Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, May 2nd to the 8th, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
1. More than 20,000 passengers arrive in Thailand on the first day of “Test&Go” being scrapped, Transport Minister reports
The accumulative number of inbound passengers was 20,606 people who had been traveling to Thailand on the first day alone of the “Test & Go” and the RT-PCR test cancellation on May 1st. The eliminations allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists and Thai returnees to enter or return to the country without mandatory quarantine and RT-PCR tests. However, they are required to register their intention to visit the Kingdom on the “Thailand Pass” registration and purchase Covid-19 insurance of at least 10,000 USD coverage before arriving, which some tourists may still find the requirements complicated and prevent them from traveling to the country.
2. Thai Public Health and Education Ministries discuss regulation plans for on-site school reopening in Mid-May
As the new semester is approaching on May 17th, both ministries were gathering to clarify the preventive measures for the on-site classes for both boarding schools and day schools nationwide. In short, the schools did not have to immediately shut down their institutions or classes if any Covid-19 infections or high-risk exposure in the school areas was found. ‘School isolation’ is required for the infected person and then the onsite classes can operate as normal.
3. Thai Public Health Minister proposes to end “Thailand Pass” registration-but at first only for Thai returnees
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated last week that he is going to propose the cancellation of the “Thailand Pass” registration initially for Thai returnees at the next CCSA meeting as the Covid-19 situation was under control with sufficient medical supplies for new daily infections. If passed, he stressed that the scrap may be possible for foreign travelers as well in the further step. However, it is worth noting that the cancellation, for both Thais and foreigners, is not promised as the Minister did not discuss it with the related authorities yet, expected to be by this week.
And, that is all for this week. Thank you as always for reading the Pattaya News/TPN News!
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