Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Thai PM calls for unity in latest Covid fight, hints at further restrictions

The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has called on all citizens to unite in the fight against Covid-19, while implying further restrictions may be introduced. In a televised address to the nation, he said the virus outbreak in the central province of Samut Sakhon has now resulted in over 1,000 infections but is being dealt with through strict measures. He added that Thailand could end up being the least-affected country in the world if everyone in the Kingdom unites to defeat the virus.
Referring to escalating cases around the world, the PM says the global crisis and economic fallout will have a significant impact on Thailand’s recovery, adding that strict controls on foreigners entering the Kingdom will remain in place. He has tasked the relevant authorities with monitoring all points of entry, including airports, ports, train and bus stations, and natural border crossings. His assurances come after the Royal Thai Army issued a statement saying it was impossible to control every bit of Thailand’s porous border with Myanmar.
Touching on year-end celebrations, the PM has said while it’s too soon to make a decision, festivities may end up having to be cancelled or at the very least face tougher restrictions. He has also called for tough action on trafficking gangs guilty of smuggling migrant workers into Thailand without any health checks or quarantine.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Thailand
111 people arrested at Koh Pha Ngan party for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions

Police raided a party in Koh Pha Ngan and arrested 111 on charges of violating Covid-19 disease control measures under the Emergency Decree. Immigration police and tourist police raided the event at Three Sixty Bar, a venue on a hilltop near Mae Haad Beach on the island known for its 360 degree view.
Out of the 111 people arrested, 89 are foreigners and 20 are Thais. Police say 2 other people admitted to organising the party and were charged with colluding in operating an entertainment venue without permission. All 111 people were taken to the police station for legal action.
According to chief of Surat Thani immigration, police heard about party tickets being sold online. The bar wasn’t exactly discrete about hosting an event. Various posts were made on Facebook advertising the “360 Blast & Addict Party” with DJs on 2 dance floors, a music line up until 2am and a “Crazy Market” with clothes, jewelry and food.
Surat Thani Governor also says strict legal action will be taken against the partygoers and breaches of Covid-19 restrictions will not be tolerated.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | PR Surat
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Thailand
Phuket eases restrictions, bars back to late-night hours

Things are getting back to normal in Phuket. The provincial government eased disease control restrictions, allowing restaurants, bars and entertainment venues to go back to their normal operating hours – no more midnight closure order – and lifting the late-night alcohol ban.
While bars can now stay open late and serve alcohol after midnight, dancing is prohibited and venues cannot serve alcohol in containers that will be shared among groups of people.
The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee agreed to ease the restrictions yesterday and an order allowing late-night hours and alcohol sales was posted today by the Phuket’s Public Relations Department.
“As the Covid-19 situation in Phuket has improved that there are no more Covid-19 infections found, the committee agreed to cancel the late-night alcohol ban in order to revive the economy of Phuket.”
All businesses related to gathering activities are warned to follow the Covid-19 preventive measures.
SOURCE: Phuket News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Covid-19 death toll exceeds 100,000 in the UK, government mulls quarantine for travellers

With the Covid-19 death toll exceeding 100,000 in the United Kingdom, the British government is considering a mandatory hotel quarantine for visitors entering the country. A quarantine system is considered to be an effective way to limit virus transmission and stop new coronavirus variants from spreading into the country.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with senior officials in a meeting yesterday, saying that the government will consider tighter border measures. UK citizens and residents arriving from most of southern Africa and South America, as well as Portugal, will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days at their own expense.
Currently, people arriving in the UK from abroad must show the Covid-19 test results, while direct flights from South Africa, Brazil, and Portugal are banned to prevent the spreading of new variants in the Kingdom.
Hotel quarantine measures have been used in Australia, New Zealand, China, India, and Singapore, but the disease control practice has not been widely used in Europe.
In Thailand, those who enter the country from abroad must quarantine for 14 days at either a state quarantine facility or at an alternative quarantine hotel. Travellers must also be tested for Covid-19 before their flight to Thailand and tested at least another 2 times before they are released from quarantine.
SOURCE: Associated Press
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Fred glue
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 9:25 am
Merry Xmas too all, it’s just sad. I love Xmas I really do ever since I was a kid. Just stay at home for 7-10 days
We cannot loose anchor in this stupid virus, people that are sick & unwell please get better.
Kristof
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:29 am
PM is right: unified response is best strategy. I see no reason we can’t celebrate New Years on a different date if necessary. The virus doesn’t care at all if we think out social customs are above it. As long as it has (or is given) an opportunity to spread, none of our rituals or cultural events can resist it. Take it as a humbling reminder that no matter how powerful we humans think we’ve become it is insignificant in comparison to the laws of logic and power of nature. If changing New Year celebrations means preventing a larger outbreak then we need to bend, not falsely insist the hit coming is not strong and stand there taking it in the face.
Peter
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Welcome to the world of lockdowns.
Europe is closed for 3 months over winter and it’s going to take months if not years to vaccinate everyone.
To all the Brit bashing expats stuck in Thailand, it will be AstraZeneca and Oxford that get you out of this mess eventually.
More than you deserve.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 2:34 pm
The “Brits” have only themselves to blame for any “bashing” having first chosen a known bluffer and buffoon to run the country, then for repeatedly ignoring both the scientific advice and the rules.
Only a minority in both cases, to be fair, but the results are as they are.
Stefan Svensson
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Just close all places like bars and massage parlours,food places etc. Its just problems with social distancing in places like that. Hopefully they will celebrate Songkran 2021, but who knows.