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From Pattaya News A 64-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead last night (January 11th) after falling from a condominium in Jomtien. Captian Sanan Kotanon from the Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident at 9:00 P.M. at a condominium in Soi 7 Jomtien. The name of the condominium was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. Police, emergency responders, and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find the body of the foreign man who was identified by police as a 64-year-old Norwegian. He had landed on an awning on the 2nd floor. His name was withheld by TPN media pending notification of his family and embassy expected to be later this morning. He was found shirtless and wearing only shorts. He had suffered severe skull injuries and three cut wounds were found on his left wrist, likely inflicted before the fall according to police. According to Captain Sanan, the man lived alone on the 5th floor of the condominium. No signs of a struggle or other occupants were found in the room. A box cutter was found on the bed. No notes were found in the room. A 72-year-old foreign man, believed to be an expat, has been pronounced dead (January 7th) after falling from a central Pattaya condominium. The incident took place just before midnight in Central Pattaya on the 16th floor of a well-known local condominium and was responded to by Pattaya Police Col. Kulchat Kulchai, Sawang Boriboon rescue services, and TPN media. The name of the condo was withheld pending a full investigation by Pattaya police. A Russian man was found dead after he apparently jumped from the Pattaya City Police Station early this morning (January 5th), 2022. The Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident just past 2:00 A.M. near a power pole and exchange booth directly in front of the Pattaya City Police Station on Soi 9 on Beach Road. They and The Pattaya News arrived at the scene to find a deceased male who was identified by police as a Russian male national, aged 38, lying on the ground with severe injuries from his fall. https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/05/russian-man-found-dead-after-apparently-jumping-from-the-pattaya-police-station-roof-overnight/

From Bangkok Post The Tourism and Sports Ministry promotion plan for 2022 will be themed "Amazing Thailand New Chapter", introducing new selling points from January and collecting a 300-baht entry fee from foreign tourists from April, government spokesman Thanakorn Boonkongwanchana said on Wednesday. The plan includes promotion of "white routes" for tourists in line with a bio-, circular and green economic development strategy for more sustainable and safe tourism, Mr Thanakorn said. Also under the plan, from the start of the second quarter, April, an "entry fee" of 300 baht would be collected from foreign tourists arriving in Thailand, the spokesman said. The 300 baht fee would be used to develop tourist attractions and for accident or death insurance for all tourists. The maximum insurance payout would be 1 million baht in the case of death and 500,000 baht for medical expenses. The charge would be included in air fares. The means of collecting the entry fee from people arriving by land was still being considered. According to Mr Thanakorn, the Tourism and Sports Ministry expected revenue from tourism this year of 1.3-1.8 trillion baht, from 5-15 million foreign tourists. He said if tourists were mainly from Europe or the United States, arrivals were estimated at 5 million this year. This would rise to about 7 million if tourists also came from India. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2246355/thailand-to-launch-new-chapter-of-tourism

From Richard Barrow Twitter site If you want to take part in the Phuket Sandbox, you must book a direct flight to Phuket. You cannot transit in Bangkok. However, if you want to go to Samui, you can transfer to a domestic flight in Bangkok, but you must have booked one ticket for the entire flight.

If Thailand's early efforts last year to attract international tourists seemed confusing, Vietnam's current ones are downright daunting. From The VN Express Current Covid pandemic prevention protocols including medical declaration on different apps and rapid testing rules have left domestic carriers navigating troubled skies. During the first week after international flights resumed, January 1-7, 64 international flights brought over 7,800 passengers to Vietnam, according to a report from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Of these 18 were commercial flights while the rest were charter flights carrying experts and tourists on package tours. After the government approved a two-week first phase of resumption of flights to nine destinations starting January 1, the CAAV has granted flight slots for domestic carriers to seven: Bangkok, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Phnom Penh. Currently, flights to Beijing or Guangzhou in China and Vientiane in Laos are yet to resume as relevant aviation authorities are yet to complete negotiations. The CAAV said the South Korean government is limiting inbound passenger flights as part of pandemic prevention measures; therefore, Vietnamese carriers are only allowed to operate two weekly flights from Vietnam to South Korea. Since the resumption, the CAAV has received complaints about current Covid-19 protocol that have been hassling foreign passengers. Passengers are required to submit medical declarations on too many app platforms, which is a challenging task, especially for foreign visitors. For example, entrants need to declare their immigration details on one app and make their medical declaration on another. Then, different localities may require submission of details on different apps, like HCMC and Hanoi, for example, the CAAV said. The Ministry of Transport has suggested that the government lifts the requirement on rapid Covid testing before boarding and after exiting planes. It says foreign passengers should be required to submit negative PCR test results only before boarding flights as is being done in other countries. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/trouble-remains-a-week-after-int-l-flights-resume-4414921.html

