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Updated:
Welcome to Pattaya
  The world-famous seaside resort has now completely closed all its beaches
Enjoy your holidays elsewhere!
Bangkok Post: Tourism hopes crushed
Pattaya City Council Dissolved
August 13th, 2021
Bangkok Herald:
Pattaya City Council Dissolved After Fight Over 200 Million CCTV Bid
It's Official
August 13th, 2021
Bangkok Herald:
Pattaya Not Reopening Sept. 1; It Never Actually Was
Justification?
August 14th, 2021
Bangkok Herald:
Pattaya City Council Collapsed After Chairman's Unusual Push to OK Pricey CCTV Contract
August 1st
Swiss National Day
 On the occasion of the Swiss National Day on August 1st, Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis travelled to Thailand. In his luggage he had 1.1 million antigen test kits and 102 respirators as a gift for Thailand.
Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnveerakul received the gifts at the airport from Swiss Ambassador Helene Budliger Artieda.
Once a year we may remind our visitors that Pattaya News Flash is edited in Switzerland.
Emergency Decree
 On July 20th, 2021, Thailand's cabinet extended the state of emergency nationwide for two months, until the end of September, allegedly to cope with the local Covid-19 situation.
The extionsion was proposed by the National Security Council (NSC).
The NSC functions as the operations unit of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and is supervised by Thailand's Prime Minister, Dictator, Songwriter and the man of many words Prayut Chan-o-cha.
This is the 13th extension of the special law.
The government insistes that the extension is necessary to facilitate the swift and integrated implementation of measures to control Covid-19 for the sake of public safety.
The special law was enacted March 26th, 2020, and gives Prayut Chan-o-cha wide-ranging powers, including a ban on large gatherings to prevent anti-government protests.
Opinion:
July 21st, 2021
Thai Enquirer:
Prayut and his ministers have brought this country to its lowest point
Interview:
July 30th, 2021
CNA:
PM Prayut downplays severity of Thailand's COVID-19 situation, claims other countries have it worse
Fact:
August 8th, 2021
The Thaiger:
Thailand’s Teflon MP denies he is 'ready' to be the next Thai PM
The former guest of the Australian prison system, is crying 'fake news' over a social media post
The junta's list of enemies:
August 14th, 2021
Khaosod English:
The Paranoid State's Top-secret List of Enemies
The regime is more dictatorial and paranoid than one might think.
Vaccination for Foreigners
  Please click into the picture for additional information
Breaking News:
(once again) July 31st, 2021
Starting August 1st, a new registration website will start for all foreigners/ex-pats in Thailand. It should open by 11:00 on August 1st.
As usual in this country, this doesn't mean everyone will be able to register on August 1st. It is only the launch of the website.
Try your luck here
Breaking News:
July 31st, 2021
Due to a technical error during a system update, all vaccination appointments booked via Mor Prom on July 30th & July 31st must be cancelled.
In need of additional information please call 02-792-2333.
WARNING:
August 1st, 2021
If you are using the new registration website for foreigners/ex-pats vaccinations, your name and email can be seen by everyone.
Made by professionals?
Registration via Telecom Providers
 Maybe it will work that way. Good luck!
According to the telephone companies, you can register from all over Thailand. However, vaccination is currently only available in Bangkok.
The vaccine registration by mobile phone operators doesn't include foreigners because you need a 13-digit ID card number. It also doesn't include naturalized Thais even if they have a Thai ID card and passport. Apparently you have to be born Thai.
Covid-19
Thailand's Symptom Colour Codes
 Where to test?
 Please click into the picture to connect with the site! On the site you have the choice between Thai or English.
At the time of writing, the site is working on smartphones only, not on computers.
Tested Positive?
What to do
 Self Quarantine
 Immigration Bureau
Visa Extension
 Driving Licenses
 We recommend that you download this information to your smartphone in case you encounter a police officer who is not aware of this regulation.
  
On August 20th, the grace period for expired driving licenses has been extended to December 31st, 2021.Sunscreen
Thailand bans sunscreen in marine parks
 Bangkok Post: Coral-damaging sunscreens banned in marine parks
ColoRed Thailand
Pattaya (Chonburi) is Dark Red too!
As of August 1st, 2021
    Communication
Thailand's Officials speak faster than Thailand's Internet
 Press Freedom
Soon a thing of the past in this country?
 Bangkok Post: New curbs harm press freedom
Prachatai English: 19-year-old rapper fined for criticizing government on Twitter
Coconuts Bangkok: Singer Milli 1st celeb charged for criticizing Thai gov't following minister's threat
Thai government bans media distribution of news or content that could instill fear in the public or distort information, causing misunderstanding during the period of emergency and affect the national security, peace and order. Any violator will be prosecuted:
Royal Gazette on July 29th.
