. The lights off. He wrote… Yes, there’s no denying it is a sad sight to see the Neon Alley looking like this but it will be back soon and the good times can roll again. With vaccine rollouts around the world picking up momentum and Thailand preparing for mass inoculations, there is light at the end of this Covid tunnel. Now, life has come back to Soi Cowboy and other nightlife districts. But it’s not the same. Healthcare workers in personal protective gear stand at the entrance of the street with rapid antigen kits to test partygoers on the spot. And bars in the capital must close by 9pm. He told Coconuts that with the restrictions and delays to fully reopen bars, he decided to “f**k it” and leave. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/expats/popular-sexpat-blogger-stickboy-leaves-thailand-over-dead-nightlife-restrictions

NOTE -- Singapore Airlines is now flying two flights out of JFK: a nonstop A350 and a one-stop (Frankfurt) A380 to Singapore. From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: The pandemic has had a decimating impact on international hub airports with Asia Pacific particularly hard hit due to border closures and travel restrictions. Changi Airport handled only 3.05 million passengers in 2021, or 4.5 per cent of the 68.3 million passengers handled in 2019. Changi has slipped completely out of the rankings of top airports globally after having ranked seventh in 2019 for international passenger traffic and eighteenth for total passenger traffic. Changi is hardly alone as all Asia-Pacific airports have slipped out of the top 20 international rankings. Airports outside Asia have done much better, having benefited from a much earlier and broader reopening of their regions and neighbouring regions. Amsterdam, Dubai and Istanbul each handled over 25 million international passengers last year. However, Changi has performed better during the pandemic than most of its peers in Asia. It handled more international passengers in 2021 than five of the other six main international hub airports in Asia – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong International (HKIA), Kuala Lumpur International (KLIA), Taipei Taoyuan and Tokyo Narita. Changi’s biggest rival is arguably HKIA given they have nearly identical profiles – they do not have domestic markets and are major financial centres. The two also have similar traffic breakdowns in terms of inbound (roughly 40 per cent), outbound (30 per cent) and transit (roughly 30 per cent). Both also have been investing in the future with third runways and new or expanded terminals to support growth over the next few decades. HKIA was slightly bigger than Changi prior to the pandemic, handling 71.5 million passengers in 2019. Since the start of the pandemic Changi has handled about twice as many passengers as HKIA. This gap widened significantly after Singapore started reopening with vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs). Singapore currently permits quarantine free travel from 27 countries through VTLs while seven to 10 days home quarantine options are available for about another 60 countries. The VTL scheme has boosted passenger traffic, which reached 7 per cent of pre-COVID levels in November 2021 and 13 per cent in December 2021 (compared to November 2019 and December 2019). Meanwhile, Hong Kong has kept its borders shut and is currently requiring 14 days of hotel quarantine for all travellers as part of its zero-COVID strategy. Cathay Pacific Group’s passenger capacity is currently at about 2 per cent of pre-COVID levels, compared to 11 per cent in December 2021, and is expected to stay at this extremely low level until crew quarantine requirements, unique to Hong Kong, are eased. Cathay Pacific Group passenger numbers were already very low, at 3 per cent of pre-COVID levels in December 2021 compared to 17 per cent for SIA Group. While Singapore has a golden opportunity to benefit from the current situation in Hong Kong and become the leading Asian hub, the window for seizing this opportunity could be short and the outcome is hardly certain. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/hong-kong-airport-changi-covid-air-travel-pandemic-travel-2463651

