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TAT releases special 60th anniversary publications highlighting history of Thai tourism
Bangkok –
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has uploaded three special
publications to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its founding
this year. They provide a fascinating look at the history of Thai
tourism and TAT since 1960.
The first book, under the theme of “60 Years of
Pride – The Journey of Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism” includes a
number of historic images of the TAT offices, Thailand and Bangkok
in the 1960s. The highlight is a montage of the visit by King
Bhumibhol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) to the TAT offices and the
full text of his address to the audience.
The bilingual Thai-English book also pays
tribute to the TAT’s former Governors, highlights the many marketing
campaigns; such as, the Visit Thailand Year, Amazing Thailand,
Thailand: Happiness on Earth, Thailand Grand Invitation, Unseen
Thailand, and Open to the New Shades, and cites the awards and
accolades TAT has won over the years.
The second book “TAT the Journey” (in Thai
only) offers a more detailed look at the TAT’s policy and planning
perspectives, including statistical records, crisis management
challenges, research projects and responses to changes in a global
operating environment.
The third book, “Open to Panoramic Thailand” is
full of spectacular images of Thailand, from forests and farms to
temples, beaches and urban areas.
The publications can be downloaded FREE here:
“60 Years of Pride – The Journey of Thailand’s
Sustainable Tourism”, https://amazingthailandebook.com/issue/241
“TAT The Journey”,
https://amazingthailandebook.com/issue/240
“Open to the Panoramic Thailand”,
https://amazingthailandebook.com/issue/244
(tatnews.org)
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Bangkok Airways to resume domestic operations, reopens Samui Airport from May 15
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would
like to provide the latest update from Bangkok Airways that it will
resume domestic flight operations from 15 May, 2020, onwards with
the Bangkok – Samui (round trip) twice daily service.
Samui Airport will also resume daily operations
on 15 May, 2020, from 08.00 – 19.00 hrs.
The airline announced temporary suspension of
all domestic flights from 7-30 April, 2020, as well as temporary
closure of its three airports – Samui, Sukhothai and Trat, as part
of the national and global efforts to curb the spread of the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
According to Bangkok Airways, all resumed
flight operations will strictly comply with the safety measures and
social distancing guidelines set by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)
and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
The health and safety measures will include
seat distancing onboard, suspension of the in-flight food and
beverage service, and consumption of personal food and drink is not
allowed onboard.
All crew members will be wearing masks and
gloves when on duty and passengers are required to bring and wear a
protective mask at all times during the flight.
Meanwhile, Samui Airport has put in place
health and safety measures and social distancing practices in
compliance with the regulations by the MoPH and the CAAT to ensure
the highest level of safety for all passengers and staff.
The measures include passengers and staff
screening, health and body temperature checks, staff wearing
protective masks at all times when on duty, and social distancing
arrangements at all service areas.
The reopening of airports in Sukhothai and Trat
and Bangkok Airways’ other routes will be announced later.
Bangkok Airways has also reaffirmed its
commitment that it prioritizes the health and hygiene of its
passengers and staff and continues to implement necessary the health
and safety measures during COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, please visit
www.bangkokair.com or contact call centre at 1771 and +662-270-6699
during operating hours.
(tatnews.org)
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Bangkok Airways to resume Bangkok – Samui flights under hygiene standard
Bangkok –Bangkok
Airways will resume its operation on two flights daily, Bangkok –
Samui route, for passengers with necessary travels under the safety
and hygiene standard from May 15.
BANGKOK – Bangkok Airways will restart
domestic flights on May 15, beginning with the Bangkok – Samui
route.
The airlines will operate two flights daily for
passengers with necessary travels under the safety and hygiene
standard. It will adopt social distancing measures, strictly
required by the Public Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation
Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
It plans to resume flight service for other
destinations – Sukhothai and Trat later. Each flight will leave
empty to enable safe distancing. No food or drink is to be served
during flights and passengers are not allowed to bring their own
food to eat on board.
Passengers must wear face masks at all time
while flying and cabin crew will also wear masks and gloves on duty.
At the airports, airline staff and passengers
have to wear masks and undergo thermal screening. Service points and
waiting areas will be arranged to maintain social distancing for the
safety of passengers. (TNA)
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Thai Health Min. issues guidelines for beauty clinics, massage spas
Massage spas and
beauty clinics will be permitted to operate again under strict
MOPH’s regulations.
BANGKOK - The Ministry of Public Health
(MOPH) has established guidelines for beauty clinics and massage
spas, as the restrictions and measures for preventing COVID-19 start
to be eased.
