Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Thai PM urges people not to travel over New Year holiday

“Please stay home.” That’s the message from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is calling on people to avoid travel over the forthcoming New Year holiday. Thailand is currently experiencing a resurgence of the Covid-19 virus, after going months without a case of local transmission. Yesterday, the Kingdom reported 155 new cases, with over 2,100 active cases. Only 10 of yesterday’s new infections are arrivals from overseas. As several provinces report a rise in cases, the PM says everyone must stay home and avoid all but essential travel.
“We may have to celebrate New Year at home this year and with a limited number of people.”
Despite the PM’s appeal to limit or avoid travel, there is no nationwide ban on movement between the provinces, although each one has its own measures in place, depending on the severity of the Covid situation locally. The PM warns that some measures may be quite strict and frustrating to visitors but is urging everyone to use the Thai Chana contact-tracing platform and to adhere to all Covid-19 preventative measures.
According to the Bangkok Post, the PM has neither confirmed nor denied that another nationwide lockdown may be coming once the New Year holiday period is over. He says this will depend on what the Covid-19 situation looks like at that point, adding that he believes it is unlikely to be so bad as to require another national lockdown.
Meanwhile, Taweesilp Visanuyothin from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says provinces with high rates of infection have imposed stricter restrictions. Yesterday, it was confirmed that a total of 45 provinces have recorded new infections. The central province of Samut Sakhon, where the latest outbreak is believed to have originated, has imposed a curfew and banned New Year celebrations. Festivities have also been banned in the eastern province of Rayong, with entertainment venues closed and an alcohol ban in place. In addition, food can only be purchased from supermarkets or takeaway stalls.
Taweesilp says the rules may be relaxed or tightened, subject to the public’s compliance or not. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, who has described the latest outbreak as “not severe”, says restrictions will be reviewed around January 3-4.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
Government in control of Mor Chana app, says user data will be kept private

The Thai government is taking full control of the Mor Chana application, which is used to trace Covid-19 infections and alert users if they are in a high risk area. The Digital Economy and Society Minister says the government will still be working closely with the app developers, adding that users can be assured that their data will be kept private.
The Mor Chana Volunteer Team, the app developer, made a post on their Facebook page saying the Mor Chana contact tracing application will be 100% under government management and control from now. The team will be responsible only for the open source programme development. The post has prompted public comments about the reason behind the application handover to the government.
Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta says the government will take full responsibility for the application management and control measures, but the collaboration with the app developers will continue. The developer team’s announcement is just to inform the public about the app.
He also says some app functions will be redesigned and adjusted to be more friendly to use and won’t violate users’ data privacy. Personal information such as users’ names and mobile numbers for registration won’t be required anymore.
SOURCE: Post Today
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Visitors to Phuket from “highest risk” areas must show Covid-19 test results

People arriving Phuket from the “highest risk” areas are required to take a swab test by the staff at emergency operation centres (EOC) or show the test result document endorsed by the EOC staff made within 72 hours of their arrival. The revised order is effective from now until January 31, according to the Phuket Governor.
Those people who are on a brief business trip to Phuket need to show certificates from their employers describing the reason and necessity of their trips. If they want to leave their accommodations, they have to make a request to the EOC and clearly explain the reason as well as the time and destination. Visitors are also asked to avoid going to the community areas to avoid crowded gatherings.
It is noted that the revised order by the governor has not been officially promoted by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. However, all visitors are still asked to register online via the Mor Chana contact tracing application and via www.gophuget.com according to the order re-issued on Friday.
SOURCE: Phuket News
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
High demand for health insurance due to Covid-19 worries, premiums expected to rise

