Nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in #Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown, passport inspections for foreigners to continue

Pattaya – Four nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in a Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown.

More than 50 officers led by Major General Nantawut Suwanlaong, Acting head of the Chonburi Provincial Police randomly inspected entertainment venues in Pattaya to check for the current seven major rules which are:

1. No allowing underage users below 20 to enter bar and entertainment venues.

2. No selling alcohol to underage users below 20 in any venues including restaurants.

3. Entertainment venues must be shut and all customers gone by legal closing times, currently between midnight to 2AM depending on zone.

4. Selling alcohol over the legal time is prohibited at all venues.

5. Allowing weapons and illegal drugs into entertainment venues is prohibited

6. Allowing human trafficking in entertainment venues is prohibited.

6 Allowing illegal gambling in any venue is prohibited.

Major General Nantawut told the Pattaya News that they first inspected ‘New Season’ on Pattaya Third Road where lots of Thais and foreigners were drinking. Some of the foreigners were unable to present their passports and they were taken to the Pattaya Police Station for questioning.

Source - The Pattaya News 

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Expats now need THREE MILLION BAHT health insurance

Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday that the new rule is intended to ensure that they will receive proper medical treatment if they fall ill during their long stay in the country.

According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year.

The insurance policies can either be purchased in Thailand or in their home country, but the coverage amount of foreign issued policies must be on a par with the sum stipulated in policies issued in Thailand.

The announcement will likely be met with displeasure and backlash from international travellers hoping to make Thailand their home long-term, or at least for one year.

It is especially difficult for those hoping to retire in Thailand as insurance policy premiums are infamous for skyrocketing once the applicant passes a certain age, increasing exponentially with age under the assumption that older people are more prone to illnesses and accidents.

As Thailand releases plan after plan to lure back tourists, many complain that the complicated entry process, the rising costs, and constant changes to immigration policy, not to the benefit of international travellers, seems to be simultaneously pushing away the same expats with money that the country claims to be encouraging.

Source - BangkokJack

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Thailand - Non-immigrant OA visa applicants required to have ฿3m health insurance

Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said today (Tuesday) that the new rule is intended to ensure that they will receive proper medical treatment if they fall ill during their long stay in the country.

According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year.

The insurance policies can either be purchased in Thailand or in their home country, but the coverage amount of foreign issued policies must be on a par with the sum stipulated in policies issued in Thailand.

Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/non-immigrant-visa-applicants-required-to-have-3m-health-insurance/

Source - ASIAN NOW

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BREAKING: Bali airport to start welcoming foreign travelers on Oct. 14

Indonesia has set a specific date for the reopening of Bali to international travelers, as one of the country’s top officials announced this afternoon that the province’s airport will start welcoming foreign visitors on Oct. 14.

The long-awaited announcement came from Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who stressed that foreign visitors must quarantine for a minimum of 8 days upon arrival, and are expected to show proof of hotel booking for this purpose, among other requirements.

“There are several countries we will be open to: South Korea, China, Japan, [United Arab Emirates], and also New Zealand,” Luhut said during a virtual press conference.

Further details have yet to be announced at this point, but as have been the case with previous major announcements regarding COVID-19 restrictions in Indonesia, they should be expected from other officials in the next few days.

During the press conference, Luhut also reminded Indonesians to refrain from “excessive euphoria” amid the loosening of restrictions, as the country’s COVID-19 numbers continue to decline.

Source - Coconuts

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6 groups of visitors allowed into Thailand

 

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced on 29 September 2020 the 6 groups of foreign visitors allowed into the Kingdom. The Centre also announced the extension of the Emergency Decree until 31 October 2020. The 6 groups of foreign visitors allowed into the country along with the regulations for each group is as follows, 

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1.  Foreigners planning to compete in the Royal professional bicycle race taking place from 6-16 October of this year. The route includes many provinces including Samut Songkhram, Petchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, and Surat Thani. Participants will be at the State Quarantine Center Royal Rattanakosin Hotel.

2.  Thai Airways Pilots and Crew on Pepatriation Flights bringing Thais back home and sport participants into the Nation. Those on the flight will be quarantined in a state quarantine center. At least 300 persons are estimated to be in this group.

3.  Non-Immigrant Visa Holders traveling into Thailand. The foreigners must show their 6-month statement with at least 500,000 THB of deposits.

