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I have not read any reference to this article in other news sources. Hope it to bears fruit. ============================================ From the Phnom Penh Post Five of the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries – Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam – are willing to welcome tourists fully-vaccinated against Covid-19 to their shores amid the pandemic, in an effort to kick-start a recovery in the tourism market dampened by Covid-19. The commitment was conveyed on May 27 during the 47th meeting of the tourism working group, comprised of representatives of GMS countries and Metro Manila-based Asian Development Bank. Myanmar seemingly took no part in the meeting. At the meeting, Ministry of Tourism director-general for Tourism Development and International Cooperation Sieng Neak shared Cambodia’s key strategies, as outlined in the 2021-2025 three-phased national tourism roadmap – approved by Prime Minister Hun Sen on April 1, and ministerial plans to allow fully-vaccinated international tourists to enter the Kingdom with little or no quarantine stay. “The meeting has agreed upon the draft of the Mekong Tourism Communication Recovery Plan to produce the right messages about tourism and select the right channels in order to promote tourism in the subregion to the right market,” he said later that day. Neak also presented an update on tourism infrastructure and management capacity in coastal areas in Cambodia’s southwest, stressing that all work is being carried out in line with ASEAN tourism standards. Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association president Khieu Thy told The Post that reopening the Kingdom to foreign tourists would be a dream for the tourism industry. Suffering a dearth of international visitors for well over a year, Thy pointed out that the tourism sector also faces an unprecedented shortage of professionals and skilled tradespeople. "If Cambodia were to reopen to foreign tourists in the fourth quarter, that'd likely restore jobs and income for those working in the sector," he said. A tourism ministry report revealed that 1,306,143 international tourists visited Cambodia last year, down 80.2 per cent from 6,610,592 in 2019. Last year’s decline in international tourist arrivals cost the Cambodian tourism industry more than $3 billion lost in revenue, with revenues from international tourism generating only $1.023 billion in 2020, down 79.2 per cent compared to $4.919 billion in 2019. https://phnompenhpost.com/business/gms-countries-mull-welcoming-vaccinated-visitors

From The Thaiger / Thai Examiner PHOTO: Chinese media argues with Thai police over the handling of last week's luxury mansion raid. (via Facebook/ ตำรวจห้วยใหญ่) Controversy is swirling around the police raid on the Pattaya luxury mansion last week where a Chinese National shot 2 police officers, as the man and Chinese media claim that the raid was “executed poorly”. Senior Thai police officers claim the raid was carried out appropriately, while the Chinese man claims he panicked after being approached by suspicious men who were not clearly identified as police officers. The Chinese media has claimed that proper procedures were not followed and a search warrant was not obtained in advance. Video footage has been circling online showing a group of plain-clothes men coming through the rear of the property, where the owner was relaxing by the pool before fleeing to lock himself in his home. From the upstairs bedroom, he shot more than 60 rounds from a 9mm automatic pistol licensed to his Thai girlfriend. He also released tear gas on the storming police officers, and investigations later revealed that another Chinese man in the house had a concealed gun. 2 police officers were critically injured, one shot in the stomach and 1 shot in the leg, though the most recent information is that both will recover from being shot. The deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai police says that the court issued a search warrant after reviewing the evidence from a special operations squad, so police would have prior knowledge of who might be inside and what to expect during a raid. He argues that raid procedure was followed with uniformed police officers and 4 police cars at the front of the property while police entered from the rear to stop anyone from fleeing. The shooter in custody, a Chinese man known as Leo carrying a passport for investment haven Saint Kitts and Nevis, claims that he fired on the intruders for fear of being kidnapped or harmed with no knowledge that the people storming his property were police. The police contradict his statement and argue that all officers had proper ID displayed during the raid and had already identified themselves to a gardener when they entered the property. While Leo’s lawyer maintains that the search was executed without a warrant and run improperly, police maintain they had gone through proper procedures while investigating money laundering and illegal online gambling operations believed to be going on in the luxury mansion. His lawyer claims that Leo has no involvement with any illegal business or organised crime, and is merely a businessman who made money in gold, property, Bitcoin, and is in Thailand to develop a luxury real estate market. Police argue that bulletproof vests found during the raid and the use of teargas imply more nefarious activities. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/chinese-media-thai-police-argue-over-handling-of-mansion-raid

From the Tourism Authority of Thailand Bangkok, 30 May, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update that the Thai Cabinet agreed to extend the Emergency Decree nationwide for two more months until 31 July, 2021. Approved by the Cabinet on 25 May, 2021, and officially published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 27 May, 2021, Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha signed the announcement on the twelfth consecutive extension of the state of emergency for two more months after it expires on 31 May, 2021. =========================== ============================================= From Bangkok Post 73% of Thais feel 'hopeless' amid pandemic About three-quarters of the population feel anxious and hopeless about their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the result of an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll. The poll was conducted online on 1,713 people throughout the country during May 24-27 to gauge the population's mental state in the "Covid-19 era". Regarding their state of mind, 75.35% said they were under stress and worried; 72.95% felt hopeless; 58.27% felt irritated; 45.19% frightened; and 13.50% were in a normal mental condition. Asked about the causes, 88.33% cited the worsened Covid-19 pandemic; 74.53% pointed to the economic slump; 51.89% cited concerns over vaccination; 36.50% mentioned travel and traffic conditions; and 15.98% cited health concerns.

