[Thailand to offer grace period for foreigners’ visa extensions]

Well it all had to end sooner or later. Many taking advantage of the situation will be disappointed. 

[Too-tight virus policy is strangling Thai economy, experts warn]

Well that's his view fuelled totally by self interest. 

[Thailand is red-lighted in UK for quarantine purposes alongside Brazil, China and US, inexplicable move]

5 hours ago, Trillian said:

Once again, does doing more tests change the number of deaths!

Maybe deaths due to Covid were not recorded. Rightly or wrongly the official figures for Thailand are not trusted by many countries

[State of emergency set to be extended through July]

Makes good sense

[Statue of scout founder Baden-Powell to be taken down in Britain]

19 minutes ago, kingdong said:

Get over it mate we had referendum and we left,least when we are finally out we,'ll be able to make decisions and spend our money as we want to ,not propping up the eu and all its bankrupt banana republics.

It's highly likely the UK will agree a trade deal with the EU. When that happens GBP will strengthen substantially. Also, the UK is on track to develop a vaccine for Covid 19. When it comes to the market and Covid is no longer a problem the GBP will soar. 

[Thailand ‘State of Emergency’ may be extended]

Usual ambiguity and verbal diarrhea.  

[Pattaya beer bar owners beg the government to let them open]

1 hour ago, Deez said:

Nobody is asking you to go out. People are asking to support their families. How do you suggest they do that while we wait until people like you think it is safe? BTS is packed, markets are packed, Makro is packed, 7-11 is packed. Should they all be closed as well until you feel comfortable with the numbers?  

Shoppers in my city all wear masks in Makro, Big C, Robinson etc. There is also a requirement to sign or scan in and out. Temperature is checked before you can get in. This is still the sensible route. Give these Bars with Bar Girls an inch and they'll take a mile. Of course it needs an infected person to pass it on. If anyone thinks that Thailand is Covid free apart from the Thai coming back from overseas they are delusional. 

[Pattaya beer bar owners beg the government to let them open]

This picture looks like a Farang type bar with Bar Girls probably making up the majority of staff. Too early to let these places open. However,  for Pubs solely in business for selling alcohol and food without the Bar Girls slavering about, they should be allowed to open. One thing is clear the Junta have an agenda to closed Tourist sex bars.

[Thai govt mulling which ‘red’ businesses can reopen in phase 4 easing]

10 minutes ago, Sumarianson said:

Both the German and Russian governments have had leaked studies on COVID carried out and their conclusions were that COVID is far less dangerous and contagious than the flu and has a far better recovery rate than flu. So why do I have to look at my wife and kids through plexlass like a criminal? I have boycotted all places that use anti-social distancing and use plexiglass on tables. Restaurants should be allowed to choose whether to impose rules or not and let customers decide if they wish to use a restaurant or club that imposes rules or not. That would be the same as a non-smoker going into a club or bar where people smoke. They know it is a risk but they accept the risk or not. You could do that with all manner of businesses and let the intelligent, informed, non- fearing citizens make their own choices. Same with planes. I will not travel by an airline that imposes rediculous restrictions on their paying customers. Let them go bankrupt.

We've heard all this leaked Information before and most is rubbish. Ask yourself why did Germany go into Lockdown mode? The plexiglas will likely get removed soon. I was in a restaurant with my family the other day same scenario flexiglass. But it didn't inconvenience us too much. I didn't feel the need to moan about it on a public forum

[Thai govt mulling which ‘red’ businesses can reopen in phase 4 easing]

51 minutes ago, Snig27 said:

Absolutely right. And many restaurants have lost staff they have trained and worked with for years. Bangkok had some ten restaurants in the Asian Best Restaurants Top 50 last year including the #1. It was an extraordinary achievement and a huge thing for the high end tourism the country claims it is wanting. And yet, it's now mostly destroyed by a needless and blind refusal to allow responsible restaurants to sell wine and other drinks once they were allowed to reopen.

 

The profit is in the alcohol not the food and there are enough people in Thailand still who would support these establishments, which could have been approved on a case by case basis. This block has also trashed supply chains and wholesalers who have spent years developing brands and networks. There was absolutely no need for it and insult is added by what I was told from a reliable source, of people in a position of power arriving at some places and demanding booze under the table. 

PS. I am not a bar owner or a restauranteur, just an observer.

"There was absolutely no need for it"

 

Well that's your opinion which is not shared by many people living here in Thailand.  Thailand took a cautious approach which has been borne out by the the figures (whether you believe them or not)

 

As for high end restaurants they will return based on demand. You can still get decent food at some of the Hotels in BKK such as JW Marriott, Hyatt, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental etc.  

[No confirmation on when international tourists can return to Thailand: PM]

This is a good move. Tourists could likely start a second wave of Covid 19. especially from high risk countries. Thailand appears to have the virus under control why risk all the good work done? There should be special arrangements though for foreigners locked out who have family here and people on long stay visa's. However, for the bar crawling brigade looking for some sleazy entertainment for a couple of weeks it's unlikely to happen for a while.

