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OMG, the wrath of Barry 'don't-even-think-about-it' Kenyon has been unleashed upon my post The Pattaya expat takes unmitigated delight in dispelling any hope whatsoever that his fellow countrymen--and anyone else--might be able to return to the LOS. Relax, Barry. Take a load off. This isn't our first rodeo. We know the a ticket alone doesn't grant us access to the Kingdom. I was responding (not without a smidgen of jest) to Gaybutton's question "Are any passenger-carrying airlines currently flying to Thailand?". If we all lost our sense of humor in these times, the situation would indeed appear more daunting than it already is. I find that checking out Expedia, or other of the travel sites, makes for a little diversion in these days when I'd normally be booking my Fall trip. Barry, take some advice: Pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

Ten different international carriers are accepting bookings from NYC to BKK on Oct. 2. (lowest price $452 RT) Is it possible that they know something we don't?

From CNN The Red Bull heir, a crashed car and the scandal that angered Thailand Before dawn on September 3, 2012, a roaring black Ferrari struck a police motorcycle in downtown Bangkok, knocking the officer to the ground and dragging his body down the darkened street before speeding away. According to police, a trail of oil leaking from the sports car led investigators to the luxury home of one of Thailand's wealthiest families, the co-owners of the Red Bull energy drink empire. The man driving the Ferrari, police say, was Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, the heir to a family fortune that Forbes estimates to be worth $20.2 billion. Vorayuth was subsequently charged with five criminal counts, including speeding, hit-and-run, and reckless driving causing death, but the case stalled for years as the billionaire scion repeatedly missed or postponed prosecutors' summonses. Authorities believe he left Thailand in 2017. For years, the family of the police officer killed in the crash, Sgt. Major Wichien Klanprasert, were left in limbo. Then on July 23, Colonel Sampan Luangsajjakul of the Royal Thai Police confirmed that the Office of Attorney General (OAG) had decided to drop all charges against Vorayuth, who police have confirmed was aged 30 at the time of the accident, not 27 as they previously said. The decision to drop the charges thrust the case back into the spotlight — and angered Thais who have long felt that the country's legal system unfairly favors the rich. Some called for a boycott of Red Bull products. Others said the decision not to prosecute Vorayuth was the latest and most blatant confirmation of a perceived culture of impunity of the elite in Thailand.\ Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/11/business/red-bull-heir-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

From Thai Enquirer Student leaders say they are unconcerned with politicians urging caution Student leaders told Thai Enquirer on Wednesday that they were unconcerned with political parties urging caution after a controversial rally on Monday which touched upon previously taboo topics in Thai society. Up to 10,000 students gathered on campus at Thammasat University – Rangsit on Monday to call for a change in government with many students saying that the Prayut Chan-ocha administration was undemocratic. The students called for a rewrite of the military-drafted constitution, the dissolution of parliament and the end to the harassment of activists by the state. As the rallied continued, many speakers also touched on the role of the Thai monarchy in politics. Politicians on Tuesday cautioned the students about involving the royal institution and urged the students to keep their criticisms of the government within the realm of politics. Korn Chatikavanij, leader of the Kla Party, said that he did not want to see history repeating itself and advised the students to, “avoid insults towards the institution and conduct rallies within the boundary of the law.” Korn was alluding to the October 6, 1976 student massacre where royalist mobs and the army crushed student rallies and lynched many students in public squares. The Kla leader said a political rally is a civil right but the respect for other’s right to belief is also another civil right. =============================================================================== From Thai Enquirer Right-wing Thai media takes aim at student protesters arguing Monday’s rally had crossed the line Following a large student rally at Thammasat University on Monday, right-wing conservative media over the last 48 hours have taken aim at student protesters for involving the monarchy in politics and questioning the motives of the student leaders. Up to 10,000 students gathered on campus at Thammasat University – Rangsit on Monday to call for a change in government with many students saying that the Prayut Chan-ocha administration was undemocratic. The students called for a rewrite of the military-drafted constitution, the dissolution of parliament and the end to the harassment of activists by the state. As the rallied continued, many speakers also touched on the role of the Thai monarchy in politics. It was the last point which drew the ire of conservative news outlets with many saying that the rally had ‘hurt the feelings’ of the Thai public by involving the royal institution. News outlets like the pro-government Bangkok Post ran a headline on Wednesday arguing that the students had “crossed the line” and quoted military-appointed senators without interviewing any protesters. Government mouthpiece news outlets like The Nation and Manager both ran editorials questioning what was the ultimate aim of the student protesters while asking where the students had got the money to run their protest. Both Nation and Manager in the past have tried to link anti-establishment protests with “third party” sources of funding oftentimes relying on editorials and analysis pieces to connect political issues to exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra. On Tuesday, Nation TV ran a piece asking “Who is the person trying to destroy the nation?”