With the increasing demands for health insurance due to people’s worries over Covid-19, health insurance premiums are expected to grow 1.59% this year, according to the Insurance Commission.
Commission secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn says total premiums will see 101 billion baht revenues this year, an increase from 99 billion baht last year. He adds that the Covid-19 situation is a major factor in higher demand for health insurance policies as medical expenses are likely to increase every year.
Some insurance companies in Thailand have also found an increasing demand for health coverage policies among their customers, especially those with high purchasing power.
Deputy CEO of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Thailand says the company will offer annual premiums starting at 15,000 baht.
“The company aims to increase health insurance premiums to 50% this year from 40% last year.”
Cigna Insurance CEO says the company will use digital technology for product and service development to meet customers’ demands in the new normal lifestyle.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Thailand4 days ago
Thailand to introduce 300 baht “tourism fee” to insure foreign visitors, manage tourist destinations
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
Covid-19 measures and safety restrictions to be reviewed at the end of the month
- Crime4 days ago
Koh Samui senior police officer faces charges for allegedly raping a suspect
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thailand threw a tourism party. No one arrived.
- Bangkok2 days ago
BTS skytrain maximum fare rate increasing to 158 baht despite backlash
- Central Thailand4 days ago
Student arrested in dormitory at night, charged with lèse majesté offences
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
At least 33 police officers, officials, implicated in migrant smuggling operation
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Norway adjusts advice after 28 possible vaccine-related deaths of elderly people
Alte Ledertasche
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:03 am
TAT will surely like this…lets travel together…LOL
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:05 am
Yes that picture again.
He looks like a pensioner caught shoplifting.
Fred glue
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:10 am
One of your best Toby, keep the good work up…😄😄
Nipral
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 7:42 am
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Issan John
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:47 am
Maybe he should have had a word with the TAT before they encouraged people to travel over the holiday, and with his deputy who said the Covid outbreak was “not severe”.
Saying “please don’t, but you can if you want” seldom works even if the person saying it is widely respected, so it has little chance of working here coming from anyone anywhere in the political spectrum.
There’s no point in being dictatorial if you fail to dictate when it’s most needed, so let’s hope Thailand’s lucky over the next few weeks as that’s what it’ll be down to.
Roger
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8:42 am
Good Post
Sadly saying “not severe”
Was a huge error
This could lead to a super spread over the New Year
Thai people just looking for an excuse to party and drink
“Not Severe ” could be that excuse
Good Luck Thailand
Peter
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Too little too late for are ‘i’m alright’ expat friends on the board.
Governor of Chonburi has just enforced a lockdown including Pattaya and Jomtein.
Takeaway fron restaurants only. Just like good old Blighty.
Now they are begging people not too travel.
Apparently, the air quality is so bad in Bangkok that masks are being suggested as well.
The next few days are to be crisp, cold days in the UK. Hopefully, the Oxford vaccine gets the nod this week.
Have fun in Thailand guys and gals. So glad I’m at home in the good old UK.
Best of British luck.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:15 pm
I’m glad you’re at home in Ireland, too, not here.
Very pleasant here, though, but with crisp, cool days rather than cold, wet ones. Thanks for the wishes, though.
Peter
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Wrong again Loser John.
The weather in the UK has been bright, dry, cold and fresh.
I was in Roi Et in June 2019, the sun would have stripped bark off a tree.
The UK still has 4 seasons, Thailand has 2, hot and humid or wet and humid.
To be fair Isaan at this time of year can be cool.
Cold on your ass in the outside squat toilet John.
Ian
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm
So we can travel in Thailand on cheap subsidy ,now please dont from the clown leader what a crazy government do they not talk to each other
Nipral
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 7:43 am
Is that the moron who advocates many more long week-end ? To stay home I suppose !!!
Roger
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8:52 am
I have a wife still In Thailand … Just left for home AU before Virus started
This New Year could see the greatest super spread of this Virus worldwide if we are not
very responsible
I hope I am wrong however humans are very stupid sometimes I do not feel confident that responsibility will prevail
Thailand the Virus is back even AU now has problems with this new strain
May God help us cos we do not seem to want to help ourselves
Even with a vaccine
could be a year or more until travel is safe again
I do miss my wife