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The PM Thursday affirmed that Nov. 1 would be the reopening date for tourists from five countries to visit Thailand without quarantine but was silent on other issues many were hoping would be cleared up after the meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration at Government House. As reported a few days ago, the countries are Britain, the United States, Germany, Singapore and China. There had been talk about five additional countries but none were announced. It was also unclear if the covid test on arrival would be administered at the airport or another location. No mention of other requirements such as COE or insurance were released. Also disclosed was that Thailand will reduce the duration of the nightly curfew and allow more provinces to welcome fully vaccinated visitors, with more businesses reopening, ahead of the November reopening. The CCSA agreed to shorten the curfew from 10 pm – 4 am to 11 pm – 3 am starting from October 16 for at least 15 days. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2197799/quarantine-being-lifted-more-provinces-being-opened https://www.thaienquirer.com/33954/covid-measures-eased-further-ahead-of-thailands-reopening/

From Coconuts Bangkok Architects in New York have designed a massive expansion to the U.S. Embassy compound that incorporates shaded outdoor Thai terraces and Lanna features from the north. Ground was broken Friday in a ceremony overseen by Charge d’ Affaires Michael Heath and Thai VIPs on what’s modestly coined an “annex” to the embassy property on Wireless Road, a US$625 million (THB20.21 billion) development aiming for a 2025 opening. The New Office Annex, dubbed The Nox, will be used to house additional diplomatic, security and commercial services while also modernizing the 1960s-era embassy’s consular services. It will also house U.S. agencies currently spread across Bangkok, with the embassy saying it will help centralize operations and strengthen bilateral ties. Continues with photos https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/nox-rises-check-out-washingtons-20-billion-baht-bangkok-embassy-add-on/

From Reuters / BP Asia's airlines ramp up flights, offers SYDNEY/SINGAPORE: Asia-Pacific airlines have lost billions of dollars this year, with jets grounded in Covid-19 transportation freezes. Now, as some of the world's strictest pandemic-related travel rules begin to ease, they're ramping up flights and ticket offers. Asian travel agencies and carriers told Reuters they're seeing a surge in bookings and travel enquiries as countries like Malaysia and Vietnam allow domestic flights to resume from this week after months of strict lockdowns. India is lifting a domestic capacity cap, while Singapore, Thailand and Fiji are opening without quarantine to vaccinated international travellers from select countries. While airline industry group IATA does not expect a significant improvement in Asia-Pacific international travel until "later in 2022", predicting cumulative losses of $11.2 billion this year, narrowing to $2.4 billion next year,carriers from AirAsia Group to VietJet Aviation , Singapore Airlines, Fiji Airways and Qantas are already increasing capacity. "The most important thing is practically all governments in the Asia-Pacific region with maybe one or two exceptions are abandoning their Covid-zero strategies and moving to a sort of Covid-normal framework," said Association of Asia Pacific Airlines director-general Subhas Menon. "Vaccination rates are also beginning to ramp up." While curbs are easing, a full return to normal operations is a long way off. IATA estimates global aviation industry losses from the pandemic will be a towering $200 billion for 2020-22, and losses in Asia alone were close to $50 billion in 2020. International travel in the Asia-Pacific region was at around 4% of 2019 levels in August. And though the relaxation of restrictions will open the way for some tourism, initially it will mean a comparative trickle: Thailand expects only around 100,000 foreign visitors this year, down from nearly 40 million in 2019. Still, there's pent-up demand from those who have longed to be able to take a break overseas. Dickson Ng, a 24-year-old consultant based in Singapore, said he plans to travel to Europe in January. "We don't know if these VTLs (vaccinated travel lanes) could be rescinded, right now there's opportunity and there's Covid-19, so I think getting out of the country will be a good thing," he said. Meanwhile, Fiji Airways has had thousands of bookings since the country on Sunday announced it would open borders to vaccinated travellers from some destinations on Dec 1, the vast majority from Australians, an airline spokesperson said. Some carriers are already promoting bargain fares. Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is offering some free domestic one-way tickets, excluding taxes and fees, while Malaysia's AirAsia has fares as low as 12 ringgit ($2.88) as it ramps up flights. AirAsia said traffic to its mobile app had surged by more than 140% since the government relaxed domestic travel rules. But Singapore has capped the number of arrivals under its VTL programme at 3,000 a day in total, a tiny fraction of pre-pandemic traffic, a move that has kept ticket prices higher. Singapore tour agency Chan Brothers Travel said enquiries had increased 50-fold in the last week since VTLs were added to more countries including South Korea, the United States and Britain. Return economy-class fares from Singapore to South Korea have nearly doubled to around S$1500 ($1,107.50) from S$800 previously, a spokesperson at Singapore's Dynasty Travel said. "Some travellers may wait for the initial price surge for flights to pass, but we can expect quite a number of travellers taking to the skies by the first half of 2022," she said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2197207/asias-airlines-ramp-up-flights-offers