From Thai PBS World Govt move to restrict freedom of information is a mandate for corruption, critics warn Proposed amendments to the Official Information Act are aimed at protecting state secrets, contrary to the law’s original goal of securing the public’s right to access government data, critics warn. The draft amendments would prohibit the disclosure of any official information deemed potentially damaging to the monarchy or its security. They also cover information on military affairs and national security, among others. The prohibitions are listed in an added chapter titled “Information Prohibited from Disclosure”. The controversial bill also sets much harsher penalties for violators of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Bt200,000, compared to the current maximum three months jail time and Bt5,000 fine. Critics say the tougher punishment is likely to act as a deterrent against disclosure of official information, as officials opt to err on the side of safety. Proposed by the Prime Minister’s Office, the bill gained Cabinet approval on March 24 and could be debated during the new parliamentary session, which started on May 22. The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) on May 20 asked the government to review the draft amendment following widespread opposition and claims that it violated constitutional clauses requiring transparency of the state. In an open letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, ACT warned that preventing transparent disclosure of official information would undermine his government’s policy of fighting corruption. ACT secretary-general Mana Nimitmongkol, who sits on the regulatory Official Information Board set up under the law, said state agencies and politicians often attempted to delay or limit disclosure when asked for official information like government budget spending. “The current law is a serious obstacle. State agencies and politicians intentionally interpret the law and regulations in a way that benefits them,” he said. Already unhappy with the current law’s limits on access to official information, critics warn the amendments will restrict freedom of information for Thai citizens even further. Law Professor Worachet Pakeerut of Thammasat University said he was “rather shocked” on reading the contents of the draft bill. “The state is going to control the flow of news and information more intensely,” said Prof Worachet, who sat on the regulatory Official Information Board for 16 years. Continues at https://www.thaipbsworld.com/govt-moves-to-restrict-freedom-of-information-is-a-mandate-for-corruption-critics-warn/

From Channel News Asia COVID-19 sweeps through Thailand's overcrowded prisons The Thai prison population stood at around 311,000 earlier in 2021, more than two-and-a-half times the system's official capacity. (Photo: AFP/WILLIAM DAVIES) BANGKOK: A coronavirus surge sweeping through Thailand's prisons has thrown the spotlight on the kingdom's overcrowded penal system, where some inmates have less space to sleep than the inside of a coffin. More than 22,000 people have tested positive inside jails, where inmates living cheek by jowl have been encouraged to keep wearing their masks even while they sleep. Authorities have floated plans to give early releases to prisoners with underlying medical conditions and have announced funding for more testing and medical care in recent days. But those behind bars say they have been kept in the dark about the seriousness of the outbreak. "Prisoners don't have the knowledge to protect themselves," said Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, a high-profile activist facing charges under Thailand's harsh royal defamation law. Somyot was bailed last month and told AFP that he had not been tested for COVID-19 once during his 10-week stint in custody. He was not worried about contracting the disease while in jail because he had no idea about the level of risk. "But after this I'm so scared (for everyone still inside) ... if you are inside the prison you are at risk, it's unavoidable," he said. Thailand's prison outbreak has skyrocketed from just 10 publicly announced cases a month ago and sparked growing public concern after a handful of prominent activists contracted the illness. The Thai prison population stood at around 311,000 earlier this year, the International Federation for Human Rights said - more than two-and-a-half times the system's official capacity. Four inmates in every five are serving time for drug charges because of harsh anti-narcotics laws that can see offenders jailed for a decade for possessing just a few methamphetamine pills. Many cells are so packed with bodies that some inmates only have half a metre of space. "That is less room for a body than the inside of a coffin," Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin told local media in February. Somsak said he was examining ways to give early releases to prisoners with underlying medical conditions, possibly through a royal pardon. Even if the plan goes ahead, prisoners will still have to complete a quarantine before returning home. "For us to bail anyone or do anything, it has to be done properly," Somsak told reporters on Monday. "We can't allow them to spread infections." Rights groups say the plan should go further and urged authorities to also free non-violent offenders in order to reduce overcrowding. "Authorities should reduce the detainee population... of those held on politically motivated charges or for minor offences," said Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-thailand-prison-jail-overcrowded-outbreak-14909396 ================================= From Tourism Authority of Thailand

From Channel News Asia KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will close all economic and social sectors by implementing a "total lockdown” throughout the country. The first phase of the lockdown will last from Jun 1 to Jun 14. This move was announced in a media statement posted on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Facebook page on Friday (May 28) night. Only essential economic and service sectors listed by the National Security Council will be allowed to operate during Phase 1 of the lockdown, said the statement issued by Prime Minister's Office (PMO). “This decision was made after taking into account the current situation of COVID-19 transmission in Malaysia with daily case numbers exceeding 8,000 and active cases exceeding 70,000,” the statement read. More than 2,550 people in Malaysia have died from the disease. The emergence of more virulent COVID-19 variants also influenced the National Security Council's decision to implement the lockdown. With the sharp rise in the daily number of COVID-19 cases, hospitals' capacity to treat patients throughout the country are "becoming more limited", the statement added. If the phase 1 total lockdown is successful in reducing daily COVID-19 cases, the government will implement a four-week phase 2 lockdown by allowing the reopening of a few economic sectors that do not involve large gatherings. Phase 2 lockdown will last four weeks. “Once the phase 2 lockdown ends, the next step is phase 3, which is implementing a movement control order (MCO) similar to the current one in effect, where social activities are not allowed and nearly all economic sectors are allowed to operate subject to strict standard operating procedures and limited physical presence at workplaces,” the PMO said. PMO's announcement came as Malaysia set a COVID-19 case record for the fourth straight day with 8,290 new infections, bringing the national total past 549,000. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-total-lockdown-jun-1-14-muhyiddin-covid-19-cases-record-14905394