July 28th, 2021
Thai PBS World:
Thai media vow to fight until government lifts restrictions on free expression
July 29th, 2021
BenarNews:
Thai Press Groups Push Back against Govt ‘Crack Down' on Journalists
July 29th, 2021
Bangkok Post:
Fearmongers targeted under Prayut new order
July 29th, 2021
Bangkok Post:
Cops vow to crack down on fake news
July 30th, 2021
Khaosod English:
Thai Media Restrictions Raise Freedom of Expression Concerns
Thai Enquirer:
Opinion: Prayut's new 'fake news' decree will have dire consequences for free expression, media freedom
July 31st, 2021
The Guardian:
Thailand bans sharing of news that 'causes public fear' amid pandemic criticism
Khaosod English:
Fake News, Real News, Fake Deaths – and a Panicky Thai Gov't
Stop the Press:
August 6th+, 2021
The Civil Court ruled today that Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has no power to ban factual news about COVID-19. It adds that the PM has no power to block websites under the emergency decree as well.
Bangkok Post: Civil Court blocks PM's gag on free speech
The Thaiger: New internet freedom study lowers Thailand to 3rd to last
The Guardian: Thailand forced by court to rescind 'public fear' order
To be considered
Covid-19 Vaccine Deaths and Injuries
 Covid-19 Pills?
mint: Is the next Covid-19 game changer a pill?
BioPharma Dive: Roche partner sees promise for anti-COVID 19 pill in early study
Nikkei Asia: COVID-19 pill for at-home treatment in trials by Japan's Shionogi
The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Pill Race Heats Up as Japanese Firm Vies With Pfizer, Merck
The Independent: Thailand's worsening Covid crisis has brought hospitals to a brink of collapse
Bangkok Post: PM: Covid-19 situation will affect the country for the next two to three weeks or four weeks at most July 28th
Bangkok Post: PM: Virus easing 'in 4-6 weeks' July 29th
Nikkei Asia: Thailand scrambles for COVID-19 antiviral as vaccines run short August 10th
Green Chiretta ineffective?
August 9th, 2021
The Nation Thailand: Paper on Thai herbs effects in treating Covid withdrawn due to insufficient evidence
National News Bureau of Thailand: Thai Cabinet Approves Use of Fah Talai Jone to Treat Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases
Nikkei Asia: Thai billionaire to build herbal drug factory to grow Green Chiretta to fight COVID-19
Wikipedia: Andrographis paniculata (green chiretta or Fah Talai Jone)
Government plans amnesty bill for its leaders
August 9th, 2021
Thai Enquirer: Government plans amnesty bill for the leaders that decided Thailand’s vaccination plan
Bangkok Post: Medics' legal immunity in limbo
Bangkok Post: Senior health officials plead for legal protection for personnel
This is actually the purpose of the proposed law: to protect those in power and not those at the front.
New mRNA side-effects?
August 11th, 2021
Reuters: EU regulator looking at new possible side-effects of mRNA COVID-19 shots
 Do not believe Pfizer's marketing!
August 25th, 2021
Bangkok Post: Messenger RNA Covid vaccines 66% effective against Delta: US study
Medical Press: Messenger RNA COVID vaccines 66% effective against Delta: US study
Stat News: As Delta spread, Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness against infection fell from 90% to 66% in one key study
CDC, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Nursing Home Residents Before and During Widespread Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant
Pfizer's marketing was always better than its products
Rip off?
A waste of taxpayer's money?
 Thailand's Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) decided to buy 8.5m Chinese Antigen Testing Kits produced by Lepu Medical Technology, Bangkok Post reported on August 14th. Ostland Capital won the bidding held on August 10th to supply the Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Test Kits, offering each set for 70 baht.
Lepu's ATKs are banned in the United States due to a high risk of false results when using these tests, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claims.
In Europe you can buy 5 sets (approved) Antigen Testing Kits of the very same or even better quality for €3.75 incl. VAT (≈150 Baht or 30 Baht each).
August 13th: Bangkok Post GPO puts hold on self-test kits order
August 14th: Bangkok Post GPO to buy 8.5m Chinese testing kits
August 14th: The Nation Thailand Doctors body slams government over purchase of faulty Covid test kits
Test Kit Chaos?
