Thailand suspends ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’

 Thailand has suspended its ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’ schemes due to fears over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha has ordered the immediate suspension of new registrations for Thailand Pass and at the same reinstated mandatory quarantine effective immediately.

The PM announced on Tuesday afternoon that Test & Go will be put on hold until at least January 4, 2022.

The so-called ‘Sandbox’ programs will also be suspended.

"After Dec. 21, there will be no new registrations for 'Test and Go', only quarantine or Phuket sandbox," said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhanadirek.

However, those who had already registered and are due to travel will still be able to enter the country, but they will be required to take a second RT-PCR test. When the test is required was not clear at the time of posting.

The PM took the decision following a meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Tuesday morning.

This is a developing story. This post will be updated without warning.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

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Thailand reopening: 9pm booze ban in certain areas could be lifted by mid-November

The head of the National Security Council in his capacity as CCSA chief indicated there could be good news regarding the ban on alcohol sales in 15 days, reported Thai Rath yesterday.

Supoj Malaniyom said that the 9 pm limit in pilot provinces for reopening would stay in place at restaurants for now but there were reviews as to how this was going every 2 days.

The bigger picture was that by November 15th he hoped to have better news.

He stressed that whether places were allowed to open - and this could be pubs and clubs soon - all depended on the compliance and the Covid-19 situation.

Elsewhere media was speculating that a change to the rules was in the offing that could pave the way for the opening of clubs in 17 provinces.

Supoj noted that early signs were good that Covid protocol compliance was good in Bangkok and he asked for this to continue otherwise things could take a step back.

Supoj had met with restaurateurs and retailers calling for the ban to be eased.

In a wide ranging article that quoted all the leading figures in Thailand's Covid battle there was much rhetoric and little detail, notes ASEAN NOW.

Thai Rath quoted PM Prayuth Chan-ocha who is attending the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow as saying that he was delighted with Thailand's reopening on Monday.

Noting that the speed with which tourists are processed needed to be upped a little he thanked the Thai people and visitors for their forbearance.

He said that the reopening of the country was for all people not just the rich as he implored his countryfolk to be good hosts.

Heath Minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul said that the opening of the country had been seamless.

The Thailand Pass site processed 4,000 people and early glitches had been sorted.

Government spokeswoman Traisuree said that transport problems associated with taking tourists to AQ and SHA+ hotels were being addressed.

Meanwhile the Thai Chamber of Commerce said that they hoped 10 million people would visit Thailand in 2022.

Such pronouncements would normally make the top of the news but Thai Rath went with the easing of the booze ban as did many other local media.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS 

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