Bangkok
New VIP lane at Suvarnabhumi, as long as you’re Chinese

PHOTOS: Thai Tourist Police
Arriving on an international flight at Suvarnabhumi airport? Long lines at Immigration? No problem – please use the new special VIP lane, as long as you’re Chinese.
As the Ministry of Touristm and Sport and the Tourist Police go on a charm offensive to restore confidence in the Thai travel market, a new special Chinese Immigration line has been established at the country’s five largest airports.
Mr Everywhere, Maj Gen “Big Joke” Surachet Hakpal (who has been photographed in four different parts of the country in the last two days) and Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Prayoonsiri at Region 2 immigration did today’s photo-opportunity honours at the opening of the new fast-track lanes. How many lanes devoted to Chinese tourists?
18 – Suvarnabhumi
21 – Don Mueang
18 – Phuket
10 – Hat Yai
8 – Chiang Mai
The Tourist Police website says that Thailand did not want to be seen as taking advantage of the Chinese. They say VIP measures were already in place to give Chinese tourists every assistance from the plane to their waiting transport outside the airport.
They said they were looking at short term and long term ideas to help address particular problems faced by Chinese tourists. There was no specific mention of the recent drop in Chinese tourists and the many cancelled travel plans to Thailand, particularly Phuket.
There are no plans for special ‘VIP’ lanes for other nationalities at this stage.
SOURCE: Thai Tourist Police, ThaiVisa
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Tourism
Thai temple tour, via a jet ski on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya | VIDEO

In this brief video, Chris our Thaiger ‘adventure’ Vlogger, takes you on a ride through the Chao Phraya River…on a jet ski! There are plenty of ways for tourists to take the well-trodden path of temple-hopping whilst in Thailand. THIS is a very fresh view of some of the famous river’s lesser known temples.
You can stop off and a look around (make sure you’re dressed appropriately) during your very-own river trip. The Chao Phraya River is the main river that runs through Thailand, and for 2,500 Thai baht you can rent out a jet ski and do some temple hopping as well as speeding your way around Ko Kret.
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Protests
Pro-democracy activists rally against corrupt police promotion system

The pro-democracy group, Ratsadon, held a rally in Bangkok yesterday, this time with their sights set on Thailand’s police force and the corrupt practices involved in promotion. The system in which officers have to pay bribes to senior figures, allegedly including senior politicians, was highlighted in a debate in parliament last week.
Activists met at the Ratchaprasong intersection in the capital at around 5pm and stayed there for an hour, according to a Thai PBS World report. However, most of the speakers were unknown faces, with more prominent leaders, such as Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul, aka, “Rung”, and Mike Rayong notably absent. Those who addressed the crowd called on “honest” officers to join them in the fight for justice, as they slammed the widespread nepotism and corruption that is allegedly rife in the police force.
Protesters then marched to the nearby headquarters of the Royal Thai Police and sat on the street outside while speeches continued. At one point, an activist read out a letter which the group says was written by a police officer and addressed to his colleagues. In it, the officer calls on his colleagues to decide if they are serving the people or those in power, and asks them if they think they’ve been fairly treated by their bosses or used for political purposes. After the reading, rally participants were given copies of the letter.
The protest dispersed peacefully around 8.30pm, with organisers saying another rally is planned for today. Activists are being asked to wear black and will gather in front of the Criminal Court in a symbolic show of mourning for the country’s justice system. The “mourning” will last for 112 minutes, to protest Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, also known as the lèse majesté law. Participants will also call for the release of 4 detained protest leaders, Parit Chiwarak, Anon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsook, and Patiwat Saraiyaem.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
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Bangkok
Bangkok bars are back open, restaurants serving booze again

Bangkok bars are back in business. People flocked to the city’s streets last night after hearing the news that bars could reopen and restaurants could start serving alcohol again… as long as they close by 11pm. Some started rolling out their mobile bars stocked beer and liquor, setting it up along a busy street. Restaurants changed their signs, erasing 9pm and writing 11pm. Bars reopened, turning on the lights and turning up the music. Even a street performer dressed up in a robot costume (or maybe it was a knock-off Transformer) was out by the Sukhumvit-Asok intersection.
The easing of disease control restrictions officially set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration kicks in on Monday, but provincial authorities have been given the “okay” to the lift the restrictions earlier. In Bangkok’s case, local officials gave the nod immediately.
Live music is now allowed, but customers are not allowed to dance. Bars, pubs, restaurants and other nightlife venues must close by 11pm. Click HERE to read the new disease control regulations by zone.
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