Covid-19 in the news (4) September-October 2020

Covid-19 in the news (4) September-October 2020

The information in this post is outdated and serves only as historical reference and should not be used as a base to plan a trip.

The proposed STV had a level of bureaucracy and nonsense where even I (happy to have enough time and money to go through all of this) have to ask myself if it is worth it, and came to the 
conclusion: NO. A moot point, it failed anyway.

With the failed STV (Special Tourist Visa, announced 4sep2020, approved 15sep2020, rescinded 7oct2020), Thailand has lost all credibility and I have given up all hope of returning anytime soon and will put all my energy and money in finding somewhere else to go for the winter. I couldn't put it better than this article: https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/10/08/epic-failure-thailand-delays-special-tourist-visa-indefinitely-48-hrs-before-first-tourists-arrive-no-refunds/

Chronologial list of links to new articles (quotes in italic, comments in normal):

List of countries Thailand will allow tourists from September 1, 2020
https://pattayaone.news/list-of-countries-thailand-will-allow-tourists-from/

Bank of Thailand warns of tourism meltdown Next year may see greater impact 1 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1977743/bot-warns-of-tourism-meltdown

Covid-19 epicenter Da Nang to screen all families, possibly ease social distancing 9/1/2020
https://ampe.vnexpress.net/news/news/covid-19-epicenter-da-nang-to-screen-all-families-possibly-ease-social-distancing-4155362.html

Vietnam may resume international commercial flights from mid-Sept 1 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1978043/vietnam-may-resume-international-commercial-flights-from-mid-sept

How Airline Pricing Will Evolve With No Change Fees
September 1, 2020
https://onemileatatime.com/airline-pricing-no-change-fees/

Emirates resumes flights to Thailand, but many travellers can’t currently go September 1, 2020
https://pattayaone.news/emirates-resumes-flights-to-thailand-but-many-travellers-cant-currently-go/

Phuket Immigration says help coming for expats caught in permit-to-stay crisis 1 September 2020
https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-immigration-says-help-coming-for-expats-caught-in-permit-to-stay-crisis-77177.php

Malaysia closed to tourists until December 1 September 2020
https://www.thephuketnews.com/malaysia-closed-to-tourists-until-december-77174.php

Jewelry snatching rises with gold prices in Pattaya September 1, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/jewelry-snatching-rises-with-gold-prices-in-pattaya-313279

Kanchanaburi school shuts for three days to prevent Covid-19 infection Sep 01. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30393833

100 days free of local virus cases, but Thailand pays heavy price 2 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1978751/100-days-free-of-local-virus-cases-but-thailand-pays-heavy-price

Thailand Passes 100 Days With Zero Local Transmissions, But COVID-19’s Cut Still Runs Deep 03 Sep 2020
https://thesmartlocal.com/thailand/zero-local-cases/

Thailand managed 101 days without local coronavirus cases. Will it open borders soon? 3rd September 2020
https://www.cnn.com/travel/amp/thailand-100-days-coronavirus-free-intl-hnk/index.html

Tourists to get unlimited 30-day extensions to stay after ‘visa amnesty’ ends, published 3 September 2020
https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-to-get-unlimited-30-day-extensions-to-stay-after-visa-amnesty-ends-77201.php
PHUKET: Foreigners staying in the country on any form of tourist visa will be allowed to repeatedly renew their permits to stay with immigration for periods of 30 days at a time after the ‘visa amnesty’ ends on Sept 26, the Immigration Bureau announced today (Sept 3).

Standing room only at Boyz September 3, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/socialscene/standing-room-only-at-boyz-313614
BoyzBoyzBoyz in Pattaya’s Boyztown Is limiting audience numbers in the interests of health and safety, but still doing a roaring trade at show time.  It’s the 30th anniversary of one of Pattaya’s most popular cabarets.