Dr. Thares Krassanairawiwong, Director-General
of the Department of Health Service Support, said that, now some of
the COVID-19 lockdown measures are being eased, enterprises, such as
massage spas and beauty clinics, will be able to operate again
provided they strictly comply with the MOPH’s regulations by
increasing the cleaning cycle, not flicking sheets to prevent
diffusion and changing cushions and pillow cases for every customer.
There must also be one room per client and curtains for massage
spas. For foot massage, massage cushions must be placed 1.5 meters
apart.
Those who use the service must wear a face
mask, wash their hands and follow the facility’s instructions.
Dr. Phanphimon Wipulakorn, Director-General of
Department of Health, said the Department of Health has developed
the "THAI STOP COVID" platform, to allow operators of restaurants,
hotels, beauty salons or shopping malls to assess their readiness
before providing their services and to allow the public to inspect
and report on whether each enterprise strictly adheres to the
screening measures by visiting
https://stopcovid.anamai.moph.go.th.(NNT)
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Ton of ocean waste collected at Phi Phi Island - Krabi, Thailand
Activists and diving instructors collected ocean waste at Phi Phi
Island as an environment conservation project during the COVID-19
lockdown.
KRABI - Over one ton of ocean waste is
collected by activists and diving instructors at Thailand’s famous
resort island of Phi Phi in an environment conservation project
during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The “Clean Me Phi Phi Today” project will
continue until May 12 when the lockdown of Phi Phi Island is
expected to be lifted.
Participating activists, divers and business
operators collected the likes of auto tires, glass and plastic
bottles at the main pier of the Island. They said some of the
garbage was swept into the sea during the Indian Ocean Tsunami of
2004.
Prasert Wongna, head of tourism business
operators’ club of Phi Phi, said with the travelling ban it was a
great opportunity to revive the environment of the island.
The project also draws Phi Phi community to
improve waste management and sewage system of the island.(TNA)
The
“Clean Me Phi Phi Today” project will continue until May 12.
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Pattaya, Jomtien see high waves, thunderstorms this weekend
Jomtien beach, Pattaya city, Chonburi province.
Chonburi and Eastern
Part Weather
Scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds mostly
in Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, PrachinBuri, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi,
Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 22-24 °C. Maximum
temperature 31-32 °C. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height
about 1 meter and about 2 meters in thundershowers areas.
During 24 – 26 Apr, isolated to scattered
thunderstorms with gusty wind. Minimum temperature 23-27 °C. Maximum
temperature 32-37°C. During 27 – 30 Apr, day hot. Isolated
thundershowers. Minimum temperature 24-28 °C. Maximum temperature
35-39°C. Southeasterly wind 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter
and 1-2 meters in thundershower areas.
Pattaya Weather Forecast
Thais return from Malaysia with Embassy assistance
Thai citizens return from Malaysia will be transferred to local
quarantine facilities for 14 days.
KUALA LUMPUR - At the Thailand-Malaysia
border checkpoint, Thai citizens return from Malaysia every day, and
all of them will be transferred to local quarantine facilities for
14 days.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and
volunteers are providing aid and facilitating transport to Thailand.
The Royal Thai Embassy’s officers and Thai
volunteer networks in Malaysia are helping the rest of the Thai
people still in Malaysia, providing food and consumables to
alleviate the crisis. The authority advised those who are in a more
remote areas to report their address, so the authorities can send
help.
People who applied to the Royal Thai Embassy to
return to Thailand must have a medical certificate issued within 72
hours of travel. The bus will be available every day to transport
them to 3 border checkpoints, namely Sadao, Betong and Sungai Kolok,
free of charge.
Mr. Ekkarat Leesen, Narathiwat’s Governor, said
Thailand’s southern topography is different and full of natural
entrances with no marked border. It can be used to avoid a legal
entrance and a quarantine. Therefore, security officials must
strictly guard the possible ways to enter Thailand, to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 on Thai territory.
Those who did not apply to the Royal Thai
Embassy in Kuala Lumpur will need to pay a charge and undergo a
diagnosis and history check. Such returnees will be separated into 3
groups, depending on their infection risk, and all will be
transferred to quarantine facilities.
At the Central Screening Center for COVID-19 in
Pattani Province, there are already 204 returnees who have been
screened in the past 2 days. 6 were diagnosed at high risk and are
waiting for lab test results.
In Satun province, at Tam Malang Pier
checkpoint, there are 32 Thais registered to return to Thailand. 28
of them are Satun citizens and they have already transferred to
their local authorities. The other 4 were transported by bus to
Songkhla and Trang. (NNT)
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TAT introduces ‘Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration’ certification
Bangkok, 20 April, 2020 – The Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with the public and private sector partners,
is introducing an “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration: SHA”
certification aimed at elevating the country’s tourism industry standards and
developing confidence among international and domestic tourists.