Forget your libido and trust your instincts. As soon as you detect anything going south, act immediately and get yourself out of the situation and back on the street. Don't argue or try to negotiate over money after any threat or actual violence. As soon as you learn that there's a second person on the premises, that's another signal to get out. I've never had a situation In Thailand (or any SE Asian country) where I felt physically threatened. I've had guys who want to try to negotiate a bigger tip before they left but that only happened a handful of times. In cases where a guy (massage or off) fails to make good on things he agreed to, I tend to lose interest and end the session. I pay him the usual ST fee or tip for massage and cut my losses. There are too many good ones out there to waste time on a loser. But like I say, those situations are rare in Asia in my experience. When entering the apartment of a stranger, take note of how the door is secured so you'll know how to quickly exit. It takes but a few seconds to check. But I reiterate, your number one objective should be your personal safety. Act quickly. The longer you remain in a confrontational situation (especially involving more than one person), the odds go against you.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya-area tourism officials met with hospital representatives to hammer out final details on plans to offer “hotel isolation” for “Test & Go” tourists found on arrival with Covid-19. Chonburi Sports and Tourism Director Ampai Sakdanukuljit Sliwinski met Jan. 26 with the heads of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya office, Chonburi Tourism Industry Council, Pattaya Business & Tourism Association and Thai Hotels Association Eastern chapter, as well as representatives from area hospitals. Ampai said the restart of the Test & Go tourist-entry scheme Feb. 1 will see changes for Pattaya hotels. For starters, hotels are now required to have the TAT’s “SHA Extra Plus” certification, which requires not only all staff to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, but a partnership with a local hospital to provide coronavirus testing and medical services. Previously, only SHA+, without the hospital integration, was required. Second, Pattaya hotels will now be eligible for the “Hotel Isolation” program, which began in Phuket when tourists tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival but were denied coverage by their insurance companies as their symptoms weren’t serious. The tourists refused to leave their room, pointing out Thailand’s government required them to purchase the insurance, and now the companies refused to honor their policies. The tourists refused to pay for medical care at hospitals and would not leave their rooms. To save face, Thailand allowed the revolting tourists to stay and began calling it hotel isolation. Expecting the same circumstances elsewhere, the government expanded the program nationwide. Currently, 177 Chonburi hotels are SHA Extra Plus-certified, with 125 of them in Pattaya. Those resorts are required to reserve 5% of their rooms for Hotel Isolation. The rooms must be separated from other guests, the hotel must provide three daily meals in disposable containers, provide essential medical supplies and medicine, and use standardized equipment. The partner hospitals must arrange enough appropriate medical and public-health staff to follow up daily and evaluate the patients’ symptoms via video call. Moreover, the patients can contact and question the partner hospital at any time. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/hotel-isolation-coming-to-pattaya-387735

(Photo by Thai PBS News) From Bangkok Post Oil washing up on Mae Ramphueng beach in Rayong could be the “nail in the coffin” for hotels and restaurants already brought low by the pandemic, local hospitality business operators said on Saturday. The navy and pollution experts are scrambling to clean up the mess created by the spill that took place in the Gulf of Thailand on Tuesday after at least 60 tonnes of crude leaked from a pipeline about 20 kilometres off the coast. Crews in yellow plastic protective suits fanned out along the beach on Saturday afternoon to start cleaning up the oil slick that began washing ashore late Friday night. Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC), the operator of the undersea pipeline that leaked, said it was trying to minimise the amount of oil reaching the shoreline by using booms. An aerial surveillance aircraft is monitoring the slick on the sea. A 47-square-kilometre area was affected before the slick drifted to the shoreline late Friday, a satellite image from the government’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency showed. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2255531/oil-spill-the-last-straw-for-rayong-tourism

Thank you, Curtis, for a tender--and at times poignant--account of your trip. You took us many places, including the storied Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental. I first learned about it in John Burdett's first Bangkok novel, "Bangkok Eight," in 2003. Very much looking forward to what plans Bangkok Guy has in store for you going forward!