NOTE -- There seems to be a discrepancy with the headline (above) from Bangkok Post website and the bold-faced paragraph in text below. From Bangkok Post The National Blood Centre said on Tuesday that it empathises with an appeal by the LGBT community regarding their right to donate blood but Thailand is not yet ready to relax the strict criteria for blood donors from this higher-risk group. The centre, which operates under the Thai Red Cross Society, issued a statement after Nikorn Chimkong, who serves as chairman of both the HIV Foundation Asia and Bangkok Rainbow Organisation, urged the society to broaden its scope to be more inclusive of these oft-marginalised groups, especially at a time when donated blood is in short supply. "The Thai Red Cross Society is committed to its mission and resolution to take care of people with compassion in line with the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement. We respect the human rights of every person equally and without discrimination," the statement said. During the transitional period of blood donation criteria for men who have sex with men (MSM) in many countries over the last decade, the National Blood Centre has been monitoring the advance of medical science in order to initiate improvements at home. In Thailand, the HIV rate among first-time donors stands at 130 per 100,000, compared to 40 among the same number of regular donors. These numbers are, respectively, 14 and 27 times higher than the US, 22 and 72 times higher than in Western Europe, and 10 and 80 times higher than Singapore, Taiwan, Macau, South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. In Bangkok, the HIV rate among gay men is over 30%. It described this as a practical move rather than one rooted in discrimination, as transgender women who have no history of sexual intercourse with a male partner can apply to be donors, as can lesbians. Before the criteria for gay men and others in this group can be relaxed, the HIV infection rate among donors must drop to below one in 100,000 donors per year, it said, adding this would require better sex education and cooperation from all sectors in society. "These statistics are key factors that must be analysed before any changes are made to our blood donor selection criteria," the statement read. It added that an advisory group comprising specialists and experts in transfusion medicine decided Thailand is not ready to take the risk of relaxing the criteria for MSM blood donors. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2196875/donations-from-lgbt-too-risky