August 20th: The Nation Thailand NHSO gets ready for nationwide distribution of antigen test kits
August 20th: Bangkok Post Test kits TOR can be redone: NHSO
 Air fares
from Bangkok to Koh Samui or Phuket
 Still hard to understand
Double Pricing
Still everywhere in this Kingdom
 Antigen Rapid Tests: 650 Baht for Thais, 975 Baht for foreigners with workpermit, 1300 Baht for tourists
Phuket
goes into (partial) Lockdown
 Phuket goes into partial lockdown. Apart from a few exceptions, no-one is allowed to enter Phuket by land, sea or air from August 3rd to 16th. People arriving internationally via the PhuketSandbox aren't affected. They are also allowed to leave Thailand.
The plan for tourists to island-hop after a seven-day stay in Phuket, only recently approved, has already been put off due to the recent spread of the virus, according to the Governor of the TAT.
Bangkok Post: Phuket governor orders entire island sealed off
   Remember: You booked this goofy sandbox holiday despite all that sh*t!
No more Alcohol!
August 20th, 2021
Until further notice, restaurants and bars in Phuket are no longer allowed to serve alcohol, the governor of Phuket decided today. Sandbox guests can now only order alcohol through their room service ....
Phuket
The Sandbox Tragedy
 Bangkok Post: The shame of Thai tourism
Bangkok
Latest Regulations
    Fake News
from Bangkok Post?
  In reality this 'dry food' is a shower gel from Palmolive....
 Mike Baird's Cartoon:
 Click into the picture to watch more of Mike Baird's great cartoons
We are Professionals
from a third world country
 That's why we often don't know what we're doing
Dirty Tap Water again
Same procedure as every year!
 Despite the fact that Pattaya has virtually no tourists to accommodate this year, the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) finds itself obliged to supply households with dirty and at times smelly tap water for the forth month this year. In addition, since many weeks the water pressure will be temporarily reduced during the nights.
It is not a new phenomenon, the PWA has not been in control of Pattaya's water supply for decades.
 Since 1 August, the water pressure has been reduced at times, even during the day, so that it is hardly possible to take a shower.
How good it is that there are hardly any tourists left in this run-down village.
Black Sheeps
in Pattaya
  Although Chonburi's disease control order has been widely publicised, a few apparently incorrigible bar owners still believe they can ignore the regulations.
Based on tips from the neighbourhood, Pattaya City Police and Nongprue City Police were able to arrest over 78 offenders at the Fat Boys Bar & Grill in the Dark Site's Soi Boonsapan as well as at the Bamboo Beach Hotel and Bar Club on the famous Wongamat Beach in Naklua.
They all are facing multiple charges of offending the Chonburi disease control order allowing drinking of alcohol at the bar and offending the emergency decree.
Barry Upton
Hormones of Happiness
 Barry Upton, a songwriter, arranger, musician, producer and resident of Pattaya released a new album called Hormones of Happiness. In the early 1980s, he was a member of Brotherhood of Man, in 2020 he was rushed to hospital after an heart attack. Now you can download & experience him as fresh as ever.
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
 Jomtien
Opening fell into the water
 It was planned to open the new park, which was built at a cost of many millions of Baht, on August 1st, 2021.
Due to the new Covid-19 regulations, which also prohibit the use of public parks, the opening now literally falls into the (already existing) water.
The beautiful park is located on Jomtien's Second Road. Please use the entrance marked Fishing Park opposite Riviera Condominium in front of Ninja Seafood Buffet.
Sauna for sale
 Butchery Business for sale
 We can see where the sand disappears
 We can see where the sand disappears, but our officials?
Naklua
It could hardly be any cheaper
 Starting at 25 Baht at Naklua Road
New location
 The well-known restaurant Bei Gerhard has found a new location.
Previously located on Soi 33 in Naklua, the restaurant is now directly on Naklua Road between Best Restaurant and Berliner Restaurant.
All bars and restaurants on the northern side of Soi 33 had to make way for a new hotel project.
Out of Business
 A sale was held at Ryan's Sport Bar on Naklua Road on July 28th
Pattaya
Beach renovation
 On August 6th, Pattaya City Hall started the long announced restoration of its beach promenade. Underground toilets, sports areas, shaded seating, places for food cart vendors and a children's playground are to be created.
 Following the model already implemented in Jomtien, more parking spaces are to be provided. The trees and areas marked in the pictures will probably fall victim to the aforementioned parking areas.
The work, which will also be carried out by Nong Nooch Landscape & Garden Design like last time, is scheduled for completion in November 2023.
 Pattaya Mail: Downsized Pattaya Beach facelift begins, will take 2 years
Pattaya Mail: Pattaya Beach facelift halted after 1 day amid protests over trees, timing
A morning walk along Pattaya Beach on August 18th, 2021, showed that workers and machines were still hard at work ....