From VN Express International passengers entering Vietnam will not need to receive rapid tests for Covid-19 upon boarding or embarking planes, the Government Office announced. Passengers on international flights only need to present their Covid-19 PCR test results, according to document regarding international flights to Vietnam issued by the Government Office on Friday. Fully vaccinated people will be isolated at their residence or hotels for three days, and others for seven days. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-scraps-rapid-covid-test-requirements-for-int-l-passengers-4422182.html

From The Star MANILA (AFP): The Philippines will re-open to fully vaccinated tourists from most countries on Feb 10 and lift quarantine requirements, officials said Friday (Jan 28), nearly two years after closing its borders to contain the coronavirus. A previous plan to welcome back tourists from Dec 1 was suspended after the emergence of the hyper-contagious Omicron variant that has since ripped through the Philippines. Friday's announcement allows for the resumption of visa-free travel for short visits by nationals from the 157 countries who already enjoyed permit-free entry to the Philippines before the pandemic began. Fully vaccinated tourists from countries on the list will need to test negative for Covid-19 shortly before flying to the Philippines and will not have to quarantine on arrival. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2022/01/28/philippines-to-re-open-to-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-on-feb-10

From The Thaiger Big bike was travelling over 100 kph when it struck Dr. Waraluck last week After a reflective week of Thai social media mulling over the death of the ophthalmologist Dr. Waraluck Supwatjariyakul last Friday, police have today revealed new circumstances surrounding the incident. It’s been revealed that 21 year old Pol Lance Corporal Narawit Buadok was traveling at a speed between 108 to 128 kilometers per hour when he struck the victim, instantly killing her at the zebra crossing in Phaya Thai, Bangkok Apart from being charged seven other charges, he’s now going to be charged with “speeding over the 80 kilometre per hour speed limit”. The earlier charges include failing to stop at a crosswalk, reckless driving causing death, driving with no rear mirror, driving with no licence plate, driving a vehicle without current vehicle tax. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/big-bike-was-travelling-over-100-kph-when-it-struck-dr-waraluck-last-week

From South China Morning Post / BP HONG KONG: China is unlikely to ease pandemic-related border controls any time soon, despite mounting calls from an international community shut out by strict zero-Covid rules for nearly two years. The National Immigration Administration hinted as much on Thursday, as a spokesman called on people to reduce cross-border activities this year if the trip was "not urgent, not necessary". "The pandemic has not been brought under control in foreign countries. It remains a challenging job for China to prevent imported cases," spokesman Chen Jie told a press conference in Beijing. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2255167/chinas-zero-covid-border-rules-going-nowhere-this-year =============================== From The Bear News Thailand to Reopen Border for Lao Workers after COVID Pause Lao workers can now officially return to Thailand after a pause caused by COVID-19, but pre-employment approvals and steep fees may force many laborers to continue to try to enter the country illegally, according to sources in both countries. Although the border has been closed, many workers still move across it in hopes of finding work that pays more than they can make in Laos. Lao authorities watch the border closely, but they cannot catch all migrants, as some get help from traffickers and employers in Thailand, said an official with the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Services. “Thai employers sometimes call former workers on the telephone, asking them to return to Thailand,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter. “But if Lao workers want to go to Thailand without the consent of those employers, they won’t be able to go. “Middlemen are also sometimes hired to take Lao workers to Thailand. They know all the ways to get them in,” he said. Many Lao workers now try to enter without permission because of the high costs involved in obtaining visas and paying for the two required COVID-19 tests, a Lao man working for a job recruiting company said. The seven- to 14-day quarantine periods required before they can cross the border are another deterrent, the man said. “The fees they are charged to go to Thailand legally are very high, with the offices that find work for them charging around 30,000 bhat (U.S. $900) each, so the money they can make in one month by working in Thailand is less than what they will have paid to go there,” he said. By contrast, entering illegally with the help of middlemen costs each worker only around 7,000 to 9,000 bhat, he said. “They are both male and female, mostly aged around 17, who are trying to find jobs,” said an official in Thailand’s Ubon Rachathani province, bordering Laos. “They are going in and out illegally, because Thailand has not officially opened its border gates yet.” On Dec. 23, Lao authorities proposed to authorities in Thailand that the cost of two-year visa fees for Lao workers be reduced from 2,000 bhat ($60) to 500 bhat ($15), and that Lao workers testing negative for COVID-19 be allowed to begin work without entering quarantine. They also urged Thai authorities to strictly patrol the two countries’ common border to deter illegal entry and prevent migrants from becoming the victims of human trafficking or violence. Thai borders to reopen Thailand said it will reopen its borders, starting next week, to migrant workers from Cambodia and other neighboring countries for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the Thai government announced Thursday. Thailand Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said that 446 workers from Cambodia will be the first batch to be allowed in for employers in Chon Buri and Ayudhya province on Feb.1. Late last year, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with private employers to import about 400,000 workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to fix labor shortages. ”The 446 will travel to Thailand’s Sakaeo province [opposite to Cambodia’s Poi Pet] and will be quarantined at the companies' centers at least seven days,” Suchart told reporters Thursday. Unvaccinated workers or those with incomplete jabs will be administered the vaccine, another official at the department of employment said, adding that the fee for quarantine, including transportation costs, is 8,500 baht ($255) for each worker. ”We are still working on the arrangement with Laos and Myanmar. When finished, we will allow [labor] imports from those countries,” Suchart said. Nontarat Phaicharoen in Bangkok contributed to this report. https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/border-opening-01272022164109.html