From Bangkok Post CHON BURI: The Pattaya City Municipality is planning five major events to boost tourism after fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries begin to enter the kingdom from Nov 1. Pattaya mayor Sonthaya Khunplome on Tuesday said the reopening of the country to fully vaccinated visitors without quarantine would revitalise the tourism industry, particularly in this beach city where the Covid-19 outbreak has crippled tourism. In responding to the reopening plan, the Pattaya mayor said the end of the quarantine requirement would be be a major driving force to stimulate tourism and draw more international visitors to Pattaya. Pattaya City is fully prepared to open its doors to tourists as it has sped up Covid-19 vaccinations for people living in the beach town, including workers -- both Thais and migrants -- and foreign expats, he said. More than 70% of people in Pattaya have received a second dose of Covid-19 vaccines while a third shot has been administered to 100% of the population on Koh Lan, a popular island, said the mayor. On top of those measures, the Pattaya City Municipality is also planning to hold five major tourism promotion events, starting from the first week of November. The events are the Pattaya Music Festival, Loy Krathong, International Fireworks, the Na Klua Walking Street fair and the Pattaya countdown, the mayor said. Damrongkiat Pinitkarn, secretary to the Entertainment Venues and Tourism Association in Pattaya, said the prime minister’s announcement that the ban on serving alcoholic beverages in restaurants could be lifted on Dec 1 was good news for business operators and employees, allowing them to get back on their feet after months of hardship during the Covid-19 outbreak. He agreed with the government’s plan to allow entertainment venues to reopen on Dec 1, one month after the country is reopened to fully vaccinated foreign visitors from low-rik countries without quarantine on Nov 1. This would enable entertainment business operators to assess the situation and see which groups of visitors would arrive in Thailand during the reopening of the country -- from America, Europe or Asia -- so services could be adjusted to meet the their needs, said Mr Damrongkiat. He insisted nightspots were ready for the reopening of the country. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2196667/pattaya-plans-5-major-events-after-country-reopens-to-fully-vaccinated-tourists

From CNN (CNN)Superman's done a lot since he first appeared in comic books 80 years ago, almost. He's saved the world more than a few times. He's died and come back to life. He dodged punches from Muhammad Ali and even faced off against White supremacists. Until this year, though, every comic iteration of Superman has been besotted with longtime love Lois Lane. But in an upcoming issue of a new "Superman" series, the Man of Steel enters into a queer relationship. The fifth issue of the DC comic series "Superman: Son of Kal-El" will confirm that the new Superman -- Jon Kent, child of Clark Kent and Lane -- is bisexual after falling for Jay Nakamura, a male reporter, DC announced this week. The "Superman: Son of Kal-El" series follows Kent as he becomes Earth's new Superman and grapples with the immense weight of his new gig. Nakamura, a bespectacled writer with a bubble-gum pink mop, first appeared in the series' third issue as a shoulder for Kent to lean on when the business of being Superman gets too rough. But in the forthcoming fifth issue, coming next month, Kent falls for the journalist -- he is his father's son -- after he "mentally and physically burns out from trying to save everyone that he can," according to DC. The particulars of the issue's plot are to be revealed in November, but images from the comic show Kent and Nakamura sharing a kiss and sitting together atop a building, their legs dangling off the edge. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/11/entertainment/superman-comes-out-bisexual-jon-kent-cec/index.html

