covid-19

  • Covid-19 NewsWHO to decide if Covid pandemic remains a global emergency on January 27

    WHO to decide if Covid pandemic remains a global emergency on January 27

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) is set to decide whether the Covid pandemic is still classified as a global emergency. The organisation is holding a meeting on Friday, January 27 to consider changing its classification. The move comes three years after a global emergency was declared. According to Reuters, WHO spokesperson Carla Drysdale confirmed the scheduled meeting at a Geneva…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand informs airlines about removal of Covid-19 vaccine rule

    Thailand informs airlines about removal of Covid-19 vaccine rule

    Unvaccinated travellers heading to Thailand can now feel at ease knowing airlines around the world have been informed that Thailand no longer requires arrivals to prove they are vaccinated against Covid-19. Thailand momentarily reintroduced the two-dose Covid vaccine entry requirement with barely any notice as a measure to mitigate the risk of importing a caseload of coronavirus from China, which…

  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok City Hall assesses Covid readiness

    Bangkok City Hall assesses Covid readiness

    With travel increases to Thailand, and with the reopening of China, comes the risk of spreading Covid-19. Bangkok City Hall is taking steps to ensure that visitors can enjoy their stay while keeping themselves and others safe as they brace for an influx of tourists. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt tasked his deputy governors with conducting a full assessment of the…

  • Tourism NewsChinese tourists trickling in after reopening

    Chinese tourists trickling in after reopening

    With a back and forth over Covid-19 restrictions, as China opens its doors for its citizens to travel outbound again, the wave of the coveted Chinese tourist demographic has been nothing more than a trickle. The first arrivals in three years on a direct flight from China to Thailand landed in Bangkok on January 8, with 200 enthusiastic travellers. After Covid…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samui ferries prepare to welcome back Chinese tourists

    Koh Samui ferries prepare to welcome back Chinese tourists

    Koh Samui ferries prepare to welcome back Chinese tourists this weekend. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese made up Thailand’s biggest tourist group. Yesterday, China finally allowed its citizens to travel abroad again. Thai media said yesterday that ferry companies in Koh Samui’s Angthong sub-district were preparing their ferries to accommodate tourists travelling to Koh Samed, Koh Pha Ngan,…

  • World NewsDespite China risk, Malaysia will not change Covid rules

    Despite China risk, Malaysia will not change Covid rules

    Thailand has implemented new blanket Covid-19 restrictions from today in an effort to fight an infection spike without offending China, which just opened to international travel despite a massive coronavirus outbreak. Malaysia went in another direction, declaring that they would make no changes to their entry procedures despite the increased risk of Covid in travellers from China. The Minister of…

  • Thailand NewsBREAKING: Unvaccinated tourists can fly to Thailand, so long as…

    BREAKING: Unvaccinated tourists can fly to Thailand, so long as…

    After facing an international backlash for reintroducing the two-dose Covid-19 vaccine entry requirement at the last minute, Thailand will allow unvaccinated tourists to fly into the country so long as they have either proof of recovery from Covid in the past six months OR a doctor’s letter explaining why they are not vaccinated. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid travel restrictions return tomorrow

    Covid travel restrictions return tomorrow

    It’s probably just a coincidence, but just as China is easing their travel blocks and allowing its citizens to travel abroad, Covid-19 travel restrictions are officially back. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has recently announced a set of rules that will apply to all non-Thai arrivals between January 9 and 31. These rules come as the country anticipates…

  • Covid-19 NewsFour new measures adopted for all foreign tourists arriving in Thailand

    Four new measures adopted for all foreign tourists arriving in Thailand

    Thailand has adopted four new Covid-19 measures for all foreign tourists arriving in the kingdom. The Public Health Ministry adopted the measures in response to the Chinese government’s decision to ease travel restrictions on their citizens starting January 8. According to Thai PBS World, the new measures include: All visitors must have received at least two doses of the Covid-19…

  • Thailand TravelThailand to reintroduce Covid-19 vaccine requirement for all visitors

    Thailand to reintroduce Covid-19 vaccine requirement for all visitors

    Anyone wishing to gain entry into Thailand will soon be required to show proof of receiving at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine prior to their arrival. The measure will apply to all arrivals in the kingdom regardless of nationality. The Ministry of Public Health is planning to reintroduce the old entry requirement amid concerns that Chinese tourists will import…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s public health minister says Chinese tourists won’t be discriminated against