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today (28 Jan.) issued revised information about the Test-and-Go application process. Pre-Arrival Requirements All travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/. *The system will reopen for new TEST & GO applications from 1 February, 2022 (09.00 Hrs. Thailand Time) A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom. For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. TAT recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation. The policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement. A proof of prepayment for 2 separate nights of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s, such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++), AQ, OQ, or AHQ on Day 1 and Day 5, and the expenses for 2 RT-PCR tests on Day 1 and Day 5. The prepayment for Day 1 must include an accommodation, a test and a prearranged transfer from the airport to the hotel. *Travellers can book 2 different hotels for the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 5. However, on both Day 1 and Day 5, they must stay within the room for the RT-PCR test result. The second RT-PCR test will not be required if the traveller’s length of stay is less than 5 nights, or his/her scheduled international departure date out of Thailand is on Day 5 or before. For example if the traveller plans to stay in Thailand for 3 days, then he/she does not have to undergo the second RT-PCR test, but he/she must leave for another country immediately. However, whether the traveller will be required to take another RT-PCR test depend on the airline and the final international destination. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement. Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement. For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians. Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment, and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery. All travellers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks. On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay Kindly note that if you arrive during 00.01-18.00 Hrs., the day is Day 1. If you arrive during 18.01-00.00 Hrs., the day after is Day 1. All travellers must undergo ‘entry screening’, including body temperature check at the point of entry. Present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the first RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test. If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand. However, they must stay at their prepaid accommodation on Day 5 and undergo their second COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (they must stay within the room for the RT-PCR test result.) The second test can also be taken when the travellers experience respiratory symptoms. Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates. TAT recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation. The policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand. Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation. During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge. After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery. While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive they must get an appropriate medical treatment. Those with COVID-19 testing appointment must get tested. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application. Meanwhile, travellers who have applied/obtained their Thailand Pass QR code before 22 December, 2021, with scheduled arrival dates in Thailand from 24 December, 2021, onwards, are still required to undergo their second COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique at government-designated facilities on Day 5-6 of their stay in Thailand, or when they experience respiratory symptoms (no additional cost). Guidelines for Domestic/International Departure For domestic departure, travellers must show proof that they have received a negative result for their RT-PCR test. For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure. Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation. https://www.tatnews.org/2022/01/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go

The Ministry of Foregn Affairs has issued a special warning to those seeking to acquire a Thai Pass. From Richardbarrow.com WARNING: It looks like the Thailand Pass email database has been hacked and is sending out spoof emails with a link that sends people to a malware site after they click on “download”. Everyone is getting the same QR Code for a Mr Hongkam. Please share this news with others UPDATE: The Thailand Pass IT team has checked their system and can confirm the email did not come from them. It is possible that email addresses could have been collected from websites pretending to be Thailand Pass. Make sure you only use official sites: https://tp.consular.go.th