As the local and international press digests the PM's announcement, some of the usual suspects have again emerged to throw cold water on the plan. Among the first was a doctor from Chulalongkorn University who has long argued against any bordering reopening. Next at bat was Pattaya Mail columnist Barry Kenyon who contends that the COE, covid insurance and possibly other restrictions will remain in place (and for all I know, he may turn out top be right). The most objective article I believe is from Bloomberg News that looks at the government's proposal from a purely economic outlook. In any case, perhaps we'll know a lot more after the powers that be meet to consider the recommendations on later this week. From Bloomberg / BP ‘Bold move’ to revive tourism to take years, analysts say The government’s plan to end quarantine for vaccinated visitors is “a fight to win foreign tourists,” Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said Tuesday. But analysts and industry executives see it as a long road to recovery fraught with risks of periodic virus resurgence and unpredictable travel trends. A return to the pre-pandemic levels of tourist arrivals and spending will likely take a few years, according to Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the president of the Thai Hotels Association. It’s unlikely that large groups of visitors will immediately head to Thailand given the volatile nature of global travel and the coronavirus situation, she said. “The light at the end of the tunnel is here, but at the same time it will be a slow climb back to the levels seen before the pandemic,” Ms Marisa said. “Travel is still so volatile so we have to manage our risks. Keeping costs low will still remain a key strategy for all the hotels in Thailand.” Thailand will end quarantine for vaccinated visitors from low-risk nations from Nov 1, joining a growing list of nations reopening to cross-border travellers ahead of the year-end holiday season, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Monday. The surprise announcement saw the nation’s currency surge the most in more than two weeks, and stocks of airport operators, hotels and airlines rally to lift the benchmark index to a one-month high. Ekasit Kunadirekwong (analyst, Krungsri Securities): With the “bold move,” tourism recovery is expected to accelerate in the fourth quarter along with rising vaccination rate and roll-out of booster shots. Thailand’s low vaccination rate of 32% could lead to a spike in new cases upon reopening for inbound travellers and easing of restrictions for business activities. Krungsri expects Thailand’s population to reach 70% vaccination rate by year-end with tourist arrivals forecast maintained at 300,000 this year, 14 million in 2022, 34 million in 2023 and a rebound to pre-pandemic levels of 40 million by 2024. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (Minister for Tourism and Sports): Thailand’s reopening plan coincides with many other nations’ efforts to allow easier cross-border travel and is a fight to win foreign tourists in the next few months. The ministry wants to attract travellers from China the most, and may seek travel bubbles with Asean nations if they are low-risk countries and travellers have been fully vaccinated. Sunthorn Thongthip (analyst, Kasikorn Securities): This will help remove the barriers preventing tourists from coming to Thailand and to stimulate economic activity during the New Year festive period. He sees upside to the Bank of Thailand’s 2022 GDP forecast of 3.9% which is based on tourist arrivals estimate of 6 million next year. Every 3 million tourist arrivals in Thailand will create 1% upside to GDP growth. He expects the baht to rise to 32.75 v. the US dollar by end-2021. Kasikorn Securities is positive toward the Thai equities market as the reopening should benefit domestic and tourism-related sectors. The brokerage sees upside to its 12-month forward SET Index target of 1,680. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196643/bold-move-to-revive-tourism-to-take-years-analysts-say

I see no mention of requirements for Covid insurance or COE. Let's hope it stays that way.

According to a recent but cryptic article in The Nation, the Automated People Mover (APM) train system at Suvarnabhumi airport is 90 per cent complete and should be ready in time for the return of international travellers. This project was much in the news 2-3 years ago as controversies over budget and design were debated. The firm that's doing the work had this artist's rendering of the airport posted on its website with the new terminal in the foreground. You can also find detailed information about the system. When the terminal will actually be put into use is not mentioned. https://www.maathai.com/project_detail/62 https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006714

Because most of us haven't had an opportunity to spend any baht for quite a while we may not have been following exchange rates. But some quick, back of the envelope computations as this morning's numbers shows some good news emerging. From their lows vs the baht last fall, these currencies have appreciated "approximately": UK pound 16% US dollar 13% EU Euro 10%

Venerable Bangkok Massage (formerly a fixture on Twilight, opposite another venerable, Maxi's) reportedly has a sign posted on its current Patpong 2 location, looking for staff. Renowned for their talented ASEAN guys in years past, hope they can again manage to gather a similar lineup.

From Pattaya Mail The U.S. embassy’s No. 2 official paid a visit to the Pattaya-based transgender support organization to review works supported by previous American donations. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission James Wayman was joined by Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn for a tour of the Service Workers in Group Foundation office on Soi 14. SWING Director Surang Janyam welcomed them. SWING’s main mission is to facilitate access to healthcare services for the LGBT community, with a primary focus on HIV and AIDS treatment. The organization does a lot more, however, including assisting transgender entertainment workers during the coronavirus pandemic, providing occupational training and more. The charity derives nearly all of its income from donations and fundraisers and has been supported in the past by the U.S. embassy. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/u-s-embassy-official-visits-pattayas-swing-foundation-375186

From CNN By Faith Karimi, CNN (CNN)His messages are a mix of uncertainty and terror -- with glimmers of hope. He is gay, a convert to Christianity and a member of the Hazara ethnic minority -- three groups that have been historically persecuted by the Taliban. The 32-year-old man went into hiding after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August, cutting off communication with family back home and holing up in a Kabul basement with his younger brother. They spent their days reading and praying and venturing outside only for food. With phones their sole connection to the outside world, he and his brother sent messages. Lots of messages. To activists and human rights organizations. To friends of friends who knew anyone who could help. Their biggest fear: meeting a deadly fate at the hands of the Taliban, as their father did years ago. "They will behead us or kill us in the most brutal way," the older brother told CNN. "They are masters in that." CNN verified the man's identity through human rights activists and has been messaging with him via WhatsApp since August. To protect his safety, CNN is identifying him only as Ahmed -- not his real name. In a series of recent WhatsApp messages, Ahmed chronicled his life in the shadows in Kabul, his deep-rooted fear of the Taliban and his scramble to flee a country he's called home all his life. Days in the basement turned into weeks filled with dread and isolation. At times Ahmed felt so hopeless he contemplated suicide. Then, late last month, came word of a possible escape route. Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/10/world/afghanistan-gay-man-whatsapp-messages-cec/index.html

From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) will expand flights under the vaccinated travel lane scheme to nine more cities, following the announcement on Saturday (Oct 9) that Singapore will extend the travel arrangement to eight more countries. Starting Oct 19, SIA will operate vaccinated travel lane flights from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris and Rome. SINGAPORE: National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) will expand flights under the vaccinated travel lane scheme to nine more cities, following the announcement on Saturday (Oct 9) that Singapore will extend the travel arrangement to eight more countries. Starting Oct 19, SIA will operate vaccinated travel lane flights from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris and Rome. The SIA website was down briefly on Saturday afternoon after the announcement of the new vaccinated travel lanes. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-airlines-scoot-flights-vaccinated-travel-lane-2232801

From CNN Travel Riverside restaurant owner Titiporn Jutimanon was convinced a bout of flooding in Thailand could be the end of a business already struggling from the pandemic. But with the rising tide of the Chao Phraya river this week came an unexpected opportunity. Instead of closing for the floods, Titiporn's eatery is making waves, staying open for customers who are reveling in shin-deep dining, and the thrill of avoiding the rush of water set off as boats go by. "Customers absolutely love the waves," said Titiporn, who runs the Chao Phraya Antique Cafe in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok. Videos have gone viral on social media of customers sitting on drenched chairs, taking mouthfuls of food as long-tail boats buzz by, then moving out of the way as waves hit. About 30 northern and central provinces have been hit by flooding in recent weeks, raising levels of the famous river that flows through Bangkok. Titiporn's business was forced to close during Covid-19 lockdowns, but she's glad she decided to brave the floods. "Not only do they love the atmosphere and the barbecue pork and the view of the sunset ... the flood became an additional unique factor," she said. "I feel so lucky that the customers love it, the flood wasn't a challenge for them to come." Customers cheer and laugh as their wooden stools are knocked over by the water that breaches the restaurant. It holds two sittings each day for diners to enjoy the experience when the water levels are highest. "It's a fun challenge -- you don't know if you'll get washed away somewhere while eating," joked customer Jetdanai Boonrod, 30. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/thailand-flooded-resturant-intl-scli/index.html

