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Contact sports wait for virus all clear
Contact sports wait for virus all clear
THAILAND: Attention is now focusing on when the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will allow contact sports like boxing and football to resume after night entertainment venues opened their doors in the fifth phase of lockdown easing.
CCSA fears infections surge over long weekend
CCSA fears infections surge over long weekend
BANGKOK: The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is concerned that a mass exodus of Thais expected to travel to their provincial homes during the long holiday on July 4-7 could lead to a new surge in COVID-19 infections, spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said.
COVID crisis compounds new school-term woes
COVID crisis compounds new school-term woes
THAILAND: The first day of school yesterday (June 1) was not a happy time for every child and parent, some of whom had to borrow, beg or even steal so they could send their offspring to class in a uniform like everyone else.
July 27 gets nod as Songrkan substitute holiday
July 27 gets nod as Songrkan substitute holiday
BANGKOK: The Cabinet has approved July 27 as a substitute Songkran holiday, creating another four-day holiday this month.
Cabinet extends emergency decree till July 31
Cabinet extends emergency decree till July 31
THAILAND: The cabinet today (June 30) formally approved the extension of the emergency decree nationwide for another month, until July 31, as proposed by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said.
Hospital quarantine facilities being readied for medical tourists
Hospital quarantine facilities being readied for medical tourists
THAILAND: New in-hospital quarantine facilities are being prepared to allow uninterrupted treatment for medical tourists, according to the Public Health Ministry.
Beach tourists eyed for August
Beach tourists eyed for August
BANGKOK: Phuket and Phi Phi Island are two of five locations targeted to host beach holidays as early as next month as the government is working with designated destinations to accommodate tourists under the travel bubble scheme, says the Tourism and Sport Ministry.
Thailand to lift ban on international flights Wednesday
Thailand to lift ban on international flights Wednesday
BANGKOK: Thailand will lift a ban on international flights on Wednesday (July 1), its aviation regulator said on Monday.
Nightlife to resume, some foreigners allowed in
Nightlife to resume, some foreigners allowed in
  All night entertainment venues, including wet massage parlours, will open their doors again on Wednesday and some foreigners will be allowed into the country, but not tourists, as virus lockdown restrictions are further eased. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday gave the greenlight for all remaining entertainment facilities to reopen from Wednesday. They include pubs and bars, karaoke bars, and bath-sauna-massage establishments. Health measures and monitoring will be required. “It was widely debated,” CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said after the meeting. All reopening premises will be required to use the Thai Chana platform, created to alert businesses and customers to any COVID-19 outbreak. Investors and highly skilled workers from Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore will be allowed entry to the country on condition they enter a self-sponsored quarantine programme at private facilities arranged by the government. Short-term business visitors will be exempt from the requirement.   Foreigners who have family in Thailand, and those who have homes in the kingdom, will also be allowed to return, according to the spokesman. Allowing in tourists from countries matched up with Thailand through a "travel bubble" did not get the full approval of board members of the CCSA, which is chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said health safety measures still have to be ironed out for Thai tourists going to other countries, and foreign tourists arriving here. The Disease Control Department and Foreign Ministry were still working on guidelines which were also acceptable to partner countries, which have different health requirements, said Mr Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party guides health and tourism policies. Foreigners coming to Thailand for medical treatment will be permitted in from Wednesday, but they must be accompanied by their partner, and enter quarantine at the hospital they go to. “Only some medical tourism programmes, not all of them, will be permitted,” Dr Taweesilp said. The decision to open up more businesses, and some travel, was made after more than a month without any new local infections being recorded in Thailand. The meeting also agreed to extend use of the emergency decree until the end of July. Restrictions were earlier lifted on restaurants, schools, malls and many sports activities - with enforcement of social distancing and body temperature checks.  
TAT reworks healthcare tourism goal
TAT reworks healthcare tourism goal
BANGKOK: Thailand is setting a new goal to become a global medical and wellness destination by 2024, aiming to lure international travellers and 1 million overseas Thais, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
State banks to offer free meals to needy
State banks to offer free meals to needy
THAILAND: The Ministry of Finance is planning to fund meal handouts at state banks to help people across the kingdom impacted by COVID-19.
PM urges Asean travel relaunch
PM urges Asean travel relaunch
BANGKOK: Thailand has called on Asean members to collaborate over public health in a bid to reopen intra-regional travel as part of post-COVID 19 measures to restore the regional economy.
NACC lays ‘light’ blame on police for Red Bull heir’s escape
NACC lays ‘light’ blame on police for Red Bull heir’s escape
BANGKOK: The National Anti-Corruption Commission has found police guilty of mild dereliction of duty in their lenient handling of the fatal hit-and-run case against fugitive Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya.
Thailand to have 2 clubs in expanded ACL group stage
Thailand to have 2 clubs in expanded ACL group stage
FOOTBALL: The AFC Champions League (ACL) will be expanded to accommodate 40 clubs from across Asia starting 2021 season.
Decree could be extended by a month
Decree could be extended by a month
THAILAND: The National Security Council (NSC) has recommended extending enforcement of the emergency decree imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic for another month until July 31.
BoT forecasts record contraction
BoT forecasts record contraction
BANGKOK: The Bank of Thailand has reduced its economic outlook to a contraction of 8.1% this year, deeper than the 1997 financial crisis, but kept the policy rate on hold at 0.50%.
All business to resume on July 1
All business to resume on July 1
BANGKOK: All businesses and activities suspended to control the spread of coronavirus disease will be allowed to resume on July 1, including entertainment venues and “soapy massage” parlours.
50,000 select foreigners to start arriving next week
50,000 select foreigners to start arriving next week
BANGKOK: The first group of foreigners to be allowed to enter Thailand will comprise business representatives, skilled workers, experts, people with Thai families, teachers, students and patients who agree to quarantine, according to the government.
Central bank tweaks B500bn soft loan scheme for SMEs
Central bank tweaks B500bn soft loan scheme for SMEs
BANGKOK: The Bank of Thailand is fine-tuning the process of offering B500 billion in soft loans with an aim to provide virus-hit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with better access.
Weapons find sparks new unrest fears
Weapons find sparks new unrest fears
BANGKOK: Police are on high alert after a cache of weapons and ammunition found on Tuesday (June 23) in Tak’s Mae Sot district were suspected of being part of a plot to stir up political unrest.