From Coconuts Bangkok Cal-Comp workers staged a protest Thursday night to complain about conditions and demand action by the factory’s management and health officials. Photo: Petchpoom Hot News By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee Sealed inside a factory to contain a COVID-19 outbreak, hundreds of frustrated and angry migrant workers say they’ve been left in the dark by power outages without adequate food and no medical care. The poor conditions that led more than 1,300 workers at the Cal-Comp Electronics factory in Phetchaburi province to protest, including loss of electricity for 12 hours, had not been addressed as of today, according to workers and an NGO there, and no Thai authorities had arrived to help. “We take care of each other. No officers here,” Tlay Nyo, one of the Burmese workers stuck at the site, said by phone in Thai. “There was no electricity for hours yesterday and we don’t know if it will happen again today.” The actual number of workers stuck at the factory is unclear. While media reports put it at 1,300, Tlay Nyo said there are at least 1,500 Burmese workers plus others who are Cambodian. While he said that he had received enough food, others said they did not. “At around 9am today, a worker told me they had not been given breakfast,” Than Zaw Htike of the Migrant Workers Rights Network, who is currently at the site, told Coconuts Bangkok. He confirmed Tlay Nyo’s assertion that there were no Thai officials present as of Monday morning. The number of infected workers has ballooned in the past week. Labor rights campaigner Andy Hall said the most recent count had put it at more than 3,500 people. Calls to Cal-Comp went unanswered as of publication time. It is owned by Taiwanese manufacturing concern New Kinpo Group. It supplies electronics to U.S. computer maker HP as well as Japan’s Hitachi and Konica Minolta, according to the Migrant Workers Rights Network. Two years ago it paid compensation to workers who were led into virtual slavery by large debts to the recruiters who got them jobs there. The Cal-Comp Electronics factory was ordered shut from May 21 through June 4 after nearly 700 of its 3,300 workers tested positive for COVID-19. Phetchaburi provincial health chief, Petcharuek Tansawat, said the closure of the factory was a “voluntary decision” by the management, who promised to care for the employees quarantined inside. Than Zaw Htike shared photos taken inside of the workers taking care of their own by checking each other’s blood pressure along with images of uncooked meat the workers were forced to eat last night because the electricity had been cut for hours. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/left-to-eat-raw-meat-in-the-dark-workers-sealed-in-thai-factory-protest-mistreatment/

Thanks, Gaybutton, for your clarifications. Because The Nation article is long, I'm copying the remaining content that covers many topics. If anyone is aware of other discrepancies or ommissions it would be helpful to call attention to them. =================== Thai embassies and consulates are issuing a Certificate of Entry (COE) for all travellers to Thailand, including those in the visa exemption list, as well as 60-day tourist visas and special tourist visas (STV). Foreigners entering Thailand are required to have an ASQ hotel reservation and Covid-19 insurance. At present, only semi-commercial flights are allowed to land in Thailand. Foreigners allowed entry include diplomats and foreign workers, including their families, business representatives and experts invited by the government, permanent residents, foreigners with Thai families, students and their guardians, medical tourists and their attendants, business visa holders, Thai Elite Visa holders, APEC cardholders, STV and tourist visa holders, non-immigrant O retirement visa, non-immigrant OA and OX holders and migrant workers with official documents. All foreigners are required to get in touch with their local Thai embassy to apply for a COE and for more information. Until September 30, 2021, Thailand will allow a limited number of long-stay tourists under the STV programme. This long-stay visa is open to foreign nationals travelling to Thailand with the intention of staying long-term as a tourist. Those eligible can get in touch with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Office or Thai embassy in their current location for more information. Visa amnesty/extension What is visa amnesty? As of May 29, 2021, all foreign nationals living in Thailand affected by the Covid-19 crisis will be granted a 60-day visa extension. Who is covered by the visa amnesty? All foreign nationals living in Thailand legally with a visa exemption entry stamp, tourist visa, non-immigrant visa or yearly extension of stay. What are the rules related to visa amnesty? Visa or permit to stay that is still valid and updated by the local immigration office. Foreigners holding long-term visas, such as a work visa, marriage visa or retirement visa are required to apply for their yearly extension at the immigration office as usual. Foreigners do not need an embassy letter to be granted the automatic visa extension due to Covid-19. Is the Covid-19 visa extension free of charge? No, the Covid-19 extension of visa costs 1,900 baht. Will the visa amnesty be extended? There is no indication that this visa amnesty or grace period will be extended. What happens when the visa amnesty is lifted or not extended? When the situation is resolved and returns to normal, foreigners must leave Thailand on or before the permit to stay date in their passports is up or must apply for the proper type of visa at the immigration office. Travel Ban Most international flights are banned, though some semi-commercial flights are allowed to land in Thailand. Foreigners qualified to enter Thailand must apply for a “Certificate of Entry to Thailand” before they book a seat on the available repatriation flight. 90-day reporting If you are a foreigner staying in Thailand for a period longer than 90 consecutive days holding a Non-Immigrant Visa or Extension of Stay, you are required by Thai Immigration to report your current address every 90 days. You may file for the TM47 notification in person, by mail, online, or through an agent. Consequences of visa overstay During this Covid-19 crisis in Thailand, some foreign nationals may find themselves overstaying in Thailand either by mistake, miscalculating the length of stay, forgetting their visa expiration date or by unforeseen cancellation of their flights due to travel restrictions. As a foreigner, you are strongly advised to avoid overstaying in Thailand. But if you do find yourself in Thailand on an expired visa it is very important that you act fast and in the right way. Cancellation of Visa on Arrival Travellers from the following countries are no longer allowed visa on arrival: Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu. Travellers from these countries are required to obtain a proper visa to travel to Thailand. Though the visa on arrival for Russia has been cancelled, Russian passport holders may still enter Thailand for 30 days under the bilateral agreement. Cancellation of Visa on Arrival Travellers from the following countries are no longer allowed visa on arrival: Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu. Travellers from these countries are required to obtain a proper visa to travel to Thailand. Though the visa on arrival for Russia has been cancelled, Russian passport holders may still enter Thailand for 30 days under the bilateral agreement.

