covid-19

  • Hua Hin NewsHua Hin to re-open to international tourists from October 1

    Hua Hin to re-open to international tourists from October 1

    Hua Hin’s re-opening is still on track for October 1, with officials hoping to welcome commercial flights and private jets to the airport. Yuthasak Supasorn from the Tourism Authority of Thailand says the Hua Hin Recharge programme covers 86.3 square kilometres between Hua Hin municipality and the district of Nong Kae. The Bangkok Post reports that once tourists receive a…

  • Covid-19 NewsEmergency decree could be coming to an end as infections decline

    Emergency decree could be coming to an end as infections decline

    It’s been with us since March 2020, but the emergency decree declared by the PM at the start of the pandemic may be coming to an end. According to a Bangkok Post report, Natthapol Nakpanich from the National Security Council says the government may decide not to extend the state of emergency as new Covid-19 infections continue to drop. Natthapol…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: Provincial totals; Thailand ‘passed its peak’

    Monday Covid Update: Provincial totals; Thailand ‘passed its peak’

    Thailand has passed its Covid-19 peak, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The number of active coronavirus cases has been on a downward trend over the past several weeks. There are now 148,622 people receiving treatment for Covid-19. The CCSA reported 187 coronavirus-related deaths today, a decline over the past month after the daily fatality count was in the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid patients must receive a vaccine dose within 3 months of infection

    Covid patients must receive a vaccine dose within 3 months of infection

    The Department of Disease Control says Covid-19 patients who’ve never been vaccinated must receive 1 dose within 3 months of contracting the virus. Nation Thailand reports government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul as saying people who have recovered from Covid-19 remain at risk of contracting the highly-contagious Delta variant. Traisulee says the guidelines from health officials are that recovered patients who’ve never…

  • Tourism NewsTourism ministry wants Thailand fully re-opened, without quarantine, by January

    Tourism ministry wants Thailand fully re-opened, without quarantine, by January

    Thailand’s Tourism Minister wants the country to re-open fully, without quarantine, by January, but says this will depend on vaccination efforts. According to a Bangkok Post report, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is citing herd immunity as a condition for the re-opening, pointing out that Bangkok’s re-opening has been delayed from October to November, as most residents are still waiting for their second…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 187 deaths and 13,988 new cases

    Monday Covid Update: 187 deaths and 13,988 new cases

    187 coronavirus-related deaths and 13,988 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 17,284 recoveries. There are now 148,622 patients being treated for Covid-19. The number of active cases has been on a downward slope over the past several weeks. In the latest…

  • Phuket NewsNo more sandbox: Phuket private sector calls for full re-opening by December 1

    No more sandbox: Phuket private sector calls for full re-opening by December 1

    The vice-president of the Phuket Tourism Association says businesses on the island need it to fully re-open by December 1 if they are to survive. According to a Bangkok Post report, Nanthida Atiset says fully re-opening the island could generate over 210 billion baht in revenue, adding that the sandbox scheme is simply not enough. “Only over 20,000 tourists have…

  • Bangkok NewsDepartment stores follow strict Covid-19 safety to remain open

    Department stores follow strict Covid-19 safety to remain open

    In Bangkok and other dark red provinces across Thailand, department stores have finally been allowed to reopen and it seems that many are bending over backwards to follow Covid-19 safety measures in an attempt to assure they remain open. Department stores have been closed or severely restricted for months due to the Emergency decree and protective measures the government has…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Covid-19: 3 Sandbox infections, no deaths, 3,000+ recovered

    Phuket Covid-19: 3 Sandbox infections, no deaths, 3,000+ recovered

    Today marked 3 new Covid-19 infections identified in international travellers who arrived via the Phuket Sandbox programme but saw no new Covid-19 deaths on the island and 240 new infections, down 2 from yesterday’s daily total. Another milestone was hit, this time more positive than yesterday’s surpassing of 5,000 infections in Phuket, as today saw the number of people recovered…