They want to catch this guy like they want to catch the Delta variant 😄

I'm sure you're as shocked...shocked as I was to learn of this latest development. From The Thaiger Officials unable to extradite Red Bull heir Prosecutors say time is running out to prosecute fugitive Red Bull heir, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, and that they’re unable to extradite him…because they don’t know what address to write down in the extradition warrant. The heir to the Red Bull energy drink empire was charged on 2 counts in the death of a Bangkok police officer killed in a hit-and-run collision with Vorayuth’s Ferrari in 2012. The charge brought onto him for cocaine use is set to expire in September this year. Vorayuth has also been charged with reckless driving causing the death of another, with the statute of limitations on that charge expiring in 2027. According to Dr จุมพล พันธ์สัมฤิทธิ์ from the International Affairs Department, the case has not yet been referred for extradition, due to the fact that there is no confirmed address for Vorayuth, as he says several laws and treaties require a possible address as one of the three key conditions for extradition. The Office of the Attorney General says police have only sent them a copy of the court’s arrest warrant, but it’s an extradition warrant that they need before they can take any action to request extradition. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-news-today-officials-unable-to-extradite-red-bull-heir

From Coconuts Bangkok Another woman killed crossing a metro Bangkok road A woman struck so hard by a pickup truck that she was sent flying 10 meters as she traversed a marked pedestrian crossing died of her injuries early this morning. Five days after a woman’s death under similar circumstances ignited fury over road safety, Win Mar Soe, 33, was hit by a truck just before 11:30pm in the southeast metro province of Samut Prakan province. First responders found her lying in the road with severe injuries, about 10 meters from where she was struck. She was taken to Chularat 9 Airport Hospital in critical condition and later died. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/another-woman-killed-crossing-a-metro-bangkok-road/ =================================== From Thai PBS World Tens of thousand drivers in Bangkok face fines for encroaching onto zebra crossing Bangkok’s Thonglor traffic police plan to notify over 25,000 motorists and motorcyclists, who were caught by surveillance cameras encroaching on zebra crossings at the Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection, to pay their fines. Spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Pongsakorn Kwanmuang said today (Wednesday) that the city and Thonglor police have introduced AI technology to collect information about traffic violators at the intersection. Within one month of the AI technology entering use, he said 25,094 drivers were detected encroaching onto on zebra crossings, even though the crossing has been expanded and painted in red and white, with an off-limit zone warning sign, notification of penalties and a speed bump to slow down vehicles turning left into Sukhumvit Road. He also said that the deployment of AI technology is intended to ease burden on traffic police, so they don’t have to be stationed at the intersection to remind motorists and motorcyclists of the need for road discipline. If the Asoke model is successful, it will be used at other road intersections in Bangkok, added Pongsakorn. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tens-of-thousand-drivers-in-bangkok-face-fines-for-encroaching-onto-zebra-crossing/

From the BBC France has passed a new law criminalising the use of so-called "conversion therapy" to attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people. The measure was passed unanimously by the National Assembly, 142 votes to 0. Anyone convicted under the new law could face fines of up to €30,000 (£25,000) and two years in jail. President Emmanuel Macron praised the move, tweeting that "being oneself is not a crime". The law had already been overwhelmingly backed in the French upper house, the Senate, where it was passed by 305 votes to 28, with the conservative Republicans party opposing it. The bill will now take force in the next 14 days once signed off by Mr Macron. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60145970

