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From The Thaiger Governor orders investigation into complaints of taxi drivers overcharging Taxi fares charged from the Phuket International Airport are now being investigated by provincial authorities. The Phuket governor ordered the probe after criticism over a Facebook post asking if the 900 baht fare from the airport, quoted by a hotel in Patong, seemed too expensive. Taxi prices in Phuket are notoriously high compared to other provinces. On the social media post, many commented on high taxi fares, sparking criticism just as the island province reopens to vaccinated travellers from overseas under the “Sandbox” model. Following the complaints, Phuket Tourist Police posted the maximum taxi fares from the Phuket International Airport to popular destinations and told people to reported if they’ve been overcharged. Governor Narong Woonciew ordered the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office and the Tourist Police to look into complaints about taxis overcharging. He says the criticism is affecting Phuket’s, especially its image to tourists arriving under the “Sandbox.” “It is a problem that has been discussed many times before the Covid situation, and related agencies are trying to find a more systematic approach… The goal of Phuket is to impress those who have arrived. The transport office has held a meeting with 1,000 public taxi service providers to enhance the measures of SHA+ service in order to meet the required standards so we can impress tourists.” https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-governor-orders-investigation-into-complaints-of-taxi-drivers-overcharging

I find myself agreeing with much of what you say. I'd go as far as to say that the US supported the wrong side in Vietnam. The regime in the south was corruption on steroids.

From Thai Enquirer Experts say that Thailand may have Covid-19 infection numbers 3-4 times higher than the total number declared by the government per day, according to insiders within the healthcare sector. According to a doctor at the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group, experts at the Private Hospitals Association meeting on Wednesday suggested that the real number of Covid-19 infections could be much higher than that being declared by the government. “We have no idea what the total number is but it could literally be 3 to 4 times higher than what is being declared based on the statistics we have gathered at our hospitals,” the doctor said on condition of anonymity. “The reason we don’t know is because private hospitals don’t have the capacity or the mandate to do widespread testing, we can only test people that come to our hospitals,” said the doctor who asked not to be named. “In April, we had infection rates around 10 per cent of people that were tested. Now it is much closer to 20 per cent.” Thailand’s government said that the country saw 6,464 new covid infections in the general public on Wednesday. “We do not know for sure what the actual number is we can only judge it by the rate of infections and by the numbers we see that come to get tested at the hospital,” said Dr Suwadee Puntpanich, a director at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital which is part of the Thonburi Healthcare Group. “But in our hospitals, we have people lining up since 3 am to get tested in the morning as we have a limited number of tests. Of those that we do test, there are days when over half are found to be infected.” If the experts working for the Private Hospital Groups are correct, Thailand’s reopening plans for October may need to be shelved until the population can be vaccinated and protected against further infections. Thailand is currently in the midst of the third, most severe, wave of the pandemic with nearly 300,000 people infected since April 1. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29512/thailand-may-have-infection-numbers-3-4-times-higher-than-the-government-declared-total/

One of the most troubling statements in today's vaccine news is the admission that the three most sought after vaccines (Pfizer, Modern and Astra Zeneca) will be prioritized as "booster" shots to 700,000 medical workers who have already been fully vaccinated with Sinovac. It's not that the health care personnel don't deserve top of the line protection. They do. Sinovac's efficacy, however, is considered so poorly that this surprising step has to be taken. This seems to leave Sinovac in the better-than-nothing category. At the same time, however, the government is acquiring 10.1 million more doses of Sinovac. To be fair, Thailand finds itself trapped between a rock and a hard place. It can't achieve it's desired rollout without Sinovac despite its awareness that it's inferior to the alternative vaccines that cannot be rapidly acquired for myriad reasons. It's similar to the centuries-old military dilemma: you don't go to war with the army you wish you had; you go with the army you have.

