Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (27 April 2022)

Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (27 April 2022)

Test and go will be GONE from May 1. The Thai entry program of testing vaccinated visitors on arrival is to be stopped, replaced by voluntary self testing by tourists instead. Restrictions WILL remain in place for those who have not been fully vaccinated and the Thailand Pass program will still be required, but with far less detail needed to enter the country. Medical insurance limits for covid treatment are also to be reduced to just 10,000 dollars a month. This then sees Thailand fully open to tourism and just in time for the annual rush on bookings for global travel for the summer and winter seasons. Covid figures here have been on a constant decline for weeks now, despite gloom merchants predicting a rise after the Songkran holidays, there was actually a fall.

With many foreign consulates closed in Thailand, the US seems to be baulking the system by building a new one in Chiang Mai, much to the discern of many locals, seeing the US embassy in Bangkok forced to deny local rumours, and the content of a letter sent to the US president that their new FACILITY is in fact intended partly as a base for CIA and other operatives working in Asia, specifically with nearby Burmese. Obviously, even if it were a new spy centre, the Americans wouldn’t come out and confirm it and Chiang Mai residents are planning to keep their eyes open for farang in black as of the opening next year.

Overnight camping has become the in thing OUTSIDE INSURANCE COMPANIES in the capital that have thousands of Covid policies sold and a similar number of claimants. The two companies notified authorities of the close down of certain insurance arms earlier in the year but are obliged to honour existing policies in most cases. Those with policies in force are also entitled to partial refunds but The Office of the General Insurance Fund, which is acting as a liquidator, can only process 500 compensation claims a day.  They have stated that whilst claims from those who caught covid hit the 60 billion baht level, the cheap policies only netted an income of 11 billion. Most other companies are still paying out without question and in many cases those with policies receive 100K baht, from their 800 baht policy.

6 people have been formally charged with interfering in the investigation into the death of the model who fell from the rear of a boat on the Chao Phraya river during a private party. Now reporting that all on board were intoxicated, in addition to hiding evidence, throwing evidence overboard and colluding to delay reporting to police, two are charged with being in charge of the boat without effective licences and thus causing reckless death.

Pattaya’s Bangkok Pattaya Hospital might just be the answer for many who look to avoid the one to 2 hour queues at Central for booster shots.  Whilst at Central are free, at the hospital we can walk in and get Moderna boosters or full vaccine packages on demand. No queues and fast turnaround. 1600 baht ish will see those who can’t or won’t stand in a line for so long, save themselves the wait.

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