    Thailand’s public health minister says Chinese tourists won’t be discriminated against

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, says the country’s plans to re-introduce Covid-19 related measures won’t discriminate against Chinese travellers. He then went on to say that the measures won’t discriminate against any particular country. But, the government is expected to finalise measures that would apply to visitors arriving from Covid-plagued countries, which include China. “Relevant officials agree to give…

  • Covid-19 NewsAirlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures due to influx of Chinese travellers

    Airlines up in arms over increase in Covid measures due to influx of Chinese travellers

    Worldwide airline lobby group International Air Transport Association (IATA) is up in arms over global plans to re-introduce Covid-19 restrictions for passengers arriving from China. The IATA says such measures represent a “knee-jerk” reaction to China’s recent lifting of Covid restrictions. Such a reintroduction of measures for travellers is being criticised by the IATA as it says science should supersede politics.…

  • World NewsMalaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders

    Malaysia responds to China’s lifted Covid restrictions with plans to tighten borders

    Malaysia is responding to China’s recently lifted Covid-19 restrictions with plans to tighten its borders. The Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, announced the country’s plans as fears mount over another Covid wave due to China. According to the Straits Times, the Cabinet is choosing to prioritise health over the economy. “We will control and tighten (our borders) even more, including (travellers) from…

  • Thailand video newsCall for Covid boosters before wave of Chinese tourism | Thailand News Today

    Call for Covid boosters before wave of Chinese tourism | Thailand News Today

    Thai baht and Singapore dollar battle for strongest regional currency China is reopening its borders, pushing economists to predict that an influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand will propel the Thai baht into Southeast Asia’s reigning currency in 2023. But the baht has one regional competitor: the trusty Singapore dollar. Thailand’s economy heavily depends on tourism revenue. In 2019, Chinese…

  • China NewsChina threatens retaliation over restrictions on Chinese tourists

    China threatens retaliation over restrictions on Chinese tourists

    China is striking back as governments around the world are making policies for Chinese tourists entering their countries. A massive Covid-19 wave has been surging through the mainland, but January 8 reopening plans are still in place allowing a huge tourism demographic of Chinese tourists to flock to holiday destinations worldwide. But not only that! China is threatening countermeasures against…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand prepares measures to prevent influx of Covid-19 cases from China

    Thailand prepares measures to prevent influx of Covid-19 cases from China

    As China prepares to open the floodgates on Sunday, Thai government officials are discussing measures to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks from the upcoming influx of Chinese tourists, given the prevalence of the virus in the People’s Republic of China at present. The virus spread rapidly in China after Beijing dropped three-year-long stringent Covid measures last month. Then, Beijing dropped mandatory quarantine…

  • Thailand NewsThai King hails nation’s triumph over adversity

    Thai King hails nation’s triumph over adversity

    His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua last night praised the Thai people for their triumph over adversity after the nation’s almost three-year struggle against the Covid-19 pandemic. His Majesty himself had a difficult end to the year with news breaking that his eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, collapsed with a heart condition. But the 70 year old monarch still…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to offer free Covid-19 booster shots to foreign tourists

    Thailand to offer free Covid-19 booster shots to foreign tourists

    The Ministry of Tourism and Sports Ministry (MOTS) announced its plans to provide free Covid-19 booster shots for foreign tourists entering Thailand next year. The disclosure will be welcomed by many who fear another Covid wave after China announced it will open its borders and relax quarantine measures. The MOTS also briefed the press that the government will introduce the…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand should impose restrictions on Chinese tourists, says Pheu Thai MP

    Thailand should impose restrictions on Chinese tourists, says Pheu Thai MP

    News that China is opening its borders to foreigners and relaxing Covid-19 restrictions was widely welcomed by Thailand yesterday as it looks to further boost its tourist economy. Today, MPs are warning that Thailand should tread lightly and impose restrictions on potential Covid-carrying Chinese tourists otherwise the kingdom could face another potential catastrophic pandemic. Former Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang,…

  • Tourism NewsChinese tourists may bring growing pains to the Thai travel industry

    Chinese tourists may bring growing pains to the Thai travel industry

    While people in the tourism and entertainment sector are celebrating China’s announcement to reopen and allow outgoing travel, others have raised fears about the potential problems that could come with an influx of Chinese tourists. Some fear an overwhelming surge of Chinese tourists flooding Thailand’s hotspots. Others worry that the healthcare systems in Thailand could be overburdened by the influx…