Pattaya Mail: Pattaya Beach trees common, will be replaced as in Jomtien facelift
The Pattaya News: Pattaya Mayor addresses the status of the Pattaya Beach remodel project
Nong Nooch Landscape & Garden Design Co. planted the sea almond trees a few years ago. Didn't they know then that the trees are dangerous, that their soft wood breaks easily in strong winds and attracts insects, birds, rodents and other unwanted wildlife?
Now it's official:
Pattaya Beach facelift calls for the widening of Beach Road to accommodate 700 parking spaces.
About 3 metres of the beach will be sacrificed to the road again ....
Texas Chicken
 Texas Chicken opens a branch on Pattaya South Road, opposite Tukom's (currently ailing) IT Mall.
Texas Chicken already operates a branch in Jomtien's PTT Service Station on Sukhumvit Road.
The Central Marina branch in North Pattaya was a complete flop and was closed after only a few months.
No Coordination
 Pattaya's highly educated officials have apparently found a new way to tear up Pattaya's Central Road again.
The coordination of necessary maintenance measures is obviously not one of the strengths of Pattaya City Hall.
Bargain
 The Tamnan Hotel & Resort on Soi Phettrakul, North Pattaya
Pharmacy to sale
 After many massage shops and mini-markets had to close, Covid-19 is now also hitting the drugstores. This one is on 2nd Road, near the entrance to Soi Diamond.
Soi Buakhaow
Coming soon
 The Warehouse Club, located opposite the entrance to Soi LK Metro, is run by the Indian Baku Group.
Replacement
 Red Hot and Blue will replace the infamous Sweethearts Bar after the lockdown is lifted, hopefully without the notorious.
Cannabis oil
 Candyland, the cocktail café opposite Marin Place Hotel at the southern end of Soi Buakhao, now also sells cannabis oil.
Nature View
 Hot deal: 450 Baht/night
Well packed
 Jibby's Bar in Soi LK Metro has packed up their illuminated sign so they don't have to pay tax on it.
 Backpackers bye bye
 The business, formerly known as Asia Backpackers and later as The Spot at the entrance to Soi Boomerang, is for sale.
 Soi Boomerang
Soi 6
Lisa Bar to sell
 Lisa Bar in Soi 6 is now also looking for an investor.
If you are interested, please call 087 53 44 610.
Full Moon to sell
 The two unit Full Moon Bar is to sell.
If you are interested, please call 087 2835349 or 080 076 6674.
Walking Street
Opinion:
August 13th, 2021
Pattaya Mail:
Pattaya’s Walking Street refit now depends on China
We don't know if we'll survive:
August 14th, 2021
cna:
Thailand sex workers left struggling as COVID-19 lockdown drags on
Demolition of Walking Street under consideration:
August 19th, 2021
Pattaya Mail:
Pattaya mayor confirms international consortium is funding city’s rejig
Delayed again:
August 22nd, 2021
Pattaya Mail:
Pattaya Walking Street electrical work now set for January completion
Disco to sale
 As was to be expected, the MIXX discotheque in the long-suffering Bali Hai Entertainment Complex has now been put up for sale.
If you are interested, please contact BusinessesForSale.com
Mike Baird's Cartoon:
 Click into the picture to watch more of Mike Baird's great cartoons
The Fun starts here
      Football memories
    Waiting for better Times
     Amazing Switzerland
We are collectors
 Mike Baird presents:
Pattaya Tourist Guides
These Tourist Guides were designed by Pattaya's #1 Cartoonist Mike Baird.Please click on the images above to see more and larger copies of his work.
Virus Warnings
Dengue Fever
 While Thailand seems to have the corona virus under control, the situation with dengue fever, another viral disease, is extremely worrying in the Kingdom, especially during the rainy season.
Thailand's Public Health Officials advise people to make sure that there is no standing water around their homes, as this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
 Chikungunya
Another dangerous virus in this area is the Chikungunya virus. It is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
The Chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean in late 2013.
The virus was imported by infected travellers into new areas such as Thailand.
Currently there is no vaccine for prevention or medication to treat a Chikungunya virus infection.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus.
Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40°C, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Small white spots may form inside the mouth two or three days after the start of symptoms. A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms.
Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily from one person to the next through the coughs and sneezes of infected people.
No specific treatment is available but the measles vaccine is effective at preventing the disease and is exceptionally safe.
Kill the Virus
 Please click into the picture to download the WHO Original
Covid-19
How to dispose your masks
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