A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[yinyang]

Bangkok traffic back to gridlock as coronavirus measures ease
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 18 MAY 2020 AT 17:17

(Bangkok Post file photo)

Cars, trucks and motorcycles jostled on Monday in a return of the capital's familiar gridlock as commuters headed back to work in the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions to get the economy back on track.

As snarl-ups grew in Bangkok's notoriously congested streets, travellers headed to its northern bus terminal to get out to the provinces for the first time since March, most sitting beside empty seats, in line with social distancing rules.
"I've been waiting to go home for many months. I'm glad to finally be able to do so," said Ratchari Maneenop, 22, who was heading to her home province of Loei in the northeast.

Thailand reported three new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking confirmed cases to 3,031 since January, with 56 deaths.
But restrictions on commerce and transport have battered tourism, household spending and private investment, leaving a dent in the economy, which contracted at its sharpest pace in eight years in the first quarter, pushing it into recession sooner than expected.

Bus driver Boonsong Misa said he was thrilled to be back on the road
"I've stopped working since March 8, it's been two months already," he said at the bus terminal. "I'm glad that I get to do the job I love again."

Queues formed on Sunday at the reopening of the country’s malls, where some operators are using touch-less elevators and deploying robots to take customers' temperatures.
Even though Thailand has been reporting fewer coronavirus cases in recent weeks, the government is keeping closed places that typically attract large groups of people, such as cinemas.
Passenger flights have been halted until the end of June.

"Do not sit" signs have been posted on many of the seats on Bangkok's elevated train network to give sufficient gaps between passengers, and floor markers are in place to control lines.

There were similar traffic jams in the Philippines, with trucks and private vehicles began pouring into the capital Manila, which started a "modified" lockdown. Some businesses and offices are allowed to reopen, but public transport remains suspended, leaving many workers in the lurch.
"I've been waiting for over 30 minutes, hoping to get a ride," said commuter Rolan Obani.
"My work is very important to me."

 

[yinyang]

Thailand mall's foot-operated lifts win praise for measures
to prevent coronavirus

Seacon Square shopping mall has installed foot-operated control panels in lifts and hand gel dispensers in
front of lifts and escalators.PHOTOS: SEACON SQUARE/FACEBOOK
Straits Times

BANGKOK (THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, REUTERS) - A shopping mall in Thailand's capital Bangkok has received praise from netizens for employing a series of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including installing foot-operated control panels in its lifts.
The measures taken by Seacon Square shopping mall on Bangkok's Srinakarin Road have been widely shared online.
The foot-operated control panels in the lifts at the mall allow users to select the floor and close/open the door by pressing the pedals so as to avoid touching anything, much unlike traditional elevators.

The other measures the mall has employed include installing hand gel dispensers in front of lifts and escalators, painting guidelines on the floor in possible crowded areas to force customers to maintain a safe distance between each other, and having thermo-scanning checkpoints as required by the Public Health Ministry.

Seacon Square stated on its Facebook page that it hoped the measures would become the new normal for shopping malls nationwide as they can prevent not only the spread of Covid-19 but also other kinds of germs, while promoting better hygiene and safety among the public.
Queues formed at Thailand malls after they were allowed to reopen last Sunday for the first time since March following the government's loosening of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions as part of a second phase of measures.

Thailand has reported more than 3,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since January, with more than 50 deaths.

 

[yinyang]

Thailand logs 2 more Covid cases, no deaths Tuesday
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 19 MAY 2020 AT 11:45

A woman wearing a facemask smiles in a shopping mall as it reopened after restrictions to halt the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus were lifted in Bangkok, on Monday. (AFP photo)

Thailand reported two additional cases of the new coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing total cases to 3,033. No additional deaths were recorded, leaving the accumulated toll at 56.

The two new cases were the daughter and son-in-law of a previously confirmed Covid-19 patient in Narathiwat.
Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said the daughter, 36, and her husband, 42, had taken care of the father at a hospital in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat province.

The father had pneumonia and later tested positive for Covid-19. Health officials then conducted tests on the two relatives. On May 8 they tested negative but on May 14 they tested positive.
"Calls for the relatives to undergo the tests were repeated. This shows that our disease control system works efficiently," Dr Taweesilp said. No other people lived in the new patients’ house.

The spokesman added that the patient detection system was proving effective because many people were visiting hospitals to seek Covid-19 tests voluntarily in response to the government's invitation for those with mild symptoms to be tested.

"Of the confirmed cases, 52% were people who walked into more than 100 public and private hospitals that provide free tests, while 39% of the cases were those in close contact with previously confirmed cases," Dr Taweesilp said.