The following article was published in The Nation today. Guide for foreigners living in or travelling to Thailand As of May 6, the Thai government has restored the mandatory 14-day quarantine for both vaccinated and unvaccinated arrivals in the country, regardless of their nationality. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001414

From The Thaiger Pattaya will reopen to foreign tourists this year under a model similar to Phuket… but only if 70% of residents are vaccinated against Covid-19. Local officials are seeking more vaccine doses in an effort to reach herd immunity and bring people back to one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations. Under the plan “Pattaya, Move On,” quarantine in Pattaya would be waived for foreign travellers who are vaccinated against the coronavirus. Pattaya mayor Sontaya Kunplome says they plan to reopen to foreign tourists during the fourth quarter of the year. City officials are targeting tourists from Germany and Russia. The mayor says only tourists who are fully vaccinated and are travelling from countries that are classified as a low risk by the Public Health Ministry will be allowed to enter Pattaya under the proposed plan. Travellers will need to stay in Chon Buri’s Sattahip and Banglamung districts, which includes Pattaya, for 14 days before travelling to other areas. During their stay, tourists will need to download a tracking application and report to health officials each week. Those travelling to Pattaya under the proposed travel model will need to stay at a hotel that is certified by the Safety and Health Administration. The plan still needs to be presented to the Public Health Ministry and then approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/pattaya-plans-for-reopening-with-no-quarantine-for-vaccinated-travellers

From Bangkok Post Princess allows new vaccine imports His Majesty the King's sister has approved coronavirus vaccine imports by an institution she sponsors, bypassing the government as it deals with surging infections and growing public anger over a slow and chaotic rollout. The secretary-general of the Chulabhorn Royal Academy wrote on Facebook that the "alternative vaccines" would supplement the government campaign until it could meet the country's needs. The government, which has long insisted it must handle all vaccine imports, will next month start its mass immunisation drive, which relies heavily on AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured locally by a company owned by the king. The announcement in the Royal Gazette took some in the government by surprise, and comes as the country suffers its most severe Covid-19 outbreak so far and growing unease about the vaccine plan. The decree was announced late on Tuesday and expanded the Chulabhorn Royal Academy's ability to respond to coronavirus. It was signed by Princess Chulabhorn, its chairwoman and the youngest sibling of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. "The Royal Academy will procure 'alternative vaccines' until vaccines that are produced in the country reach a capacity that can sufficiently protect against outbreaks," its secretary-general, Nithi Mahanonda, posted on Facebook, adding that it would comply with regulations on imports and registration. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was unaware of the royal order before it was published. "I just saw the announcement last night," Mr Anutin said when asked about it during a local television interview. "But if it is a benefit to the country, we are ready." The Chulabhorn Royal Academy, which includes a hospital and research institute, will organise a news conference for Friday about what it said was its importation of the vaccine of Sinopharm. Thailand is expected to approve the Chinese vaccine for emergency use this week. It was not immediately clear how many vaccines the academy would import and when, as well as whether they would be free. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2122619/princess-allows-new-vaccine-imports ================================================== From The Thai Enquirer Opinion: A royal intervention in the healthcare arena is a rebuke against Prayut Any political science student would have been taught that the defining concept of a functioning state is the monopoly on the legitimate use of force. This notion was first proposed by the great political scientist Max Weber in 1919. In 2019, 100 years later, the Coronavirus may have given us a new definition of what it means to be a state. If we were to re-define the Weberian concept to fit with today’s most pressing concern, it is probably not far-fetched to claim that instead of the monopoly on the use of force, it is rather the monopoly on the legitimate implementation of healthcare policy that is the most important indication of a well-functioning state. The announcement in the Royal Gazette that the Chulabhorn Royal Academy can ignore and bypass the Prayut government’s policy to centralize the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccines is not only an embarrassment to the government, but also tantamount to a pseudo power-grab, at least within the healthcare realm. (Read more here) The Chulabhorn Institute and the Royal Academy are scientific research organizations, named after and chaired by HRH Princess Chulabhorn. Specifically, the decree grants autonomous power to the Institute in negotiating and importing Covid-19 vaccines with the manufacturers both in Thailand and abroad. This was a right that was reserved for only the Thai government. Any effort to procure the vaccines was supposed to be centralized at the Ministry of Health. While the announcement is most certainly a benevolent gesture by the Institute, it highlights the royal frustration and the split among the ruling elites over how the Prayut government is handling the crisis. HRH Princess Chulabhorn is taking the matter in her own hands. She is trying to do what she can to alleviate the dire healthcare situation and to compensate for the delay in vaccine procurement by the Ministry of Health and its relevant agencies. But the royal move, exercised in this manner however well-intentioned, calls into question the political legitimacy of the government and its authority in the management of the crisis. It is a no-confidence censure and a royal rebuke of both Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Minister of Health Anutin Charnveerakul. At the moment, Thailand is ranked sixth in ASEAN in the vaccination rate, behind Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. We have only fully vaccinated 1.4% of our population and there are 104 countries in the world ahead of us on this metric. At the current rate, some estimates claim that it would take us more than 7 years to get to the goal of 100 million doses administered. On top of this, there are questions over whether we would have enough vaccines at all and how much longer would the delivery be delayed. Making the matter worse is the inability of our leadership to communicate coherently and effectively which has further hampered people’s confidence. While the royal intervention may be welcomed by those who have become hopeless in the current situation, it points to a larger problem in our society. When our top institution becomes too involved in people’s welfare, whether it exercises that power directly or through an agency, it exposes itself to being politicized and thus such a move is a double-edged sword that could end up hurting its own reputation and sanctity. It may have helped obviate the need for the royal institution to feel like it needs to save Thailand from sinking deeper into a health-care abyss, if our governance is cushioned by an effective, democratic check-and-balance system that can hold our government accountable in times like this. When we do not have that system to rely on–and we rarely ever do in our political history–we become accustomed to waiting and seeking a politically exogenous intervention. Sometimes, this materialized as a military putsch. At other times, we had extra-judicial interference. This time, it came in a form of an ostentatious royal intervention with a health-care twist. For now, we can be sure that the ruling elites have split and that move by HRH Princess Chulabhorn has highlighted the royal anxiety over the government’s mishandling of the crisis. What this means in practice is that our government is no longer in control of its health care apparatus and there is a functioning, competing alternative health-care system led by HRH Princess Chulabhorn herself. If Prayut and Anutin do not step up their game quickly, it will be to no one’s surprise when a more powerful intervention beyond the healthcare arena finally takes place. And sadly, it will once again happen at the expense of Thai democratic development. https://www.thaienquirer.com/27935/opinion-a-royal-intervention-in-the-healthcare-arena-is-a-rebuke-against-prayuth/ ==========================================

