Hua Hin Forum

Ranking of 11 provinces with highest COVID-19 transmission, as of 25 January 2022

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story sometime around 1500 hours this afternoon

7,587 new Covid cases, 19 more deaths

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

Power and perceived self importance rears its ugly head once again. Let's have each province make their own rules and forget about any central plan and procedures. So happy to see the tourists vote with their feet. Hopefully the affected and injured vendors and establishments will now march on city hall.

Tourists turn their backs on Rayong over 330-baht antigen testing requirement

https://thethaiger.com/news/eastern-tha ... equirement

Tourists have hit back at the eastern province of Rayong after officials imposed a mandatory antigen testing requirement on all visitors. According to a Nation Thailand report, all arrivals in the province must have a negative antigen test result, certified by a doctor, no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Tourists have expressed their anger on social media, with most saying they were unaware of the requirement prior to arrival. Once in Rayong, visitors are being ordered to pay 330 baht at a local hospital in order to be tested. This has led to most cancelling their trips and turning around.

Nation Thailand reports that one of them is 52-year-old Pathida Limprasit, who brought a group of 10 Swedish tourists to Koh Samet. The group had travelled all the way from Surin province, nearly 500 kilometres away, in the north-east of the country. It’s understood that when the Swedish visitors heard about the ATK requirement, they opted to change their plans, ditching Rayong. According to the group, the extra cost is unjustifiable, given that they’re all fully vaccinated and have already been tested several times before they could enter Thailand.

According to Rayong’s deputy governor, the requirement has been in place since January 20. Anan Nakniyom says the province will hold talks with relevant agencies in order to find a solution to the problem and prevent any further fallout for tourism operators and businesses in Rayong.


SOURCE: Nation Thailand

There are places in Hua Hin insisting on ATK testing, regardless of vaccine status, before allowing entry, but the testing is provided free of charge.

This isn't a place, it's an entire province apparently. No idea how they are enforcing it but with the group in the article I would think authorities were at the pier for boats going to Koh Samet. Other than that I guess they have all the hotels geared up to enforce it.

As it's for "all arrivals" I assume Thais coming from other provinces are included as well. What they'll get trying that is a huge.

The story I read (Thai/English translation on Workpoint) was only talking about Koh Samet. Regardless the size of the area, the principal is the same - no test, no entry. I agree, if the entire province, just another unenforceable Thai rule that catches the headlines, but is meaningless.

We mustn't forget the state of the press these days - they have to exaggerate for people to take notice. Quite often, the headlines bear little resemblance to the real story.

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story sometime around 1500 hours this afternoon.

8,078 new Covid cases, 22 more deaths

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

I notice that deaths and hospitalisations are moving up. This could be the aftermath of New Year celebrations which was pretty much expected.

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story sometime around 1500 hours this afternoon.

8,450 new Covid cases, 28 more deaths

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

Opinion: It is time we end this pandemic
Walking along lower Sukhumvit towards Asok and you can’t help but be appalled at the devastation the pandemic has brought on businesses and livelihoods. Hawker stalls, mom and pop shops, and small businesses that once fought for space along the pavement and sidewalks were no more.

Those that have been to some of Thailand’s busiest streets whether in Pattaya, Patong, Hua Hin, Patpong, Khaosan will all see similar, depressing sights.

More than the jobs and economic prospects lost, the Covid-19 pandemic has also taken away loved ones and colleagues, friends and families. Thousands have perished to the disease, thousands more are affected by the void they leave behind.

But after two years of devastation brought about by the coronavirus, after two years of lockdowns and mandatory orders from the government, it is time that we bring the pandemic to an end.

...

Restrictions must be lifted, travel barriers must be removed. The economy and people’s livelihoods cannot go through another lockdown or to play this overly cautiously anymore.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/37031/opin ... -pandemic/

It is not in the junta's interest to ease restrictions.

Millions upon millions of totally shattered lives, here and the world over, from the humble street vendors all the way up .
Broken families, unfathomable mental issues, and thats the ones that are able to be seen
Recovery, well that may be possible for some, but the rest,,,
It is time to let the world get back on with life or life itself wont be worth living, for so many through absolutely no fault of their own have suffered too long

Today's brief: