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From Bangkok Post 2m Covid vaccine doses available by April Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday he had secured the supply of at least 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from producers "between February and April". He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday dircted him to discuss procurement with all producers that have made their vaccines available. It was intended to acquire vaccines to help cope with the ongoing outbreak. "Efforts and negotiations with vaccine producers mean that between February and April 2021, at least 2 million doses of vaccine will be initially delivered to Thailand," Mr Anutin wrote on his Facebook account. Preparations would be made to ensure the vaccine was distributed to at-risk people, Mr Anutin said. He did not say which vaccine it is. The government earlier signed an advance agreement with AstraZaneca for the supply and production of its Covid-19 vaccine, but supplies were not expected before May.

From CNN If you want to travel next year, you may need a vaccine passport San Francisco (CNN Business)Now that coronavirus vaccines are starting to roll out in the US and abroad, many people may be dreaming of the day when they can travel, shop and go to the movies again. But in order to do those activities, you may eventually need something in addition to the vaccine: a vaccine passport application. Several companies and technology groups have begun developing smartphone apps or systems for individuals to upload details of their Covid-19 tests and vaccinations, creating digital credentials that could be shown in order to enter concert venues, stadiums, movie theaters, offices, or even countries. The Common Trust Network, an initiative by Geneva-based nonprofit The Commons Project and the World Economic Forum, has partnered with several airlines including Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, as well as hundreds of health systems across the United States and the government of Aruba. The CommonPass app created by the group allows users to upload medical data such as a Covid-19 test result or, eventually, a proof of vaccination by a hospital or medical professional, generating a health certificate or pass in the form of a QR code that can be shown to authorities without revealing sensitive information. For travel, the app lists health pass requirements at the points of departure and arrival based on your itinerary. "You can be tested every time you cross a border. You cannot be vaccinated every time you cross a border," Thomas Crampton, chief marketing and communications officer for The Commons Project, told CNN Business. He stressed the need for a simple and easily transferable set of credentials, or a "digital yellow card," referring to the paper document generally issued as proof of vaccination. Large tech firms are also getting in on the act. IBM (IBM) developed its own app, called Digital Health Pass, which allows companies and venues to customize indicators they would require for entry including coronavirus tests, temperature checks and vaccination records. Credentials corresponding to those indicators are then stored in a mobile wallet. n an effort to address one challenge around returning to normalcy after vaccines are distributed widely, developers may now have to confront other challenges, ranging from privacy issues to representing the varied effectiveness of different vaccines. But the most pressing challenge may simply be avoiding the disjointed implementation and mixed success of tech's previous attempt to address the public health crisis: contact tracing apps. Early on in the pandemic, Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG) set aside their smartphone rivalry to jointly develop a Bluetooth-based system to notify users if they'd been exposed to someone with Covid-19. Many countries and state governments around the world also developed and used their own apps.

This article in Coconuts Bangkok is about as clear as a London fog. And was probably intended to be that way. So I leave it to members to read between, above or below the lines and interpret as you wish. What’s now banned at Bangkok’s bars and clubs through New Year’s Eve Bangkok’s bars, nightclubs and karaoke parlors may remain open and continue to sell alcohol but must dial down the carousing – and no “soapy massage.” Clarifying a vague order hastily announced last night, a City Hall spokesperson this morning said that nightlife venues with food and alcohol licenses may continue to operate if they close at midnight, and may stay open later if they don’t play music. Ittipol Visa of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said they must not allow dancing or beer girls to help contain the current outbreak which has stricken dozens in the capital and more than 2,000 nationwide. The order, a blow for the city’s nightlife venues looking to recoup the year’s losses during the busy year-end holidays, takes effect today and is effective for one week – though likely to be extended. Ittipol said venues may host live music shows as long as performers maintain social distancing and don’t interact closely with patrons. Ittipol said if those without any music may be able operate past midnight, depending on their business licenses. Massage and physical therapy venues are still allowed to operate, but not the “soapy” variety, City Hall announced late last night, using a euphemism for commercial sex facilities. He added that people in Bangkok can still enjoy a good foot or back rub at a massage parlor, but sexy-time massages are totally banned.

With a grain of salt is how you have to consider news reports coming out of Bangkok. On Monday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said that massage parlors, entertainment and other venues were to be closed through Jan. 4. Bar boys had been informed Sunday night not to report for work the next day. The next evening, contrary to Bangkok Post article above, I received texts saying that Patpong venues were open. There's only one explanation that will be universally and immediately understood: TIT.

From Channel News Asia TAIPEI: Taiwan has agreed to buy almost 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including 10 million from AstraZeneca, the government said on Wednesday (Dec 30), adding that it had confirmed the island's first case of the new British variant of the disease. Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention and strict quarantine of all arrivals, with imported cases accounting for almost all its tally of 798, including seven deaths. The island's Central Epidemic Command Centre said apart from AstraZeneca, it had agreed to buy 4.76 million doses from global vaccine programme COVAX, and was still in talks with another company it did not name. The first vaccines are expected to arrive in March at the earliest, it added. The AstraZeneca vaccine, being jointly developed with Oxford University, was approved by the British regulator on Wednesday, soon after Taiwan's announcement. Taiwan plans to get a total of 30 million vaccine doses to cover about 65 per cent of its population, the centre added.

From Bangkok Post Herbal Covid treatment cleared, vaccine registration opens Health officials said Thailand is ready to register Covid-19 vaccines after separately approving the use of a herbal plant extract to treat early stages of the disease as a pilot program amid a flareup in the coronavirus outbreak across the country. Andrographis Paniculata, commonly known as green chiretta, will serve as an alternative treatment to reduce the severity of the outbreak and cut treatment costs, the health ministry said in a statement Wednesday. The treatment will be available in five state-owned hospitals initially, it said. Thailand reported 250 new cases on Wednesday, taking the nation’s total to almost 7,000, and a government official said the rate of increase in local transmissions was alarming and urged people to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading further. The government has also banned large gatherings in high-risk areas, said Taweesilp Witsanuyotin, a spokesperson for the national Covid-19 response centre. The herbal treatment will be on a voluntary basis for those in the 18-60 age group with minor symptoms and should be within 72 hours of confirming infections The extract from the plant, known as Fah Talai Jone in Thai, can curb the virus and reduce the severity of inflammation, the ministry said, citing studies. Human trials showed patient conditions improved within three days of the treatment without side effects if the medicine is administered within 72 hours of testing positive. Separately, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it’s ready to register Covid-19 vaccines. The FDA has opened a special channel for the registration to ensure speedy processing.

From Pattaya Mail After reporting more than 20 new coronavirus cases in a day, Chonburi’s governor ordered cockfighting and similar venues closed and reinforced limits on operating hours of bars and massage parlors in an effort to stem the spread of Thailand’s second wave in the East. Chonburi Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai issued a similar order to one put out Monday afternoon by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration shutting down massage parlors, go-go bars and animal-fighting rings while limiting pubs to offering anything only food before midnight until at least Jan. 4. The order came after 22 cases tied to a new coronavirus cluster in Rayong spread to Chonburi, including 17 cases in Banglamung District that includes Pattaya. Alcohol is not banned and pubs that enforce strict social distancing and offer food will be allowed to continue to serve. Initial reports late Monday said Walking Street bars will be permitted to open until midnight, although the situation is fluid and could change at any time. Establishments subject to the order are defined by the Service Places Act of 1966 and includes businesses where music is performed, instruments are arranged for customer use, services allowing customers to sing or have employees sit with customers, offers dancing or offering dance shows, light shows, food and liquor.

From Bangkok Post Indonesia will sign vaccine procurement deals with Pfizer Inc and AstraZeneca Plc as it braces for a flare-up in Covid-19 infections after the year-end holiday. The government will sign an agreement with Pfizer in the first week of January for 50 million doses, after state-owned vaccine producer PT Bio Farma signs a separate deal for the same amount with AstraZeneca this week, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said in a briefing. Both deals will include the option to procure an additional 50 million doses from each company. The country that’s grappling with Southeast Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreak has signed multiple deals with vaccine suppliers, including with China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd that has already shipped 1.3 million doses in early December. The first available shots will be gradually deployed to its 1.3 million health workers across the world’s largest archipelago once the vaccine is approved by the local food and drug regulator.

From The Nation Foreigners who have been vaccinated still need to quarantine The Public Health Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday saying all arrivals to Thailand will have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine even if they have been vaccinated. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the Covid-19 vaccines are still new and their effectiveness have still not been determined. He added that it still too early to say whether an inoculated person can be considered safe enough to travel.

From Bangkok Post Two-year stay allowed for illegal migrant workers The cabinet on Tuesday approved the registration of illegal migrant workers from three countries who can stay in the country for two years in a bid to contain the novel coronavirus. Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said online registration, set for Jan 25 to Feb 13, would allow Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar migrant workers to work in the country for two years, or until Feb 16, 2023. According to the deputy government spokesperson, many migrant workers were found to be infected in the new outbreak. When the government tried to test more of them in at-risk areas, many employers who had hired illegal migrants moved them to other areas and abandoned them there for fear of legal action. Several illegal migrant workers also voluntarily left the areas for fear of prosecution. This made it more difficult to contain the spread of the disease, she said. or the new round of registration, an illegal migrant worker who does not have an employer must find one within 90 days. After the online registration, health officials will conduct a physical checkup and Covid-19 tests on them. The costs of the tests and the required two-year health insurance, totalling 7,200 baht, will be paid by the workers or their employers. ======================================== From The Nation Outbreak spreads to 45 provinces, could grow to ‘thousands of cases per day’ Thailand recorded 155 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday – 134 domestic infections, 10 in state quarantine, and 11 migrant workers – taking the total since January to 6,440. The latest outbreak has now spread to 45 provinces, said Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). The Disease Control Department warned that cases could rise to 18,000 per day in the next two weeks if the outbreak went unchecked. The department’s epidemiology working group calculated three possible scenarios. First scenario (red line): If nothing is done, new cases will rise steadily until January 14 when infections reach 18,000 per day. The trend would start at 1,000-2,000 infections per day at New Year then grow steeply. Second scenario (yellow line): If moderate measures are imposed, new cases will rise to reach 10,000 per day by mid-January. Third scenario (green line): If strict measures are imposed and people maintain mask-wearing, hygiene and social distancing practices, cases will rise less than 1,000 per day. "We are currently in an ‘orange line’ scenario,” said Taweesin. “I admit that I am worried because if the orange line goes up at 45 degrees, there will be thousands and thousands of infections. "During the New Year holidays, people can travel anywhere except Samut Sakhon, which is under lockdown, but the 45 provinces with cases should have strong measures to monitor the virus. This New Year will be unusual. The threat of two- or three-digit daily infection rate has forced us to adapt to a new situation. Provinces don’t have to impose strict lockdowns, but all must adjust by tightening disease control measures,” he added.

From Bangkok Post As a new wave of Covid infections bites, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered the closure of all entertainment venues from Tuesday until Jan 4. The order covers bars with hostesses, horseracing tracks and cockfighting arenas and other entertainment venues including massage parlours. However, pubs and restaurants can stay open as long as they serve only food and drinks, and close by midnight. BMA spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang on Monday advised entertainment venues to switch to serving only food and observe disease control measures.

From Bangkok Post Long holidays will be every month in 2021 The government is poised to allocate long holidays every month next year to stimulate local tourism demand, while pledging to commence travel bubbles after April. Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said domestic travellers will continue to be a major market for at least the first four months of 2021, with frequent holidays helping to increase the number of domestic trips while the international market remains unpredictable. He said on Dec 28 the Tourism Authority of Thailand plans to announce the extension of 1 million room nights as part of the subsidy scheme for local travellers, despite the ongoing probe into fraud. In the cabinet meeting scheduled for Dec 29, the ministry is to propose a 5-billion-baht stimulus campaign for senior travellers aged 55 and above that could help increase liquidity for tour operators because the scheme will require eligible tourists to buy tour packages only from operators, said Mr Phiphat. Speaking at the Tourism Council of Thailand meeting on Friday, Mr Phiphat insisted tourism operators should not stop thinking about plans to attract the foreign market as it remains a vital source for tourism. But to mention those plans out loud now may not be appropriate as Thailand is still struggling with a new wave of infections. "The ministry wants the private sector to think about possible plans for foreign tourists that could be implemented next year after Thailand controls the recent outbreak," he said. "I believe we still have a chance to see a beautiful year ahead."

George Orwell introduced the world to the Thought Police in "1984," a novel still in publication 71 years later. Today's edition of the Thaiger introduced readers to the snot police who were summoned after a bus passenger removed his mask to blow his nose into a tissue. If this is any indication of the new covid hysteria, a vaccine can't come soon enough. From The Thaiger Police called after Bangkok bus passenger removes his mask to blow his nose Police were called after a passenger on a public Bangkok bus blew is nose and spit in a tissue. Thai media reports that the bus driver ordered the man to get off the bus in Bangkok’s Petchkasem area and that the passenger eventually agreed after the police were called. The man had removed his mask and was wiping and blowing his nose with a tissue. Someone video recorded the man and posted it on Facebook saying it was “terrible behavior.” Thai media reports that many passengers were worried about the spread of Covid-19 after the recent spike in cases. ================================= P.S. I'm omitting a video of the heinous act shot by a fellow passenger that was embedded in the article just in case the virus can be transmitted over the internet.

+1 ====================================== I noticed that the Thai government was opposed to the hospital's "adverting" availability of the vaccine but not necessarily the distribution. Government probably doesn't like the idea of publicizing that limited doses of vaccine being made available to those who could afford the 10,000 bht price tag but well out of reach to working class citizens.

From Channel News Asia Thai hospital ordered to stop advertising sale of COVID-19 vaccine BANGKOK: A private Thai hospital was ordered on Sunday (Dec 27) to stop advertising COVID-19 vaccinations for sale in advance on the grounds that no vaccine is yet approved in Thailand. Vibhavadi Hospital told Reuters its online offer for 1,000 initial reservations for the two-dose Moderna vaccine had been the result of a misunderstanding. With reservations priced at 4,000 baht, the total cost of getting vaccinated would have been 10,000 baht (US$330). As the first governments begin vaccine rollouts around the world, questions have been raised over how the limited supplies are prioritised and whether people will be able to pay to jump the queue. The Ministry of Health said in a statement that no COVID-19 vaccine had been approved for use in Thailand yet and that advertising one violated hospital regulations. "The removal of the advertisement was ordered," it said. In August, Moderna said it was pricing its vaccine at US$32 to US$37 per dose for smaller deals. Thailand is a major hub for medical tourism, drawing patients from Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Source: Reuters/zl

From Bangkok Post Nopparat Boonrat shows his silver medal at the FISU World University Cheerleading Championship in Poland in 2018. (Photo supplied) BURI RAM: Police summonsed three young men aged 20-23 for allegedly assaulting a native of this northeastern province, a man renowned as a dancer and who received an award at an international cheerleading championship. Police planned to charge the three -- whose names were withheld -- with severely injuring Nopparat Boonrat, 23, at a restaurant in Lahan Sai district last Wednesday night. Police at Ban Kruad station said that two of the three suspects had just been released from jail after committing drug offences. The victim is a student at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and was the first runner-up in the Hip Hop Doubles competition at FISU World University Cheerleading Championship in Poland in 2018. He has previously performed dance routines for many famous singers. A group of about five men reportedly attacked the man as he was eating at the restaurant with his elder brother. He was kicked, punched and repeatedly hit in the head with bottles and a chair. His skull was cracked. The victim was admitted to Buriram Hospital, where he was awaiting brain scans. He was able to speak and eat but was suffering from a headache. On Saturday, his mother Kanchana Puwonpa, 40, said in tears that Mr Nopparat returned from Bangkok to visit his family and she did not know why he was assaulted by strangers. She said she was worried that her son may not be able to dance again.