4.  Special Tourist Visa Holders planning for Long Stay in the Nation. Foreigners will have to quarantine for 14 days at the state quarantine center in the province where they are traveling to. Foreigners can travel within a 1-kilometer radius. After they are confirmed to not be infected with Covid-19, the foreigners can leave the state quarantine center and remain in Thailand for 90 days. Visas can be extended 2 times, a total of 270 days. If they wish to travel into a different province they must quarantine again for 7 days.

  5.  APEC Card holders, these are businessmen approved by 18 Apec countries. This is to help boost Thailand’s economy. The businessmen allowed in are limited to low-risk countries including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Hongkong.

    6. Short term and Long term visitors can travel into the nation for 60 days. Another 30-day extension is allowed with an exception, provided that the foreigners must show their 6-month statement with at least 500,000 THB of deposits. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine whether the visitor can apply for the 30-day extension. 

 

FB Caption: The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced on 29 September 2020 the 6 groups of foreign visitors allowed into the Kingdom.

Source - Pattaya News

#Thailand - More easing of lockdown to be announced on Monday

The government is finalizing further relaxations in lockdown measures and will make the announcement on Monday, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Friday (June 26).

He said that there are five matters to be finalised on June 29, as people await further relaxations in the fifth phase for pubs, bars, entertainment venues, and massage parlours.

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Among the likely decisions are:

▪︎Limited entry into the country for foreigners, though allowing tourists under travel bubble agreements has been postponed to August;

▪︎Extension of the state of emergency;

▪︎School opening confirmation for the minority children on the border;

▪︎Easing the one-metre social distancing measure in public transport to at least one-foot distance and compulsory wearing of masks by passengers throughout the journey.

As Thailand reached 32 days without a domestic case, Dr Taweesin warned against complacency, citing the example of China which once did not have any cases for 52 consecutive days before being jolted by an outbreak last week. New Zealand also has reported new cases recently.

Source - Pataya One News

#Welcome to #Cambodia! Bring your wallet wit you

If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Cambodia soon, reconsider, unless you’re willing to put down US$3,000, a fortune for a backpacker in Southeast Asia. The country wants foreigners to make the deposit at a local bank upon entering to make sure any potential medical or quarantine costs can be met. And that’s just the start.

Even if you have the money, it’s still tricky to get in. Travelers need to have a medical insurance valued over US$50,000 and a health certificate deeming them free of the coronavirus, issued 72 hours before entering the country. Then, they start deducting from the deposit.

Local media say testing may need to be done before a traveler can enter which would be US$100 for a swab test, US$30 for overnight accommodation while results sent to the lab, $30 for food and extra expenses for transportation. This would be taken out of the deposit made at the bank.

Once the travellers has gone through all that rigmarole, then they must self isolate for 14 days at their hotel, reporting to medical officers each day. Another swab test would be done on the 13th day of isolation. In another scenario, where a passenger on the flight tests positive for the coronavirus, then everyone on the flight would need to go into quarantine, with costs involved taken out of the bank deposit. Worse case, those who get sick need to pay all costs involved.

Even death has costs. US$1,500 would used for cremation and funeral costs.

Have a great time in Cambodia!

SOURCE: TTR Weekly

TM28: Thai immigration scraps requirement for foreigners to report

There is some good news for foreigners in Thailand.

Thai immigration have all but scrapped the controversial TM28 change of address reporting requirement for foreigners.

According to the new requirement, while TM28 is still listed, a long list of exceptions have been added, which for all intents and purposes means that almost no one is now required to submit a TM28 form.

The list of exceptions, covered in sections 2.2 and 2.3 [here], includes just about every foreigner in Thailand, from diplomats and those performing official duties through to students, those working in Thailand, foreigners married to a Thai or who are a parent to a Thai child and those staying in Thailand for retirement.

According to the immigration website, the regulation regarding TM28 is dated February 14 but came into effect on January 28.

However, foreigners need to be aware that they are still required to inform immigration if they change address permanently. [This is covered in form TM27].

For example, if you rent a condo for say 6 months then you move to live in another condo, you need to inform immigration of your new address.

The previous requirement stated that foreigners who had stayed in another province for more than 24 hours were required to inform their local immigration office when they returned.

For example, if a foreigner who lives in Pattaya went and stayed at a friend’s place in Bangkok overnight, they would be required to inform immigration once they returned to Pattaya.

The reality was TM28, which is listed under section 37 of the Immigration Act and has been a requirement since 1979, was seldom enforced by Thai immigration and hardly ever completed by foreigners after returning from an overnight stay elsewhere in Thailand.

Many foreigners, including those who have lived in Thailand for a number of years, didn’t even know the requirement existed.

At least that was the case until last year when TM28 briefly started being more strictly enforced by some immigration offices.

This coincided with immigration also strictly enforcing TM30 – the requirement for hotels, guesthouses and property owners to report foreigners staying at their address.

(TM30 often gets confused with TM28, with TM30 sometimes used as a kind of catch-all term to describe both but they are actually two separate requirements – and TM30 is still required.).

The sudden enforcement of both TM28 and TM30 resulted in Thai immigration being on the receiving end of fierce criticism from the expat community and foreign business leaders in Thailand, who said TM28 was not just inconvenient but archaic, draconian and not fit for purpose today.

A group of expats in Thailand even launched an online petition calling for the TM28 and TM30 to be abolished.

And while the petition failed to reach its target for sign ups, it undoubtedly helped to bring the issue to the attention of senior immigration officials in Thailand.

The subject also received widespread negative coverage in both Thai and English language media in Thailand and was also covered by international news outlets including the BBC and Nikkei Asian Review.

The updated regulation regarding TM28 can be found on the Immigration website:

https://www.immigration.go.th

Source - Pattaya One News

#Vietnam to update tourist visa regulations

The 14th National Assembly will debate this week some draft laws, including the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, as part of the ongoing eighth session.

Vietnam’s tourism has developed strongly over the recent past and brought about high economic values.

 However, experts in the tourism sector said there still remain bottlenecks, one of which being policies on the entry and exit of foreigners, which need to be settled in order to improve the sector’s competitiveness, thus attracting more international visitors.

Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Secretariat of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, said the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam should be more open.

He cited as an example the stipulation that requires a gap of at least 30 days between two visa-free visits.

Chinh further said that many international visitors, especially those from Western Europe, Northern Europe and Russia, want to stay in Vietnam longer than the maximum visa-free 15 days.

He also emphasized the need for a national website that publishes official information about visa policies, citing a survey by the Vietnam Tourism Advisory which showed that most websites of Vietnamese embassies abroad fail to update latest information on the country’s visa policies.

Such a website should be prescribed clearly in the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, he said.

Chinh also pointed to problems in visa granting at Vietnam’s border gates, which still requires visitors to apply for visas at embassies and receive visas at the border gates. He said this has reduced the tourism sector’s competitiveness.

Experts in the tourism sector are concerned about the fact that the visa exemption policy for tourists from major markets like Russia, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) will end on December 31, 2019.

They said the number of visitors from those markets would drop 30-50 percent if the policy is not extended.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, deputy head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, proposed expanding the list of countries and border gates eligible for e-visas.

 Besides, Vietnam needs to reform visa grant procedures at border gates and review its unilateral visa waiver policy, she said. – Vietnam Plus

Source - BangkokJack

EABC RECOMMENDS REMOVING TM.30 COMPLETELY

More industry and NGO groups are lining up with criticism or calls for abolishment of the embattled TM30 and TM28 immigration forms. Most of the criticisms focus on the draconian nature of the forms, confusion around interpretation and the problems with inconsistent implementation.

Trade and commerce organisations are saying it flies in the face of the government’s wishes for Thailand to be a place to invest in and conduct business.

Now, the European Association of Business and Commerce is recommending to the Thai government to completely do away with the TM30.

“And, as an immediate step towards achieving that, remove from its scope many categories of foreigners.”

They say the same applies to the related TM28 form as well.
 
“The TM30 process has been in the news due to its inconvenience, questions about its value and usefulness, the questions it raises about commitment to ‘ease of doing business’ and the recent, almost inexplicable crackdown via an old law much of which has been dormant for decades.”

“The TM30 form and process in effect requires landlords to report on the location and movement of foreigners who are their tenants. Hotels have the same obligation but for foreign tourists staying in hotels, it is not noticed by those tourists as the hotel uses the TM6 arrival card information from their foreign guests.”