From Bangkok Post Pfizer deal, 10.1m more Sinovac shots approved The cabinet has approved the signing of a supply agreement for 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and the purchase of another 10.9 million doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. For the Pfizer shots, the budget was not revealed. For the Sinovac vaccine, PM spokesman Anucha Burapachasri said after the meeting that it would not exceed 6.1 billion baht and the budget would come from borrowings under an executive decree. Also at the meeting, the cabinet allowed the Government Pharmaceutical Organization to buy the Moderna vaccine from Zuellig Pharma Ltd on behalf of private hospitals. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said before the meeting that some vaccine purchase agreements require non-disclosure since the terms and prices were different for each country. The Pfizer vaccine to be ordered soon will unlikely be the first lot of it to be shipped to Thailand. Some officials of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) had said earlier that 1.5 million doses donated by the United States would arrive this month and next month. Udom Kachintorn, an adviser to the CCSA, said in the morning that mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — or AstraZeneca, which is the viral vector type, would be used on some 700,0000 health workers as a booster shot after this group had been fully vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine earlier. The next group to receive it would be those at risk — the elderly or those with seven underlying conditions. “The priority is to give a booster shot to some 700,000 fully vaccinated medical workers, who received their second shots 3-4 months ago. The booster shot could be Pfizer — if it arrives in time — or AstraZeneca,” Dr Udom said. He added a local study on eight people showed a person who had been severely allergic to the Sinovac vaccine after the first shot and got AstraZeneca as the second shot developed antibodies eight times those who got two Sinovac shots. Dr Udom said mRNA would definitely become the primary platform in the future. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144383/pfizer-deal-10-1m-more-sinovac-shots-approved ============================== From The Thaiger Embassy of Switzerland helps expats get vaccinated The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok announced that it has secured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine appointments for 180 Swiss citizens living in Thailand who are at least 55 years old, or who have underlying health conditions. The embassy says Swiss expats living in other provinces in Thailand can also register for a vaccine, but they must travel to Bangkok and be in the capital by 8am on the day of their appointment. The vaccine will be free. The appointments are scheduled for this month and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those eligible to register for an appointment include Swiss citizens who are at least 55 years old or who have underlying health conditions of chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes or obesity. Swiss expats can send their name, date of birth, passport number, address and phone number to Bangkok.event@eda.admin.ch to schedule an appointment. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/embassy-of-switzerland-in-thailand-helps-swiss-expats-get-vaccinated

Pre-pandemic, I never hesitated to lock in an airfare well in advance, usually just after returning from my previous trip. That was then, this is now. Four unknowns make booking way out hazardous for four reasons: First, you aren’t assured that the carrier you book will actually fly on your chosen days. Second, you don’t know if your destination will be open to you. Third, you don’t know what local restrictions may be in place on your departure date. Fourth, change fee ambiguities. Some fare have no change fees but you do have to pay any fare differences. Unless you’re prepared to book fully refundable fares, no carrier is offering refunds. I’ve noticed that “no change fees” are becoming progressively less frequent. I've noticed that some Expedia listings may not indicate "no change fee" but when you go to the air carrier's website, they do show no fees on same flight. If the airline is responsible for a schedule change, your fare should not change. Using Expedia to check schedules and fares, I considered two destinations: Bangkok and Hanoi. I sampled New York and London departures. Dates sampled: Departing 19 October, returning 19 November. (Please bear in mind that flight offerings and fares are subject to change without notice. The following were sampled on the afternoon of 5 July). NEW YORK TO BANGKOK ECONOMY: fare range $759-$997 Best value: Finnair $791 (duration 20:45) Runner-up: Cathay Pacific $915 (duration 21:00) BUSINESS: fare range: $3080 to $5936 Best value: Finnair $3080 (duration 20:45) Runner -up: Eithad $3089 (duration 29:20) NOTE: it stops in Phuket first LONDON TO BANGKOK ECONOMY: fare range: $604 to $719 Best value: Swiss Air $611 (duration 13:40 Runners-up: Lufthansa $664 (duration 14:40) Finnair $676 (duration 14:55) BUSINESS: fare range $2058 to $4122 Best value: Swiss Air $2058 (duration 13:40) Runner-up: Lufthansa $2081 (duration 14:40) NEW YORK TO HANOI ECONOMY: fare range $944 to $1200 Best value: Cathay Pacific $1178 (duration 21:55) NOTE: chose this over competitors due to significant differences in duration) BUSINESS: fare range $2452 to $6680 Best value: Japan Air $2452 (duration 27:35) Runner-up: Qatar Airways $4243 (duration 21:55) LONDON TO HANOI ECONOMY: fare range $826 TO $1174 Best value: Turkish Air $826 (duration 15:45) Runner-up: Cathay Pacific $1174 (duration 19:55) BUSINESS: fare range $3621 to $4792 Best value: Turkish Air $3621 (duration: 15:45) Runner-up: none really due to huge cost differences WHAT TO LOOK FOR AS YOUR INTENDED TRIP DATE GETS CLOSER What I'm looking out for is more flight offerings. Most carriers that were servicing Southeast Asia destinations have yet to resume the frequency of operations that we were accustomed to before the pandemic. When countries announce hard plans to reopen to foreign tourists. carriers will begin to slowly build capacity. But I expect the change will be gradual.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The 520,000 British pensioners who live abroad, including 30,000 or so in Thailand, are being encouraged to use their newly-endowed power to vote in UK general elections. The idea is to vote only for a political party which guarantees to upgrade their state pensions annually, just like their contemporaries back home. The right to the expat vote in British elections was agreed earlier this year by Boris Johnson’s government and replaced an old rule that the franchise lapsed after 15 or more years abroad. However, there is an elaborate registration procedure in constituencies which may deter all but the most fervent expats. Many constituencies have changed their names and boundaries over the years. The freezing of the UK old age pension – at the level when they left Britain – applies to expats living in more than half of all countries, including Thailand and most of the Commonwealth. However, Brits living in the European Union, the United States and even the Philippines do receive annual increases in the normal way. The reasons are archaic. A special Brexit deal was reached with the EU, whilst some other countries are exempt from freezing because of “reciprocity”. Best of luck sorting that one out. John Duffy, chairman of the International Consortium of British Pensioners, said the discriminatory practice was indefensible as the frozen pensioners had paid their taxes in working life just like everyone else. He believed that a huge effort from elderly expats could make a real difference at general election time. The next one is scheduled for 2024 but could come earlier as the law for fixed-term parliaments has been abolished. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/british-expats-in-thailand-warm-to-the-idea-of-unfreezing-their-old-age-pensions-362330