  • Covid-19 NewsKing and Queen cleared of Covid-19 infection

    King and Queen cleared of Covid-19 infection

    His Royal Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana have now recovered after being infected with the Covid-19 virus. The Bureau of the Royal Household had originally reported their infection on December 17. They now report that Their Majesties can now safely return to their royal duties after a full recovery. The original statement was issued on December 17 after the king and queen were…

  • China NewsChina releases first Covid fatality rates after loosening restrictions

    China releases first Covid fatality rates after loosening restrictions

    China is reporting its first fatality rates after the recent loosening of Covid restrictions. According to CNBC, three people died over the weekend after contracting Covid-19 marking the first fatalities since the last report in May. All three were aged 87 to 91 and lived in Beijing. Last Sunday alone, Beijing reported more than 26,000 infections, both symptomatic and asymptomatic.…

  • China NewsCovid deaths in China could surpass one million as restrictions lifted

    Covid deaths in China could surpass one million as restrictions lifted

    Covid-19 deaths in China could surpass one million, especially after the country lifted health measures just before the holidays. The recent loosening of some of the world’s strictest regulations surrounding the virus has many fearing that virus variants may spread across the country’s 1.4 billion population during next month’s Lunar New Year holiday. Despite the fears, China’s national health authority has…

  • Covid-19 NewsKing and Queen test positive for Covid-19

    King and Queen test positive for Covid-19

    His Royal Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana have been infected with the Covid-19 virus. The announcement was made today by the Bureau of the Royal Household, according to Prachachat. The statement was issued after the king and queen were administered Covid screening tests late yesterday evening. It is common for them to be tested regularly for the…

  • China NewsChina says Covid has weakened as it announces loosening of strict policies

    China says Covid has weakened as it announces loosening of strict policies

    China is saying that Covid has weakened in the country after it announced yesterday that it would end the forced centralised quarantine. This will allow people who only have mild Covid-19 to isolate at home, and there will be more freedom to travel around the country. The Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily newspaper said today that China has taken the…

  • China NewsChina mulls downgrading Covid-19 status as protests continue

    China mulls downgrading Covid-19 status as protests continue

    After increasing protests over China’s zero-Covid policy, the government is reportedly considering downgrading its management of the virus. Currently, the harshest restrictions are in place for Covid-19, as it remains classified as a serious contagious disease. But, as the situation inside the country allegedly improved, state media outlet Yicai become the first to report the possible shift in the handling…

  • World NewsPorsche sales in Thailand roaring thanks to nation’s entrepreneurs

    Porsche sales in Thailand roaring thanks to nation’s entrepreneurs

    Porsche Thailand managing director reckons the roaring sales of his luxury car in the kingdom is a combination of the nation’s budding entrepreneurs and modern technology. Peter Rohwer revealed Thailand is second to only Norway in the world for electrified Porsche Cayenne vehicles. Last year, 70% of the vehicles Porsche sold in Thailand were hybrid-powered Cayenne SUVs, reported Bangkok Post.…

  • Tourism NewsWhy aren’t tourists returning to Khao San Road?

    Why aren’t tourists returning to Khao San Road?

    The past few years have been dark for tourism in Thailand and around the world. The Covid-19 global pandemic closed borders and killed tourism in so many crucial areas. Khao San Road, the vibrant, bustling backpacker haven of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok quickly fell into a desolate ghost town. Now, the last pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the…

  • China NewsChina’s Covid numbers hit record high

    China’s Covid numbers hit record high

    The number of Covid-19 cases in China has hit a record high, major news outlets reported today. Yesterday, the country recorded 31,527 cases while Beijing recorded its fourth Covid-related death since last weekend. China’s previous Covid peak had been around 28,000 cases when Shanghai was locked down. Virus cases are being recorded in 31 provinces. Officials have tried to avoid…

  • Tourism NewsHotel loan program extended through June 2023

    Hotel loan program extended through June 2023

    Hotels trying to recover from closing down for the Covid-19 pandemic are getting a little extra financial help. The Thai Cabinet has decided to extend low-interest soft loans until June 2023. The loans were created to help hotels address property repairs after many opted to close when customers dried up because the borders closed amid the pandemic. The announcement was…