You can get it stamped now: REJECTED.

From CNN As US leaders work to control the spread of coronavirus, researchers across the country -- and globe -- are working to answer the mysteries that remain around infections. One of those mysteries: why the experience can be so different from person to person. One expert says the answer may involve looking at previous vaccines individuals have had. "When we looked in the setting of Covid disease, we found that people who had prior vaccinations with a variety of vaccines -- for pneumococcus, influenza, hepatitis and others -- appeared to have a lower risk of getting Covid disease," Dr. Andrew Badley, an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday night. It's what immunologists call immune training: how your immune system creates an effective response to fight off infections, Badley says. "A good analogy is to think of your immune system as being a muscle," he said. "The more you exercise that muscle, the stronger it will be when you need it." There's been no definitive evidence of any other vaccines boosting immunity against Covid-19. But some researchers have suggested it's possible. In June, a team of researchers in the US proposed giving a booster dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to people to see if it helps prevent the most severe effects of coronavirus infections. And last month, researchers found that countries where many people have been given the tuberculosis vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) had less mortality from coronavirus, a finding that fits with other research suggesting the vaccine can boost people's immunity in general. But once you're infected, how much of the virus made it into your body could also have an impact on what your experience is, another expert told CNN on Monday. Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist at University of California, San Francisco, has been working with a team of researchers to understand how more people could go through their infections with minimal or no symptoms. About 40% of people infected with the virus don't have symptoms, according to an estimate last month by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gandhi's team found masks make a difference. "What the mask does is really reduce the amount of virus that you get in, if you do get infected," she said. "And by reducing that ... you have a lower dose, you're able to manage it, you're able to have a calm response and you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all."

Good question. But it's actually in our best interest that the ladies join in the fun chiefly because they provide the financial support that helps keeps the bars profitable. Secondly, given the generous number of straight guys who work the boy bars, the ladies' presence is one more reason that keeps the boys in the game. I for one would hate to see the straights exit the scene as they are frequently among my favorite offs. Sure, ladies might snatch away some guy we have our hearts set on but so could another gay guy.

From Channel News Asia Pro-democracy rally attracts thousands as discontent swells PATHUM THANI, Thailand: Thousands of people from all walks of Thai society came out in force Monday (Aug 10) to an anti-government protest, the largest ever show of dissent targeting premier Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration after weeks of rallies. Waving rainbow flags, acerbic signs and posters of missing pro-democracy activists, the demonstrators descended in waves to Thammasat University in the outer edges of Bangkok as the sun set. The robust attendance comes after weeks of near-daily student-led protests denouncing Prayut's military-aligned administration. Over the weekend, two activists were arrested under charges of sedition - and then released on bail - for their alleged role in a massive Jul 18 rally. Organisers on Monday reiterated demands for a rewrite to a 2017 constitution, the parliament's dissolution, and called for the government to "stop threatening the people". The protest drew a diverse crowd from the LGBTQI community, young high schoolers and elderly pro-democracy supporters. "Us seniors must support the students," said a 70-year-old woman who declined to be named. "We must fight for our sons, daughters, nephews and nieces." The kingdom has long been locked in a cycle of violent street protests and coups by a putsch-happy army. Demonstrators regard former army chief Prayut, who led the 2014 coup, as a remnant of Thailand's military government legacy as his premiership was ushered in under a military-scripted charter in last year's poll. The pandemic has seized up Thailand's economy, leaving millions jobless and angry at the inequalities of a society perceived to favour the kingdom's elite establishment. "No more fake democracy," read a sign at the demonstration, which drew around 4,000 by nightfall, according to an AFP estimate. "This is the right time to send our voices to the government to let them know that we've had enough," said one university student, declining to be named. Prayut has vowed to hold public forums with young people.