The project is part of TAT’s efforts to mitigate the
impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis and accelerate
recovery in the travel and tourism sector. The Amazing Thailand SHA
certification is to prepare Thai tourism operators to be ready for the return of
tourism post COVID-19.
TAT is currently working on details of the Amazing Thailand
SHA certification together with the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of
Tourism and Sports, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Board of Trade of
Thailand, Federation of Thai Spa and Wellness Association, Thai Retailers
Association, Thai Hotels Association, Association of Domestic Travel, Thai
Amusement and Leisure Park Association, Thai Restaurant Association, Thai Spa
Association, Thai Boats Association, and Event Management Association.
Works in the process include establishing the SHA criteria,
introducing the committee, preparing the application and selection process, and
planning marketing and publicity for the SHA-certified tourism establishments
and services.
The evaluation methods and methodology of assessment for
tourism establishments and services to be certified with the Amazing Thailand
SHA certification will cover five key areas.
-Tourism establishments and services must strictly follow
the COVID-19 control guidelines by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry
of Public Health.
-The safety of attractions and facilities with development
plans or operation procedures that focus on ensuring tourist safety while
maintaining local culture and promoting interaction between local communities
and tourists.
-Hygiene and sanitation in tourism establishments and
services; such as, homestays, lodges, souvenir shops and restaurants.
-Convenience, cleanliness, and safety of linkages between
communities and attractions, as well as the safety and health standards of
transportation, including private cars, public buses, and airlines.
-The confidence in tourism personnel in tourism
establishments, including tourist safety and security protocol.
The Amazing Thailand SHA project is a part of TAT’s
realigned strategy amid the COVID-19 crisis, which also includes the plans to
stimulate spending from domestic tourism.
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TAT opens ‘Amazing Market’ Facebook group to support local communities and restaurants
Bangkok–
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has created a public
Facebook group “Amazing Market” to offer a free platform for local
communities, entrepreneurs and restaurants to generate revenue
during the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
The group now has over 8,000 members comprising
sellers, shoppers or both. The main language is Thai as the page is
aimed at encouraging local Thais to support local communities and
businesses during this difficult time.
The products available on the Amazing Market
include restaurants, fruits and vegetables, processed food,
seasonings, and ready meals. Shoppers can also look for local
textiles and accessories, Thai fabric and cloth masks, as well as
home decoration items and souvenirs made from local materials. All
buying can be made online, and the delivery can be done via delivery
or postal services.
Members can also review their favourite
products or create posts seeking for interested items.
Hotel and accommodation establishments must be
legally registered, and the promotional vouchers must have an
expiration date of not less than one year. Package tours and car
rentals are currently allowed for publicity only, not for selling.
Members are encouraged to use polite language,
refrain from controversial or political comments, or dating posts,
advertisement links from other online platforms are not allowed, do
not post too frequently, and do not undercut prices.
Nong Sukjai (TAT’s mascot), the group’s admin
will immediately delete the posts from illegal shops or products as
well as unqualified or misrepresented products of any kinds.
The Amazing Market is not responsible for the
quality of products or accuracy of information or any arguments from
business negotiations.
TAT is encouraging all to continue to maintain
social distancing and be a part of the nationwide effort to combat
the COVID-19. TAT understands that maintaining social distancing can
be inconvenient, but it is for the greater good.
As a state-run enterprise, TAT is doing our
utmost to strictly implement preventive measures and heighten
awareness for all tourists in Thailand to protect them from being
exposed to the virus.
In the meantime, enjoy shopping for local
products and food in the Amazing Market. Follow this QR code to join
the group.
18 April, 2020
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Thai Airways International Response to COVID-19
In light of the current coronavirus outbreak
worldwide and the ever-increasing travel restrictions in place, Thai
Airways International (THAI) has had to make the difficult and
unprecedented decision to gradually and temporarily suspend
operations as follows:
- Regional and AUS/NZ flights from 25 March to 31 May 2020.
- European flights from 1 April to 31 May 2020
- Domestic flights from 31 March to 31 May 2020
We apologize for the disruption and
inconvenience this is causing, and we would like to support you by
offering the following THREE options to accommodate changes to your
travel plans: 1. Ticket validity extension 2. Travel voucher 3.
Refund for partially used tickets
If you have valid tickets with international
flights (excluding group tickets), for travel between 25 March to 31
May 2020, you have the following THREE options available to you.If
you have valid tickets with domestic flights only (excluding group
tickets), for travel between 31 March to 31 May 2020, OPTION 1 only
is available to you.
OPTION 1. Extend the validity of your ticket
and rebook later (ticket number starting with 217-)
THAI will automatically change the validity of
your ticket to 31 December 2020. However, if you do not wish to
rebook your flights by 31 December 2020, we will automatically
extend the final validity date of the international and/or domestic
ticket to be 31 December 2021.
