News
One Chinese drowns, two others rescued at Koh Racha

Yesterday (June 21) strong waves battered three Chinese swimmers who went swimming, unattended, at Patok Beach on Koh Racha. Two of them were rescued while the third drowned.
The body of a Chinese man was identified by the Phuket Tourist Police as 30 year old Su Wang when his body was brought back to Chalong pier. No signs of struggle were found on his body. His body was taken to Vachira Hospital and consular officials notified.
Two other male Chinese tourists who had been choking and taken in a lot of water, 29 year old Liang Yu Lin and 26 year old Pu Bin, were taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket by tour operator. Both are now safe.
Maj Eakkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist says, “These three Chinese tourists had been travelling with Apple Tour to Racha Island with the Nontasak Marine boat operators. There were 35 tourists in the tour group. They were scheduled to travel with this tour group from June 20-25.”
“The incident happened around noon. These three Chinese tourists headed to the water for a swim after finishing their lunch. They didn’t inform the tour guide and didn’t wear life jackets.” (recommended for many Chinese when they go swimming as an additional safety measure)
“Big waves hit them even though they were only in shallow waters. Lifeguards quickly rescued two of them while Mr Su had disappeared under the waves. Shortly after a speedboat spotted the body of Mr Su and his body was brought back to the land.”
At 5:40pm Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew visited Mr Su’s family at Vachira Phuket Hospital. After that Vice Governor Thawornwat visited Mr Liang and Mr Pu at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
Vice Governor Thawornwat says, “We are very sorry for this tragic loss. Relevant offices are coordinating with the Chinese Consulate in Phuket and assisting with all the documentation. We will be speaking to the tour operators about the incident. We insist that tour operators take better care of the guests in their care.”
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Cabinet approves budget of over 6.3 billion baht for 35 million more vaccine doses

The Thai government has approved a budget of 6.387 billion baht to procure an additional 35 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines. The budget was approved at a Cabinet meeting yesterday, according to a government spokesperson.
Nation Thailand reports that the budget will be divided into 5.6 billion baht, which will be spent on AstraZeneca vaccines, with 700 million baht going on preparation and rollout at a local level. It’s understood officials expect to take delivery of the new consignment at the same time as it receives the 26 million AstraZeneca doses and 2 million Sinovac doses already on order.
In total, this will give Thailand 63 million doses, enough to vaccinate 60% of the population. It’s understood the Public Health Ministry is also in talks with other vaccine manufacturers. Johnson & Johnson has already begun the process of applying to register its single-dose vaccine in the Kingdom. Thailand currently has a limited number of vaccine doses, with high-risk provinces and groups being given priority. The government plans to open vaccine registration to general members of the public in May.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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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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