When I left Bangkok last February, all the venues in Patpong and Silom were experiencing noticeable declines in attendance. People were reacting in the same way they are now out of a healthy dose of fear. When the government gets a handle of the current outbreak, this will reverse itself among the locals but it will do nothing to attract international tourists. Today's Thaiger carried an article about a new website launched by the TAT to simplify the booking of ASQ hotels in the hope that it would encourage more arrivals. One look, however, at the booking process tells the tale of why the people needed to save the hospitality sector are not following through.

From The Thaiger Debate is raging on social media following a claim from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, that Thailand’s plan to orbit the Moon is going ahead. Anek Laothamatas adds that it will be “mission accomplished” within the next 7 years, costing, “only 3 billion baht”. A report in the Bangkok Post says that, according to Anek, Thailand will be producing satellites weighing 50–100 kilograms within 5 years, and in the following 3 years, will start building spaceships capable of going beyond the Earth’s orbit. He says we can all look forward to an official announcement on January 13. “The new economy of space travel will be a way for Thailand to overcome the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and then to escape the middle-income trap, and the ministry will embrace creativity and innovation.” Anek’s announcement has sparked debate on social media, with some saying the poverty and other social issues facing their fellow countrymen should take priority. Others defend Thailand’s right to develop a space exploration program in line with what other countries are doing. Here’s two opposing views shared on Twitter:

With 10 months of deprivation now, I'll gladly settle for smirk, smile or anything in between.

From The Thaiger ===================================================== From Thai Examiner PM criticises employers for using cheap, illegal migrant labour as officials remain on high alert Thai officials are still holding out hope that a nationwide lockdown can be avoided as the Prime Minister has signalled his displeasure at the kingdom’s employers who put the country at risk because of greed. It comes as the government has introduced a colour-coded system to help the public to understand the extent of the threat in highlighted provinces where vigilance is required. One of these, notably, is Bangkok. Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha has excoriated employers who brought illegal migrant workers into Thailand to exploit them for cheap labour. General Prayut revealed that the government is looking at upgrading the system for the registration of migrant labour after the outbreak in Samut Sakhon, last weekend, has exposed the underbelly of Thai industries which are dependent on cheap foreign labour. The PM made it clear that he does not blame the migrant workers who, he pointed out on Thursday, must be provided for and treated in this current emergency. He blamed the employers and said that those responsible should be ashamed of themselves.

How can a massage guy be a "soft" top?

From Bangkok Post Tourism gloom 'won't improve' There is little hope of attracting international arrivals during the first quarter of next year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread in Thailand, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says. Mr Phiphat said on Wednesday there is no need for the country to tighten travel restrictions on foreign passengers from the UK or other countries because there's no demand from tourists to visit Thailand at this time. The bid to lure international travellers by launching Special Tourist Visas (STVs) to attract long-stay tourists received a lukewarm feedback. He said tourism may restart after international flights return to normal which could occur in April, driven by the Songkran festival. Even though many countries have received vaccines and started to inoculate their residents, he said Thailand, which is scheduled to have its first jabs by the middle of next year, won't rush down the same path. "The Public Health Ministry is quite serious about the decision to wait and see the side effects thoroughly. We don't have to be a Covid vaccine guinea pig," Mr Phiphat said. He also said Thailand will get sufficient vaccine doses for everyone as the government has funds prepared.