Make no mistake: Thai authorities are laser-focused on reducing deaths from Covid. Although we may differ on their priorities and methods, we have to give hem their due for efforts like expanding vaccination availability. Now if they only had put the same resolve into road safety, maybe they would have seen the same kind of success. But it's never too late. A tragic road accident last week that saw an off-duty cop mow down and kill a well-known eye doctor in a pedestrian crossing zone with his motorbike has garnered the type of social media saturation that always draws a response from Thai officialdom. Cross walks across the country are being repainted and expanded. Not bad for a start but today it was announced that the Royal Thai Police plan to increase the penalty for not stopping at a crosswalk from a maximum fine of 1,000 baht to 4,000 baht. The doctor's death (captured on video) led to seven charges against the cop who soon after attempted to escape into the monkhood but later rejected. Activists have been demonstrating for safer road crossings like this group of former accident victims. It was about three years ago that I posted a photo of a newly designed zebra crossing on Silom rd. near Patpong. I remarked at the time that it was so vividly painted and extended that it actually seemed to be getting some motorists to slow down. That, and hitting offenders where it huts--in the pocketbook, hopefully may make a dent in deaths like this.

From Pattaya Mail Thailand Covid visa extensions By Barry Kenyon Chonburi Immigration is confirming this morning, Wednesday 26 January, that visa extensions based on the Covid discretion are now restricted. Eligible foreigners are those who originally entered the country on a 60 days tourist visa, granted by a Thai diplomatic post abroad, or with 30 days visa exempt stamped at Bangkok airport. Holders of non-immigrant visas of any kind cannot now extend or renew their stay by using the Covid route. Obviously, they can continue to obtain extensions of stay if they qualify under the rules of that non-immigrant visa. For example, holders of non-immigrant visas based on retirement can continue to obtain their annual extensions provided they have the necessary bank or embassy documentation as in the past. Holders of non-immigrant visas of any kind cannot now extend or renew their stay by using the Covid route. Obviously, they can continue to obtain extensions of stay if they qualify under the rules of that non-immigrant visa. For example, holders of non-immigrant visas based on retirement can continue to obtain their annual extensions provided they have the necessary bank or embassy documentation as in the past. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/confirmatory-updates-for-thailand-covid-visa-extensions-387454 ============================== From Richardbarrow.com Many tourists cancelled plans to visit Koh Samet in Rayong after authorities imposed a compulsory 330 baht fee to do an ATK test. Local businesses are pleading for the rule to be revoked before the tourism industry is further damaged

Thailand and Saudi Arabia Tuesday agreed to restore full diplomatic relations for the first time in more than three decades with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha expressing regret over a series of “tragic cases” involving a 50-carat blue diamond that had soured ties. The Thai Enquirer attempts to explain the convoluted history of the one of the strangest series of crimes in the nation's history. From Thai Enquirer By Erich Parpart and Cod Satrusayang The visit of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday will mark the first high-level talks, in fact the highest level talks, between the two kingdoms in more than 30 years. Bilateral ties between the two kingdoms have been broken since the “Blue Diamond” incident in 1989. For those that don’t remember, in 1989, a Thai migrant worker, Kriangkrai Techamong, stole $20 million US dollars worth of diamonds from the palace of Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahd and fled home. One of the stolen pieces of jewelry was a 50-carat blue diamond which was believed to be one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Kriangkrai was arrested in 1990 and he confessed to the crime and he said he decided to give back all of the stolen jewelry that he had yet to sell. Diplomatic fiasco But that was not the reason for the diplomatic row. All Prince Faisal wanted was the return of the diamonds, if they were returned, there would be no diplomatic consequences assured the Saudis. What led to diplomatic tension was after the police, led by Lieutenant-General Chalor Kerdthes and his team, arrested Kriangkrai they said they would returned the Diamonds. But instead, what was sent back was fake jewelry. Most importantly, the blue diamond was not part of cache. The police blamed a fence, Santi Srithanakhan, but Santi denies those charges. Many newspapers at the time began pointing fingers at the police. To make matters worse, when the Saudis sent two diplomats to Thailand to help with the investigation, they were killed by unknown actors. Another Saudi businessman that had knowledge of the investigation went missing in February 1990. All three cases were never solved. In 1994, Chalor and his team kidnapped Santi’s wife and son to force Santi into revealing his accomplices. Chalor ended up killing the wife and son. Chalor was sentenced to death in 2009 but he received a royal pardon which reduced his sentence by fifty years. He was later released after spending 19 years in jail. Resuming ties To this day no one knows the whereabouts of the diamonds and what happened to the Saudi diplomats. The incident has been a stain on relations for the past 30 years, something Prayut Chan-ocha wants to rectify this week. But the Prime Minister will have little to work with, even insiders within the military and the police are unsure about the real going-ons in the Blue Diamond case. Rumors among the elite and high society circles have circulated for decades about the possible whereabouts of the Blue Diamond. Some say the diamond was cut up and its parts distributed to the elite in Thai society to keep the murderer’s identity safe. The truth is we will probably never know. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36880/the-blue-diamond-affair-explained/

From Bangkok Post Hospital dean predicts end to pandemic The world could be approaching the end of the Covid-19 pandemic later this year, as evidenced by the rapid-spreading but less-severe Omicron variant, according to the dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa said on Tuesday the spread of Omicron would result in the majority of people surviving an infection with the virus and developing immunity. "The fast-spreading Omicron will replace the more severe Delta variant and this indicates that we are in the latter period of the Covid-19 pandemic," he said. "If the majority of the world's population has Covid-19 and they survive and develop immunity, this will lead to an end of the Covid-19 pandemic, because the global population will have enough immunity, both through vaccination and an infection that is not severe," Prof Prasit said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2253215/hospital-dean-predicts-end-to-pandemic

What makes this even more tragic is the fact that several news sources report that the parties had previously had a cordial relationship, even drinking and joking together on earlier occasions. The extreme violent reaction may have been fueled by a combination of alcohol and mental illness. It brings to mind similar reactions in road rage incidents and even domestic arguments. If there's a lesson here, it's that deescalation may not only be the reasonable course of action, it may be the one that saves your life.

As Vinapu observed, the decision whether to travel to Thailand under the revised Test and Go policy needs to be made on an individual basis. What is acceptable to one may be unacceptable to another due to a wide array of factors ranging from health. affordability, time constraints and simply uncertainty itself. In my own case, my biggest concern is acquiring the Omicron virus between the first and second shot. However, it's not that I anticipate serious symptoms--if there even are any symptoms--will be debilitating, it's the 10-days of enforced isolation that would follow. Also, I'm ticketed for departure on Feb. 7. Since I can't apply for the pass until Feb. 1, there's a high probability it would not get approved in time. In that scenario, I lose my investment in two quarantine hotel reservations and insurance premium. Although I'm retired and have more flexibility, those using vacation time would be more than a little inconvenienced. I think z909's "No unnecessary quarantine = no unnecessary quarantine costs" pretty much sums it up. ================================================= I spent some time yesterday looking for ASQ hotels and found the same thing with Agoda and other sites (i.e., Expedia, Booking.com). Many of the hotels that were offering "Test-and-Go" options under the original version don't currently appear. This may change in coming days as more hotels populate the consolidated booking sites. You need to be very cautious when booking on line. Fewer hotels seem to offer cancellation options. If you have specific hotels in mind, calling or emailing them directly may be your best bet.

From Ricardbarrow.com There were 2,705 international arrivals in Phuket yesterday on 18 flights. Out of the 64,616 arrivals during January, 4.35% tested positive. Yesterday, 5 Test & Go people and 120 Sandbox people tested positive during their 1st and 2nd Covid tests.