An injured victim is carried away from the flames in a fireman's lift at the burning Ming Dih Chemical factory in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on Monday. One rescuer died fighting the blaze and at least 60 people were injured by the massive explosion and subsequent fire. (Rescue foundations photo) From Bangkok Post One rescuer was killed and more than 60 people injured in an overnight explosion and inferno at a chemical factory that continued to send black smoke into the sky over Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan late into Monday afternoon. Helicopters, some from the army, were called in to help firefighters spray flame retardant foam over the burning Ming Dih Chemical Co factory complex. They were battling to keep the advancing flames away from further stores of chemicals at the site, and prevent another explosion. Authorities warned of toxic fumes being generated by the burning chemicals. The initial explosion, which was felt nine kilometres away, damaged 73 houses and 15 cars in the nearby neighbourhood. Thai Rath identified the dead victim as Kornsith Laophan, 18, who was killed as he and other volunteers were fleeing flames surging from a store of chemicals. He stumbled and was overtaken by the fire. The Taiwanese-owned factory manufactures plastic foam and pellets. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the inferno began with an explosion about 3.20am. What set it off was not known. Homes within a five-kilometre radius were evacuated amid fears of further explosions of the reported 50 tonnes of chemicals stored at the premises. Firefighters and helicopters were reportedly trying to defend one particular area that held 20,000 litres of chemicals. Pollution Control Department director-general Attapol Charoenchansa warned people that styrene monomer fumes from the blaze were carcinogenic . Continues with video https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2143767/factory-inferno-kills-1-at-least-60-injured

Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures From The Thaiger Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines. The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa. The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines. The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa. The extension costs 1,900 baht and can be granted if… A foreigner cannot return to their home country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are no return flights available. The foreigner has a letter from their embassy requesting a temporary stay. The Thai Immigration Bureau has pushed the deadline to apply for the extension back several times, usually making the announcements at the last minute. The bureau is likely to push the deadline back by another couple of months given the current situation with limited international flights and Covid-19 still on the rise around the world. There has been no announcement yet about pushing back the deadline. Foreigners who are on visas with an end date approaching should visit their local immigration office before the visa expires to avoid overstay charges. Office closures… Monday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 28 are reserved for Buddhist holidays and to honour HM the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s Birthday. The Thai government initially set Tuesday, July 27 as an extra holiday to promote travel and boost the economy, but with the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, the Cabinet cancelled the special holiday. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/deadline-to-apply-for-covid-visa-extension-july-29-office-closures ================================== From Thai Enquirer Officials question Sinovac efficacy Thailand’s government must answer some hard questions after the leak of an internal document suggesting a cover-up in terms of Sinovac efficacy, opposition MPs told Thai Enquirer on Monday. The document, which shows some of the minutes of a June 30 meeting at the public health ministry, reveals a debate between public health officials and academics whether or not to give Pfizer vaccines to medical workers who have already been vaccinated with Sinovac. It has since been verified as real. (Read more here) Opposition MPs have used the opportunity to press the government on its vaccination program. “Do these people not care about the lives of the medical workers that are risking their lives to helping the country?” asked Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn, Move Forward Party MP. Wiroj told the Thai Enquirer that it is now irrefutable that there are people inside the government who do not want to be made to look bad given their previous support of Sinovac. The face saving, extends, worryingly to the government not giving frontline medical workers mRNA vaccines in case it makes them look bad. Other parliamentarians have chimed into Wiroj’s statements and said that defending the Sinovac vaccine at this point bordered on the absurd. “Defending the Sinovac Vaccine is no different from defending the GT200 in the past,” said Pichai Naripthaphan, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party. Pichai told the Thai Enquirer that giving the third Pfizer as a booster to medical workers was imperative given the inefficiency of the Sinovac vaccine. “In Indonesia, where medical workers that were given two doses of the Sinovac vaccine, people have continued to be infected causing another lockdown. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29399/opposition-parliamentarian-blast-government-after-leaked-document-controversy/

Casablanca (1942) - Ageless. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - Classic cast, terrific soundtrack; a true epic. Silence of the Lambs (1991) - Anthony Hopkins; need I say more. All the best movies have already been made. "I'm shocked...shocked.." "He likes your lemonade" "Goodbye, Clarice"

From The Thaiger 70% of city Covid cases are Delta strain One of Thailand’s top virologists is in the news again this week. This time, Dr Yong Poovorawan is making the news for his assertion that 70% of all new Covid cases in Thailand are of the Delta variant. Earlier this week, Dr Yong Poovorawan faced allegations of mishandling Thailand’s Covid situation. A petition was even started calling for his removal. Yesterday, Dr Yong posted on Facebook to say that the Delta variant was first detected among construction workers and is the 4th variant to appear on the scene. He went on to re-cap the spread of the Alpha variant from the Thonglor area of Bangkok, and how another wave came from Samut Sakhon through Burmese migrant workers. The doctor warns in his post that people who are infected with the Delta variant often don’t realise where they got it due to the variant’s easy transmissibility. He says the infections will only go up and recommends everyone is diligent in their Covid precautions. For example, he suggests if it is not necessary to go outside, don’t. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/renowned-thai-doctor-says-70-of-new-covid-cases-are-delta-variant =========================== 5,916 new infections Today the public health department has announced 5,916 new infections and 44 Covid-related deaths. 39 of the total are attributed to Thai prisons. The report indicates a stabilisation of numbers after 3 days hovering around the 6,000-per-day level of new cases. But Sundays often return lower-than-usual reports. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/sunday-covid-update-5916-new-infections-provinces

The ownership of Siam Bioscience has been widely reported in the Thai media. This was made clear in the Bangkok Post earlier this year. "Thailand-based Siam Bioscience Co Ltd, 100%-owned by the Crown Property Bureau, produces the vaccines for AstraZeneca, with a capacity of 200 million doses a year for exports to Asean." https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2046003/35m-more-shots-to-be-bought-in-2021 Oz cautioned members not to post comments or articles "negative of the monarchy" last year. As far as I have observed, his warning has been complied with.

You're correct. You did refer to the Bangkok Post. My apology. The point I'm making is that Siam Bioscience is not a sensitive entity to be avoided. It's a legitimate company operating in Bangkok. It is indeed frequently mentioned in reporting in all Thai media sources because it's a manufacturer and distributor of Astra Zenaca's vaccine. That's a publicly acknowledged fact, not speculation. Representatives of the current Thai administration have discussed it and have been quoted in the local media. Here's a photo from June 4, 2021, that appeared in the Bangkok Post. It depicts a proud moment for Siam Bioscience and the Health Ministry. The Ministry of Public Health receives the first 1.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine produced by Siam Bioscience, on Friday https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2126903/az-delivers-first-1-8m-doses-of-locally-produced-covid-19-vaccine