From The Thaiger Thailand’s international borders not re-opening for tourists until 2021 – TAT Thailand is unlikely to reopen its borders to international tourists before the end of the year – the prediction from a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Speaking at yet another webinar, this time hosted by Mekong Tourism and TravelMole, the deputy governor for international marketing at TAT, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, noted that there has been “no talk of a timeline issued for reopening the country to inbound or outbound leisure travel during weekly Covid-19 national meetings”. He spoke of the Thai government’s “very, very cautious” approach to reopening borders and said he doesn’t expect Thailand to welcome tourists until at least 2021. “I see no signal from the government that the country will open this year. That’s putting lot of pressure on the tourism industry. The Christmas period, usually the high season, is in jeopardy and I’m looking horribly even to Chinese New Year in February, which is an iffy proposition at best now. Unfortunately, this is not a rosy picture.”

Barring customers because of bad behavior is different from barring customers based on color, orientation, appearance or nationality. If we overlook discrimination for one group we encourage against all groups. And for gays, of all minorities, to look away when others are marginalized ignores the long history of discrimination and attacks that they themselves were subject to.. I can understand a country wanting to test and temporarily quarantine foreigners due to the pandemic but once those visitors have complied with those restrictions, they should be free from discrimination. Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. The topic came up at a presentation of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand last week. The spokesman for Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked about it during the Q&A session. It was an uncomfortable moment for the official but at lest he addressed it with a diplomatic response. That the question came from a Thai journalist impressed me. All of us should aspire to the same courage when confronted with xenophobia. It's easy to forget what life was like for gays half a century ago. It was only through confrontation that signaled we would no longer accept it that lead to the freedom we enjoy today. Let us now not quietly acquiesce to discrimination in any form no matter how uncomfortable the moment might be.

Would you be as forgiving if you were turned away at clubs and massage shops that decided only to admit Thai customers? It could happen if this xenophobia continues to grow.

From Bangkok Post Supercars and champagne As the coronavirus brought the global economy to its knees, Thai businessman Yod decided to buy himself a 27 million baht treat -- a lime-green Lamborghini. Mr Yod picked up the customised Huracan EVO supercar in Bangkok, a city of billionaires with a luxury economy unbroken by the crisis ripping through Thailand's wider economy. With tourism and exports in freefall, Thailand's growth could shrivel by as much as 10% this year, dumping millions into unemployment. But in a split-screen economy, there are plenty with immunity to the economic scourge caused by Covid-19. Thailand is home to the ninth most billionaires anywhere, according to the China-based Hurun Report's Global Rich List 2020. Among those with deep pockets is Mr Yod -- full name Thanakorn Mahanontharit -- who was undeterred by Thailand's "crazy" supercar import taxes of up to 80% when he made his March purchase. "This car makes me feel like David Beckham," the genial Bangkok-based petro-chemicals businessman told AFP. "When you open your door everyone looks at you like you're a superstar." Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini have all launched top-end models in Bangkok over the pandemic period, cars with price tags of between $750,000 and $1.2 million. It is a bet on the wealth sloshing around Bangkok. Millions of dollars of that cash were on proud display in the capital last week as an eye-catching 40-car convoy from the Thailand Lamborghini Club cut through the city's knotted traffic for a day trip to a nearby resort. But most Thais are in a different game. The kingdom is one of Asia's least equal countries. Thailand is buttressed by a handful of family dynasties with monopolies covering everything from beer and duty-free to convenience stores. Their fortunes have surged under six years of military-aligned government which has parcelled out major contracts to them, while the wider economy has backslid. "One percent of the population owns pretty much two-thirds of the country," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, warning that inequality is kindling a political crisis. Meanwhile many more are sinking. Farmers are reeling as demand struggles to return to pre-virus levels and remittances from migrants to the cities are drying up, while the urban middle class are facing a cash crunch playing out in unpaid loans and school fees. As a result, household debt is forecast to surge to 88-90% of GDP by the end of this year, according to a Kasikornbank research note. Government figures predict the pandemic could leave 8.4 million jobless, over a quarter of them employed in the cash-cow tourism sector. That would eviscerate the gains of the last two decades, which saw millions lifted from poverty by Thailand's export, manufacturing and tourism boom. Even before the pandemic hit, the number of people living in poverty had risen by nearly two million to 6.7 million, according to a March report by the World Bank. Now, as the pandemic strips back the economy, the middle and working classes "are not well-cushioned," said Pavida Pananond, an academic at the Thammasat Business School. Yet the rich enjoy a level of "financial immunity" from the crisis. The allure of being "Hi-So" runs through Thai society, she said, explaining that money -- especially the show of having it -- is a shortcut into Thailand's elite, which was once defined by having the right "breeding" and education. "There's still very much a class system here... maybe it comes from a feudalistic history," she said.