From Thompson Reuters Foundation News Bangkok's micro homes: a model for slum dwelling in COVID-19? Newly built micro homes helped residents brave a surge of the coronavirus, and could be a model for a planned redevelopment By Rina Chandran BANGKOK, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Flimsy shacks of tin and ply have given way to sleek, painted newbuilds - small, clean and leak-free - in Bangkok's biggest slum, creating model homes and a blueprint for city development. That's if community leader Surawat Krabsomboon and other residents can defeat plans to bulldoze much of Klong Toey slum and make way for the sort of gentrification transforming the Thai capital. "We were living in broken houses and were unable to afford to repair the houses," Krabsomboon told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from his home in the city's oldest slum. "But we did not want to live like that - we wanted better homes, better amenities," said the 29-year-old Thai, making the case for thousands more micro homes to replace the dilapidation that has mushroomed without design over decades. "These houses have allowed us to remain here, and relieved the burden of residents when they had to stay home during the lockdown and could not go out," he said. Klong Toey's slum, an area of about one square mile in the heart of the city, is home to nearly 100,000 people, mostly rural migrants from northern Thailand, many of whom came to the city decades ago for jobs at the nearby Bangkok port. They stayed on even as those jobs dried up and the area around them boomed with plush malls and high-rise blocks Krabsomboon had tried many times to fix their housing - the shacks are like saunas in summer and leak rain in the monsoon. Now, with help from a charitable foundation and a top Bangkok architect, dozens of residents have new homes where their tired shacks once leaned - with sturdy steel frames, insulated roofs and fire-resistant floors of fibre cement board. The micro homes, funded by the Charoen Pokphand Foundation, have helped residents brave the pandemic, and could be a model for the larger planned redevelopment of the slum, said Surawat. But the Port Authority of Thailand, which owns much of the land on which residents built their shacks illegally, wants to clear the slum to make way for office and commercial blocks, tourist spots and a modern transport and logistics hub. About 12,000 households must relocate - either to a new high-rise complex nearby, to plots about 30 km (19 miles) away, or take a cash compensation and move elsewhere, authorities say. The plan is opposed by residents who say their lives and livelihoods will be affected, and that the small flats on offer will not suit large families, or people with shops or chickens that roam the narrow alleyways. Most residents work in construction, as street vendors and as motorbike taxi riders ferrying people around the city of about eight million, and say they need to stay local to earn. "Development is needed, better homes and living conditions are needed, but they must first listen to the community and their needs," said Prateep Ungsongtham, founder of the Duang Prateep Foundation that runs a charitable school in Klong Toey. "If the redevelopment happens without that, then this community will disappear and this will become just like any other expensive neighbourhood in Bangkok with no place for the poor people who serve the city," she said. Continues with photos https://news.trust.org/item/20210521075200-l4h3r

From Bloomberg News When Singaporean car dealer Keith Oh first read the Facebook message, he wasn’t sure it was real. A Chinese client ordered a S$1.1 million ($830,000) Bentley—sight unseen—over the social network. “They just asked for the price and when we could do the delivery, that’s all,” he said. “It’s a million dollars to us but it’s probably nothing to them.” The quick sale was the latest sign of a wider trend: Money is sloshing around Singapore like never before. As the coronavirus pandemic hammers Southeast Asia and political turmoil threatens Hong Kong, the city has become a safe harbor for some of the region’s wealthiest tycoons and their families. For rich people “who can decide where they want to live and settle down, Singapore is a place of choice now,” said Stephan Repkow, who founded Wealth Management Alliance in 2015 after four years at Union Bancaire Privee. He said two of his foreign clients had become residents in the past 12 months and more are on the way. Singapore has long been a draw for wealthy Chinese, Indonesians and Malaysians who would come for short trips to shop, play baccarat at the casino or get medical check-ups at world-class clinics. Mount Elizabeth Hospital Orchard, just steps from the flagship stores of Gucci and Rolex, features a UOB Privilege Banking Centre in the lobby. The pandemic has changed all that, prompting many tycoons and their families to stay for months, in some cases seeking residency to ride out the storm. On a per capita basis, the mortality rates in Malaysia and Indonesia are more than 10 and 30 times higher than in Singapore, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. The number of single family offices in the city-state has doubled since the end of 2019 to about 400, including firms recently set up by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Shu Ping, the billionaire behind Chinese hotpot empire Haidilao International Holding Ltd. Demand for private golf club memberships is soaring, real estate prices have jumped the most since 2018 and until the recent clampdown, Michelin-star restaurants were packed. Global banks like UBS Group AG meanwhile are expanding in the city to manage the massive influx of assets. A spike in virus cases that’s led to stricter border measures and the cancellation of upcoming events such as the World Economic Forum meeting may pause some of the rich migration to Singapore, but it’s likely to be short-lived. While cases have jumped to a few dozen a day, it’s a far cry from the several hundred daily infections in New York City alone. Singapore is also charging ahead with vaccines: It’s given enough jabs for 30% of the population, almost twice the rate in China and even further ahead of neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia. It's a delicate balance for Singapore, which relies more on trade and open borders than just about any other Asian nation. Locking down and restricting travel for too long would make it unattractive to global investment and talent, while failing to control the virus risks a political backlash and its reputation as a safe regional hub. “Our recent spike of pandemic is very unfortunate, but we will eventually go through this phase again,” Repkow said. “Singapore is resilient and able to manage crisis in a very pro-active and efficient manner.” Continues with video and photos https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-05-26/singapore-during-covid-is-city-of-choice-for-billionaires-and-their-families?srnd=premium