I had been posting occasional articles about the situation in Myanmar but despite great resistance from the people and international sanctions, the violence continued unchecked. An ineffectual ASEAN did next to nothing in the way of contributing to a solution. Likewise the UN, stymied by opposition from China and Russia, also seemed to lose interest. However, this account in today's Thai Enquirer screams out to be heard. ---------------------------------------------------- By Caleb Quinley The Myanmar junta has ratcheted up attacks on civilians in Kayah State, (Karenni) in eastern Myanmar, pushing over 100,000 civilians to flee for their lives. The military has launched at least a dozen airstrikes since Saturday, targeting residential areas with rockets from both the sky and ground, according to local reports. Many areas in Kayah’s capital have been completely destroyed over the weekend. Some estimates say that around half the population of Kayah, about 125,000 people, are reported to be displaced after the indiscriminate attacks. But the army, known as the Tatmadaw, has a long history of using violence on their own people. The Tatmadaw announced last week that they would give residents in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, three days to leave the area before shelling the city. Naw Diamond, a mother of two young children is one of the thousands who recently fled the violence in Loikaw over the last few days. She told Thai Enquirer that it’s simply not safe anymore and she fears for her family’s safety. “Leaving everything behind is really difficult for me,” Diamond said. “ I never thought that I would have to flee my home. I tried my best to resist and decided not to leave [in the beginning]. But I have to consider the safety of my mom and my children.” As she fled, Diamond worried for her mother’s health as she suffers from high blood pressure. When she arrived in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, she needed to go straight to a hospital so her mother could see a doctor. Since the Feb 1 coup, the Myanmar military has killed at least 1,200 people and detained thousands of others. Over the last year, the Tatmadaw turned it’s weapons on its own civilians at peaceful protests in urban centers, killing women and children and injuring countless others. Now the military has ramped up its assault on resistance fighters in rural parts of the country. Junta forces announced that the attacks in Kayah were targeting resistance fighters known to be living in the area. Many say it’s the heaviest bombardment of a major city in recent history, or at least since the Feb 1 coup. “The situation in Karenni [Kayah] is the worst it’s been since World War II,” David Eubank told Thai Enquirer. “There’s now over 100,000 displaced since last week with the heightened strikes in Loikaw areas.” Eubank is the founder and leader of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a multi-ethnic relief organization that offers medical aid and training at the frontlines of some of the world’s worst conflicts. Speaking from the hills of Karen State, he explained that the attacks have been continuous, noting an increase of aircraft strikes from helicopters as well as armored vehicles used to devastate civilian zones. FBR lost two rangers in recent clashes with Tatmadaw troops. Despite the attacks, defense groups like the The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), say the Tatmadaw has suffered many casualties, while reports indicate that numerous soldiers are deserting the Myanmar army. One of the most brutal attacks took place on Christmas day where at least 35 people were killed. The military set fire to more than 30 civilians in their vehicles. The victims were women, children and two employees of the charity Save the Children. Many of the victims had their hands tied behind their backs, were gagged, and had shown signs that they had been either stabbed or shot in the chest. In other attacks over the weekend, junta troops killed four teens after clashes in Tanintharyi province. The bodies of 10 people, including a 13-year-old child, were reportedly used by the army as human shields in Chin State, according to local news group, Myanmar Now. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36412/over-100000-displaced-as-attacks-mass-killings-rock-myanmars-kayah-state/