From Bangkok Post Runners slam BMM online for racial discrimination The organiser of the Bangkok Midnight Marathon (BMM) 2020 was blasted online on Friday after its "new normal race" policy was perceived to be barring foreigners from entering the race. BMM's Facebook page and social media accounts were on Friday flooded with angry comments about the "new normal race." Now in its third year, the BBM -- which Thai authorities created to jump-start sports tourism -- introduced a "new normal race" policy for the event that will take place on Dec 13. Runners and organisers are expected to comply with social distancing rules and adhere to fever checks, screenings and mask wearing. But what has fuelled outrage is the online registration that only permits Thais to register, prompting accusations of racial discrimination. Gregor Rasp, a former running and sports endurance coach who has lived in Thailand for 20 years, said that the policy is misguided. "If you follow the news then you know that 99% of recent Covid-19 cases are imported by Thai nationals. And just like foreigners, these Thais have to spend 14 days in quarantine. One is only released from quarantine if he/she tests negative after 14 days," he said. Boonperm Intanapasat, the BMM race director, on Friday issued a statement apologising for "failing to take into account that there were many expats here who would want to take part in the race". "Offending this community is the last thing we wanted to do. We love athletes of all nationalities." Runners and organisers are expected to comply with social distancing rules and adhere to fever checks, screenings and mask wearing.

Although it's tinkering with the since rejected "travel bubble" concept, tourism planners rolled out another idea today. Unfortunately, it still relies on tourists traveling in groups and staying in designated hotels, in provinces that agree to welcome the tourists. At a cost of 100,000 bht per person, it's very unlikely to attract the 500,000 tourists the planners imagine. From Bangkok Post 'Safe and Sealed' tourism plan proposed Tourism operators are proposing a new tourism plan, called Safe and Sealed, to replace travel bubbles and keep Thailand from realising the worst-case revenue scenario of 675 billion baht next year, down from 3.01 trillion baht in 2019. At a meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, tourism-related groups offered a proposal to let inbound tourists restart their trips to Thailand in the fourth quarter with safer screening and more flexibility for more countries than the travel bubble scheme. The president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents said that while Thailand has started to welcome some groups of foreigners, the total will be fewer than 100,000 visitors and cannot prevent tourism-related businesses from falling into bankruptcy. The new plan is expected to draw at least 500,000 tourists to Thailand and generate 50 billion baht in revenue. The cost of the package would be 100,000 baht per person, higher than the average price of 50,000 baht before the pandemic. "Safe means we will select only guests from a city with a record of no infections for at least 30 days, and they can travel under the sealed conditions provided by tour operators in designated hotels and provinces that agree to welcome those tourists," he said. Other necessary screening processes are also required, such as an infection-free certificate 72 hours before a flight, as well as insurance and tests. Tourism businesses want the government to help start the fund with a 100-billion-baht budget.

Foreign tourists and retirees excluded from latest approval list to come to Thailand By Barry Kenyon August 4, 2020 This week the powerful Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSU) has updated the groups of foreigners able to apply to board a plane to Thailand. Mostly they are categories who have business or work-related documentation or are thought to be affluent, such as those holding a Thailand Elite privilege card. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenyon doesn't understand that many Elite cardholders are indeed foreign tourists. They are citizens of other countries who opt to pay the membership fee in exchange for the privilege of being able to stay for periods of their choosing. His headline above is misleading. From Thaivisa / Banghkok Biz News There are a total of 10,363 members of the Elite Card program, with China, Japan, USA and UK accounting nationalities with the largest number of card holders.