Of the 3,033 accumulated cases, 2,857 have recovered. No patients were discharged in the past 24 hours, leaving 120 patients in hospitals. The death toll remained unchanged at 56.
Global Covid-19 cases amounted to 4.89 million with 320,134 deaths. The United States had the most cases at 1.55 million, and 91,981 deaths, Dr Taweesilp said.

Screenshot from https://covid19.ddc.moph.go.th/en


Screenshot from https://covid19.ddc.moph.go.th/en

 

[yinyang]

Really?

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388123?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Bars allowed to open sooner if case count stays low
National
May 19. 2020

By The Nation

Pubs, bars and entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen in the coming weeks if the daily count of new virus cases stays in single digits, the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Tuesday (May 19).

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said the number of shoppers surged on Sunday as low-risk and moderate-risk businesses (listed “white” and “green”, respectively) reopened as second-phase restrictions were eased and the ThaiChana contact-tracing platform was deployed. He added that social distancing improved on Monday.

Dr Taweesin said “red” businesses (medium to high risk) would be allowed to reopen in the fourth phase of relaxation, depending on the daily case count.

He reported that the Covid-19 situation is improving, with new daily cases dropping to single digits for the past 22 days. The CCSA will assess the situation every 14 days. If the single-digit trend continues, reopening of “red” businesses is likely to come faster, he added.

Taweesin emphasised that everyone should keep their guard high to maintain the low infection rate, which would help everyday life return and boost customers’ confidence in “red” businesses.

 

[Froggy]

Visited a couple of malls since Sunday

This is Central Eastview. People are very discipline in practising social distancing

Not as crowded as before I guess many still weary

You don't need the buttons anymore for this elevator there are sensors

and the inside

see the sensors

Ok not everyone is following the instruction to face the wall at least people keep themselves in the box

 

[Froggy]

Cooked for breakfast yesterday, simple and satisfying.

 

[yinyang]

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1920900/cabinet-gives-nod-to-thai-rehab

 

[Froggy]

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/202...onavirus-thailand.html?searchResultPosition=6

Thailand Reports One New Coronavirus Case, No New Deaths
By Reuters
May 20, 2020, 12:49 a.m. ET

BANGKOK — Thailand on Wednesday confirmed one new coronavirus case, bringing its total cases to 3,034.

There were no additional deaths reported. The new case, a Thai citizen travelling from Bahrain, was a detected during quarantine, said spokesman for the government's coronavirus task force, Taweesin Wisanuyothin.

There have been 56 deaths overall from coronavirus in Thailand and 2,888 patients have recovered.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

 

[nightsafari]

It’s midnight now, hungry, there’s a curfew outside, so

First time I've ever seen you eat so poorly... but even then marmite is tasty!

 

[Froggy]

First time I've ever seen you eat so poorly... but even then marmite is tasty!

This is wholesome meal I must say, comfort food.

 

[Froggy]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/C...-and-Yangon-are-up-after-coronavirus-shutdown

Video: Bangkok, Hanoi and Yangon are up after coronavirus shutdown
Restaurants and shopping malls reopen, but with a 'new normal' in place

Thailand is one of a number of Southeast Asian countries that will be looking at a "new normal" as the country reopens amid the ebbing coronavirus outbreak.
(Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Nikkei staff writersMay 21, 2020 15:08 JST

BANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR/HANOI/YANGON -- Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia are lifting restrictions on activities imposed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, gradually bringing everyday life back to normal.

Restaurants and other businesses are reopening while schools have resumed classes after temporary closures in some countries.

Traffic congestion, which had been virtually absent for months, is again emerging in big cities.

Commuter motorcycles in Hanoi have returned to main roads while shoppers are beginning to fill Yangon street markets.

But as Singapore and Indonesia remain wary about COVID-19 infections, the situation varies from country to country.



Even in countries that have begun normalizing, how and when borders will reopen is far from clear as the risk of secondary infections looms.

In the meantime, Southeast Asia will be looking at a "new normal" -- one that will be influenced by the lingering effects of the coronavirus.

 

[Froggy]

Friday morning preparing my breakfast



Breakfast ready

 

[yinyang]

Zero new cases but state quarantine centres in focus
National
May 22. 2020

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388314?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

[Froggy]

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-extends-state-of-emergency-until-end-of-june/

Thailand extends state of emergency until end of June
May 22, 2020

Pedestrians walk on the main street of Chinatown after the Thai government relaxed measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Bangkok on May 21, 2020. – Thailand continued easing restrictions related to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus on May 17 by allowing various businesses to reopen, but warned that the stricter measures would be re-imposed should cases increase again. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has endorsed the proposal of the National Security Council to extend the country’s current state of emergency until the end of June, as the country recorded no new infections or fatalities today.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said at the daily news briefing that the CCSA meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, agreed with the extension of the emergency decree on the grounds of health security, citing the need for the special law to ensure the unified and speedy operations of all agencies concerned in the collective fight against the deadly virus.