From Thai Enquirer Only one covid-related number Thais should concentrate on, senior doctor says By Cod Satrusayang Thailand must stop focusing on new Covid-19 infection numbers in light of increasing vaccination rates and the spread of the milder Omicron variant, a senior doctor told Thai Enquirer on Monday. The country discovered 7,926 new cases in the past 24 hours, in line with the recent surge in cases stemming from travel during the new year period and the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. It is nearly a three hundred per cent increase in the number of average cases from December when the country was finding some 2,000 cases per day. But according to one senior doctor at Siriraj Hospital, those numbers are misleading and the public should not place much importance on total number of new infections. “Our vaccination rate and our booster rate is still climbing while Omicron has proven to be less severe than earlier variants, that means we should focus on the death rate and clusters,” said the doctor who asked for anonymity citing his involvement in government policy. “The death toll in the last 24 hours is only 13 fatalities. That is still tragic for the individual families but in terms of public policy, a very successful implementation of restrictions and vaccinations.” The doctor added that a low death rate means public health policy should be focused on economic recovery and getting the country back to normal rather than panicking over increased numbers. “The other focus must be on clusters, instead of focusing on total numbers, restrictions should be tailor-made to specific clusters and restrictions in localities,” he said. “Think back to December and the specific restrictions we introduced to Samut Sakhon. That is the model we should go back to now instead of trying to restrict the country as a whole and dooming it economically.” https://www.thaienquirer.com/36342/only-one-covid-related-number-thais-should-concentrate-on-senior-doctor-says/

I recently had a similar experience and decided to empty out a storage bin I had been renting for nearly eight years. Not surprisingly, the most difficult things to part with were old books. A handful went went to friends but the rest went to the local library book sale. Like a-447, much went to the Salvation Army and a consignment shop. The whole thing was liberating while saving me the monthly bin rental cost going forward. There comes a time when we realize there's nothing to be gained by gathering possessions. My surviving family members either have good jobs or have retired quite comfortably. In any case, I see little of them. So I, too, find myslef focusing on who have actually made my life more meaningful. Who are those I wanted so much to be with during the Covid crisis. Who are those who have been there for me--and I for them.

From Richard Barrow Twitter site The infection rate of all travellers entering Thailand by air: · November: 0.13% · December: 0.45% · January: 2.79% Test & Go: 2.98% Sandbox: 1.60% Quarantine: 2.24%

Finding charities that make efficient use of your donation can indeed be a challenge. The first thing I look for in a prospective charity is its financials. Specifically I want to know what percentage of income goes to "program services" (the higher the better) and how much is eaten up by "fund raising and management" expenses (the less the better). If I can't readily locate this data on the charity's website or independent rating service, I move on. When looking at management, I like to check out the salaries of the top executives. For example, if a charity is shelling out salaries over $300,00+ to upper management, I might have second thoughts if the same charity is providing less than 80% of total annual income toward program services. I'm also turned off by organizations that send me unsolicited stuff (i.e., greeting cards, wrapping paper, religious paraphernalia). The only worthwhile item I ever remember receiving was a world map from Doctors Without Borders that displayed the countries where it operates. One of the oldest--and I believe reliable--rating services in the US is Charity Navigator. It rates charities and provides financial data. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ I expect that the UK and Australia probably have similar services, although I;'m not familiar with them. If you're looking for opportunities in Thailand, many exists in the Bangkok and Pattaya. Paying an in-person visit might make an interesting daytime diversion.

Richard Barrow has posted a series of tweets that regarding the actual status of the entry program for those who have "approved" Thai pass. This is the latest one I could locate (dated 7 Jan). They appear to contradict media reports from yesterday. "IMPORTANT: I have just been informed by @MFAThai that Thailand Pass holders using Test & Go can now change to an earlier arrival date. You just need to write to them with the details. Email tfcovid19@mfa.go.th or if you’re going to Phuket phuket.thailandpass@gmail.com. Good luck!" Here's another one from 7 Jan. "The CCSA has just confirmed that although new registrations for Test & Go remain suspended, travellers who have already been approved can enter #Thailand according to the conditions and on the date they requested, until this order changes. There is NO cut off date."

