Thailand-
The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the past week. We are focusing on what is happening for the third week of May, ending May 22nd, 2021.
As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.
1. Chonburi officially downgraded to a “red” zone from “dark red”, restrictions eased
As of press time, not all the easing of restrictions have been announced provincially, as many are up to the Chonburi Governor, however, a big one, dine-in for restaurants, will be taking place effective Monday, May 17th, 2021. Restaurants have been closed since the beginning of the month for dine-in and restricted for takeaway until 9:00 P.M. The loosened measures will be welcomed by business owners and many staff alike who had been temporarily laid off with no pay. The change will also be welcomed by local residents who were tiring of early cutoff for take-away at 9:00 P.M. and not being able to enjoy a meal in a restaurant.
2. Pattaya vaccination program to begin in earnest likely this week to the public, foreigner information possible this week
Pattaya City, despite a slight delay as you see in the below article, is expected to get 20,000 doses of Sinovac this week, enough to begin in earnest to vaccinate the general population, especially those working in tourism, ahead of an ambitious goal to get 70% of the population vaccinated in the next two-three months. According to Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume, this will be essential to re-open the city to both domestic and foreign tourism. Foreigners will be able to register and get a vaccine, if they wish, soon according to city officials also and are part of the plan, with concrete details possibly arriving as early as next week. The Ministry of Public Health stated earlier today they are developing an application for foreigners to register in English and that English-speaking staff will be available in areas with large foreign populations, including Pattaya. Walk-ins will likely be allowed in the very near future although so will registering through the mobile application or over the phone at 1337-but isn’t quite ready yet.
3. Will Bangkok and the surrounding area be able to get the Covid-19 situation under control?
As much of the country improves in regards to Covid-19 cases, Bangkok remains the biggest driver of cases in the country, including a recent outbreak in the prison system. Surrounding Bangkok provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani have also had outbreaks, the majority stemming from industrial estates, crowded neighborhoods like Klong Toey, and markets. The majority of vaccines are now going to support inoculating at-risk areas of the capital and get the situation under control. All eyes will be on Bangkok throughout the next few weeks, as if the situation doesn’t improve there, it won’t in most of the country either.
That is all for this week, have a safe week ahead!
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