Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (3 January 2023)

Thailand & Pattaya LATEST NEWS from Fabulous 103fm (3 January 2023)

A full response to the risk, if any, of Chinese tourism returning to Thailand in the face of rampant covid there, is expected for the Thai Health ministry this week, following a return after the new year break.    As western experts estimate the covid count in China affecting a staggering  248 MILLION people in the month of December alone, SO Numerous countries have introduced the requirement of a covid test within 2 days prior to departure from China to their shores.  For the Thai tourist industry, the Chinese issue has struck a second blow as India now has a requirement for all, including their own nationals, to show covid stering results before landing there from Thailand. Along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, an issue for many considering travel overseas AND the secondary issue remains for the Thai state, that of medical treatment for any coming here and developing the virus AS so many travel here without any form of medical insurance.  Thailand has recovered from the major effect of the virus and businesses tremble at the idea of a second round, and booster shots for all are available to Thais, with non thai reportedly seeking them in large numbers as well.

 Funerals began for some 27 Thai nationals who died in the Poipet casino fire just inside the Cambodian border last week.  Amid complaints that the region, popular with Thai’s crossing to gamble, had no capable fire department AND that Thai services raced across the border to assist.  It’s now clear that hundreds were trapped inside the building, whether in casino areas or hotel rooms above AND that the fire spread from the main building to another hotel adjacent to it.  The 27 storey Thai owned building is reportedly in a dangerous state which is hampering further  investigation and firefighters continue to attempt access to hotel rooms locked from the inside.  Cambodia only put into place fire safety regulations for commercial building in the recent 5 years and many still have never been checked for compliance.

After a new years message from HM the king of Thailand in which he congratulated the nation on pulling together during the pandemic and  asked all to extend kindness to one another, prayers continue for the health and recover of both his daughter, the Royal Princess, currently hospitalized AND his sister, the much loved Princess Maha Chakri Sirinhorn, commonly known as the princess angel, who has also recently undergone treatment in hospital, and advised to hold back from public engagements.

As this week will see confirmation of the death count from road accidents during the new year holiday season, random road checks continue nationwide and have seen many held in police cells awaiting courts reopening.  Drink driving cases rose in our region too and non thais are among those reportedly held and awaiting hearings.

In Narathiwat where 9 warrants have been issued for those considered to have been involved in the bombings in that region before xmas, 2 have been arrested already and ownership of the pickup used to create a massive car bomb which destroyed a housing complex used by police families has also been traced.

Traffic maxed out on the exit roads yesterday afternoon seeing chaos and congestion in the city.  That’s over now, and it’s a matter of cleanup and return to normal for the city hall teams.  Huge piles of rubbish, and trash strewn beaches greeted workers after the new year celebration. The challenge was and is to remove it quickly, avoiding any of it being washed out to sea.   The celebrations themselves were a huge success as were the multiple music concerts , many of which saw fans sitting through the day to keep their places near the stages.  Cooler weather meant that waterparks did NOT see crowds, but for the rest of the entertainment and pleasure industry, it was a welcome boost.

According to police records, and with gambling in Thailand illegal in any form, a hapless bunch of men were reported to police for betting with each other outside a city guest house.  Stunned as police approached , they fled with one running first to the beach, and then the ocean.  Only when he realized there was only one way to run, and that was back, was he was nabbed and taken into custody. Local cops offered him a blanket, and of course their own fine accommodation along with his pals

Local services such as immigration and other government offices reopen today in the city.  As always the reminder is out.. avoid them.  Huge queues are always  promised in the first 3-4 days after a holiday and unless you are urgently in need, hold off for a week.. For the others, well best to take sandwiches and a book.. Don’t blame the staff. They, like our news team, are entitled to a few days break and don’t exactly relish the return to work.  For us though, it’s a pleasure to be back on track in Pattaya, bringing you the latest news.

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Will Thai government control Chinese
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