Assuming that most readers of the forum easily spent more than the 82,576 baht target per trip to Thailand in the past, the TAT should be soliciting more gay travelers going forward to reach its income goal. From The Thaiger / BP TAT 80% revenue recovery plan: get travellers to spend double While the Tourism Authority of Thailand admits the revenue figures for 2021 are grim and likely won’t improve monumentally in the final quarter, they still have a rosy outlook on the tourism market rebounding over the next few years. The TAT is estimating that by 2023 tourism revenue will have recovered to 80% of the huge numbers seen at its peak in 2019. They plan on making up revenue loss from fewer people coming by attracting wealthier travellers and getting tourists to spend more in Thailand. In 2020, before Covid-19 fully took hold, 6.7 million travellers journeyed to Thailand. This year, that number is only about 100,000 according to TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. But he predicts that as things begin to reopen more over the next few months, 2022 should see a recovery to about 50% of the tourism numbers Thailand saw in 2019, with another 30% improvement the following year. The TAT’s plan to see revenue numbers jump so high seems to hinge on the idea of drawing more wealthy and high spending travellers to Thailand over the next few years. The TAT acknowledges they don’t expect to see anywhere near the 40 million travellers seen in 2019, and has taken a traditional Thai approach towards recovery: double the amount that each tourist pays. They hope to increase from the 49,700 baht average per tourist in 2019 to get higher-spending travellers to spend an average of 82,576 baht per person now. They say they will lean on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism that adds value for higher prices, but admit that their plan to attract only rich travellers will create great economic disparity and not benefit small and budget tourism businesses. Domestic tourism has seen a 34% drop this year from figures in 2020, when 90.52 million domestic trips were taken. The predictions for all of 2021 are that about 60 million domestic trips will be taken. Covid-19 once again affected travel, particularly dampening the Songkran holiday that still occurred sporadically around the country but was not a massive travel holiday period it traditionally is. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/tat-80-revenue-recovery-plan-get-travellers-to-spend-double =========================== Thai Lion Air adds more aircraft to fleet as Thailand plans further re-opening Thai Lion Air is expanding its fleet as Thailand plans to re-open more parts of the country to international travel. The carrier’s chief executive, Aswin Yangkirativorn, says the expanded fleet, which includes 2 Airbus aircraft and 2 Boeing 737s, will serve international destinations. The airline has already taken delivery of the Airbus aircraft, with the Boeing delivery expected before the end of the year. According to a Bangkok Post report, the carrier plans to focus on markets in Singapore, Taiwan, India, and Japan. Aswin says that while China would have been an important market for the airline prior to the pandemic, its citizens are not expected to resume international travel until mid-2022.

From Coconuts Bangkok Days after Thailand remained on a revised list of nations barred from traveling to the United Kingdom, a top diplomat said this morning that it would soon be removed. Ambassador Mark Gooding said Thailand will be excluded when the “red list” is updated Monday. On Tuesday, the U.K. government scrapped its color-coded threat system in favor of a simplified list, removing 32 nations – but not Thailand – in the process. “Happy to confirm that Thailand will be removed from the UK’s red list at 0400 UK time on 11 October, and that UK will recognise vaccine certification from Thailand,” tweeted Mark Gooding, British ambassador to Thailand. Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela will remain. That means eligible, fully vaccinated travelers and those under 18 can go directly from Thailand to the United Kingdom with only a COVID-19 test. Those who are not fully inoculated with an authorized vaccination must still take a pre-departure test, and then two COVID-19 tests as well as complete 10 days of self-isolation. While many questioned whether the United Kingdom would recognize the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine, the embassy replied via Twitter this morning that it is “working in a phased approach” to recognize more vaccines. For now, it is likely that those who received the Sinovac vaccine, which has been found to be less effective, will have to quarantine at home for 10 days upon arrival there. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thailand-can-travel-to-uk-again-starting-monday/

From Channel News Asia WASHINGTON: Singapore is working on establishing a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) with the United States before the end of the year, said Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong on Thursday (Oct 7). Speaking at an event at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, Mr Gan noted that as a hub for business and travel, it is important that Singapore remains connected to the rest of the world despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have had successful pilots of vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) with Germany and Brunei to facilitate the entry of fully vaccinated individuals into Singapore for business and leisure. We are now working on a VTL with the US as soon as possible, and certainly before the end of the year,” said Mr Gan. He added that Singapore is continuing to facilitate the arrival and return of work pass holders from the US to Singapore. The current VTLs with Germany or Brunei were launched on Sep 8. It allows fully vaccinated travellers from Germany or Brunei to enter Singapore without serving a stay-home notice. Instead, they take multiple COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-us-working-vaccinated-travel-lane-gan-kim-yong-2229571 ========================================= Singapore, South Korea to launch vaccinated travel lanes on Nov 15 SINGAPORE: Singapore and South Korea have agreed to launch vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) starting from Nov 15, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) announced on Friday (Oct 8). Under the VTLs, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel between Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport, and be subjected to COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, in lieu of serving quarantine or a stay-home notice. There will be no restrictions on the purpose of travel or requirements for a controlled itinerary or sponsorship, said the ministry. To support the VTLs, Singapore and South Korea have also reached an agreement on the mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates, which will take effect from Nov 15. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-singapore-south-korea-vaccinated-travel-lane-vtl-nov-15-2230431