When you are ready to rebook, please:
a) contact your travel agent if your original booking was made
through one
b) contact your local
THAI office
if you booked directly with THAI
Please note that passengers who extend the validity of their ticket
must have completed their travels before 31 December 2021 on the
same route (s) and the same class of service (THAI will waive its
rebooking fee).
OPTION 2. Travel Voucher for fully-unused
tickets (ticket numbers starting with 217-)
If you are holding a Thai Airways ticket for
international flights, you can request a travel voucher for the
equal value of the current ticket.
Please note that if you booked your original ticket through a travel
agent in Europe, Australia or New Zealand, you must contact your
travel agent for assistance with travel vouchers.
Notes:
a) The Travel voucher is valid for ticket (s) with International
flights only.
b) The Travel voucher must be requested before 31May 2020.
c) The Travel Voucher can be used as credit towards any future
travel on THAI or THAI Smile to / from any worldwide destinations.
d) The Travel Voucher will be sent to the email address you provide.
e) The Travel Voucher is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
f) Please contact your local
THAI Office
to rebook using the Travel voucher before it expires.
g) Fare/tax/surcharge differences may apply to the new itinerary.
h) The Travel voucher can be transferred
i) The Travel voucher cannot be exchanged for cash.
OPTION 3. Refund for partially-used tickets
ticket number starting with 217-)
If you are holding a valid ticket for an
international flight and you have already used part of your ticket,
a refund amount will be calculated. Refunds are estimated to take at
least 180 days to process from the date of request
Please note that if you booked your original ticket through a travel
agent in Europe, Australia, New Zealand or Japan, you must contact
your travel agent for assistance with refunds.
To refund partially-used domestic flight tickets, please contact
your original THAI issuing office.
We are currently experiencing a high volume of
requests, and the processing time is estimated to be longer than
usual. Please be assured that we will contact you as quickly as
possible. Our apologies in advance.
We will continue to review our policies based
on the latest developments and will consider extending the flexible
options beyond 31 May 2020 if required, as we assess the impact of
the Covid-19 outbreak situation.
Thank you for your support and understanding
during this challenging time. (Thaiairways.com)
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Thailand has strong control measures for COVID-19 in all ports
The Department of
Disease Control (DDC) has the strong measures for prevention and
control for COVID-19 in all ports(airports, seaports and groundports).
The Department of Disease Control (DDC),
Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) revealed the strong measures for
prevention and control measures for COVID-19 in all ports to bring
Thai nationals back to the country by following a definite quota for
the number ofpeople each day. Now, every province is preparing
designated quarantine places to quarantine Thai people for 14 days
under the governmental prevention and control protocols.
18 April 2020, Dr. Sopon Iamsirithawon,
Director of Division of Communicable Diseases, as the Incident
Commander of Emergency Operations Center, Department of Disease
Control stated about the permission for Thai citizens to enter
across Permanent Crossing Point in the areas of border provinces.
DDC has strictly operated the COVID-19
prevention and control measures by integrating cooperation from all
sectors i.e. international communicable diseases control at point of
entry (airports, seaports and ground ports), hospitals (private and
government sectors) and community-based surveillance.
For Thai people who are traveling back to
Thailand by passing through the permanent crossing points in the
border provinces in this period, there is a pre-specified number of
travelers each day and at point of entry along the border crossing
points.
Everyone will have to pass the screening
protocol including screening, temperature measurement, and symptom
monitoring in accordancewithCOVID-19 prevention and control measures
in Thailand.
Those returning to Thailand must have two
important documents which are 1) the medical certificate or fit to
travel and 2) the official letter for entering the country issued by
the Embassy or the Consulate -General of the departing country (the
said official letter shall specify the personal information of
travelers, the location of point of entry, date of departure, the
province or hometown of travelers in Thailand, travelers' signature
agreeing to be quarantined at the State Quarantine or Local
Quarantine for 14 days in accordance with the disease control
standard.
This information will ensure the safety of
people in the country and be beneficial for travelers in case they
get the infection and need to receive diagnosis and treatment.Dr.
Sopon said that each province has prepared to screen and arrange
designated quarantine areas specified by the government for 14 days
in accordance with the determination of preventive and control
measures with good cooperation from all sectors including
government, local, private and community sectors.
All have the same goal of providing optimized
care among travelers so that Thailand can prevent and control
COVID-19 effectively. (ddc.moph.go.th)
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Phuket revises COVID-19 measures, with end date on April 30
TAT will constantly monitor the
situation and provide more updates as soon as new information
becomes available.