Ike's well remembered for that quote. What he's not so well remembered for is Executive Order 10450. In response to growing concern over the loyalty and security of the Federal workforce,on April 27, 1953,President Eisenhower issued Executive Order 10450 -Security requirements for Government Employment. Sec. 8 (a)(1)(iii)of this order authorized investigations to "develop information as to whether the employment or retention in employment in the Federal service of the person being investigated is clearly consistent with the interests of the national security." Among the list of suspect behaviors considered criminal, immoral or unethical was ―sexual perversion. Source: Eisenhower Library collections An article five years ago in the Huffington Post sheds more light on the issue: Perved: Eisenhower Anti-Gay Executive Order Turns 60 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/perved-eisenhower-anti-gay-executive-order-turns-60_b_3181062

Quote from above article: "AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia..." The name of the manufacturer is frequently cited in all Thai media sources. Deputy PM for Health has made reference to it. Here's a quote from Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this year: ‘ If Siam Bioscience’s plant can’t produce the vaccine, it means nothing to us. This is because the purchase agreement clearly stated that AstraZeneca will provide the vaccine, not Siam Bioscience,’ he revealed. Dr Supakit Sirilak, the Public Health Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, stated: “Siam Bioscience has the potential to produce up to 200 million doses."

From Bangkok Post Outcry over vaccine shortages The government has come under fire over its failure to procure sufficient Covid-19 vaccines as the number of new cases continued to soar, with more than 6,000 cases and 61 fatalities confirmed on Friday. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said that the number of new cases is expected to rise further next week. Boon Vanasin, chairman of the Thonburi Healthcare Group, on Friday said the government's purchase of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines was slow because it did not sign contracts with manufacturers. During a Channel 3 interview, Dr Boon said he wondered why other Asean countries, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, had already procured these types of vaccines, but Thailand did not have a single dose. Dr Boon said he contacted people he knew at both Moderna and Pfizer who told him that Thailand did not have contracts signed to purchase the vaccines. "I want the government to explain why the purchase of mRNA vaccines was slow. We don't have the vaccines even though the mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are the most effective with few side effects," Dr Boon added. He said that the Thonburi Hospital was ready to buy 50 million vaccine doses from the two producers in October last year, but they would not sell Covid-19 vaccines directly to private companies. Dr Boon said that the government was waiting for vaccines from only one manufacturer, AstraZeneca, and now the rising demand for the vaccines has far outstripped the company's production. In response, the government chose to buy Sinovac vaccines but the vaccines' quality was not as good as that of mRNA vaccines, Dr Boon said. Responding to the criticism, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government and the ministry had no duty to draw up contracts to buy the mRNA vaccines in question or make payments in advance. Private hospitals must make purchase agreements with the manufacturers and inform the ministry of the number of vaccine doses they want to buy, Mr Anutin said, adding the ministry will act only as a go-between. Regarding the progress in the purchase of Pfizer vaccines, he said a purchase must follow proper procedures and the terms of the agreement must be studied carefully. Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are expected to arrive in the fourth quarter, he added. Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, head of the CCSA's operation centre, said the number of infections is expected to continue to rise next week due to the activities and movement of the general public. However, Gen Natthapol said that the government will not impose additional restrictions to curb the surge in Covid-19, even if the death toll and infection rates increase. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2142535/outcry-over-vaccine-shortages ================================ From Bloomberg News AstraZeneca to deliver fewer-than-expected doses Thailand won’t be able to meet its monthly vaccination target of 10 million doses as deliveries from AstraZeneca Plc, the backbone of its inoculation program, will be 40% to 50% fewer than expected because some supplies are allotted for export. AstraZeneca will deliver 5 million to 6 million doses per month for use in Thailand starting in July because a portion of local production by Siam Bioscience Ltd., its manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia, will be shipped to other countries in the region, Nakorn Premsri, director of the National Vaccine Institute, said at a seminar on Friday, citing a letter from the company. The Thai government’s earlier target of administering 10 million doses per month starting in the third quarter relied solely on AstraZeneca shots. To meet that goal, Thailand will now have to secure vaccines from other manufacturers, including China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Nakorn said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-02/thailand-falls-short-of-its-vaccination-target-as-deaths-soar

Can points be exchanged for frequent flier miles?