From The Star PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Ministry of Tourism will meet with the private sector on Thursday (May 27) to discuss the future of package tours in post-Covid Cambodia, one of the components of tentative government plans to resuscitate the tourism industry in the fourth quarter of this year. A virtual closed-door meeting on Monday (May 24), led by minister Thong Khon, set out key action plans that include preparations for the gradual reopening of tourism in October-December, with an initial focus on the Angkor area in Siem Reap province. In pursuit of rebuilding trust and confidence in travellers, another proposal would allow international tourists from low-risk countries and territories who have been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus to enter the Kingdom with little or no quarantine stay. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/05/26/cambodia039s-tourism-players-to-meet-on-future-package-tours

From Bangkok Post Vaccine chaos: registration through app suspended The government plans to suspend registration for Covid-19 vaccinations through its Mor Prom online platform to forestall a bottleneck, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Wednesday that the Mor Prom platform previously covered registration for vaccinations, follow-ups on the first and second jabs, side effects and vaccination certification. Amid increasing confusion, he said registration was now excluded from the Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) app. That platform will now handle vaccination follow-ups and certification only. Earlier the government announced that the general public would be allowed to register through Mor Prom. But in a sudden about-turn, Dr Taweesilp said provincial authorities should have their own vaccination registration systems like those of Bangkok, Phuket and Nonthaburi to serve the large numbers of registrants in their areas. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2122039/vaccine-registration-through-app-suspended ======================================= From The Thaiger Government may miss vaccination target due to supply issues The Thai government is being warned that ongoing issues with Covid-19 vaccine supply may cause it to miss its target of obtaining 10 million doses in June. The Federation of Thai Industries says the supply problems will impact the country’s vaccination rollout and is calling on the government to accelerate the process by allowing private companies to import doses from a variety of manufacturers. It adds that choice is important, given the risk of new variants. The FTI’s warning comes after a number of hospitals confirmed they are suspending inoculation with the AstraZeneca vaccine as they are running out of doses or have already run out. The Public Health Minister has responded to supply concerns by insisting that additional doses will be delivered in time for the rollout to commence on June 7. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thai-industry-body-says-government-may-miss-vaccination-target-due-to-supply-issues

Who knows when any of us will have an opportunity to do this, but the photos and just the thought of it I find enticing. From The Daily Mail How heading for the river's upper reaches to unspoiled Laos will make you feel more like an explorer than a tourist Small, old colonial-style Sabaidee Pandaw is one of only a handful of boutique boats on the Upper Mekong By Caroline Hendrie For The Mail On Sunday The mighty Mekong conjures up images of the busy thoroughfare from its delta in Vietnam to Cambodia – the route taken by most river cruises in South-East Asia. It shows off Old Saigon, the royal palace in Phnom Penn and the astounding 'lost city' of Angkor Wat. But there is another way to cruise the Mekong: from the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand, through the mountain gorges and jungle of land-locked Laos, and on to its capital, Vientiane. Small, old colonial-style Sabaidee Pandaw is one of only a handful of boutique boats on the Upper Mekong, which makes every passenger feel like a true pioneer. Here are six reasons to choose a cruise aboard this boat on the Upper Mekong in Laos. Your first glimpse of Laos is from a hilltop near the Thai city of Chiang Saen, where Sabaidee Pandaw is moored. The view is of the Golden Triangle, the mountainous region where Northern Thailand meets Laos and Burma. In the distance, orange roofs of new casinos rise from the forest on the Burmese side. Views over Luang Prabang, Laos's laid-back former capital. Here a refreshing glass of nutty cold-drip coffee in riverside Saffron cafe is one of the highlights Continues with photos https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/escape/article-9582195/Heading-Mekongs-upper-reaches-boutique-boat-discover-unspoiled-Laos.html

From Channel News Agency Vaccine hesitancy grows ahead of Thailand's mass inoculation rollout Thailand has reported 135,439 infections and 832 deaths since the pandemic began last year. In January, 83 per cent of Thais surveyed by polling firm YouGov were willing to be vaccinated, but by May that dropped to 63 per cent in the same poll, lower than Vietnam and the Philippines at 83 per cent and 66 per cent willingness, respectively. Thai-based Suan Dusit Poll on Sunday (May 23) echoed the YouGov findings of rising vaccine hesitancy, with 64 per cent of respondents willing to be vaccinated, compared with 66 per cent in January. Dissatisfaction with the military-backed government's vaccine strategy has been building for months. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-covid-19-mass-inoculation-rollout-vaccine-hesitancy-14882232

From Channel News Asia Thailand to extend interval of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses to 16 weeks BANGKOK: Thailand will extend the gap between the first and second doses of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine to 16 weeks, in an effort to inoculate more people faster, a senior health official said on Monday (May 24). The plan follows a similar decision by Spain to stretch the gap between two AstraZeneca doses to 16 weeks, which is beyond the 12 weeks maximum interval approved by the European Medicines Agency. A 16-week interval has not been tested in human trials. Thailand's change, from a 10-week gap previously, comes ahead of the planned start of a mass immunisation campaign from June, for which AstraZeneca's vaccine will be the main one used. "This is to increase the number of people who get vaccinated," Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary of the health ministry, told Reuters, adding it would help create herd immunity faster. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-extend-dose-interval-astrazeneca-covid-19-16-weeks-14877530