Bangkok– The
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to inform
international and domestic tourists that the end date on 30 April,
2020, has been specified in the last order issued by Phuket
province.
Despite the end date stated on 30 April, 2020,
this TAT update does not imply that Phuket will lift its
unprecedented Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) control measures
thereafter. TAT will constantly monitor the situation and provide
more updates as soon as new information becomes available.
Phuket’s newly rectified order summed up all
unprecedented measures previously announced by the province. The
order, signed on 16 April, 2020, was announced on 17 April, 2020, on
the Facebook page: phuketanticovid19, one of Phuket’s public
relations channels, especially set up to communicate with the public
on all matters regarding the COVID-19.
This latest order replaces all previous
announcements and orders, and covers five key topics:
-Temporary closure of venues as appearing in
Appendix 1, which includes an expanded list of business
establishments, hotels, shopping malls, markets, sports and related
facilities, entertainment venues, some government services, and
more. Supermarkets, pharmacies, food takeaways and deliveries, banks
and ATMs, and other essential services used in daily life remain
open, in accordance with the nationwide curfew from 22.00-04.00 Hrs.
-Closure of entry and exit points (land and
sea) as appearing in Appendix 2, including the Tha Chat Chai
Checkpoint and all marine transportation channels, with exceptions
for vehicles and vessels with emergencies or necessities.
-Closure of all local borders between each
sub-district and surveillance, control and prevention measures as
appearing in Appendix 3, asking cooperation from residents to remain
in their residence and ordering local authorities to conduct active
case finding among the residents of all districts.
-Measures regarding boats leaving ports and
going to sea as appearing in Appendix 4, banning all boats from
leaving ports excepts fishing boats, medical and emergency related
boats, logistics boats, and vessels used for official purposes.
-Control and preventive measures to combat the
spread of the COVID-19 infection as appearing in Appendix 5,
including hygiene measures and social distancing rules.
Under the Communicable Diseases Act 2015,
penalties for non-compliance range from less than 20,000 Baht, or
less than 100,000 baht or one year in prison or both. Violators may
face other penalties under the Emergency Decree on Public
Administration in Emergency Situation 2005.
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Bangkok faces scattered clouds, hot and humid this week
Pattaya City partly cloudy Mon-Wed, thunderstorms Thursday
Jomtien Beach, Pattaya City, Chonburi Province
Eastern Part Weather
Forecast
Hot to very hot with isolated thundershowers mostly
in Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, PrachinBuri, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi, Rayong,
Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 26-29 °C. Maximum temperature
33-37 °C. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave below 1 meter and about
1 meter in thundershowers areas.
During 20 – 22 Apr, hot to very hot during the day.
isolated thundershowers. Minimum temperature 25-29 °C. Maximum
temperature 34-40°C. Southeasterly wind 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1
meter and about 1 meter in thundershower areas. During 23 – 25 Apr,
isolated to scattered thunderstorms with gusty wind and hails. Minimum
temperature 23-26 °C. Maximum temperature 29-34°C. Southeasterly wind
15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 1 – 2 meters in thundershower
areas.
Pattaya
Weather Forecast
Chiang Mai sunny Mon-Wed, thundershower on weekend
Bo Sang Umbrella and San
Kamphaeng Handicraft Festival, Chiang Mail. (File Photo)
Northern Part of Thailand Weather Forecast
Hot and very hot with Isolated thundershower mostly in
Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and
Phetchabun. Minimum temperature 24-27 °C. Maximum temperature 37-41 °C.
Southwesterly winds 10-20 km/hr.
During 20 – 23 Apr, hot to very hot during the day.
Minimum temperature 22-27°C. Maximum temperature 37-43°C. Southwesterly wind
10-20 km/hr. During 24 – 25 Apr, isolated thunderstorms with gusty wind and
hails. Minimum temperature 21-25°C. Maximum temperature 36-40°C.
Southwesterly wind 10-30 km/hr.
Chiang Mail
Weather Forecast
Thailand extends ban on inbound flights to April 30 to curb Covid-19
The ban
on inbound flights has been extended to April 30 for continuation of
measures to curb the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has
extended the ban on inbound flights to April 30 for continuation of
measures to curb the Covid-19 outbreak.
The ban was first imposed on April 3 and was later
extended to April 18.
CAAT's director-general Chula Sukmanop said the
third announcement on Wednesday extended the ban on inbound passenger
flights from April 19 to 30 for continuation of measures to curb the
Covid-19 outbreak.
The ban does not apply to state or military
aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation,
humanitarian, medical or relief flights, repatriation flights and cargo
flights.