Prison inmate infected with Covid-19, 3 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1979391/prison-inmate-infected-with-covid-19

Holiday plans cancelled at border district, Koh Samui expects tourist boom 03-09-2020
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/holiday-plans-cancelled-at-border-district-koh-samui-expects-tourist-boom

Covid-19 insurance approved for Thai tourists from high-risk countries September 4, 2020
https://pattayaone.news/covid-19-insurance-approved-for-thai-tourists-from-high-risk-countries/

วีซ่าประเภทนักท่องเที่ยว พิเศษ
https://www.thansettakij.com/content/business/449966
https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/news/detail/TCATG200917134153127
Special tourist visa publications in Thai language that I consulted

Geisterfahrt Vor der Küste Südenglands warten zahlreiche Luxusschiffe auf das Ende der Coronakrise. Ein ehemaliger Kreuzfahrtkapitän macht dort nun aus der Not eine Tugend - zur Freude vieler Touristen. 04.09.2020 https://www.spiegel.de/reise/kreuzfahrtschiffe-im-aermelkanal-ausflug-zu-den-geisterschiffen-
a-5aaae9cb-09cd-4e9a-beb0-059fab927b75
Unused cruise ships parked at English coast now a tourist attraction

Special visa eyed to serve long-staying travellers 4 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1979531/special-visa-eyed-to-serve-long-staying-travellers

Leading Walking Street business owners warn of “total collapse” of tourism industry in Pattaya if Thailand has no foreign tourists for another 3-6 months, 5 September 2020
https://thepattayanews.com/2020/09/05/leading-walking-street-business-owners-warn-of-total-collapse-of-tourism-industry-in-pattaya-if-thailand-has-no-foreign-tourists-for-another-3-6-months/

The devil is in the detail on the new “special tourist visa” to Thailand September 5, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/the-devil-is-in-the-detail-on-the-new-special-tourist-visa-to-thailand-313779

30 Laotian illegal migrants caught on bus heading to Bangkok Sep 05. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30394071

Langzeitvisum fuer Langzeittouristen in Thailand geplant  05.09.20
https://der-farang.com/de/pages/langzeitvisum-fuer-langzeittouristen-geplant

Phuket re-opening could be postponed 06-09-2020
https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-re-opening-to-be-postponed
The government had been hoping to allow around 200 Australian and New Zealand visitors to come to Phuket, ...failed to take into account that Australians are currently not allowed leave their country and the New Zealand government is advising its citizens not to travel overseas unless it is an urgent matter.

Thai visa amnesty ends September 26 but has some loopholes September 6, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thai-visa-amnesty-ends-september-26-but-has-some-loopholes-313842

Foreigners urged to renew visas before Sept 26, published 6 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1980419/foreigners-urged-to-renew-visas-before-sept-26

Phuket reopening delayed New Covid infection foils launch of tourism model 6 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1980435/phuket-reopening-delayed

‘For Sale’ sign-makers only ones making money in Pattaya September 7, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/for-sale-sign-makers-only-ones-making-money-in-pattaya-314038

ThaiGov sneaks French tourists in to test ‘Phuket model’ Sep 9, 2020
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thaigov-sneaks-french-tourists-in-to-test-phuket-model/

Oceans Apart: Heartsick Thais plea for their foreign loves Sep 9, 2020
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/oceans-apart-heartsick-thais-plea-for-their-foreign-loves/

NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand 10sep2020
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157434440857050&id=130075662049
A Cabinet meeting next week will consider approving a special tourist visa for foreigners who wish to enter Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said.

Singapore Airlines Plans Flights to Nowhere, Reports Say September 12, 2020
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-12/singapore-airlines-plans-flights-to-nowhere-straits-times-says

Die Polizei bildet ein spezielles Team zur Verhinderung von Selbstmorden 12. September 2020
https://thailandtip.info/2020/09/12/die-polizei-bildet-ein-spezielles-team-zur-verhinderung-von-selbstmorden/
Dr. Kiatiboom Vongrachit, der Generaldirektor der DMH sagte, dass es im vergangenen Jahr rund 4.419 Selbstmorde gab. In den ersten sechs Monaten dieses Jahres – seit dem Ausbruch von Covid-19 – haetten sich jedoch bereits rund 2.551 Menschen umgebracht, verglichen mit 2.092 im ersten Halbjahr 2019.
(Police forms a special team to deal with increased suicides due to covid.)