From Coconuts Bangkok 45 day visa approved With a wave of the administrative wand, Thailand’s 30-day visas are now 45-day visas. The cabinet yesterday approved the addition of another 15 days to the usual month-long visas – two weeks of quarantine still required – for those coming to travel or do business, government spokesperson Traisulee Traisornranakul announced. The change applies to passport-holders from countries or territories with bilateral visa-exempt agreements such as Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Hong Kong. The change will be in effect until November 2021. Still, a lot of boxes need to be checked before flying in. Travelers need to obtain certificates of entry in advance from their Thai embassy or consulate, book quarantine hotel stays and acquire at least US$100,000 in health insurance. They must also test negative for COVID-19 and get a fit-to-fly certificate 72 hours before departure.

From Coconuts Bangkok Amid rising alarm over hundreds of new coronavirus transmissions in recent days, mostly among migrant seafood industry laborers at a fresh market southwest of Bangkok, health officials said today they found another 39 related cases spread through 17 provinces. Cases have now been found in at least 23 provinces plus the capital, from Songkhla to Chiang Mai and Tak to Nakhon Ratchasima. In Bangkok, 11 people have now been found to have become infected, including another 28 infections found in provinces. Taweesilp Wissanuyothin of the Disease Control Department did not go into further detail this morning about the 11 Bangkok cases. Seven other cases were also detected in state quarantine. At today’s news conference, Taweesilp urged the public against xenophobia. “Please do not forget that migrant workers help drive our country’s economy, whether they are legal or not,” he said. Mahachai is home to a large population of workers from Myanmar, where an outbreak has been raging since August.

From Thai Enquirer Thailand says no nationwide lockdown yet Thailand’s government said on Thursday that it had discovered 67 new coronavirus cases outside of migrant dormitories with 58 local infections and 8 cases inside state quarantine. The government said that the number of cases inside migrant dormitories had risen to 1,273 cases. Despite the increasing number of cases, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha told the nation that the government was still not ordering a nationwide lockdown and was instead dividing the nation into administrative zones. Prayut said that the Ministry of Public Health reaffirmed to him that it can still control the situation but added that the government needed the public’s cooperation. The public must be responsible to keep the numbers down, Prayut said. Administrative zones The government, according to spokesman Dr Thaweesin Visanuyothin, said that they would be dividing the country into four types of zones and the public response measures will depend on which zones the provinces are located in. The four areas are, in descending order of severity, as follows : Highly controlled area (many cases in multiple areas) controlled area (over ten cases with the likelihood to increase) the highly monitored area (less than ten cases) monitored area (no cases) The government said that it would keep factories and agricultural industries running as long as possible to minimize the second wave’s impact on the economy. However, this was subject to change depending on the situation. The government also said that all information would be centralized under the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration as the press have been reporting unverified facts and spreading panic. New Years For new years’ celebration, all celebrations are canceled in highly controlled areas except for online celebrations. Controlled areas can have limited private celebrations with limited participants. Highly monitored areas and monitored areas can have celebrations but parties must be smaller than normal and observer social distancing. ================================================= From Khaosod English You Can Donate to Migrants, Health Workers in Samut Sakhon SAMUT SAKHON — Members of the public, including expats, can donate both money and medical equipment to migrant workers and frontline medical professionals in Samut Sakhon, where many are grappling with the new wave of coronavirus cases. As of Thursday, 1,273 infections were found in Samut Sakhon province over the past week. The cluster was traced by health officials to the Mahachai Market’s shrimp section. The Red Cross is collecting donations for care packages for migrant workers under quarantine in Samut Sakhon. According to rights activists, both healthy and infected workers are being locked together and unable to work for their salaries, as prices of basic necessities skyrocket. Donate to the Thai Red Cross for Disaster Relief account at Kasikorn Bank, account number 001-1-34567-0 to contribute. When donating, you can add a note either in Thai or English to specify the donations be used to aid migrant workers affected by COVID-19 in Samut Sakhon.