The passengers on board the aircraft will be
subject to the measures under communicable disease law, such as 14-day
state quarantine, and the regulation under the Emergency Decree on State
of Emergency. (TNA)
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Thais stranded 4 nights at Haneda Airport returned home via All Nippon Airways
Returnees were informed
that they would enter the 14-day state quarantine upon their arrivals.
BANGKOK – The Thai embassy in Tokyo has
assisted 32 Thai people stranded in Japan, including those at Haneda
Airport to return home on Wednesday.
The embassy posted on its Facebook that a group of
Thai passengers, who were stranded during the transit at Haneda Airport
for four nights would arrive around 3.30 pm. on Wednesday (April 8) on a
special repatriation flight, arranged by All Nippon Airways (ANA)
The NH 847 flight was allowed to fly to Thailand
for a special purpose after the Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)
extended a ban on all commercial flights to the country until April 18
to support the government’s policy in a bid to contain the spread of
Covid-19.
All returnees were informed about the 14-day state
quarantine upon their arrivals. (TNA)
Thailand increases bus, train frequencies before night curfew
Transport Minister,Saksayam
Chidchob said more buses and electric trains day services must be on duty to
cope with the night curfew at 10 pm.
BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - Transport Minister
Saksayam Chidchob ordered the increase of buses and electric trains before
the start of the night curfew at 10 pm. following complains by
passengers.The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Mass Rapid Transit
Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and SRT Electrified Train, which operates the
Airport Rail Link were instructed to increase the number of buses and trains
before and after the night curfew from April 7.
MRTA governor, Pakapong Sirikantaramas said a normal
train can carry 1,000 passengers at maximum but due to the social distancing
measure, it can carry only 100 passengers.
Passengers have to spare their travel time to catch the
train and arrive home before the curfew, he said.
Suthep Panpeng, director-general of SRT Electric Train
Co said the company would increase the frequency of the train from every ten
minutes to eight minutes.
It has adopted the social distancing measure, so the
maximum passenger capacity of each train is reduced to 130 passengers from
745 passengers.
BMTA Deputy Director Prayoon Chuaykaew said the bus
frequency is increased to 5-10 minutes before the service closing. The last
bus leaves the terminal at 8 pm.
He said sublicensed bus operators normally run on 70-80
routes but they stopped service because a drop in passengers during the
outbreak and insufficient income to cover operating cost.
These private operators were transferred to be under
the responsibility of the Department’s Land Transport.
Meanwhile, the Department of Land Transport's
director-general Jirut Wisanjit said he would discuss the problem with the
BMTA.
Private bus operators would be asked to resume service
at least before and after the night curfew to help commuters. (TNA)
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Thais from Malaysia & Qatar arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, enter state quarantine
51 Thais from Malaysia
and 47 more from Doha, Qatar, placed in the quarantine system for a 14
days observation.
BANGKOK - A group of Thai people from Malaysia and
Qatar arrived in Thailand on Saturday and have entered the quarantine
system at a place provided by the government.
51 Thais from Malaysia arrived at Suvarnabhumi
Airport on a Malaysia Airlines’ special flight organized by the
Malaysian government.
After being screened at the International Disease
Control Checkpoint, military officers from the Royal Thai Armed Forces
Headquarters led by Gen. Pariphat Phalasin, Deputy Chief of Joint Staff,
led them to the quarantine center.
Then, military officers from the Royal Thai Armed
Forces Headquarters accompanied a group of 47 Thais who had arrived on
Qatar Airways’ flight QR7511 from Doha, Qatar, to a quarantine center
not far from the airport.
This morning, MrAnutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Public Health, inspected a quarantine center
for those who return from foreign countries at Kamphaengsaen Flying
Training School, Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom.(NNT)
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Thailand’s KhonKaen implements strict measures to prevent coronavirus outbreak
KhonKaen
Governor Somsak Jangtrakul ordersresident to wear face masks,
convenience stores to close during curfew hours, and suggested more than
400 hotels to close.
BANGKOK - The provinces have implemented
intensive measures to prevent the Covid-19 outbreak spreading. They
include spraying disinfectant, closing places where people gather and
refraining from organizing events.
KhonKaen Governor Somsak Jangtrakul has ordered
everyone to wear a face mask while they are outside. Convenience stores
have been ordered to comply with the curfew announcement. Meanwhile,
more than 400 hotel operators in the province have suggested closing all
hotels. The hotel operators say they are ready to control the disease
and will request inspection by the district office of public health on a
case-by-case basis. The order will come into effect on April 7. There is
also an order to cancel all types of traditional events.