From Channel News Asia TAIPEI: Hundreds of people from Taiwan eager to get the COVID-19 vaccine have booked tours to Guam after the US Pacific territory offered jabs to foreign visitors, a travel agency said on Friday (Jul 2). Guam, for which tourism is a major economic driver, has limited COVID-19 infections and a high vaccination rate among its local population. Dubbed "Air V&V" - vacation and vaccination - the new programme is primarily aimed at US expatriates in the Asia Pacific region, although other nationalities can join. Participants can choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Of the three, only Moderna is available in Taiwan as the island has been struggling to secure enough vaccine supplies. Just 9 per cent of Taiwan's 23.5 million people had been vaccinated as of Thursday, according to the health ministry. Lion Travel, one of the biggest tour operators in Taiwan, said all 439 slots in its first four packages to Guam starting on Jul 6 had been sold. The packages cover flights and hotels, with prices starting at US$1,530, excluding the cost of COVID-19 tests. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/taiwan-people-book-guam-vaccination-trips-covid-19-15140232

Thanks for sharing your experiences with Bangkok Guy. What impressed me is that you give him the benefit of the doubt. You show him that you trust him and trust can turn what some may think of as a transaction into a relationship. Seeing him, talking with him obviously brings you joy. You can purchase pleasure but you can't buy joy. If we resort to applying litmus tests out of fear of being hoodwinked, we're going to miss out on a lot of what makes all the difference in our lives. They years are passing all too quickly for me now. But with that compression of time I've come to know what I want to value in the time I have in front of me. Wishing you luck until you and Bangkok Guy reunite.

From Bangkok Post While the government is upbeat about its Phuket reopening scheme, health personnel in Greater Bangkok are struggling to deal with a surge of new Covid-19 infections and deaths. Hospitals are experiencing a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and staff to take care of patients in serious condition. The Public Health Ministry has mobilised 144 newly-graduated doctors from several provinces to help take care of patients amid the shortage of medical personnel in Bangkok. A welcoming event was organised on Thursday for the doctors who specialise in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases and critical care medicine. "I would like to say sorry [for calling you to come] and thank you for your help," said Thongchai Kiratihatthayakon, deputy permanent secretary for public health, during the ceremony. "Now, Bangkok and the surrounding provinces are in a real crisis, patients are beginning to die at home. "We do not want Thailand to be the same as Europe last year when many patients were allowed to die at home because there were no beds at hospitals," he said. "Some of you might think why it has to be you [to be sent]," Dr Thongchai said. "It is because we really want your help, and your rectors see that you are the best. Now [the outbreak] is not manageable, that's why we want you all." "In our life, we have never experienced something like World War II but we are now in a war where all countries around the world are struggling to fight against this disease," he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2141823/doctors-arrive-in-capital-amid-surge-in-cases =========================== From The Nation

From Thai Enquirer Rainbow Capitalism is all sizzle and no steak Pride month may be over but many challenges remain for the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand. Among the biggest challenges are sorting allies from opportunists, especially corporations eager to capitalize on the growing LGBTQ+ market without actually taking meaningful steps to support the community. This opportunism is known as rainbow capitalism or pink capitalism. The LGBTQ+ market was worth 1.7 trillion baht as far back as 2016 and is undeniably one of the biggest Thai consumer markets out there. While campaigns like the 2018 Tourist Authority of Thailand’s ‘Open To The New Shades’ ploy brings tourism dollars into the country, legislation has fallen ironically behind the progressive facade the TAT put in place. While Thailand is the first country within the region to enact a Civil Partnership Bill, something the TAT can promote to the tune of billions of tourist dollars, activists say it is not enough in the long run. Ta Kasitipradit, a graphic designer and activist on LGBTQ+ issues at Thaipface is one of those critics who say that corporations and the governments can do more. “A corporation’s solidarity to the LGBTQ+ community does not and should not lie in the flags put up every Pride Month but rather their receipts, their financial spendings and contributions towards LGBTQ+ causes, their vote in support of bills concerning LGBTQ+ rights — pride is not superficial”. Critics like Ta understand that while Thailand and Thai corporations like to position itself as a gay friendly paradise, the truth is that the LGBTQ community still faces discrimination when it comes to legislation. Continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/29302/thailands-rainbow-capitalism-is-all-sizzle-and-no-steak-when-it-comes-to-supporting-lgbtq-rights/