From Thai Enquirer New study by think tank shows coronavirus pandemic could have political ramifications A new study by the International Crisis Group released this week shows that the economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic could have knock-on political consequences in Thailand. According to a study by the Brussels-based think tank, the current financial crisis stemming from the pandemic will “strain a society simmering with discontent and a political order designed to thwart popular political participation.” The group said that even before COVID-19, the economy was “faltering” and the crisis will likely exacerbate Thailand’s political and economic divide which in turn could trigger a social and political “reckoning.” The group recommended political reform to encourage mass participation and accountability but said that significant challenges remain before such reforms could take place. “The fundamental problem is political: the reforms necessary to upgrade Thailand’s economy run counter to the interests of the country’s elite,” the report said in its executive summary. The writers of the ICG report also said that any political change would be meaningless without addressing the 2017 charter. “Reform will have to start with amending the 2017 constitution,” the report said before saying that outside pressure is the most likely vehicle of change. “This is unlikely; the drafters made it effectively un-amendable. Consequently, popular pressure remains, for the moment, the most viable mechanism to bring about change.” With student protests increasing in recent weeks and with opposition parties finally getting their act together, the Prayut administration will likely face its first sustained challenge since Prayut Chan-ocha took power in a 2014 military coup. To view the study https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/thailand/309-covid-19-and-possible-political-reckoning-thailand

It's possible that some of the tourists entered Thailand via the medical tourism provision that went into effect last month. From Bangkok Post (July 3) Local tours planned for medical tourists The government is planning for local tours for medical and wellness tourists from overseas from next month, and the start of tourism "travel bubbles" in September, a senior spokesman said on Friday . Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said medical and wellness tourists would be welcomed from this month on. If they were properly handled during their 14-day quarantine-treatment at hospitals, they could then go anywhere in the country. The government was arranging for public and private hospitals to cater for medical and wellness visitors. Sixty-two private hospitals had applied to participate, he said. About 1,700 foreigners from 17 countries had already registered for admission to Thailand for medical and wellness services. They would have to arrive by air to ensure effective disease control, Dr Taweesilp said.

From The Nation / Asia News Network All local and Chinese tourists saved along with crew BANGKOK — A three-story-high cruise ship sank in the Chao Phraya River near a pier late in the evening on Sunday, but all 75 passengers and staff were evacuated to a nearby pier. At 8pm on Sunday, Pak Khlong San Police Station was alerted about the High Season 1 sinking near a private pier in Soi Somdet Chaophraya 1 in Bangkok’s Khlong San district. Jakkri Sriraksa, 31, a staff from Khlong San Rescue Volunteer Foundation who had arrived at the scene before the police, reportedly told officials that the boat had picked up Thai and foreign tourists from a pier of a hotel on Rama III Road for a cruise on the river. “The ship made a U-turn to return to the hotel when it reached Phra Pok Klao Bridge. The operator noticed that the ship was tilting to the right side, probably caused by a leak,” he said. “They radioed the nearest pier for emergency embarking and safely evacuated all 75 passengers and staff on the shore.” An initial investigation revealed that the boat was registered by High Season Resort Co located in Trad province, while the boat operator was being interrogated at the police station to find the cause of the accident. “The ship was carrying 60 passengers, most of them Thai and Chinese tourists, while the rest were staff,” said Pol Maj-General Samrid Tongtao, chief of Metropolitan Police 8.

Do you have any evidence that it isn't? It's not difficult to get the outcome that you wish. That's how pollsters get a lot of repeat business. You get what you pay for. Like the rest of us, Barry Kenyon is writing opinion pieces, not objective news. He has a bigger megaphone but is still putting his personal spin on topics.

Pollsters know they can greatly influence results by adapting the poll with a combination of the following: (1) Who do we poll? (2) How do we poll? (3) What questions will we ask? (4) How will we frame those questions? Example: If you ask "Are you in favor of the government admitting foreign tourists to the country?" will likely get a different response than if you ask "Are you in favor of the government saving hundreds of thousands of jobs by increasing international tourism? In Bangkok, where most of nation's bureaucrats (and those who owe their jobs to them), middle class and hi-so reside, the picture is a lot rosier than in the northeast and the south. Those with good jobs aren't feeling the pain--at least not yet. Politicians know that the virus will at some point in the future cease to be a big issue. But there are no vaccines or antidotes to other lingering issues.