In Phang Nga, the authorities have sprayed highly
efficient disinfectant at the Tha Nun Village Checkpoint, Khok Kloi
subdistrict, Takua Thung district, because there are more than a
thousand people from Phuket in Phang Nga, and germs may have accumulated
at various points. Disinfectant has also been sprayed at the dormitory
of the Sports School, the Provincial Administrative Organization Office,
fitness centers and various public service points. Mr Bamrung
Piyanamwanit, President of Phang Nga Provincial Administrative
Organization, said today that he was ready to dispatch authorities to
spray disinfectant at all agencies at their request.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Chonburi received 10,000
face masks from a group of Taiwanese business operators and 1,400 face
masks, 500 face shields and 20 aerosol boxes from Chonburi Technical
College. They will be given to medical personnel and hospitals during
equipment shortages. There are currently more than 60 Covid-19 patients
in Chonburi.(NNT)
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State Railway of Thailand cuts capacity, cancels 22 trains from Bangkok
Passengers can request
a refund at any ticket office or call the 24-hour hotline 1690 or ask to
travel on other trains serving their destination instead of seeking a
refund.
BANGKOK- Long distance trains are still
running at limited capacity, with some destinations cancelled until the
spread of COVID-19 can be contained. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
has cancelled 22 trains so far on the northern, southern, and
northeastern lines.
Ten trains originating in Bangkok and going to Hat
Yai, Surat Thani, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and vice versa on the
southern line have been cancelled. However, this line and these stations
are still being served by other trains, except for Yala and Su-ngaiKolok
stations which have been closed. As announced earlier, trains from
Bangkok as well as 16 local trains from Hat Yai are no longer running to
the two stations.
On the northern line, six trains from Bangkok to
Sawankhalok, to Chiang Mai, and to Sila At, and vice versa have been
cancelled.
On the northeastern line, six trains from Bangkok
to Ubon Ratchathani, and to NongKhai, and vice versa have been
cancelled.
Passengers who have already purchased tickets can
request a refund at any SRT ticket office across the country, or call
the 24-hour hotline 1690. Passengers booked on cancelled trains can ask
to travel on other trains serving their destination instead of seeking a
refund.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways has grounded all its
domestic and international flights from today in the wake of global
travel restrictions introduced by many countries due to the COVID-19
pandemic. The airline’s domestic flights are now being operated by its
sister airline, Thai Smile Airways. (NNT)
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Thailand expand halt to 44 commercial trains, Bangkok’s MRT services reduced
Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong railway
terminal.
BANGKOK - The State Railway of Thailand
suspended the service of its 44 commercial trains today due to the
impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The SRT stated that the suspension covered 44
commercial trains. Earlier it had announced to suspend 22 commercial
trains because the number of their passengers dropped by half.
The impact is worse as some provinces are locked
down to control COVID-19 and the SRT is unable to operate trains there,
it said. The state enterprise promises to fully refund money for the
people who earlier booked tickets for the affected commercial trains.
At the Hua Lamphong railway terminal, fewer people
were catching trains. They had to undergo body temperature checks and
fill in health questionnaires. At waiting areas, they were seated well
apart from one another to comply with the government’s social distancing
policy to curb the disease.
Bangkok’s Mass Rapid Transit blue line set a distancing for passengers.
Meanwhile, Pakapong Sirikantaramat, governor of the
Mass Rapid Transit Authority, said the MRTA planned to reduce its train
trips as the number of passengers fell from 400,000 to 98,000 a day on
its Blue Line and from 70,000 to 13,000-14,000 on its Purple Line. (TNA)
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Bangkok and neighboring provinces step up coronavirus control measures
Bangkok, 01 April, 2020, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide further update on the
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) control measures issued by Bangkok
and its neighboring provinces.
Bangkok has ordered all restaurants and beverage
shops, roadside shops and street stalls as well as convenience stores
and supermarkets to be closed from 00.01 – 05.00 Hrs., effective from
2-30 April, 2020 (except takeaway and restaurants and beverage shops
serving food for hotel guests, and restaurants and beverage shops in
hospitals and airports). All public and private parks are also ordered
to be closed from 2-30 April, 2020.
Nonthaburi has asked for cooperation from its
residents to remain indoors from 23.00 – 05.00 Hrs., with immediate
effect until further notice. Exceptions are allowed for product
transporters, food deliveries, and those with urgent errands. The
province has also ordered all 24/7 convenience stores to be closed from
23.00 – 05.00 Hrs., effective from 1-30 April, 2020.
Samut Prakan has also ordered all 24/7 convenience
stores to be closed from 23.00 – 05.00 Hrs., effective from 1-30 April,
2020.
Across all three aforementioned provinces, store
attendants and customers are also asked to strictly follow the social
distancing rules and sanitary measures, as well as wear surgery or cloth
masks at all times.
TAT is constantly monitoring announcements from
Bangkok’s three other neighboring provinces – Nakhon Pathom, Pathum
Thani and Samut Sakhon – whether a similar order for convenience stores
to be closed at specific times will be imposed.
