Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Inflight catering ban on domestic flights in Thailand amid Covid-19 surge

Damn. I was looking forward to another stale sandwich wrapped in 7 layers of plastic, unable to open it for fear of elbowing the lady next to me, on my flight today.
Airlines flying domestic routes within Thailand have been instructed to not serve inflight meals or drinks from today. The ban has been introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand in a bid to mitigate the current surge in Covid-19 infections. Saran Benjanirat from the CAAT says that, while an exception can be made in the event of an emergency need, food or beverages will only be served in a separate zone, away from other passengers.
“If necessary, the airline operator can provide food or drink in a separated area to passengers who need it, away from other passengers as much as possible.”
“In addition, airlines can no longer provide magazines or newspapers, or any other reading material, with the exception of safety cards, in order to limit the number of surfaces or items passengers come into contact with. The new measures remain in place until further notice.” (Ummm, when was the last time you were offered a newspaper or magazine on a flight in Thailand?)
“Airlines will need to strictly adhere to other Covid-19 preventive measures announced by government agencies.”
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Thai DJ Celebrity party is likely to be “super spreader” event

The birthday party of Techin Ploypetch, better known as “DJ Matoom”, is now considered a super-spreader source of Covid-19, with 19 people already found infected after attending the event. According the CCSA spokesperson during the daily briefing today, “Transmissions in Bangkok should be highlighted. They show the possibility of a person becoming a super-spreader”.
The birth of the super spreader birthday party started with a guest to the DJ’s party who had visited a well-known entertainment venue in Chiang Mai between January 1 and 4. He sought a Covid-19 test on January 5 following news that infected people had visited the pub, but tested negative. He should have self quarantined for 14 days, but he still flew to Bangkok and then attended the DJ celebrity’s birthday party on January 9.
DJ Matoom says he met the guest, one of his friend, on January 9, but that friend didn’t know he was infected until January 19 in which he told Matoom.
According to Dr Tanarak Plipat, now acting inspector-general of the Public Health Ministry, an infected person can transmit disease to two others on average, while a “super spreader” will transmit to multiple people.
DJ Matoom and the party’s guest were criticised of violating the disease control measures.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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Thailand
Thailand’s tourism targets film production to gain revenue during Covid-19 crisis

Thailand’s tourism officials have a new idea to draw in visitors: film production. The Tourism and Sports Ministry is aiming to generate around 3 billion baht from foreign film crews and is targeting projects with an investment over 100 million baht, hoping to compensate for the loss of revenue due to the lack of international tourists during the coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign tourism revenue drastically dropped nearly 83% in 2020, going from nearly 40 million tourists in 2019 to only 6.7 million tourists in 2020.
The tourism department’s director-general Anant Wongbenjarat says that Thailand welcomed 176 international film productions to the country last year, generating 1.73 billion baht for the local economy. But this is a sharp decrease compared to the previous year where the 740 foreign film crews generated 4.86 billion baht.
In August, the CCSA decided to grant special entry permission to film productions. 53 film production projects were based in Thailand during August and December, contributing 1.14 billion baht to the economy. Those entering Thailand must still undergo a 14 day quarantine.
“International productions can proceed and generate income for locals despite the tourism slowdown.”
Anant also says there are 4 more film production projects underway, and it is forecasted to generate 186 million baht, bringing the total to 57 projects. In the first half of this year, there will be nine more productions expected to come in and help create at least 800 jobs for locals.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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World
Moderna vaccine is proved ‘protective’ against Covid-19 variants

As fear over new variants of Covid-19 had prompted the travel restrictions to tighten worldwide, the United States biotech firm Moderna announced that its vaccine should protect against the variants identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Latest studies on the efficacy of Moderna vaccines confirmed that the vaccines are effective and protective against new variants. The company will continue more tests adding a second booster of its vaccine, bringing to 3 shots in a total.
“We are encouraged by these new data, which reinforce our confidence that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should be protective against these newly detected variants.”
Last month, a private hospital in Bangkok advertised pre-orders for the Moderna vaccine, which still needs approval from Thailand’s FDA. Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support demanded that the hospital remove the advertisements.
In the ads, the hospital was charging 4,000 baht for a booking of the vaccine. In the post the hospital said the vaccine would arrive in Thailand in October 2021. They also announced that the vaccine would cost 6,000-10,000 baht.
Health officials say private hospitals will be allowed to administer vaccines that are approved by the FDA. So far, the Thai government has only approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use. The first batch of 50,000 doses are expected to arrive next month. Frontline health care workers and vulnerable groups in high risk areas will be first to receive the vaccine.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Toby Andrews
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:26 am
Oh very convenient for the airlines. They save money.
I can never remember ever having free food on a domestic flight in Thailand anyway. I always had to buy it, but never did because the flights were so short.
Yes and was never offered a newspaper.
But then they say they can provide food and beverage in a separated area. Or do they mean if the passenger pays for it?
Another Thai scam . . .
Alte Ledertasche
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 12:18 pm
Thats right…its another thing they use covid for…had the sane experience in bangkok recently..no in room dining…selection of breakfast reduced to a minimum…what was so called 5 star hotelsnow turns out crappy though prices in this facilities remain nearly the same than pre covid…so no incl. Breakfast booking anymore
Geoff
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 12:50 pm
WE gives free snacks, ie sandwich, tea, coffee, soft drinks.
Malc Thai
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:31 am
Food offered to people who need it! So the longest flight time domestically is? And you cant go without food that long
Alte Ledertasche
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 12:22 pm
I dont think that Thai, BKK Airways and Thai smile will reduce their pricing though, another way to generate add. revenue, nothing else.
Keith
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:44 am
Thank god for that, now the planes wont reek of stale noodles and the cabin crew will be able to give better service as they don’t have to serve crap that no one wants
Geoff
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 12:52 pm
What about consuming your own stuff on board? Previously discouraged.
Mr cynic
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 6:07 am
Probably owing the food and beverage suppliers money and they’ve had enough.
Rasputin
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 10:27 pm
You are probably correct, I’d not considered that. I don’t know why passengers actually NEED food on a short flight anyway, if I was hungry I would pick something up at the airport, at least then you would have a decent choice from many dishes, not pick 1 out of 2 choices.