News
French expat rescued off Phuket, jet-ski and parasail ban remains in force today

A French expat on a dinghy has been rescued in Ao Yon, Wichit yesterday (June 19) while the Phuket Marine Office has announced that jet-skis and parasails will remain beached until today (June 20).
Maj Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police was notified at 1.30pm yesterday that a French man, 78 year old Claude Gasca, had been rescued off the coast of Cape Panwa.
Maj Eakkachai says, “Mr Gasca disappeared after took off from Chalong Pier on a dinghy on Monday (June 18) night heading to his sailboat name ‘Striana’ which was moored off Ao Yon beach. “
“Yesterday (June 19) his Thai wife, Montatip Tongkhao, said she was unable to contact him. So she called the police. The search was lunched by the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (NAC3).”
“At 5.30pm yesterday, we were notified that Mr Gasca had been found safe by a friend and taken back to Chalong Pier. He was taken to the Mission Hospital as he was very weak.”
“Mr Gasca told us that after he had retired, he lived in Phuket with his Thai wife. Every day he travels in his dinghy to his sailboat in the sea. On Monday night there were very strong winds and waves. The dinghy was washed ashore and got stuck in a mangrove forest.”
“His friend, who was on another boat, had rescued him. His mobile phone was soaking with water. So he cannot contact his wife.”
The chief of the Phuket Marine Office has ordered authorities at all ports and piers, as well as the boat operators, to be careful heading out to sea, including today (June 20).
Read more HERE.
However some Jet-skis and parasail operators still operated their services during the inclement weather. The Phuket Maine Office has announced a ban of jet-ski and parasails rides from yesterday until today.
“Legal action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law”, says the Chief.
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Protests
Miss Universe Thailand sacked from mental health role over political comments

Miss Universe Thailand, 28 year old Amanda Chalisa Obdam, has been sacked by the Department of Mental Health over political comments posted on Facebook. The Thai-Canadian woman was appointed as mental health ambassador on February 25, having won the Miss Universe Thailand title in October.
Nation Thailand reports that her dismissal is due to comments she posted on Facebook in October, in which she criticised the use of violence against people. She was posting on the same day police had used water cannon laced with tear gas against unarmed anti-government protesters in Bangkok.
Panpimol Wipulakorn from the Department of Mental Health has explained Obdam’s dismissal by saying she was appointed to promote mental health work, to provide information, and to carry out voluntary work. She says the dismissal is to avoid confusing the public, adding that Obdam has not received any special privileges during her time in the role.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Tourism
Covid-free Samui, Phangan, Tao offer tourism discounts until end of April

The Covid-free gulf islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao are offering special discounts and privileges to tourists until the end of April. Over 80 tourism operators are taking part in the scheme which can be accessed by clicking on www.samui-phangan-tao-speciallink.com.
Surat Thani, which includes Koh Samui, is 1 of 4 provinces to receive the first delivery of the Covid vaccine after being considered an area of economic significance, along with Chon Buri, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
SUP ROY or Stand Up Paddle on Koh Samui is one of the operators offering discounts with schedules available on suproysamui at least until May 2021.
Central World in Bangkok is hosting a “3 Wonder Island” tourism promotion from March 11-17 , 2021, with special discounts from 50 tourism operators on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The Tourism And Transport Authority along with Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association are organising the event.
The “Phangan Privilege Card” is also being promoted to allows holders to enjoy discounts at hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourism-related businesses on Koh Phangan that are members of the Koh Phangan Hotel and Tourism Association. To access the promotion, visit: Koh Phangan Hotel and Tourism Association.
The famous diving island of Koh Tao is offering the “Dive to the Nature” project to promote eco-friendly tourism. Visitors can elect to take part in ocean and beach cleanups, or coral reef restorations among other activities. The island is also promoting a new eco-tourism route development that caters to tourists in the new normal era. To find out more, visit: Koh Tao Tourism Association.
Bangkok Airways, Koh Samui’s only airline, is offering a special one-way fare on the Bangkok-Samui or Samui-Bangkok sector, starting from 2,000 baht. Bookings can be made from now until April 30, 2021, for travel until June 30, 2021, at www.bangkokair.com.
The TAT Koh Samui Office is teaming up with Raja Ferry and Seatran Ferry, to offer a coupon worth 250 baht per vehicle ferry to Koh Samui on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) until April 30, 2021. For more info, contact: LINE Office: @tatkohsamui.
For more tourism activities on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, see Facebook: TAT Koh Samui or LINE Office: @tatkohsamui.
SOURCE: TAT News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Governor of Samut Sakhon recovering from Covid-19 after more than 40 days on ventilator

The governor of the central province of Samut Sakhon is slowly recovering after more than 2 months battling Covid-19. Weerasak Wichitsangsri tested positive for the virus in late December and subsequently ended up on a ventilator for over 40 days. It’s understood Weerasak’s time on the ventilator was a record for the hospital and at times, medics were unsure if he would recover.
Prasit Watanapa from the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital says Weerasak is now off the ventilator and able to breathe normally, as well as talking, walking, and eating unaided. The Pattaya News reports that the governor’s symptoms improved over the last week, but he remains under close medical supervision. Prasit says he will be tested for antibodies, to determine if he should receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Only his muscle functions still need to be treated. The medical team is considering if the governor could have his rehabilitation at home or at Siriraj Hospital. It all depends on his further recovery.”
Weerasak has now been in hospital for more than 2 months, after testing positive for the virus on December 28, after attending a meeting at Samut Sakhon hospital. The central province is seen as the epicentre of the second wave of the virus, which emerged late last year. Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who was also at the meeting, had to self-isolate following Weerasak’s diagnosis.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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