From Redditt Brazil: Police are looking for a "serial killer" in southern Brazil accused of murdering homosexuals. Three were killed and one survived The Homicide and Personal Protection Division (DHPP) said last Monday (May 17) that José Tiago Correia Soroka, suspected of killing three men, two of them in Curitiba, is a serial killer. Police said they identified the suspect through a victim, who survived. According to DHPP, the man did not have sexual intercourse with the wounds. José Tiago is a fugitive in Paraná and also in Santa Catarina. For DHPP, he is considered a serial killer and has a psychopathic profile. “He has a serial killer profile, with psychological problems. We need to get him out of circulation as soon as possible, as he is killing an average of one person a week. We really want to alert the gay group, ”said Chief Constable Thiago Nóbrega. GAY MEN ARE TARGETS According to DHPP, the police managed to reach José Tiago from a victim who survived. According to the police, the crime took place on May 11, in Bigorrilho, and the boy was important in the investigations. The profile of the victims was always that of young gay men, who lived alone. José Tiago, according to DHPP, scheduled meetings using relationship apps and, when he arrived, he waited for the right moment to act. “He was the same way for 30 days, always with homosexuals. He goes to the victims' house and takes the person off guard there, gives him a lion kill, smothers him with a pillow or cover and takes the victim's belongings after the murder, ”explained delegate Camila Cecconello. DHPP has not yet been able to find the suspect and asks that a population, in addition to reporting, take care of the meetings through applications. “This killer is still on the loose, so we ask people to be careful and, if they make an appointment, choose public places. We are dealing with a serial killer, a serial killer ”, warned Camila. PROFILE According to the police, José Tiago is from Palmas, in southern Paraná, and spends his childhood in Abelardo Luz, in Santa Catarina, where he killed one of the boys. Currently, the suspect lived in Almirante Tamandaré, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba (RMC). He quit his job in March. The police found that José Tiago has two children. He has a steal in 2015 and 2019, and also a protective measure by an ex-girlfriend. some characteristics of the victims. They were homosexuals, in good financial shape and lived alone. According to police chief Thiago Nóbrega, from the Homicide and Personal Protection Division (DHPP), the suspect's discovery was made possible after a complaint reached the police on May 11 A possible fourth victim of Soroka, an architect living in Curitiba, would have escaped from a rear naked choke that the serial killer tried to apply. Nóbrega said that Soroka arrived at the apartment politely and asked the victim to take off her clothes. When his back was turned, Nóbrega was surprised by Soroka who tried to strangle him. But, being strong, he managed to fight and survive. The LGBTI + National Alliance also follows up the investigations and highlighted the characteristics of homophobia crime. Last Monday (10), the group released a manual to prevent cases of LGBTIphobic violence. Among the 11 tips, the group advises to avoid meetings scheduled by applications that do not require user authentication. Along with the photos, the police also released videos of security cameras showing the suspect entering or leaving the buildings where the victims lived.

When I read a headline like this ("Govt says tourism industry may not recover until 2026") in today's Bangkok Post, I'm reminded that no one can accurately foresee what's actually going to happen. After reading through the article, one thing is clear: Thailand's reopening (in the context of interest to gay tourists) is almost solely dependent on whether it can succeed in vaccinating a critical mass of its residents before year's end. Failure to achieve that goal will have a domino effect that could not only dash our hopes of returning but force millions of its own citizens deeper into poverty than many already are at this moment. The Thai media is alive with conflicting reports how the war against the virus is proceeding and how or when expats will receive vaccines. Private hospitals and the government are in disagreement on details. No one can say for sure when. As described in other posts, in-fighting within governmental bureaucracies are hindering the vaccination efforts. The objections are often politically motivated but they all have two things in common: all of the objectors have political influence and good-paying and secure jobs. All out-of-work Thais have neither.

As PeterRS predicted, the Travel Gay website (formerly "Travel Gay Asia") confirms that Babylon will not be reopening. https://www.travelgay.com/bangkok-gay-saunas/ The term "end of an era" was applied in the past to the demise of Soi Twilight and, IMO, justifiably. Babylon's exit from the Thai scene is a like event. So many readers of this forum were former patrons. And if you were a visitor in the days described above, you must have some fond memories. I don't think the Bangkok gay scene could survive losing the venues in Patpong 2. At least not survive in the sense that it was such a bright and vital drawing card as it was in 2019. Most of us had a favorite but Lucky Boys was ground zero for the biggest show, stage and number of guys who'd fill that stage nightly. Sure, Moonlight had more than its share of the best lookers, but remembering that rotation of 6-8 rows of Thai, Cambodian, Viet and Lao guys, Lucky Boys still sets the standard for me. Have to think positive because I don't dare contemplate the negative.

From The Nation Wang Thong Lang police officers on Saturday night arrested about 60 employees and visitors at Faros Sauna in Bangkoks Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21 for allegedly violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)s announcement. The raid was conducted after people in the area informed police that the sauna was allegedly used for drugs and could spread Covid-19. Police reportedly found packs of methamphetamine, a narcotic drug, a syringe and used condoms in the area, while 14 of about 60 employees and visitors reportedly admitted to using drugs. "Investigation officials would interrogate and check for drug substance on employees, visitors and Jinna Kritjinda, 63, who claimed to be the sauna owner," said Pol Colonel Ekkaphop Tanprasert, superintendent of Wang Thong Lang Police Station. "Initially, they will be charged wirh violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and BMA's announcement, while those who used drugs would face additional charges under narcotic laws." The police added that Jinna was also an owner of an entertainment venue on Pradiphat Soi 19. Continues with photos https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001203