From Bangkok Post More Covid-19 insurance options for foreign tourists Foreign tourists are likely to have more insurance options to cover hospitel and hotel isolation expenses in Thailand as the government is trying to solve the problem of Covid-infected tourists refusing to pay for medication or running away from hotels. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, said the government is discussing with the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) offering Covid-19 insurance options for vaccinated tourists whose travel insurance does not cover medical expenditure for hospitels or hotel isolation for mild asymptomatic cases. A new ruling from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) last week stipulated that if a tourist's insurance doesn't cover all medical expenses for Covid-19 infection, they are responsible for such expenditure themselves. Mr Yuthasak said this means both hotels who let guests slip through the monitoring process and guests who refuse to pay their medical expenses will face legal action. The CCSA subcommittee still needs to discuss in detail insurance options and punishment. In principle, insurance premiums might start from 800 baht per person to cover the hotel isolation cost, which starts from 30,000 baht, he said. "We previously sought cooperation from hotels to look after guests during the health screening process. The new rule mandates strict compliance with health measures. Hotels cannot be careless about the process or they risk being delisted from Thailand Pass registration, rendering them unable to welcome any inbound guests," said Mr Yuthasak. During the past few months of the Test & Go scheme, there were several reports about infected tourists who went missing from hotels. Some hotel guests refused to be taken to hospitals because they were worried about expenses, said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). According to reports from hotels, the main problems were insufficient hospital beds and high medical expenditure at hospitals. Some tourists were also worried their insurance claims might be rejected because their policies don't cover medical treatment in hospitels or hotel isolation, though these have become popular options for asymptomatic patients in Thailand. "Insurance options will help cover expenditure in case tourists become infected with Covid-19 or have high-risk contact that requires isolation," she said. With hotel operations during the pandemic so challenging because of higher costs associated with hiring more staff for extra health checks at their properties, THA disagrees with punishments for hotels in the new CCSA ruling. This rule will hurt small operators that have tight operational budgets and cannot afford to increase manpower immediately, unlike larger hoteliers, said Mrs Marisa. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2252343/more-covid-19-insurance-options-for-foreign-tourists

From Tourism Authority of Thailand UPDATED! TEST & GO scheme resumed from 1 February 2022 From 1 February, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers from any country around the world can apply for a TEST & GO Thailand Pass up to 60 days in advance. Eligible travellers • Thai citizens. • Foreign travellers, including but not limited to diplomats, guests of the government, Thai work permit holders, students and their family, and patients seeking medical treatment. Eligible countries • All countries/territories. Pre-Arrival Requirements All travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/. *The system will reopen for new TEST & GO applications from 1 February, 2022 (09.00 Hrs. Thailand Time) A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom. For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement. A proof of prepayment for 2 separate nights of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s, such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++), AQ, OQ, or AHQ on Day 1 and Day 5, and the expenses for 2 RT-PCR tests on Day 1 and Day 5. The prepayment for Day 1 must include an accommodation, a test and a prearranged transfer from the airport to the hotel. *Travellers can book 2 different hotels for the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 5. However, on both Day 1 and Day 5, they must stay within the room for the RT-PCR test result. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement. Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement. For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians. Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment, and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery. All travellers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks. On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay All travellers must undergo ‘entry screening’, including body temperature check at the point of entry. Present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the first RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test. If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand. However, they must stay at their prepaid accommodation on Day 5 and undergo their second COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (they must stay within the room for the RT-PCR test result.) The second test can also be taken when the travellers experience respiratory symptoms. Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates. Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation. During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge. After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery. While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive they must get an appropriate medical treatment. Those with COVID-19 testing appointment must get tested. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application. Meanwhile, travellers who have applied/obtained their Thailand Pass QR code before 22 December, 2021, with scheduled arrival dates in Thailand from 24 December, 2021, onwards, are still required to undergo their second COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique at government-designated facilities on Day 5-6 of their stay in Thailand, or when they experience respiratory symptoms (no additional cost). Guidelines for Domestic/International Departure For domestic departure, travellers must show proof that they have received a negative result for their RT-PCR test. For international departure, it is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure. Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation. https://www.tatnews.org/2022/01/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go/