From Antaran News Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has hinted that the government will likely delay opening Bali to foreign tourists following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. "When it comes to Bali, I think you can answer it yourself. It is impossible to reopen it (in the near future), given the (presence of the) Delta (variant of COVID-19 in the country)," he said at an online press conference on the implementation of emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) in Jakarta on Thursday. The Indonesian government is currently focusing on handling the COVID-19 pandemic, he said adding, it will implement emergency PPKM in Java and Bali from July 3 - July 20, 2021. "So we are not thinking of it (reopening Bali) anymore. At this moment, we are thinking of how to lower (COVID-19 cases) by inoculating as many people as possible and (ensure people are) following the health protocols. That is what we are doing now," the minister informed. https://en.antaranews.com/news/178058/indonesia-likely-to-postpone-reopening-of-bali-to-foreign-tourists

From The Reuters / Thaiger 5 million Moderna doses for private hospitals 5 million doses of the US-made Moderna Covid-19 vaccine will be imported to Thailand at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 to be administered by private hospitals. A set price of 3,400 baht for a package of the 2-dose vaccine, including service fees and insurance, was agreed on by the Private Hospitals Association. The first 3.9 million doses of the vaccine will be delivered by the fourth quarter of the year while the next 1.1 million doses will be delivered in the first quarter of 2022, according to Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, which procured the vaccines for the private hospitals. The Thai government’s nationwide Covid-19 immunisation campaign has heavily relied on the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Sinovac vaccine. The Infectious Disease Association of Thailand recently wrote a letter to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, urging him to procure more mRNA vaccines for Thailand. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are mRNA. Thailand has also ordered 5 million doses of the 1-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine as well as 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which is a mRNA type of vaccine. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-to-import-5-million-moderna-vaccine-doses-for-private-hospitals ==================================== From The Thai Enquirer Senior doctor says home quarantine for asymptomatic patients “necessary” Asymptomatic patients must be allowed to home quarantine to free up space and reduce pressure on the country’s healthcare system, a senior doctor at Siriraj Hospital told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday. Hospital beds, including those at field hospitals, are now in short supply throughout the Greater Bangkok area as Covid infection numbers climb above 4,000 new cases per day. In response, the Department of Medical Services (DMS) said this week that Asymptomatic patients should be allowed to quarantine at home to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. (Read more here) Now, a senior doctor at Siriraj Hospital says that the policy must be introduced immediately because of the new Delta Variant of the virus. “This new variant has already spread to over 30 provinces and it is more contagious than previous strands that we have seen,” said the doctor who asked not to be named citing hospital policy. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29141/senior-doctor-says-home-quarantine-for-asymptomatic-patients-necessary/ =============================== From The Thaiger 57 deaths; 5,533 new infections 5,533 new Covid-19 cases and a record high of 57 Covid-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest and most severe wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported 235,971 Covid-19 cases. Out of the new cases, 44 were reported in correctional facilities, showing an improvement in the Covid situation at Thai prisons, where more than 30,000 inmates have tested positive for the virus over the past few months, but a significant increase in the number of local transmissions.

Burdett’s Bangkok series encompasses six books over a dozen years. If I had to pick two must reads, it would be the bookends: Bangkok 8 and The Bangkok Asset. But I found all of these gems good reads that offer much insight into prostitution, Buddhism and corruption, Thai style. Although I agree with CurtisD on the wisdom of Col. Vikorn when it comes to matters of prostitution, it’s noteworthy that the protagonist of the series, Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep acknowledges that his most significant other is fellow cop and boyhood pal, Pichai, who we come know in the first few pages of Bangkok 8. Sadly, Picahi meets an untimely death in the line of duty and our detective makes no qualms about his intense emotions for the young man: “I roll a fat spliff, light up, inhale heartily. Now all of a sudden, I’m distilling grief. I’m ripping off every Band-Aid, I’m daring to bleed, and I’m concentrating the pain (Buddha, how I loved that boy!) I don’t want relief, I want him. With my agony carefully located right between my yes, I take another toke, hold it as long as I can, repeat the process. I don’t want enlightenment, I want him. Sorry, Buddha, I loved him more than you.” These are books I've reread many times. You can read more about the series, and other Burdett novels at the link below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Burdett#The_Sonchai_Jitpleecheep_Series Lucky has also recently posted about the Burdett novels.