Thai modern history reflects the issues raised in the two posts above. But as you look deeper, it's also about the fracture between the the ruling class of elites who control the nation's commercial, legislative, executive, judicial and military and members of the peasant and working classes who comprise the vast majority of the nation's citizenry (aka: yellow shirts vs red shirts). The Thai Enquirer continues it series with the event that took place seven years ago today: A Brief Oral History of the 2014 Military Coup Seven years ago, today, Thailand’s army launched yet another military coup. Once again toppling a democratically elected government, the Royal Thai Army under the leadership of General Prayut Chan-ocha said that they had to take power to restore peace and stability to the kingdom. The following is a brief oral history of the events that transpired on May 22, 2020 from the leaders of Thai society both then and now. Part 1: A Coup on the Horizon For months leading up to the coup, Thailand’s political scene was deadlocked between anti-government protesters and the Yingluck Shinawatra government. The protesters had initially come out onto the streets in November of 2013 to oppose an Amnesty Bill which would have forgiven all political players of any previous crimes, paving the way for the return of Yingluck’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin had been in exile since a previous military coup overthrew him in 2006. A group calling themselves the People’s Democratic Reform Committee led the protests. Headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and a group of core leaders, they opposed the Amnesty Bill. Even though the government relented and backtracked on the bill, the protests continued. Akanat Promphan (Former Democrat MP and PDRC core leader): The PDRC was a people’s movement. We wanted to reform and have a revolution by the people. In order to make that happen, we had to show a symbolic force. We believe that a show of force would be necessary to make the government make changes. We wanted a period of reform before the election. The demonstrations started off because people wanted to show that they didn’t want the Amnesty Bill but as the demonstrations progressed, we realized that this was not the end of all of the problems. What Thailand needed was a major overhaul, we wanted reform. It needed to take place immediately. We did not trust politicians with power, they were not genuine about changing. We needed a people’s parliament to carry out the reform. The Senate would appoint an interim government. The interim government would handpick the people’s parliament to oversee the changes. Arun Saronchai (Journalist for Anadolu News Agency): It was bullshit. What they wanted was a “people’s revolution” where the people were effectively cut out. They wanted to appoint a non-accountable body to carry out reforms and put politicians on public trial. It is like these people never opened a textbook or read about the French Revolution. It was very ‘reign of terror.’ To make matters worse, the protesters were singing songs from Les Miserables, while marching and holding pictures of the king. My irony meter died that year. Continues with Parts 2, 3 and 4 https://www.thaienquirer.com/13394/a-brief-oral-history-of-the-2014-military-coup/

From The Thai Enquirer Opinion: Remember when the PAD wanted to close the country’s border? By Cod Satrusayang After the 2006 military coup that sent Thaksin Shinawatra into exile, the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy argued for closing the country’s borders in response to international criticism. The country, the PAD argued, needed to shut its doors to foreigners while it cleaned house and eradicated the scourge of Thaksinomics and those that were disloyal to the crown. Many people scoffed at the idea but hardcore PAD supporters held onto the notion with many of these same arguments surfacing again during the People’s Democratic Reform Council protest in 2013/14 – the same protest that led to the Prayut Chan-ocha coup. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, we finally have an inkling of what it would look like to shut down the country’s border. In short, economic disaster. Without tourism and international trade, our industries and services sector has withered. Our GDP contracted by its largest margin ever in 2020 fueled mainly by shut borders and a lack of international arrivals. What must be said is that the brain trust of the PDRC and the PAD that argued for shutting borders wanted to subject our country to these economic ravages willingly in the facile hope of “cleaning house” and “reeducating the population.” Think of the economic suffering that we are witnessing currently because of this pandemic. Think of the spiking suicide rates, the families falling below the poverty line, the countless hospitality jobs lost, the countless businesses closed, because of our country closing its borders to fight the pandemic. Now imagine a group of people so hellbent on ideological zealotry that they would subject the country to these ills voluntarily. Perhaps it is time that we as a collective whole unsubscribe from the dogmatic pursuit of purity demanded by those so loyal to the cultural and political institutions that demands such zealotry. Thailand must evolve into a 21st century country. Our situation demands it, our people demands it and our collective future demands it. We are situated on the Southeast Asian crossroads, caught between competing superpowers and ideologies. We cannot afford to cling so steadfastly to the past without considerations for the future. While it is important to understand where we come from, it cannot dominate our future so thoroughly that it undermines our progress. There are people who would tell you that being Thai means relinquishing all identity but those that are subservient to the feudal system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few. Those are the same people that would have so willingly led us to our destruction. It is time we move away from dogmatic beliefs and allow pluralism, debate, introspection and, yes, questioning of what it means to be Thai. Until we do that, until we allow that, we will always be on the bring of self-destruction. And we will be led by people who think that through privilege and access, that they know better than the rest of us. https://www.thaienquirer.com/27785/opinion-remember-when-the-pad-wanted-to-close-the-countrys-border/

From Bangkok Post HANOI: As an LGBTQ activist, legal whizz-kid and Vietnam's first openly gay candidate running for a seat in its rubber-stamp parliament, Luong The Huy is determined to lead long-lasting change for the country's marginalised communities. Huy, 32, is one of just nine independent candidates running for Vietnam's National Assembly in elections to be held across the country on Sunday and wants to boost the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, who have long felt discrimination. But getting his name on the ballot in the communist, one-party state was no simple task. At the last elections five years ago, more than 100 independent candidates -- including dissidents, a taxi driver and a pop star -- tried to run, but just a handful made it through the gruelling selection process. Now that he's made it this far, he's clear about what he wants to achieve. "I want people's voices to be heard," Huy told AFP, sitting in his Hanoi office beside a framed poster bearing the slogan "Human rights are for everyone". Huy, who is currently director of Vietnamese NGO iSEE, which aims to empower minority groups to protect and promote their rights, has been campaigning for a decade to improve the lives of the Vietnamese LGBTQ community. He once addressed a session of the UN Human Rights Council and was listed by Forbes as one of the 30 most inspiring people under the age of 30 in Vietnam. But despite studying law -- Huy got a scholarship from the US's Fulbright Program to study at the University of California -- he says he has struggled to bring policy to the people who matter in Vietnam's opaque governmental system. "If I'm a member of the National Assembly, that path will be shorter, easier and more convenient for the community groups we serve," he said. Vietnam is seen as relatively progressive on LGBTQ issues compared with some other countries in Asia. But although the country lifted its ban on same-sex marriage in 2015, it stopped short of full legal recognition for those unions, and a long-promised transgender law to allow legal gender changes has not yet materialised. In schools, misinformation about sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread and some children are taught by both teachers and parents that being gay is a mental illness, according to a Human Rights Watch report published last year. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/2119567/vietnams-first-openly-gay-candidate-seeks-change-with-parliament-run