Local tourism and certainly family tourism will be promoted in the future. A lot of the sleaze will be stamped out of Thailand it's plain to see and it's Government policy. 

[Lockdown easing latest: Calls to open bars and clubs ahead of schools rejected]

Pubs with social distancing and outdoor facilities should be no problem. GO GO Bars, Night Clubs like Speed and Tawandang, crowded bars that employ Bar Girls who mouch about begging for drinks and more are a BIG problem. Keep them closed.

[Thailand races to create COVID vaccine, eyes possible medical tourism boost]

16 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

"Bionet-Asia, a local firm working with the government and a top Bangkok university."

 

Yea right, no idea what university they are referring to but the top Thai University in world global rankings comes out at 601 and thats "Mahidol University." 

Dreamland again. Any vaccine is likely to come from the UK, USA, Europe and possibly Japan or Indida. Thailand is noted for plastic surgery. Inflating or jacking up women's chests etc. But for real cutting edge R&D. they are nowhere. 

[Go-go bars gone as coronavirus hits Bangkok's sex district]

21 minutes ago, BillStrangeOgre said:

It's just a matter of time before Patpong, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy cease to exist. Thailand needs to move into the 21st century, sensibilities are changing. Thailand's reputation as a destination that welcomes sex tourists looks completely out of date...

Yes, totally agree. They also want to close all the bars on Sukhumvit soi 4 and 6 and elsewhere in BKK. 

[Tourism official pushes for 1 July return of international tourists to Thailand]

2 hours ago, andre47 said:

Yes, you are right...they will not open to western countries, except maybe Australia and New Zealand and some other who have the virus under control.

Look at the fools in Europe and the US. It is a mess...many people are just selfish and reckless. They even don't want to wear a mask to protect others. I am very disappointed about my own compatriots and all the other western countries. Asia will become the strongest region of the world in future. Good night US..good night Europe. 

 

You're talking absolute RUBBISH.

 

By the way, nobody knows or will ever know the extent of Covid 19 infections in Thailand.

[THAI claims it owes Bt24 billion in unused tickets]

6 hours ago, soihok said:

I had a trip to Hokkaido in March with ANA

I had to cancel the tickets.

In April I received full refund from ANA - about B100,000

Well just proves you cannot compare Thai Airways with a honorable Japanese carrier. Outstanding ticket refunds from Thai Airways are unlikely to be paid. 

[An end may be in sight to separation of Thai-farang families]

A lot of speculative posts on this topic. People can guess and hope about relaxation of the current situation. It would seem ridiculous to let in Chinese tourists before people with genuine visa's for retirement, marriage, etc. However, the Government is in charge and they will do what they think is best for THEM. So everyone will just have to sit it out. It could be a long drawn out process. Keep up with money transfers and your dependents in Thailand will be very very Happy.

[Thailand reports nine new coronavirus cases, no new deaths]

Looks like this will keep the Borders closed to all but returning Thai's until around October. This Thai Government is paranoid about a second wave starting. Accept that things aren't going to change anytime soon.

[Pattaya: "I'm not sick and it's my right not to wear a mask" - Thai man makes a video stand at market]

It's idiots like this that spread the virus. Fine him and anyone else flouting the current restrictions 

[Thailand sees three new virus cases – all in state quarantine]

Caution is still needed. July might see an easing of the current restrictions. 

[Pattaya: Thais and foreigners busted at illegal drinks party in convenience store in Soi Khao Talo]

Rules are rules. These stupid Farangs deserve a hefty fine. They just give law abiding Expats visitors a bad name.

[UK says PM's adviser did not break lockdown rules with 400 km drive]

Well Teflon coated Billy Bunter Johnson is at it again. Going well against public opinion and some of his Tory colleagues defending that psychopath Cummings. The scruffy ragbag should never have been allowed through the front door of number 10. Either Bunter is bricking himself with the thought of not having Cummings to lean on or Cummings has some dirt on Billy........ It'll turn nasty and will be another nail for Johnson

[Credit Card from TMB - "farang cannot"]

If your an Expat and especially for retired people. Why bother with a Thai Credit Card?  My monthly income goes into my Home Bank Account. I have a Credit Card via my Home Bank which can be used anywhere in the world. I transfer money into my Thai Bank account when I need it. I have a Debit Card and Online Banking with the Thai Bank. I personally neither need or want a Thai Bank Credit Card.

[Smokers beware: You'll be fined 5,000 baht if caught lighting up in bus stations and markets nationwide]

4 hours ago, Badboldie said:

You should get things of your chest, stop beating about the bush, and say what you really mean!

I agree with you 100%, just hope they extend it to bar and restaurants when they fully open.

Agree, smoking should be banned Nationwide in all shops, bars, restaurants etc. In urban areas smoking should only be allowed in designated areas. This is not about restricting a person's freedom or human right. It's about protectecting the rights of people who don't want to come into contact with stinking second hand smoke. 

[Smokers beware: You'll be fined 5,000 baht if caught lighting up in bus stations and markets nationwide]

Good News! Ban the dirty filthy habit