  • Covid-19 NewsChinese Embassy condemns bad-mouthing of Sinovac vaccine

    Chinese Embassy condemns bad-mouthing of Sinovac vaccine

    The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has lashed out at those bad-mouthing the Sinovac vaccine and Chinese goodwill towards Thailand. In a post on Facebook yesterday, a spokesman for the embassy said that organisations and individuals in Thailand trying to discredit the vaccine are doing so without a scientific basis. The post implied that these detractors should feel some gratitude that…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Covid-19 passes 5,000 infections, bed occupancy up 5%

    Phuket Covid-19 passes 5,000 infections, bed occupancy up 5%

    Covid-19 data for Phuket was fairly stable yesterday with no new deaths, no new international Sandbox travellers infected, and the total daily cases today were 242, just 7 more than yesterday. Those new infections pushed Phuket’s total number of infections since the start of the third wave of Covid-19 to surpass 5,000 today. Statistically, the most drastic Covid-19 figure was…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 deaths still high, infections falling, provincial totals

    Covid-19 deaths still high, infections falling, provincial totals

    The daily numbers of Covid-19 infections in Thailand have remained steady around the 15,000 mark, a drop from the peak and recent daily totals well above 20,000 infections. Today’s 257 deaths still remains a high figure but is expected to ease over time. Out of 1.26 million people infected in Thailand since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, over 1…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: Provincial totals; pregnant women urged to get vaccinated

    Friday Covid Update: Provincial totals; pregnant women urged to get vaccinated

    271 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 12,374 with 12,280 of those fatalities recorded since April 1 in the latest and most severe wave of Covid-19 in Thailand. The infection rate has declined over the past week, but the daily fatality count remains high. A spokesperson…

  • SponsoredA Guide to Visiting Austria in 2021

    A Guide to Visiting Austria in 2021

    Sponsored Can Travellers Visit Vienna from Thailand? A Guide to Visiting Austria in 2021 If you’re wondering whether visiting Austria from Thailand is currently possible, keep reading… It’s safe to say global travel has been difficult over the past 18 months. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many destinations have closed their borders to many international tourists. Austria, like most other…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket daily Covid-19: 235 infections, no death, no Sandboxers

    Phuket daily Covid-19: 235 infections, no death, no Sandboxers

    As Phuket prepares to carefully allow domestic tourists back onto the island, Covid-19 numbers remain relatively stable. Daily infections were 235 today, with 6 of the last 7 days reaching above 200. No new deaths were reported and no new Sandbox infections were identified. With the influx of new hospital beds yesterday, the bed occupancy rate remained around 70% though…

  • Phuket NewsVaccinated domestic travellers allowed to enter Phuket starting next week

    Vaccinated domestic travellers allowed to enter Phuket starting next week

    Domestic travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to enter Phuket starting on September 8, Phuket Governor Narong Woonsiew announced. Travellers from overseas have been able to enter the island province under the “Sandbox” model, but with the rise of Covid-19 cases, Phuket officials imposed tight restrictions on domestic entry. Travellers will need to book and pay for…

  • Business NewsThailand’s spa operators optimistic business will pick up in last quarter

    Thailand’s spa operators optimistic business will pick up in last quarter

    The president of the Thai Spa Association says he’s hopeful things will improve in the last quarter of the year, if the country re-opens and domestic tourism picks up. Krod Rojanastien says the industry has suffered badly under Covid-19 restrictions, with most of the 8,000 registered facilities closed and 70% – 80% of staff out of work. And, while restrictions…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 271 deaths and 14,653 new cases

    Friday Covid Update: 271 deaths and 14,653 new cases

    271 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,653 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The infection rate has declined over the past week, but the daily fatality count remains high. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 18,262 recoveries from the coronavirus. There are now 159,800 people receiving treatment for Covid-19. The…

  • World NewsLangkawi plans reopening amid high vaccination, Covid-19

    Langkawi plans reopening amid high vaccination, Covid-19

    Taking a cue from the Phuket Sandbox, Malaysia is launching a plan to reopen the tropical resort island of Langkawi in a similar fashion. The plan calls for a travel bubble to begin on September 16 in an effort to begin to restart the economy for Langkawi island which relies so heavily on tourism revenue and has been damaged so…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket entry rules relaxed to allow residents to exit and return