From VN Express Ho Chi Minh City, a major tourist hub, will only consider welcoming back foreign tourists from next year onwards, with this year's focus being on reviving domestic tourism. The city will open up its tourism activities in three phases based on the pandemic situation. During the first phase in October, the city will only allow travel companies to organize one-day tour packages to ‘green zones,’ which are deemed to have low Covid-19 spreading risks such as Cu Chi and Can Gio districts, famous for historical sites and eco-tourism destinations. In the second phase from November until the end of the year, the city will focus on boosting the domestic tourism market, welcoming back tourists from other localities where the pandemic has been brought under control. In 2022, the city plans to resume all tourism activities and consider welcoming back fully vaccinated foreign tourists. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/hcmc-not-ready-to-welcome-foreign-tourists-this-year-4367928.html

From Channel News Asia JAKARTA: Indonesia has approved a COVID-19 vaccine produced by a unit of China's Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products for emergency use, its food and drug agency (BPOM) said on Thursday (Oct 7), the fourth Chinese vaccine cleared for use in the country. BPOM chief Penny Lukito said the protein-recombinant vaccine, given three times in a three-month span, has an efficacy rate of about 81 per cent, with 77.47 per cent efficacy against the Delta variant, lower than other variants, she said. Trials of the vaccine, Zifivax, were conducted in China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Ecuador and Indonesia, involving 28,000 people, with the efficacy based on any degree of severity. Indonesia has also approved use of the Sinovac, Sinopharm, and CanSino vaccines. Once Asia's COVID-19 epicentre, Indonesia has vaccinated a fifth of its population of about 270 million people. It has recorded more than 4.2 million coronavirus cases and 142,000 deaths overall, but average daily infections have fallen dramatically since the peak of its crisis in July. Mahendra Suhardono, head of Jakarta Biopharmaceutical Industry, which is partnering with Zhifei, said Zifivax shots could be produced in Indonesia this year. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-approves-covid-19-vaccine-chinas-zhifei-unit-2228386

From Bangkok Post Hoteliers keep domestic focus for Q4 As Thailand remains on course to reopen more areas to vaccinated tourists, aiming to stimulate the national economy during the traditional high season, hoteliers are pinning their hopes on the restart of tourism, particularly in Bangkok. The capital recently had its reopening plan pushed back to November from October. Whether Thailand's reopening is an immediate economic success is dependent upon the model set for Bangkok, said Garth Simmons, chief executive at Accor for Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. The sooner Thailand can reopen to the world, the quicker the economy can be revived and people can resume their livelihoods as tourism is a lifeline for many people in the country, he said. Impacts from the prolonged pandemic and the most recent wave have caused the unemployment rate in the tourism sector to reach 71%, or 3.05 million people in the third quarter this year, from a total of 4.3 million workers prior to the outbreak, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand. Mr Simmons said even though properties in Bangkok have prepared for the arrival of international guests, Accor is focusing on the domestic market in the fourth quarter this year. Michael Marshall, chief of commercial operations for Minor Hotels, said the company enhanced its facilities, job training and services for the guest experience, as well as offering promotional campaigns to attract key sources for the reopening. The complicated certificate of entry (COE) process should also be relaxed, following the lead of other countries that have made similar adjustments, he said. "Thailand will continue to compete with many destinations, so it is vital travellers are not deterred by complicated travel conditions," Mr Simmons said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2193727/hoteliers-keep-domestic-focus-for-q4