From Khaosod English BANGKOK — A naturalistic public park has arrived in Bangkok and it’s not to be missed. Phase two of the Benjakitti Park, opened quietly last December, offered visitors a new and different experience from other public parks – it is modern, minimalist and naturalistic. BANGKOK — A naturalistic public park has arrived in Bangkok and it’s not to be missed. Phase two of the Benjakitti Park, opened quietly last December, offered visitors a new and different experience from other public parks – it is modern, minimalist and naturalistic. BANGKOK — A naturalistic public park has arrived in Bangkok and it’s not to be missed. Phase two of the Benjakitti Park, opened quietly last December, offered visitors a new and different experience from other public parks – it is modern, minimalist and naturalistic. Highlights include a nearly two-kilometer long skywalk crisscrossing a lovely view of wetland peppered with mounds of earth forming tiny islets below. There’s also a separate walking trail at ground level. The paths, both on the upper and lower levels, encourage you to keep walking and explore. They are laid out seemingly at random, making getting lost fun. Converted from a land formerly part of the Tobacco Authority of Thailand with an entrance from Ratchadaphisek Road, one can see some high rise buildings enveloped from all directions. Yet, the feelings are more lost in nature because the naturalistic park requires a five-minutes walk from the entrance of the old phase of Benjakitti Park. his means if you are standing at the center of the new park, which is adequately large at 61 rai excluding the final unfinished phase, you won’t hear any traffic noises despite the fact that you’re just a 15 to 20 minutes’ walk from BTS Asok station and Sukhumvit station of the MRT underground. On the western end of the park, there is a large grass lawn surrounded by a half amphitheater. There are 12 levels of slope made of bare concrete where one could just sit and watch the views of nature, the skyline, and other people relaxing and playing frisbee. Benjakitti Wetland Park is part of the old Benjakitti Park. The entrance is located on Ratchadaphisek Road, next to Queen Sirikit Convention Center. It opens from 5am to 9pm daily. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/2022/01/06/a-review-of-bangkoks-new-wetland-park/

Two frequent question that arise when discussing retirement is how long will my savings last and how much should I be able to withdraw on a regular basis. I've seen many interactive tools aimed at helping answer those questions. I consider this one among the best. https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/how-long-will-savings-last

The CCSA kept the status of the eight provinces approved for tourism promotion unchanged, meaning they are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages at eateries until 9pm. The provinces are: Bangkok Chon Buri Kanchanaburi Krabi Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Phangnga Phuket

From Thai Enquirer Thailand adjusts entry permissions, restarts sandbox entries, halts Test and Go Thailand said it will adjust its entry permissions on Friday in line with global pandemic guidelines. The Test and Go procedure with one-day quarantine is still temporarily scrapped. “We will continue to halt the Test and Go procedure for now,” said Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The deadline for those with approved Thailand Passes for the procedure, was extended from January 10 to 15. “No entry via this procedure will be allowed after January 15,” he said. The CCSA estimated that there are around 10,400 people who were approved for the procedure and still waiting to enter between January 7 and 15. The ban on entries from eight African countries will be lifted on January 11. The registration to enter Thailand via the tourist sandboxes, with seven days quarantine period, in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao) will be reopened on January 11 after it was halted on December 22. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36302/thailand-adjusts-entry-permissions-restarts-sandbox-entries-halts-text-and-go/

And the beat goes on.... The CCSA will be asked to ban alcohol consumption -- which is considered a risk factor in the spread of the virus -- in areas with severe infections and review outbreak zoning based on a colour-coded system to identify provinces hit by the latest outbreak, he said. Moreover, all returnees and arrivals from abroad will be quarantined, the minister said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2243211/ministry-to-pitch-tougher-curbs

Agree. And don't forget Brazil, Venezuela, China, Turkey, Myanmar....