“Section 38 of the Immigration Act (which is the basis of TM30) has been around since 1979, but was not enforced until since late March 2019. It is being enforced inconsistently with various local interpretations. TM.28 (supported by s. 37 of the Immigration Act) is an often overlapping obligation on foreigners to report.”

The submission has been made to Dr. Kobsak Pootrakool, Deputy Secretary‐General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs.

Source - EABC and The Thaiger

#Malaysia's free bus service not for foreigners

Foreigners have failed in their attempt to get free rides on the city’s complimentary bus service, which is provided for the locals.

Melaka's Transport, Works and Public Amenities Committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab said the foreigners were sniffed out by staff members of the bus company, Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd, and were then requested to pay the normal fares.

The complimentary bus service managed by the state-owned concessionaire hit the road on Aug 20.

Mohd Sofi said a total of 450 passengers had taken rides on the bus service plying three routes.
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 “We have collected RM650 from the sale of tickets to non-locals,” he said after checking the operation of the free bus service at Melaka Sentral bus terminal here.

Mohd Sofi said his team would continue promoting the free bus service among locals.
“I guess foreigners grabbed the opportunity to take the free rides when there are not that many locals making use of the service,” he said.

The free bus service launched by Chief Minister Adly Zahari is expected to benefit 290,000 commuters in the state.

The operation of the free bus service costs an estimated RM1.4mil, and is being absorbed by several government agencies and private companies through the newly-established Melaka State Government Public Transport Fund.

The free bus service covers three main routes, namely Melaka Sentral bus terminal to Mydin Hypermart at Ayer Keroh; Melaka Sentral to Mydin via Melaka Hospital and Melaka Sentral to Bachang Transit Wet Market.

The buses run from 6.30am to 8pm on a daily basis.

The service is aimed at rejuvenating the state’s ailing public transport system with a focus on stage bus service.

The state government has reportedly said it would take into consideration the people’s wish and might expand the free bus service to other routes, mainly Alor Gajah and Jasin, if there are sufficient funds.

Source - TheNation

 

Myanmar (Burma) - Mechanism for foreigners to trade in YSX under way

A mechanism for foreign investors and organisations to take part in the Yangon Stock Exchange is under development, according to Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre.

Daily stock trading in Myanmar has declined significantly and the market is sluggish. In order to revive the trading activities, a system to include non-Myanmar investors from various sectors must be developed, MSEC executive director Takashi Takahashi said.

The MSEC and the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) are in collaboration, he said during a stock exchange education talk held at Parkroyal Hotel on July 19.

“To make the Myanmar stock market active, what is necessary now is to develop a system to include investors from various sectors.

“If that system is successful, there will be more investors in the market. Right now, there is also a need to attract individual investors,” he said.

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The average volume of daily stock trading in June 2016 was K313 million but it declined to merely K70 million in June 2017, resulting in a significant decrease.

Myanmar stock index, with its base point at 1000 on March 25, 2016, dropped to 552.62 on July 11, 2017.

“We can assume that the change is due to traders shunning the market as the stock prices are stagnant.

“To revive the market, it is necessary to have more listed companies and more traders,” Mr Takahashi added.

 

Under the existing Myanmar Companies Act, a company where a foreigner has any share is defined as a foreign company. Companies listed on the YSX have many restrictions in selling their shares to foreigners.

The government is currently working on a new Companies Act and the draft piece of legislation has been submitted to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. In the new law, a domestic company is allowed to have up to 30pc foreign investment.

“Without the participation of wealthy foreigners, domestic stock market will remain slack. An individual local investor cannot invest much.

“For foreigners to take part, the Companies Act must be amended,” Myanmar Agriculture Public (MAPCO) executive director U Ye Min Aung told The Myanmar Times.

There are only about 30,000 securities accounts opened for stock trading in the YSX. Compared to the national population, it is a very small fraction, with only 0.05pc per head. 

Those are accounts owned by individuals, and not organisation-based accounts.

The YSX, which was established in December 2015, only has four listed companies on board, while Laos and Cambodia have five listed ones each. In contrast, Vietnam boasts 695 companies and Thailand 731 companies.

“In other countries, foreign investors are allowed to take part. Moreover, banks and insurance firms are seen to be actively trading in the stock market,” Mr Takahashi said.

Source - MM TIMES