Gaybutton said: "The only thing that counts is what Thailand is gonna do and when they're going to do it, regardless whether their decisions make sense to us." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While I agree that's accurate, I'm reminded that "they" are politicians. Like politicians everywhere, they are influenced by public opinion. What they say today should not be confused with what they are inclined to say--or do--tomorrow or next week or next month. This is the greatest challenge the country has faced since the financial crisis of 1997. The swelling ranks of the unemployed and underemployed, coupled with graduating students with little hope of finding a job, creates political forces any politician can ill afford to ignore. What has changed in the 23 years since the last crisis is the emergence of social media. Ideas and opinions get circulated instantly among a younger and disenchanted audience. No one should underestimate their potential to influence the behavior of government. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From The Nation UTCC predicts 9.4% GDP contraction, up to Bt3trn in losses The Covid-19 outbreak has punched a Bt2-trillion hole in the Thai economy, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which has cut its projection for this year’s GDP to a 9.4 per cent contraction. The coronavirus outbreak has already cost Thai economy Bt2.1 trillion, which could rise to Bt3 trillion if the economy does not recover in the second half of the year, said Thanawat Polvichai, rector at UTCC. The university has almost doubled its projection of economic contraction in 2020 from 4.9 per cent to 9.4 per cent, said Thanawat, who is also chief adviser to the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting at the UTCC. The pandemic has severely impacted tourism, hotels, restaurants, trade, logistics and entertainment worth about Bt1.5 trillion. Meanwhile manufacturing and exports have taken a Bt500-billion hit. Drought has caused extra damage worth Bt76 billion, he said ====================================================================================== From Bangkok Post Hotels urged to end dual pricing scheme The Tourism and Sports Ministry is encouraging hotels in Thailand to offer fair packages to expatriates, avoiding price discrimination as the country aims to attract 2 million foreign residents to travel more domestically. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the ministry urged expatriate associations to travel domestically instead of going abroad, as they may face back-to-back 14-day quarantines when arriving at other destinations and then upon returning to Thailand. The idea has received some positive feedback from expatriates, but points of concern remain regarding local sentiment towards foreigners during the outbreak and overpriced accommodations. He said the Tourism Authority of Thailand is working with hoteliers and the Tourism Council of Thailand to ensure expatriates will receive the same hotel rates as locals.

From The Nation Thailand lifts barriers for more foreigners Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said on Monday (August 3) that more types of foreigners will be allowed to return to Thailand, such as: • Foreigners who hold a residential permit as well as their spouse and children; • Foreigners who hold a work permit and their spouse and children, as well as migrant workers who hold official documents allowing them to stay and work in Thailand; • Foreigners granted entry under special agreements, such as Thailand Elite cardholders. These groups are required to follow the Public Health Ministry’s measures strictly and spend 14 days at an alternative state quarantine site. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand confirmed these measures. ====================================================================================== From ThiaVisa News and Bangkok Insight Thailand must welcome back Chinese tourists now says leading tourism chief A leading tourism chief has said that it is time Thailand opens up again to foreign tourists and Chinese tourists in particular. The pandemic has left the Chinese largely friendless around the world and it's time that Thailand's "special relationship" with the Chinese was resumed. But it is also time that the Thais get more of their hands on the tourism dollar and not let cash seep out of the country. Surawat Akaraworamat, the secretary general of the Tourism Council of Thailand and vice president of ATTA was speaking at a seminar about Thai tourism and the economy. He said that if Thailand opened up its airspace the Chinese would come in good numbers. There was no need for a high level of marketing. They know very well about Thailand and would flood back in. Surawat said it was time for those in tourism areas to be asked their opinions about reopening the country. But Surawat said it was time for the Thais to review how to ensure that more tourism revenue stays in the country and does not flow abroad. He was referring to companies - many of them Chinese owned or owned in Thailand through proxies - who are involved in organising group tours. Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais. This needs to be addressed, he said at the seminar, particularly in the booking of accommodation.

From Reuters Philippines to reimpose stricter coronavirus lockdown in capital as cases spike MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines will reimpose a stricter coronavirus lockdown in and around the capital for two weeks from Tuesday, authorities said on Sunday, as the country struggles to contain infections that have jumped to more than 100,000 cases. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved placing Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan under so-called “Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine” (MECQ) until Aug. 18, his spokesman Harry Roque told reporters. Some businesses and public transport are expected to be closed in the capital, which is currently under the less restrictive General Community Quarantine classification. Work and quarantine passes will also be required, as authorities seek to restrict movements. Duterte’s move came after 80 local groups representing 80,000 doctors and a million nurses called for tighter controls, saying the country was losing the fight against the coronavirus. “I have heard you. Don’t lose hope. We are aware that you are tired,” Duterte said late on Sunday, addressing the medical frontliners during a televised speech after meeting cabinet members and his coronavirus task force.

From Manila Times Coronavirus infections in the Philippines surged past 100,000 on Sunday in a troubling milestone after medical groups declared that the country was waging “a losing battle” against the virus and asked President Rodrigo Duterte to reimpose a lockdown in Metro Manila. The Department of Health (DoH) reported a record-high daily tally of 5,032, bringing the total confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) case s in the country to 103,185, including more than 2,000 deaths. The Philippines has the second most cases in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and has had more infections than China, where the pandemic began late last year. Duterte eased a tough virus lockdown in Metro Manila — a city of more than 12 million people — on June 1 after the economy shrank slightly in the first quarter, its first contraction in more than two decades. After shopping malls and workplaces were partially reopened and limited public transport was allowed, infections spiked sharply with increased virus testing. More than 50,000 infections were reported in less than four weeks, and leading hospitals began warning that their coronavirus wards were fast being overwhelmed to capacity again as they were when cases soared alarmingly in April. After the President further relaxed quarantine restrictions and allowed more businesses — including gyms, internet cafes and tattoo shops — to reopen, leaders of nearly 100 medical organizations held an online news conference on Saturday and warned that the health system might collapse as many medical personnel could fall ill or resign out of fear, fatigue or poor working conditions. “Our healthcare workers are burnt out with the seemingly endless number of patients trooping to our hospitals,” the member-groups of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on Saturday appealed to Malacañang in a letter to President Duterte, which they read at a news conference. They pleaded for the President to reimpose a lockdown in Manila from August 1 to 15 to give health workers “a time out” and allow the government to recalibrate its response to the months-long pandemic. “We are waging a losing battle against Covid-19 and we need to draw up a consolidated, definitive plan of action,” said the groups, which represent more than a million nurses, doctors and other medical personnel.

From The Nation Rental condos priced at under Bt15,000 a month are seeing over 20 per cent growth while there is a big drop in demand for rental units priced at above Bt25,000, an industry executive said. Wathayut Thongphorm, managing director at Primo Service Solution, a subsidiary of Origin Property, said that the rental condominium market is growing in the price range of Bt10,000-Bt15,000 per month while condos in the range of Bt25,000 to Bt150,000 per month are seeing significant drop in customers. “Rental condos priced lower than Bt15,000 per month are growing at over 20 per cent, especially in the BTS-MRT zones,” he said. “The reason behind this is financial institutions' loan-to-value regulations, which limit the loans granted to each buyer. When people cannot get loan to buy property, they go for rental options instead.” “In contrast, luxury rental condos in the range of Bt25,000 to Bt150,000 per month are suffering from a drop in customers, as their main target groups are foreign travellers and executives of multinational companies, who are not able to enter Thailand at the moment due to the Covid-19 lockdown measures,” Wathayut added. “Sales of units in this sector have plummeted by more than 50 per cent, prompting some property owners to drop their prices by 20 to 30 per cent to attract other groups of customers.” Wathayut said that an estimate of 40 condominium projects under its management showed that the return on investment (ROI) on condos in the range of Bt10,000-Bt15,000 per month could rise to 4-5 per cent in the second half of 2020, while the ROI of luxury condos could fall from 5 per cent to 3 per cent in the same period. “It could be the second quarter of 2021 before foreigners are allowed into the country and this segment jumps back up again,” he said.