Today Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned people in 55 northern, north-eastern, central and eastern provinces to prepare for possible “strong winds and hail from summer storms”, that are expected through until Sunday. This time of the year is also know as the bridging season between the annual dry and wet seasons. Weather can be unsettled in parts of thailand during this time.

According to the forecast, the storms are due to the convergence of southerly and south-easterly winds, driven by the cold front over Vietnam, Laos and the South China Sea, and the increasingly warm weather over northern Thailand.

Summer storms, some severe, could affect the following provinces from today…

• Nan
• Phrae
• Uttradit
• Tak
• Kamphaeng Phet
• Sukhothai
• Phitsanuloke
• Phichit
• Phetchabun
• Loei
• Nong Bua Lamphu
• Nong KhaiBung Karn
• Udon Thani
• Sakhon Nakhon
• Nakhon Phanom
• Chaiyaphum
• Khon Kaen
• Kalasin
• Muk Dahan
• Maha Sarakham Roi-et
• Yasothon Amnat Charoen
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Buri Ram
• Surin
• Si Sa Ket
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Nakhon Sawan
• Lop Buri
• Saraburi
• Ayutthaya
• Bangkok
• Nakhon Nayok
• Prachin Buri
• Sa Kaew
• Chachoengsao
• Chon Buri
• Rayong
• Chanthaburi

On Saturday and Sunday, the storms are forecast in:

• Chiang Mai
• Lamphun
• Lampang
• Phayao
• Phrae
• Uttradit
• Sukhothai
• Tak
• Kamphaeng Phet
• Phitsanuloke
• Phichit
• Phetchabun
• Roi-et
• Loei
• Nong Bua Lamphu
• Nong Khai
• Bung Karn
• Udon Thani
• Sakhon Nakhon
• Nakhon Phanom
• Muk Dahan
• Chaiyaphum
• Kalasin
• Khon Kaen
• Maha Sarakham
• Roi-et
• Yasothon
• Amnat Charoen
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Buri Ram
• Surin
• Si Sa Ket
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Uthai Thani
• Nakhon Sawan
• Lop Buri
• Chainat
• Ang Thong
• Sing Buri
• Saraburi
• Ayutthaya
• Bangkok
• Nakhon Nayok
• Prachin Buri
• Sa Kaeo
• Chachoengsao
• Chon Buri
• Rayong
• Chanthaburi
• Trat

The weather department says people should beware of severe weather and keep off unsecured buildings and wilderness areas. Farmers should beware of crop damage. Ships at sea should proceed with caution and watch the forecast in their area..

SOURCE: Thai PBS World

Bangkok Airways has announced today that they will cancel all it domestic flights from April 7 – 30. The company’s vice president, Tresarum Sitakalin says the flights that are being cancelled are…

1. Bangkok – Chiang Mai
2. Bangkok – Phuket
3. Bangkok – Trat
4. Bangkok – Sukhothai
5. Bangkok – Samui
6. Samui – Phuket

“The company had previously decreased flight frequencies on these routes and also using some of their smaller ATR aircraft instead of their Airbus 320 aircraft.”

“From April 7 onwards until April 30, we will cancel all flights.”

Requesting for a refund can be done at www.bangkokair.com/refund or contact their ticketing offices at +662 270 6699 or Bangkok Airways Call Centre on 1771 . For passengers who purchased their tickets through travel agencies, please contact their travel agency directly.

SOURCE: The Nation

An urgent repatriation notice has been issued for Swiss and citizens in Thailand. According to Richard Barrow’s Twitter feed, flights are being urgently chartered to evacuate citizens of both nations: A notice posted on the Embassy of Switzerlad’s website reads…

For Swiss travellers in Thailand: Swiss charter flights from Thailand to Switzerland/update…

Bangkok – Zurich
– Good news: seats are still available for a 2nd charter on Sunday April 5 (at 13:05). To register, please send the requested information below for all concerned passengers to: bangkok.bkk@eda.admin.ch -> Deadline: Thursday April 2, 20:00

Phuket – Zurich
– The charter flight is now confirmed for Thursday, April 2, at 23:35. People who have registered will receive a confirmation soon.
– Good news: a few seats are still available. To register, please send the requested information below for all concerned passengers to bangkok.hkt@eda.admin.ch ->

Requested information to be sent…

1. Point of departure: Bangkok or Phuket
2. Family name, first name(s)
3. Date of birth
4. Passport number/Residence permit in Switzerland
5. Validity date of the passport or residence permit in Switzerland
6. Phone number where you can be reached at any time

• Please note that no health certificate is required to board on these flights. However, people with Covid-19 related symptoms are not allowed to travel. More information on these flights is available on our website (www.eda.admin.ch/bangkok)

A similar notise was posted for German nationals…

Due to the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, travel restrictions and requirements in Thailand are sometimes difficult to navigate. One netizen told The Thaiger this morning that Immigration officials in Hua Hin were demanding the following for an extension of stay…

• Application form (TM.7)
• Fee 1,900 baht
• 2 photographs (passport photo)
• Copy of applicant’s passport (Data page, Visa page, Stamp page, TM6 card)
• Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay from the embassy and consulate in Thailand
• Proof of address: In case stay at Hotel – Letter of confirmation of stay from hotel – Hotel booking – Photograph of foreigner at hotel 2-3 pictures. In case rent a house/condominium – Rental agreement – Copy of Lessor’s ID card and copy of Lessor’s house book – Copy of house book from where you rent – Photograph of foreigner at house/condominium 2-3 pictures
• In case of foreigner own the property – Copy of a house book – Copy of Title deed – Photograph of foreigner at the property 2-3 pictures
• Map from house to immigration
• Note: Foreigner must prepare all documents for 2 copies

SOURCES: Twitter | Embassy of Switzerland