Try this one then: gaining political power. Ask yourself who has the most to gain by creating the chaos--and not just in the case of Omicron. It's the same tactic that's been used successfully in politics around the globe. Niccolò Machiavelli wrote the book on it in the 16th century. In Thailand, a key minister who has been out in front in the Covid-19 discussion very much wants to displace the incumbent PM. By taking controversial stands, you garner tons of free publicity that gets your name and photo in the daily headlines. It's a means to an end. And you don't have to look to deeply into today's headlines to see it playing out even more robustly than yesterday. As usual, all the decisions are being made by the elites in Bangkok and Chiang Mai who provide the money that finances the legislative election campaigns. The winners then get to decide who gets the nod for the PM's job. It's all about power. Acquiring it, exercising it and keeping hold of it.

Skimming through the headlines of the day, it's clear that astronomers missed the fact that the sky must indeed be falling. Let me count the ways. "World famous Khaosan Road closed temporarily after Covid cases found" "Hospitals around the country told to prepare for surge in cases" "New cases spike in Wednesday's Covid report" "Phuket preps hotel guest isolation" "Anutin wants to delay nightclub reopening" "Bangkok prepares field hospitals, isolation centres for anticipated Covid-19 uptick" "Thai Officials Insist On More Restrictions" Thai officialdom and an accommodating media have teamed up to create a spreading sense of panic. But when you look behind the headlines, reality is evident. Yes, the hospital will be overwhelmed, but only because "experts" insist that asymptomatic people must be quarantined within them. Thailand, which was on the verge of reviving its tourism industry, is now being victimized by a scourge far more insidious than the virus: manufactured panic. The practice of putting people with flu-like symptoms in hospitals is one sure fire way to concentrate them into a setting that becomes its own self-fulling prophecy. Perhaps all this will pass as quickly as it developed. In a few months, maybe we'll be back to "test-and-go". But even if we are, we'll have it in the back of our minds that everything could go off the rails again along with our travel itineraries.

Peter points out crucial points to anyone considering making a foreign national a beneficiary. Aside from ensuring that multiple wills (or trusts) don’t conflict, awareness of the rules and regulations in your home country that affect transfer of assets to international beneficiaries is essential. If you are leaving assets you have in Thailand to a Thai citizen, the transaction should be fairly straight forward if your will has been properly drawn up. But if your assets are in your home country and you want them transferred upon your death to a Thai or other foreign beneficiary, the pertinent regulations of both countries come into play. The ramifications can be significant, particularly considering applicable tax rules of both nations. For assets coming out of the United States, for example, the rules differ from country to country. One size does not fit all. If your will and/or trust is drawn up by the average U.S. lawyer, don’t expect he or she is aware of the very complex rules and regulations concerning foreign beneficiaries. You really need the services of an attorney who has experience and expertise in these matters.

From Bangkok Post Suspension of Test & Go continues amid Omicron spike Thailand continues the suspension of the Test & Go scheme for travellers, as the country is battling the spike in Covid-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, a senior Public Health Ministry official said on Tuesday. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the country will not reimpose the quarantine-free programme due to the spread of Omicron. "Under the current circumstances, there's no plan to bring back Test & Go," Dr Opas told a media briefing. He did not elaborate on how long the scheme will remain suspended. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday air travellers who had successfully applied for Test & Go can enter the country by next Monday. The Phuket Sandbox is the only sandbox scheme in effect. Other similar schemes have been temporarily shelved since Dec 22. Another entry into Thailand is through the quarantine programme. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2241983/suspension-of-test-go-continues-amid-omicron-spike ============================== From Richard Barrow "I spoke to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again and they say they haven’t been informed of any decision about Test & Go and as far as they know, discussions are still ongoing. The next CCSA meeting is on Wednesday and the big one on Friday. Please wait for official announcement." ++++++++ "There hasn’t been talk for a while about updating the list of approved countries. People coming from the US and the UK might want to take note of this tweet. You are leading the pack with the highest percentage of people testing positive on arrival. " "Thai News Reports: The latest statistics show that this month so far, most international arrivals are coming from Russia (2,511), Sweden (1,359), Germany (1,143) and Kazakhstan (1,080). Most people testing positive are from the USA (7.91%) and the UK (7.35%)."