    Phuket entry rules relaxed to allow residents to exit and return

    A slight modification to the rules for entering and exiting Phuket will now allow people who live or work in Phuket to exit and re-enter the island more freely. Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong explained that a special permission letter that was previously required in order to leave Phuket and gain re-entry after would no longer be needed. With strict…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 14,956 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 14,956 new cases; provincial totals

    262 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 12,103. Out of that number, 12,009 fatalities were reported during latest and most severe wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1. The CCSA also reported 14,956 new Covid-19 infections today, raising the total case count…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to prioritise vaccination of over 50s, who make up 80% of Covid deaths

    Thailand to prioritise vaccination of over 50s, who make up 80% of Covid deaths

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says the vaccination of people over the age of 50 is being given urgent priority. Thai PBS World reports that the decision comes after it was revealed that 80% of Covid-related deaths or in the over 50s. According to Apisamai Srirangsan from the CCSA, the majority of those deaths are in the elderly and…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 262 deaths and 14,956 new cases

    Thursday Covid Update: 262 deaths and 14,956 new cases

    262 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,956 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the latest and most severe wave of the virus, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has reported 1,205,624 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 17,936 more recoveries. There are now 163,680…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya officials concerned high costs of Covid tests will deter foreign tourists

    Pattaya officials concerned high costs of Covid tests will deter foreign tourists

    Tourism officials in Pattaya are concerned that the demands being made of foreign tourists, including multiple costly Covid tests, will put people off visiting. Pattaya hopes to re-open quarantine-free under a sealed route scheme, but Thanet Supornsahasrungsi from the Chon Buri Tourism Council has expressed concern about the costs involved for visitors. The Bangkok Post reports that Pattaya is eyeing…

  • Politics NewsAnutin speaks in defence of handling of Covid-19 and vaccines

    Anutin speaks in defence of handling of Covid-19 and vaccines

    On the first day of the 4 day censure debate where multiple cabinet members as well as PM Prayut Chan-o-cha are facing a vote of no-confidence, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul spoke in the evening in defence of himself and in praise of the government’s competent handling of the Covid-19 crisis. The minister walked through the Covid-19 crisis and…

  • Covid-19 NewsStudy: recovery from Covid-19 gives more immunity than Pfizer

    Study: recovery from Covid-19 gives more immunity than Pfizer

    A new study appears to contradict previous data about the efficacy of vaccines, claiming that those who have recovered from Covid-19 previously have more immunity from the Delta variant than those who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines. Conducted by Israeli researchers, it is the largest real-world study that compares the natural immunity people get from having…

  • Thailand NewsPM Prayut Chan-o-cha says lifting the nightly curfew is under consideration

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says lifting the nightly curfew is under consideration

    Ending the nightly curfew in “dark red” provinces is under consideration, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today before Parliament during the second day of the censure debate against his government. 29 provinces, including Bangkok, are classified as “dark red” zones under maximum control to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, following a meeting chaired by prime…

  • Covid-19 NewsNational Vaccine Institute defends opting out of COVAX

    National Vaccine Institute defends opting out of COVAX

    The chief of the National Vaccine Institute spoke out defending Thailand’s decision to forego the COVAX vaccine programme as the government comes under renewed fire as part of the ongoing censure debate. He maintains that Thailand is better off without the program. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and the members of the ruling party in the cabinet are currently facing a vote…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 14,802 new cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 14,802 new cases; provincial totals

    252 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 11,841 with 11,747 of those fatalities reported since April 1 during the latest wave of the virus. The CCSA also 14,802 new Covid-19 cases and 18,996 recoveries in the 24-hour period since the last count, bringing the number of active cases…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket extends tight entry restrictions, vaccine required for most

    Phuket extends tight entry restrictions, vaccine required for most

    Tight entry restrictions to Phuket have been extended until at least for the next two weeks, according to a provincial order imposed yesterday. Domestic entry onto the island province by land, water, and air is prohibited, with the exception of essential vehicles, residents returning home, and travellers entering under the “Sandbox” scheme. Those allowed to enter Phuket under the exceptions…