He explained that the Communicable Disease Control Act, although empowering officials to adopt measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases, is not enough to cover all necessary preventive aspects.

Another reason for the extension of the emergency decree, said Dr. Taweesin, is that, as Thailand is approaching the third and fourth phases of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, on business activities which are regarded as being at a higher risk of disease transmission, it is necessary to ensure a balance between vigilance and the easing restrictions in a way which will not lead to a second wave of infections.

Dr. Taweesin said the third reason cited by the CCSA for the extension is that Thailand is still at risk from the contagion,because it is still spreading in many other countries, and a workable vaccine is still at least a year away.

“We are not out of danger yet. We are in the second phase of lockdown relaxation. If we do not have the emergency decree, what will happen?” he asked, as he insisted that the special law is just one of the tools invoked to curb the spread of the virus.

He hinted, however, that the next CCSA meeting will discuss the 11pm-4am curfew, which may be further relaxed to provide greater freedom of movement for working people.

According to the CCSA, accumulated infections in Thailand are 3,037, with 2,910 recoveries, 56 fatalities and 71 still in hospital.

Dr. Taweesin did, however, say that there are two suspected cases awaiting test results. They are returnees from Egypt and India who are currently in state quarantine.

Between May 8th and May 21st, there were 15 infections among those in state quarantine after returning from abroad.

 

[yinyang]

Tears and heartbreak as flight ban keeps farang-Thai families apart
National
May 22. 2020

The ban on international flights is stopping Michael O’Halloran from returning to his three daughters and wife in Chonburi.
O’Halloran is stranded in Ireland.
By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

Foreign nationals married to Thai citizens who are stranded overseas due to the ban on incoming flights are pleading with the government to let them return so they can be with their families. Some have even contacted Nation Thailand to ask for help.

James Jacobs, seen here with his wife, is stranded in France.


Briton James Jacobs, who is stranded in France, says he wants to return to his wife Sopa, 29, who lives in Chiang Mai.

Speaking to the Nation over the phone, Sopa said her husband has been stranded in France since April, when Thailand stopped all incoming flights for fear of importing Covid-19 cases. She said she can only keep in touch with him online.

Another Briton, Alan Cheetham, who is stranded in the UK, said he wants to get back to his family in the northeastern province of Udon Thani.

Cheetham set up a Facebook page called “Thai Expats Stranded Overseas due to Covid-19 Travel Restrictions” last week and nearly 150 people who are in the same predicament have joined so far.

Foreign nationals married to Thais have created two Facebook groups – Thai Expats Stranded Overseas due to Covid-19 Travel Restrictions and Farangs Stranded Abroad due to Lockdown in Thailand – to share information as part of their efforts to reunite families.

Michael O’Halloran, who is trapped in Ireland, said he wants to be with his three daughters, aged 13, nine and 20 months, who are living with his wife in Chonburi.

Alan Edwards, another expat who is in a similar situation, said it is unfair that families are being kept apart during this difficult period just because one of the spouses is not Thai.

“I understand that in these difficult times, many difficult decisions have to be made by the Thai government, but does the prejudice against Thai/foreigner families have to go on for so long? How is it fair that Thai people and children must be without a loved one or a parent because they are not Thai?” he asked.

Rob Kennedy, who is trapped in Brunei, said the Thai embassy there was helpful, but the high-ranking officials in Bangkok are showing little interest in his case. He said he is willing to pay for quarantine if he is allowed to return.

Kennedy belongs to the “Farangs Stranded Abroad due to Lockdown in Thailand” Facebook group, which has 300 members.

Another expatriate, who has a family in the southern resort city of Phuket, said on condition of anonymity that he left Phuket in March and now cannot return to Thailand. He has a four-year-old son who has a medical condition.

Mam, a Chiang Mai resident who did not wish to reveal her real name, told the Nation that her husband has been stranded in Canada. “My two-year-old girl often asks, ‘where is Daddy’?” she said.

Daniel Nolan has been stranded in Australia for close to three months now and can’t return to his wife and child. He said he went to Australia to attend his father’s funeral in March, only to learn he could not take the flight back to Bangkok. His spouse, Chonpiti Duangsangaram, told the Nation that their child is only 7 months old.

“My husband is missing helping me look after the baby. Now I have had to move to my father’s home so someone can help me look after my little girl,” she said.

Chonpiti said she has spoken to immigration officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport about her husband being allowed back, but they said it was beyond their authority.

For Jaco Willem Kotze, the reason for separation was different. He and his wife and daughter left Thailand for a holiday in South Africa on February 25. However, when they returned on March 25 – he with all his documents attested by the Thai Embassy in Pretoria – officials at the airport forced him to return to South Africa because no foreigners were allowed to enter Thailand despite having a long-stay visa and marriage certificate.