From Bangkok Post The Public Health Ministry will propose that the government continue the suspension of the Test & Go entry programme for air travellers, in light of the continuing spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday. Mr Anutin said he supported the recommendation made by health experts on Monday. He would ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Tuesday to continue the suspension of the one-night quarantine scheme until the end of this month. No applications for entry to Thailand under the Test & Go scheme have been accepted since Dec 22. Entry is only through the Phuket Sandbox, and its quarantine system, due to fears over the rising number of Omicron-variant Covfd-19 cases worldwide. The minister did not mention the future of other Sandbox schemes, which have also been temporarily shelved since Dec 22. They will also be under review on Tuesday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2241395/health-ministry-wants-to-extend-suspension-of-test-go

I'm sure expats have made provisions for this. However, this article by a Thai lawyer explores the legal realities of a foreigner dying in Thailand. From Pattaya Mail By Jessataporn "Chang" Sriboo Q. What can lawyers do? All countries have their own rules and regulations about notifications to police and embassies, corpse disposal and the follow-up in court if the deceased had any assets in Thailand. A Thai lawyer experienced in these matters can make the whole process less distressing for next of kin or significant third parties. Q. What are the procedures if a foreigner dies here? Typically, the police will quickly be informed. If the deceased died in hospital and had a recent record of illness or disease, an autopsy is not necessary. In all other cases, an autopsy will be required and this can delay the funeral. The death certificate is issued by the local authority and relevant embassy approval is required before cremation or burial is possible. At this stage, relatives usually have a lot of questions about detail – such as where the autopsy occurs and the specific role of the embassy – which a lawyer can help to make a smoother process. Also any hospital or autopsy bills must be paid before progress can be made. Q. How are the dead disposed of in Thailand? Nearly always by cremation which is otherwise known as hygienic disposal. Embassies usually have a list of morticians who can organize the details and the service at temples. Prices vary a great deal according to the location and elaborateness, starting at around 20,000 baht with no upper limit. In general, funerals in rural areas are cheaper than those in urban centers. In temples, the body is kept in a “chedi” or special area and there is no specific time frame for cremation. The next of kin or executor can obtain the ashes in an urn for lodging in Thailand (often in a temple or at sea) or for return to the native land. Q. Is burial possible in Thailand? Yes, but it’s very expensive, difficult and can take a long time. An alternative is to transport the body back to the home country by air, although it should be noted that many airlines – since Covid – do not offer this service. Also, the body has to be specially treated by embalmers and returned in a zinc-lined coffin. In my experience, well over 90 percent of deaths in Thailand are prepared for cremation here. The exceptions are mostly where the insurance policy specifically allows for international corpse transportation. Q. What happens if nobody can be found to take responsibility? Yes, sometimes this can happen when a Thai or a foreigner dies and no family member or friend can be found. Sometimes embassies may pay for disposal, but many do not. In some areas, the local authorities may arrange for a pauper’s cremation at a local temple. In other areas, there is a paupers’ burial ground where corpses are lodged and collectively burned every few years to make way for new arrivals. In the Pattaya area, as an example, the Sawangboriboon Foundation will usually be asked to assist where a body is uncollected and unwanted by anyone. We should stress that a pauper’s disposal will be an action with minimal ceremony. Q. What about wills and courts? If the deceased had any assets (cash or property) in Thailand, a probate order from a Thai court is necessary before they can be transferred. However, if a bank account is held in joint names, then the surviving partner can avoid that bureaucracy. The judge in a probate case will expect to see a properly drawn-up will in the Thai language and will normally require the presence of the executor or next of kin. The court may ask about the family tree, but the process is normally automatic. The executor will then receive written authorization which allows the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. Q. Do things sometimes go wrong? Indeed they do. Sometimes there is no will or the original cannot be found. In these cases, the process may be more complicated and, where possible, we ask the next of kin to accompany us to a hearing in the Thai court. Another problem area is where the deceased died unnaturally, say a murder, which can result in all sorts of questions depending on the specific circumstances. Sometimes, the relatives may not be satisfied with the results of the autopsy and can fund a second one either in Thailand or in the home country. Q. Do I need two wills? It depends. Where assets are held in Thailand and abroad, we usually recommend that. Care has to be taken that the two wills do not contradict each other – I have known that to happen! Some foreign probate courts can require a lot of detail. For example, if a British man or woman holds assets in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, these jurisdictions are not part of the United Kingdom. The detailed rules are very different in, say, Liverpool and Douglas. On estate matters, you really do need professional legal input. Preferably well before you meet your Maker. https://www.pattayamail.com/business/pattaya-legal-corner-dying-is-the-last-thing-you-do-384945