Covid surge sees Sadao border checkpoint shut 13 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1984259/covid-surge-sees-sadao-border-checkpoint-shut

I was infected with coronavirus in March, six months on I’m still unwell Charlie Russell, 27, is one of an estimated 600,000 people with post-Covid illness, a condition that may give an insight into ME 13 Sep 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/13/i-was-infected-with-coronavirus-in-march-six-months-on-im-still-unwell

Thais losing ฿8 billion a day in lost tourism with no guarantee of a return to past glory days of old at this point September 14, 2020
https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/09/14/economy-thais-losing-8-billion-baht-a-day-closed-tourism/

Long stay tourist visas to Thailand announced today – 90 days, renewable 15-09-2020
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/long-stay-tourist-visas-to-thailand-announced-today-90-days-renewable

Cabinet approves long-term tourist visas Quarantine compulsory, 90-day renewable stay, 15 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1985839/cabinet-approves-long-term-tourist-visas

Cabinet approves long-term tourist visas Quarantine compulsory, 90-day renewable stay 15 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1985839/cabinet-approves-long-term-tourist-visas

10 Minuten B&B Nightlife (Boyztown & Buakao) Sep 15, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0ZPKOqiZME

Would you spend nearly one million baht for a vacation in Thailand? September 16, 2020
https://thisrupt.co/current-affairs/long-term-tourist-visa-senseless/

Vietnam Will Reopen International Flights To 6 Asian Countries September 16, 2020
https://www.traveloffpath.com/vietnam-will-reopen-international-flights-to-6-asian-countries/

Long-stay tourism in sight First steps agreed to reopen for foreigners 16 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1985903/long-stay-tourism-in-sight

Phuket Closed Sep 18, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk4u08_HDzs

Qantas seven-hour flight to nowhere sells out in 10 minutes Updated 18th September 2020
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/flights-to-nowhere-qantas/index.html

Ministry vows Bangkok special tourist visa arrivals by October, published 18 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1987315/ministry-vows-bangkok-special-tourist-visa-arrivals-by-october

New Thai tourist visa restricted to charter flights and private jets September 18, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/new-thai-tourist-visa-restricted-to-charter-flights-and-private-jets-315309

Tourists must isolate in home countries Plans to reopen to visitors gather pace 19 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1988019/tourists-must-isolate-in-home-countries

Special Tourist Visa – now officials want you to ‘quarantine’ in your home country before coming to Thailand 19-09-2020
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/special-tourist-visa-now-officials-want-you-to-quarantine-in-your-home-country-before-coming-to-thailand

Vietnam Airlines Flies First International Flight Since March, published September 20, 2020
https://simpleflying.com/vietnam-airlines-international-flight/

As Asia's 'travel bubbles' fail to materialize, travelers face prospect of long winter at home Updated 21st September 2020
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/tourism-bubbles-asia-reopening-coronavirus/index.html

Tourists face arrest, jail for overstaying 21 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/1989023/tourists-face-arrest-jail-for-overstaying
More than 150,000 foreigners need to have their tourist visas renewed by Sept 26 or face a charge of overstaying, warned the Immigration Bureau.

Tourists face arrest, jail for overstaying 21 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1988711/tourists-face-arrest-jail-for-overstaying

Special visa provisions prompt TAT inquiries 21 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1988811/special-visa-provisions-prompt-tat-inquiries

The 31 Strange Steps Thailand Wants Visitors To Go Through As It Re-Opens September 21, 2020    
https://viewfromthewing.com/the-31-strange-steps-thailand-wants-visitors-to-go-through-as-it-re-opens/

Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV) Long Term Visa (22sep2020)
https://thaiest.com/blog/thailand-special-tourist-visa-stv

Airlines call for COVID-19 tests before all international flights September 22, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-airlines-iata-idUSKCN26D2MU

Taiwan led the world in closing down for Covid-19, now it wants to do the same with opening back up September 22, 2020
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/asia/taiwan-model-coronavirus-hnk-intl/index.html

Covid report closes major Kanchanaburi border crossing to all traffic 22 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1989823/covid-report-closes-major-kanchanaburi-border-crossing-to-all-traffic

Five-star hotel bargains and free food in Thailand – lucky couple enjoy the country as few others ever will 23 Sep, 2020
https://amp.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3102502/five-star-hotel-bargains-and-free-food-thailand-lucky