“Now my wife and daughter are in Thailand and I am sitting in South Africa,” he said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand banned all incoming passenger flights since April 4 and has extended the ban several times. The latest extension is until June 30.

The government says it is worried about people bringing new Covid-19 cases to Thailand as the rate of infections is still pretty high in many countries, while here it has dropped to a single digit for several days.

The authorities, however, are letting Thai nationals stranded abroad return home in limited numbers based on the capacity of state quarantine facilities and hospitals.

Recently, the government decided to have hotels and hospitals work together on quarantine facilities that can accommodate people who want to be comfortable and are willing to pay for it. This model may also apply to foreign tourists.

 

[yinyang]

Only 3 today, good low trend continues.
Btw, we very much prefer this new face (only doing weekend briefings).
Dr Panprapa Yongtrakul was handpicked for the job by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, was Miss Thailand in 2008.

Three more virus cases, no deaths reported
New patients are Italian man in Phuket and two Thai returnees in quarantine

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1922996/three-more-virus-cases-no-deaths-reported

 

[Froggy]

This is amazing, recently installed 7-Eleven vending machine. Bought an egg for lunch yesterday.

 

[shittypore]

This is amazing, recently installed 7-Eleven vending machine. Bought an egg for lunch yesterday.

Thai 7-11 no horse run, even Sinkies will luv em.

 

[yinyang]

Zero new case for the fourth time in May
National
May 24. 2020

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388407?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral


Screenshot from https://covid19.ddc.moph.go.th/en

 

[yinyang]

Froggy can soon resume his water therapy?

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1923524/further-reopenings-set-for-june

Further reopenings set for June
Boxing, massage poised to return
PUBLISHED : 25 MAY 2020 AT 04:30

Boxing stadiums, massage parlours, spas, cinemas, convention venues and tutorial schools are among the moderate-risk category of businesses and activities expected to be allowed to reopen for the third stage of Covid-19 lockdown easing next month.
However, pubs, bars and night entertainment venues will remain closed.

Tanarak Plipat, the deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said yesterday that activities and businesses that are at moderate risk of Covid-19 transmission or the so-called ''yellow'' category are expected to be allowed to reopen in the next stage of relaxation.

''The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is expected to announce the list probably this coming Wednesday or Thursday,'' Dr Tanarak said.
According to sources, they include cinemas, bowling alleys, skating rinks, karaoke outlets, amusement parks, water parks, zoos, tutorial schools, Thai traditional massage parlours, spas, seminars, meeting venues, events in hotels, trade exhibition centres, fitness centres and boxing stadiums.

• Fate of emergency decree to be decided Thursday
• Army general in charge of boxing stadium transferred
• High time for curfew to go

A cluster of infections during an event at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on March 6 was blamed for a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the following days.

National Security Council secretary-general Somsak Roongsita, who chairs a committee considering steps for easing the lockdown, said the committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss relaxing restrictions to allow more businesses and activities to restart.
He declined to give specific details as to which businesses will be permitted to reopen, though he said they have a higher risk for spreading infection than those which were previously allowed to resume.

However, those businesses should now have put in place health safety measures to protect customers and their staff.
Gen Somsak said the committee will take into account information from the Public Health Ministry, businesses operators, and the plight of people affected by the economic impact of the pandemic.

The committee will try to strike a balance between health and safety for the public and keeping businesses functioning, he added.
Gen Somsak also said the committee will consider whether to retain the curfew period from 11pm-4am or shorten it from midnight to 4am.
The result of the meeting will be forwarded to the CCSA meeting on Friday for a decision on the third stage of lockdown easing which will take effect on June 1, Gen Somsak said.

The CCSA yesterday reported no new coronavirus cases and no new deaths, maintaining the totals at 3,040 confirmed cases and 56 fatalities since the outbreak began in January.
Yesterday was the fourth day this month that there were no new confirmed cases, said Panprapa Yongtrakul, a spokeswoman for the CCSA.
A total of 2,921 patients have recovered since the outbreak started, with 63 still in hospital.

The number of new infections per day during the past two weeks has remained in low single digits with most new cases the result of contact with previously infected ones or through contact with crowds of people.

Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) operation centre reported that police arrested a total of 330 people who defied the curfew restrictions nationwide from 11pm on Saturday to 4am yesterday. They will face a variety of penalties.

On March 26, the government invoked the emergency decree with the aim of limiting people's movements and forcing them to stay at home in a bid to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the directives under the decree was the imposition of a curfew and a ban on gatherings which cause public disturbances.
Violations result in a jail term of no more than two years and/or a fine of no more than 40,000 baht.