Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Travellers undergoing yacht quarantine to wear wristbands to track location and monitor health

Foreign tourists travelling to Thailand by yacht and undergoing the mandatory quarantine period onboard the vessel will be asked to wear a smart wristband to monitor their health and track their location. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency teamed up with Advanced Info Service, known as AIS, and Phuket tourism operators to launch the so-called “Digital Yacht Quarantine” programme.
Apparently, tourist disappearances aren’t that uncommon and the digital tracking wristbands will help make sure tourists are safe. Here’s what the Bangkok Post wrote:
The use of the wristband also ensures the safety of tourists as about two tourists disappear from Phuket each month while travelling and it costs 4-5 million baht to search for each person.
Along with tracking location, the smart wristbands also monitor pulse, blood pressure and body temperature. If there is an emergency, an alert will be sent to authorities.
The yacht quarantine is expected to bring in 1.8 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to the Bangkok Post. About 100 yachts set to dock in Thailand with around 300 to 500 tourists are expected to undergo the onboard quarantine.
Since restrictions were imposed last year on international travel, tourism officials have been brainstorming ways to bring in foreign travellers safely, without risking the spread of the coronavirus, to help revive tourism dependent areas. Last year, Phuket lost 320 billion baht in revenue and the number of tourists on the island dropped from 40,000 to 50,000 visitors per day to just hundreds, according to the Post.
The agency’s president and chief executive Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin says the island province is a “magnet” tourist attraction.
“Tourism is a key sector where technology can be used to address the problem and boost travel.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Hotel blog suggests Phuket should push ahead with July reopening despite Covid surge

A hotel information blog is claiming that, despite growing Covid-19 numbers, Phuket should stick to its schedule in reopening to travellers without quarantine in July. That’s only 2 and a half months away.
In an interview with the Director of Travel and Tourism Consulting at GlobalData, they stressed that while it is crucial to reign in the spread of Covid-19 and the B117 strain now manacing Thailand, the risk must not overshadow the need teo push forward with vaccinations and the march towards eliminating the quarantine by July in order to save the tourism industry and all those dependent on it.
“The Phuket pilot program is essential in creating a path towards economic recovery for Thailand, a country heavily dependent on tourism. More than 17% of Thailand’s gross domestic product is attributed to tourism and the Covid-19 pandemic has lead to the worst economic free-fall in over 20 years”
The blog acknowledges the inherent risk and possible appearance of foolishness to prioritise the plans to reopen and carry on with the same rollout schedule. But they urge Thai authorities to consider that July 1 is still 2 and a half months away, leaving ample time to recover and make progress towards the approaching Phuket reopening. A vital aspect of the reopening plan lies in vaccinating over 70% of Phuket’s provincial residents, a sizable task, but one that brings great benefit with or without the scheduled reopening.
“Pushing ahead to achieve this goal puts Phuket on track to welcome back tourists, perhaps in a “bio-bubble”, and restart the economy. The economy is desperate with household debt growing, pushing the government to enact emergency decrees to provide relief. These households need the return of tourism and the influx of cash international tourists will bring.”
The blog hopes that Thai authorities can balance the necessary Covid-19 safety measures in Phuket to protect the Thai population with the economic need to bring back tourism. They believe that with sufficient measures in place, vaccinated locals could welcome vaccinated international tourists back to Phuket reopening safely in July.
SOURCE: Hotel News Resource
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Chon Buri
Chon Buri adds 99 new Covid-19 infections today

The Chon Buri Covid-19 cluster is spreading with the Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office confirming 99 new cases today. The province, which contains Pattaya, seems to be following a growing infection trend. The Pattaya area saw 47 new cases, and Mueang Chon Buri had 41 cases, with other districts having less than 5 each. 2 people infected with Covid-19 were brought from outside Chon Buri for treatment locally. The new cases bring the total number of Covid-19 infections in the province up to 710 people.
While infections are on the rise, officials advise that the numbers are not showing a severe or exponential increase and are in line with daily averages. They say the growing numbers are more likely due to “diligent testing throughout the community”, especially in nightlife venues and popular entertainment districts. 984 cautionary tests were administered today along with 342 people suspected to have been in close contact with Covid-19 infected people.
Within the new infections, 41 people are still being investigated to find the source of the virus, while 29 people were family members or close contacts of other infected people.
The sources of new infections are…
- PATTAYA
- 3 infections at The Box 69 Pattaya
- 3 infections at Cetus Pattaya
- 3 infections at Garden 168
- 1 infection at Bone Pattaya
- 1 infection at Insomnia Pattaya
- OTHER AREAS IN CHON BURI
- 5 infections at Flintstone’s Pub in Meung Chon Buri, the source of 137 cases total.
- 4 infections at Infinity Siracha
- 3 infections at 2.7 Replay Bang Saen
- FROM OUTSIDE CHON BURI
- 4 infections at Entertainment venues in Bangkok
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Northern Thai provinces starting Covid restrictions as 3rd wave spreads

Thailand’s northern provinces are starting to impose more self-quarantines or travel restrictions to combat the recent Covid-19 outbreak that has spread quickly throughout northern Thailand. Phichit and Lampang provinces are the latest in northern Thailand to impose a variety of covid-19 restrictions on people entering.
A Thailand Interior Ministry told Chiang Rai Times that the longer list emphasises the seriousness of the 3rd wave of the coronavirus. The new wave originated in nightlife venues in Bangkok and has spread to 74 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, as of yesterday. Health inspectors believe the new and more contagious UK strain of Covid-19, named B117, arrived in Thailand from Cambodia through migrants.
But as the CCSA has largely placed restrictions in the hands of each provincial government, many are confused about what guidelines they must follow upon entering certain provinces. Northern Thailand’s Lampang province, for example, orders visitors from Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom and Chiang Mai to report immediately to local health authorities or officials, but it does not require them to undergo quarantine for 2 weeks if test results are negative.
Visitors are advised to check updated information at moicovid.com as the rules are different in each province. So far, 42 provinces have imposed self-quarantine. Phichit, Lampang and Ubon Ratchathani were the latest to join 39 other provinces imposing a variety of restrictions on people entering their provinces.
Visitors to the website posted multiple questions, mostly on whether they needed to be quarantined.
Provinces that impose self-quarantine or other requirements on travellers:
NORTH
- Chiang Mai
- Kamphaeng Phet
- Lampang
- Lamphun
- Nan
- Phayao
- Phetchabun
- Phichit
- Phitsanulok
- Phrae
- Tak
- Uttaradit
NORTHEAST
- Amnat Charoen
- Bung Kan
- Buri Ram
- Chaiyaphum
- Khon Kaen
- Maha Sarakham
- Mukdahan
- Nakhon Phanom
- Nakhon Ratchasima
- Nong Bua Lam Phu
- Nong Khai
- Sakon Nakhon
- Ubon Ratchathani
- Udon Thani
- Yasothon
CENTAL AND EAST
- Chai Nat
- Lop Buri
- Nakhon Sawan
- Sa Kaeo
- Saraburi
- Sing Buri
- Uthai Thani
SOUTH
- Chumphon
- Narathiwat
- Pattani
- Phangnga
- Ranong
- Satun
- Songkhla
- Trang
SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times
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Ray
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 3:42 pm
A wristband that registers blood pressure? I doubt it.
Toby Andrews
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 3:55 pm
I do not see why Phuket is becoming excited. Are these not foreign owned yachts?
If so Phuket hotels will not be able to grab the big quarantine fees.
All Phuket will make is yacht mooring fees, with utility services.
Plus food and drink supplies to the yacht.
When the quarantine ends many passenger meals will be taken on board!
The Thais owning restaurants will be on the dockside with empty pockets and tears running down their faces.
Tragic! 😄
Nipral
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 4:20 pm
“Travelers undergoing yacht quarantine…” You mean the 3 of them ?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Nipral
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 4:27 pm
“Apparently tourists disappearances aren’t that uncommon…” 😂😂😂😂😂
You bet !
ALL tourists disappeared !!!
(and not ready to get back)
EdwardV
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5:06 pm
This story is written like no yacht has shown up yet. I thought they started letting yachts dock a couple of months or more ago. Wristbands? The excuse of being worried about crewmen’s welfare seems a bit flimsy to me.
Jason
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Looks like the site moderator took the night off….
Issan John
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 7:49 pm
So the “300 to 500 tourists” are “expected to bring in 1.8 billion baht in tourism revenue” – that’s between 3.6 and 6 million baht EACH.
… and these aren’t exactly “superyachts”, but yachts with only 3 – 5 on board.
GAFM. 😢
Olga
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 7:56 pm
it would be nice to microchip tourists as pets, this should be done for the safety of tourists lol