From Thai Enquirer Officer in critical condition after being shot in the head during clashes with protesters A crowd control police officer is in a critical situation after being shot in the head by unknown assailants at Din Daeng intersection, a senior police officer told Thai Enquirer on Thursday. Din Daeng has been the site of frequent clashes between police and pro-democracy demonstrators. The clashes began earlier this year when pro-democracy demonstrators tried to march from the nearby Victory Monument to the prime minister’s residence located near Din Daeng. Since then ongoing street battles have occurred nightly in the area. The use of live rounds marks an increasing escalation in the area and has prompted concerns from protest leaders and the government. “The officer was found shot in the head and was taken to Police General Hospital last night,” Police General Krisana Pattanacharoen, the deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, told Thai Enquirer over a phone on Thursday. “He’s in a critical condition, and needs to stay in the ICU for a period of time under close medical care.” “After sending the injured officer to the hospital, the crowd control police enforced the law to control the situation in the area,” he said. “16 protestors were arrested and confiscated of weapons including ping pong bombs and firecrackers.” https://www.thaienquirer.com/33702/officer-in-critical-condition-after-being-shot-in-the-head-during-clashes-with-protesters/

From Channel News Asia AKARTA: Indonesia will reopen Bali's airport to some international travellers on Oct 14, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan on Monday (Oct 4). Speaking at a virtual press conference, Mr Pandjaitan said that the airport on the popular tourist island will be open for travellers from some countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. “Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport will be opened internationally on Oct 14, 2021, as long as it fulfils the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, testing, and the readiness of the (COVID-19) task force. "Every international arrival passenger must have proof of hotel booking for a minimum of eight days for quarantine at his own expense,” said the minister. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bali-airport-reopen-travellers-some-countries-oct-14-indonesian-coordinating-minister-2220486

From Coconuts Bangkok Where to buy 40 baht COVID test kits in Bangkok COVID home test kits will soon be sold for a fraction of the price through government pharmacies, but Bangkok has to wait a couple weeks for them to show up. Two million SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit (ATK) will be sold starting Oct. 18 by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization at a price below market: THB40 (US$1.20). While the tests aren’t as reliable as traditional PCR tests, they are still relatively accurate – and very fast. The following link locations eight locations (with maps) where home test kits will be sold at eight organization pharmacies around metro Bangkok: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/where-to-buy-40-baht-covid-test-kits-in-bangkok/

From Bangkok Post The Tourism and Sports Ministry is poised to start collecting a 500-baht tourism fee for a "tourism transformation fund" next year, with the budget following a co-payment model. The Centre for Economic Situation Administration last week approved the creation of the fund, which is expected to subsidise projects that transform the industry, focusing on high-value and sustainable tourism. Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor, said the fee collection of 500 baht per person should start next year, with the aim of collecting 5 billion within the first year, assuming 10 million foreign arrivals in 20 Mr Yuthasak said the additional 200 baht will be earmarked for: projects initiated by the private sector, community enterprises, or social enterprises that would like to transform their business to meet the fund's strategy; helping the country restructure from mass tourism to high-value or a bio-, circular and green economic model; and environmentally concerned tourism. "The projects should be co-creations and the government should use the fund to support projects that can create an economic impact. The proportion of public-private financial support could be 50:50, 60:40 or 70:30, depending on how much we want to make those projects happen," he said. The fund is also meant to budget insurance and development projects for foreign visitors that require government initiatives rather than the private sector, including those needing matching grants from local administrations, said Mr Yuthasak. After the concept is approved, the Tourism and Sports Ministry and TAT are required to have discussions with related authorities about setting up the fund committee and funding mechanisms, such as how to collect the fee from tourists, he said. "The additional cost won't have an impact on tourists as we want to focus on the quality market," said Mr Yuthasak. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2191883/collection-of-b500-fee-from-foreigners-starts-next-year