Has anyone entered on an Elite visa after July 2020? 24sep2020
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1184274-has-anyone-entered-on-an-elite-visa-after-july-2020/

Hundreds of foreigners line up in Chonburi/Pattaya for Visa work as Thai Immigration warns strict enforcement when Visa amnesty ends this weekend 24 September 2020
https://thepattayanews.com/2020/09/24/hundreds-of-foreigners-line-up-in-chonburi-pattaya-for-visa-work-as-thai-immigration-warns-strict-enforcement-when-visa-amnesty-ends-this-weekend/

Shorter quarantine if tourist test succeeds 25 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1991191/shorter-quarantine-if-tourist-test-succeeds

Thai Chamber of Commerce seeks visa amnesty for tourists 26 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1991875/thai-chamber-of-commerce-seeks-visa-amnesty-for-tourists

September 26, 2020
https://pattayaone.news/thailands-special-tourist-visa-details-including/
The application fee is 10,000 baht excluding 7% VAT per applicant, ... as well as the STV visa fee which will be another 2,000 baht paid at the Embassy or the Consulate.

27sep2020 1mio death
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
1 million people have died with (not from!) coronavirus. For comparison, every year 7 million die from smoking, 3 million from drinking, 1 million from road accidents. If you take 5000 daily death with coronavirus in September that makes 2 million per year.

Covid-19-Versicherung obligatorisch fuer die Einreise Thailaendisches Versicherungskonsortium will Covid-19-Policen online anbieten 27/09/2020
https://der-farang.com/de/pages/covid-19-versicherung-obligatorisch-fuer-die-einreise

Regular visa and immigration questions from retired Pattaya expats September 27, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/regular-visa-and-immigration-questions-from-retired-pattaya-expats-327816

What next for tourism sector?  27 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1992287

ไฟเขียวเปิดรับ ‘นักท่องเที่ยววีซ่าพิเศษ’ 1 ต.ค. เที่ยวแรกจากจีน 150 คนลง ‘ภูเก็ต’ 27 กันยายน 2563
https://www.thebangkokinsight.com/444118/
Phuket opens for first STV holder from China

Thailand extends grace period for stranded foreigners 28 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1993035/thailand-extends-grace-period-for-stranded-foreigners

More foreigners to be allowed entry into the country Sep 28. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395255?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=internal_referral

Govt works to have regulations in place for first group of tourists in October, published Sep 28. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395262

(I first learned of this website on 28sep2020)
http://www.thailongstay.co.th/stv_visa.html
STV Visa (Special Tourist Visa) is a special visa created during the Covid-19 Pandemic for long stay tourists who would like to travel in Thailand or at least 30 days. Foreigners will be able to apply for this visa until 30 September 2021.  ...
Application Service Fee and Payment Terms & Conditions:10,000 THB excluding 7% VAT per applicant
This includes the service fee and the applicant can accessed special promotion and packages from our partnered hotels, insurance providers and other businesses.
This fee does not include the airplane ticket, 15 days ASQ/ALSQ quarantine accommodation nor accommodation after the 15 days quarantine, medical and travel Insurance.
The applicant will also have to pay the 2,000 THB visa fee at the Embassy/Consulate

The requirement ot have your application processed by an agency at a fee of 10,000 THB will surely attract some scammers, or at best agencies who accept all applications even if there is no chance of getting an STV. 

Visa amnesty to be retrospectively extended to October 31st says top Immigration Bureau officer September 28, 2020
https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/09/28/visa-amnesty-extended-to-october-31st-senior-immigration-bureau-officer/

Foreign visitors to be allowed soon One-month extension of emergency decree needed to maintain balance 28 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1992943/emergency-decree-extension-new-visas-approved

Govt beckons further arrivals Six more groups get green light to visit 29 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1993075/govt-beckons-further-arrivals

Thailand to slowly restart tourism with flight from China 29 Sep 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1993651/thailand-to-slowly-restart-tourism-with-flight-from-china

Thai Airways to offer special flights to some destinations in October 30 Sep 2020
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/09/30/thai-airways-to-offer-special-flights-to-some-destinations-in-october

BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): Thai Airways (THAI) will be providing special flights to London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Taipei and Hong Kong in October for people who wish to travel outside Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thailand discovers five new cases of coronavirus in state quarantine on Wednesday September 30, 2020
https://www.thaienquirer.com/19095/thailand-discovers-five-new-cases-of-coronavirus-in-state-quarantine-on-wednesday-3/

STV a ‘good idea’, but won’t help revive tourism industry, Pattaya business leader says October 1, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/stv-a-good-idea-but-wont-help-revive-tourism-industry-pattaya-business-leader-says-328439

First China group returns to Phuket October 1, 2020
https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/10/first-china-group-returns-to-phuket/

Thailand now open to long-stay tourists Oct 01. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395428
Foreigners with the evidence needed above will be eligible to apply for a one-time STV from Thai embassies or consulates in selected countries. (But which countries is nowhere to be found, or only general "low-risk countries" which Germany is not.)

THAI startet im Oktober zu 14 Sonderfl?gen 01.10.20
https://der-farang.com/de/pages/thai-startet-im-oktober-zu-14-sonderfluegen

TAT confirms special tourist visa scheme 2 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1995027/tat-confirms-special-tourist-visa-scheme

3oct2020 Thai embassy Berlin website says STV not available in Germany (I didnt' take screenshot, that announcement gone a few days later)

Special Tourist Visa program leaves out those from high-risk Covid countries 04-10-2020
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/special-tourist-visa-programme-leaves-out-those-from-high-risk-covid-countries

Phuket Opinion: The waiting game 4 October 2020
https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-the-waiting-game-77536.php
PHUKET: With just four days to go until the first tourists arrive in the country under the much-touted Special Tourist Visa (STV), the lack of information being provided about how to obtain such a visa screams for clarity.

High-risk tourists barred from visit 4 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1996083/high-risk-tourists-barred-from-visit

Quarantine Dispatch: After 6 surprise months abroad, my costly journey back to Thailand Oct 5, 2020
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/quarantine-dispatch-after-6-surprise-months-abroad-my-costly-journey-back-to-thailand/

1 Thai among 5 new Covid imports Monday 5 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1996835/1-thai-among-5-new-covid-imports-monday

Da Nang welcomes first tourist group in over two months October 5, 2020
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/da-nang-welcomes-first-tourist-group-in-over-two-months-4171804.html

(I first knew of this website on 6oct2020)
http://www.stvvisa.com/

‘Reopen now or face collapse’ 6 October 2020
https://www.thephuketnews.com/reopen-now-or-face-collapse-77552.php

'Reopen now or face collapse' Hurry up or it will be too late, govt warned 6 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1997011/reopen-now-or-face-collapse

Complete Thailand Travel Guide (October 2020) 06-10-2020
https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailand-travel-advice

Special Tourist Visa flight to Phuket delayed, tourists to arrive after the Vegetarian Festival October 7, 2020
https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/special-tourist-visa-flight-to-phuket-delayed-tourists-to-arrive-after-the-vegetarian-festival

No Refunds: Gov’t Delays ‘Special Tourist Visas’ 2 Days Before Launch October 7, 2020
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/10/07/no-refunds-govt-delays-special-tourist-visas-2-days-before-launch/
The special visa would allow tourists to visit Thailand during the coronavirus pandemic was delayed indefinitely just 48 hours before it was supposed  to come into effect.
 ...
The government will not offer them any refunds for flights, accommodation, insurance, and other fees they already paid for the Special Tourist Visas, or STV, since the delay is not officially considered as a cancellation of the policy.

Tourists from China and Scandinavian countries to arrive in Thailand in October, published October 7, 2020
https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/tourists-from-china-and-scandinavian-countries-to-arrive-in-thailand-in-october-329009

This Is the Most Powerful Passport in the World Due to the Pandemic The global coronavirus pandemic has dramatically altered the power of some of the world's strongest passports. October 07, 2020
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/new-zealand-passport-ranking

Poll: Majority disagree with reopening country to tourists 7 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1998107/poll-majority-disagree-with-reopening-country-to-tourists
One would have to see the original in Thai, and how those asked were chosen. My Thai friends are praying for my speedy return.