I don't see how this could have been rationally promulgated or actually enforced. I'm only reporting it. From Pattaya Mail In a crushing late-night order, Chonburi’s governor mandated that customers of restaurants of all sizes produce a negative coronavirus test result before entering. The arguably unenforceable dictate from Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai late Jan. 1 replaced a less-restritive proclamation issued earlier the same day that had spared smaller restaurants from the onerous unfunded mandate. Both orders were issued in reaction to the coronavirus omicron variant, which has now made its way to Chonburi on its march to inevitably becoming the dominant strain in Thailand. The original order had applied only from Dec. 31-Jan. 2 and required all staff, including entertainment performers, at restaurants – and the thousands of bars masquerading as restaurants – to be tested daily with rapid antigen kits. Customers, however, would only have to produce proof of a negative coronavirus test from within the past 72 hours or take a test on-site before entering if the venue regularly served more than 100 people or “looked busy or congested” even without actually serving 100 people. The new order, however, does away with the time limit – it’s now in force until further notice – and requires all customers, regardless the size of the venue or the customer’s vaccination status, to either take a test on-site or provide proof of a recent negative test. Restaurant owners unable or unwilling to foot the testing bill or make customers wait 15 minutes outside for test results are given no other choice than to simply close. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/all-pattaya-restaurants-now-require-customers-to-show-negative-covid-19-test-385022

From The Thaiger “Thailand Trusted Destination” is the latest campaign in a long line of schemes government authorities have launched as they attempt to lure international travellers back to Thailand, even amid Omicron uncertainty. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports launched the campaign in a bid to increase the standards of tourism in the country. The project aims to build confidence in travellers by certifying businesses that meet certain quality standards, allowing them to display the Thailand Trusted Destination dancing elephant logo. The Tourism Ministry hopes this will incentivise businesses and venues to bring their standards of management, cleanliness, safety, and fairness up. Businesses will also be evaluated on their eco-friendly practices. Tourists can identify attractions that have been certified with the dancing elephant logo by searching on the Thailand Tourism Standard Facebook page or their website at tts.dot.go.th though the site seems to not be quite functional yet. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/thailand-trusted-destination-certification-aimed-at-luring-tourists

Although I remain among those still hoping to experience Bangkok again in the not too distant future, news that my favorite method of getting around Krung Thep--second only to walking--continues to thrive helps keep the dream alive. From The Nation More than 1.3 million people used Thailand’s railway services on December 29 and 30 The five lines that saw the highest number of passengers were: • Southern: 26,852 passengers • Northeast: 26,420 passengers • Northern: 23,402 passengers • Eastern: 11,010 passengers • Mahachai-Mae Khlong: 6,066 passengers Meanwhile, more than 1.28 million people used rail services in Greater Bangkok on December 29 and 30: • Airport Rail Link: 57,446 passengers • SRT Red Line: 15,590 passengers • MRT Purple Line: 50,721 passengers • MRT Blue Line: 355,242 passengers • BTS: 805,331 passengers Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010669