The above order is in addition to previous
announcements on a blanket closure of an expanded list of shopping
malls, markets, sports and related facilities, entertainment venues, and
more in
Bangkok
and its five neighboring provinces until 30 April, 2020 or further
notice.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, food takeaways and
deliveries, banks and ATMs, and other essential services used in daily
life remain open.
Elsewhere in Thailand, provincial governors have
issued measures in accordance with their respective local situations.
Key tourist destinations; such as,
Phuket has now
closed all entry and exit points and
an extended list
of venues and services until further notice, while
Chon Buri has
imposed temporary closure of venues and activity restrictions
with immediate effect until further notice.
TAT is constantly providing updates on the
tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/).
For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s
tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
For constant updates of Thailand’s COVID-19 control
measures for travelers, please visit
https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php.
This press release is published on 01 April, 2020,
at 14.00 Hrs. All information is accurate at the current time but can be
changed depending on the situation. The TAT Newsroom will not be
updating this press release but will issue new updates as soon as
further information becomes available.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand
.jpg)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in Thailand as of 1 April
2020, 13.00 Hrs. (TAT)
Pattaya turns into ghost town after coronavirus shutdown
Bars,
restaurants, arcades, and other tourism-based businesses are closed down
due to the curfew.
CHONBURI - The coronavirus pandemic has
turned Thailand’s seaside resort city of Pattaya into a ghost town as
businesses shut their doors after worldwide travel restrictions.
Since March 18 when the government imposed a ban on
most services, the vibrant entertainment scene of Pattaya has depleted.
Pattaya beach is seen empty after 8 P.M.
deadline.
A business leader of Pattaya Sinchai
Wattanasartsathorn said Pattaya faced an unprecedented crisis that
turned it in to a “dead city.” But he believed the city awaits the
right time to resurrect.
Over 90 percent of hotels in the world-famous
tourist hotspot are forced to announce temporary closures, beginning
April.
Local businessman,
Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn, tells how shaken the businesses are right
now after the lockdown.
Currently, none of the hotels had guests more than
four percent of their capacities, said Pakamon Wongyai, a leading
hotelier of Pattaya.Hotel closures mean thousands of staffers need to
pack up and head home during the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.
Pattaya city hotelier,
Pakamon Wongyai, said visitors’ number had plunged to almost none since
the air, sea, and land lockdown in March.
Pattaya’s beaches, bars and cabarets are now
deserted, reflecting economic devastation to over 100,000 more people in
the city workforce who also have to leave for their hometowns as their
only option for survival. (TNA)
No
tourists are seen at Pattaya beach even during day light.
A speed boat is seen
deserted perhaps for already longer than a month as all of the Chinese
tours were canceled to zero number since March
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Over 300 commercial airplanes grounded at Thailand’s airports
The
coronavirus outbreaks had caused airliners, national and international,
to cancel their flights and submitted their business halt requests to
the CAAT.
BANGKOK - Over 300 commercial airplanes have
been grounded at two major airports of Thailand, Don Mueang and
Suvarnabhumi, due to novel coronavirus outbreak.
The pandemic has caused plummeting demand for air
travel around the globe and forced airlines based in Thailand to cancel
some of their routes.
Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways and Thai
VietJet Air have requested Suvarnabhumi Airport to park their planes
after halting their flights due to the Covid-19 crisis, said Airport
Authority of Thailand officials.
Thailand’s largest airport has the parking capacity
for 138-150 planes.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of
Thailand (CAAT), nine airlines have submitted requests to temporarily
halt their flights.
For Don Mueang Airport which mostly serves low-cost
airlines, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Nok
Scoot have asked for permission to park their grounded planes.(TNA)
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Bangkok Airways suspends all domestic flights April7-30
Bangkok, 31 March, 2020, at 17.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) would like to inform foreign and Thai travelers that all
domestic flights during 7-30 April, 2020, operated by Bangkok Airways will
be suspended.
The temporary suspension of its domestic flights
followed the previous announcement on the suspension of all international
flights from 22 March, 2020, until further notice.
Passengers can request for a full refund via
www.bangkokair.com/refund or contact the airline’s ticketing offices or
Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771 or Tel. +662 270 6699. For passengers who
purchased their tickets via a travel agency, please contact their travel
agency directly.
TAT is constantly providing updates on the
tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/).
For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism,
contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
For constant updates of Thailand’s COVID-19 control
measures for travelers, please visit
https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php.
This
press release is published on 31 March, 2020, at 17.00 Hrs. All information
is accurate at the current time but can be changed depending on the
situation. The TAT Newsroom will not be updating this press release but will
issue new updates as soon as further information becomes available..
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