Thailand targeting seven-day quarantine for tourists
Oct 07. 2020
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395787

Epic Failure: Thailand Delays Special Tourist Visa Indefinitely 48 Hrs Before First Tourists Arrive – No Refunds! Oct 8, 2020
https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/10/08/epic-failure-thailand-delays-special-tourist-visa-indefinitely-48-hrs-before-first-tourists-arrive-no-refunds/
The government will not offer them any refunds for flights, accommodation, insurance, and other fees they already paid for the Special Tourist Visas, or STV, since the delay is not officially considered as a cancellation of the policy.
...
“It’s part of the conditions of the STV that they had to pay first,” Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn said by phone. “So, there’s no need for those refunds, because their trip is not cancelled, it’s just delayed.”
...
“The batch of tourists expected for tomorrow can’t come because we haven’t worked out all the details to receive them,” Narit Kanjanopas, Ministry of Tourism and Sport spokesman said Wednesday by phone.
...
The Thai authorities must live in a fantasy world if they think this game of bait and switch with tourists can be played on a repeat basis. At some point there will be a credibility gap and after this episode I suspect there will be a strong hesitation by those who considered the process if it’s really a good idea to make advance payments if the responsible agencies can just roll over and say peek-a-boo.
...
In my last article I suggested to make any payments with credit cards if at all possible. In case things go sour like in this case one could always dispute the charge with the credit card company. However, doing so would likely impact future entry into Thailand. Bottom line is that the conduct displayed here, scrapping the arrival less than 48hr prior to arrival because “they aren’t ready” is unprofessional at best and a borderline scam at worst.

Partying C-19 positive man prompts new quarantine measures October 8, 2020
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50771120/partying-c-19-positive-man-prompts-new-quarantine-measures/

Medical chief backs reopening Preventing Covid-19 forever is 'unrealistic' 9 Oct 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1998935/medical-
chief-backs-reopening

Another visa agency:
https://royalvacationdmc.com/thailand-stv-visa/
https://royalvacationdmc.com/thailand-stv-allowed-countries/

Koennen sie auch Lokfuehrer? Durch die Coronakrise sinkt die Nachfrage nach Flugreisen. Viele Piloten werden im Moment nicht gebraucht. Geht es jetzt von der Luft auf die Schiene? 09.10.2020
https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/piloten-als-lokfuehrer-schweizer-verbaende-loten-chancen-aus-a-19cc4681-c354-4924-9d9e-34b6ca4b3f55
Pilots to be trained to become train drivers in Germany.

Foreign property owners now allowed to return to Thailand October 10
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1186794-foreign-property-owners-now-allowed-to-return-to-thailand/#comments

No one in Guangzhou applied for the Special Tourist Visa, Foreign 
Ministry 12-10-2020 https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/no-one-in-guangzhou-applied-for-the-special-tourist-visa

Thailand to accept Chinese tourists WITHOUT QUARANTINE October 17, 2020
https://pattayaone.news/thailand-to-accept-chinese-tourists-without-quarantine/
Wishful thinking or misinformation?

Thai Tourism Minister expects about 400 foreign tourists, mostly from China, in total by early November, stressed protests should not interfere with letting back in selective tourists 18 October 2020
https://thepattayanews.com/2020/10/18/thai-tourism-minister-expects-about-400-foreign-tourists-mostly-from-china-in-total-by-early-november-stressed-protests-should-not-interfere-with-letting-back-in-selective-tourists/

TAT announces compulsory medical insurance for foreign visitors Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission now allows overseas travellers to purchase Thai-based COVID-19 insurance online. 23oct2020
https://www.tatnews.org/2020/10/tat-announces-compulsory-medical-insurance-for-foreign-visitors/

Bar observations Sun Oct 25, 2020
https://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?p=102914#p102914
(detailed post by aussie which bars in Pattaya were open on that day)

Pattaya Boyztown: end of an era? October 28, 202
https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/pattaya-boyztown-end-of-an-era-331380
The once elegant Toyboys, a male go go bar catering mainly for wealthy Asian men, now has fixtures and fittings piled up outside permanently locked doors.

Copyright 2020 ChristianPFC except pictures and quotes