Yamato Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 This is getting kindda strange, I'm on the 9th day of quarantine now and this is the result this morning 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 The food in this quarantine facility is not good so some meals I will order. As I missed my favourite Italian restaurant I order from Peppe on Wednesday. Actually I ordered on the pasta but ended up Peppe made me a feast Salami and speck Anchovy Roast spring chicken Salad Pasta AOP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Thailand plans to scrap pre-arrival PCR test for travellers, gears up to treat Covid-19 as endemic Thailand plans to start easing Covid-19 restrictions from the start of April 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS Tan Tam Mei Thailand Correspondent Published 4 Hours Ago BANGKOK - Thailand is looking to scrap pre-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for fully vaccinated travellers from April, as the kingdom gears up to celebrate Songkran. The celebrations in April have always been a huge draw for tourists wanting to partake in the water-splashing festival for the Thai new year. Thailand plans to start easing Covid-19 restrictions from the start of next month, said the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday (March 18). Officials have outlined measures for the nation to transit into the post-pandemic era in the next four months, with the authorities hoping to see cases plateau by early May and decline thereafter. Thailand's current seven-day moving average stands at about 25,000 new cases daily. The number of cases hit a new record of 27,071 on Friday. There were 80 deaths, the highest since the start of the year. "From July 1, if all goes well and as planned, we hope that we will be transitioning into an endemic from a pandemic," said the CCSA spokesman, noting that booster shots should have been administered to at least 60 per cent of the population by then. Currently, travellers to Thailand have to take a PCR test and show a negative result within 72 hours prior to travel. They have to take another PCR test upon arrival and a self-administered antigen test on the fifth day of their stay. The need for a pre-arrival test could soon be scrapped from April 1, according to ongoing discussions in the CCSA. "It was discussed and will most likely (happen)," the spokesman told The Straits Times. There are also plans to scrap PCR tests entirely sometime in May, in favour of only an antigen test on arrival. Also, starting from April, visitors who have to undergo quarantine when entering Thailand - for being unvaccinated, for instance - will only have to be in isolation for five days instead of a minimum of seven days. The spokesman on Friday also reminded everyone to observe Covid-19 safety measures during the Songkran festival in mid-April. While traditional rituals like water splashing will be allowed, foam parties and the consumption of alcohol in public venues will remain prohibited. On Feb 1, Thailand reopened applications for its quarantine-free travel scheme after it was suspended in December due to the fast-spreading but less severe Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The scheme allows vaccinated visitors to enter the kingdom albeit with some requirements, including Covid-19 tests on the first and fifth day of arrival and mandatory hotel stays. Thailand's neighbours, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, are also easing entry requirements for tourists with some touting less stringent curbs, such as Cambodia which will be dropping all pre-arrival and on-arrival testing for visitors. Thai hospitality operators and related sectors have been pressuring the government to further ease border curbs to restore the tourism industry and uplift the sluggish economy. Thailand has set a target to welcome some 5.5 million foreign tourists in 2022. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 Today is day 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 My 9th day of covid was craving for India food yesterday morning. So I saved my lunch and had Indian dinner last night: Mutton biryani Mutton is so tender, meat simply falls of the bone Dinner Fried tandoor chicken Dosa which I had for breakfast this moring 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 19, 2022 Author Share Posted March 19, 2022 https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Thailand-plans-watered-down-Songkran-celebrations-for-April?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20220318190000&seq_num=20&si=44594 Thailand plans watered-down Songkran celebrations for April Government aims to class COVID as 'endemic' by July, nightclubs kept shut for now People play with water pistols during the Songkran water festival in Bangkok in April 2019. This year Thailand has decided to resume the celebrations for the first time in three years, but in limited form, with water-splashing in public areas not allowed. © Reuters MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerMarch 18, 2022 18:54 JST BANGKOK -- Thailand will celebrate its Songkran water-splashing festival for the first time in three years this April, but in a careful manner, as the kingdom wishes to move along its road map toward deeming COVID-19 as endemic in the country. Songkran is one of the most important and boisterous holidays in Thailand. Many residents will celebrate a five-day break from April 13 this year. The Buddhist festival -- which comes during Thailand's hottest time of the year -- is often known as the biggest water fight in the world, attracting many tourists from abroad as well as locals. The government prohibited the popular celebration for the past two years due to the risk of spreading the coronavirus. This year, the Songkran festivities will still fall short of what they were before COVID. Traditional celebrations such as pouring water on Buddhist statues or over the hands of the elderly to show respect will be allowed. People will also be able to splash water on each other in managed environments that are considered COVID-free. These settings must have enough space for social distancing norms to be maintained, with good air circulation and strict hygienic safety precautions. Participants are recommended to be vaccinated. They should also engage in preventive measures such as frequent hand-washing, testing their temperature, taking COVID tests, and wearing a mask. However, water-splashing in public area such as on the streets will not be allowed. Other extended celebrations such as foam parties and drinking parties also remain banned. Meanwhile, nightlife venues such as nightclubs remain shut for the time being. Behind the careful resumption of Songkran celebrations is Thailand's plan to shortly start to view the coronavirus as endemic in the country. "We are at the crossroads of whether we can end the COVID pandemic by midyear. The factor is Songkran," Udom Kachintorn, adviser to the government's coronavirus-related policymaking body Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, said on Friday. "Today the public health ministry officially proposed 'the endemic approach to COVID-19'" to the center, its spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin added. The center has rolled out its own road map toward the virus being classed as endemic. Thailand will remain at the "combat stage" regarding the virus until the beginning of April. From mid-April to May will be the "plateau stage." It expects to see the "declining stage" from the end of May to the end of June. Lastly, the kingdom hopes to transition into the "post-pandemic stage" by July. To successfully complete all the stages as expected, the government is encouraging people to receive a booster shot. As of Thursday, 31.7% of eligible residents in Thailand had had the booster. The center aims to raise the coverage to more than 60% before July. The shift towards regarding the disease as endemic is part of the Thai government's aim to bring everyday life back to the streets. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's administration reopened the country to vaccinated international visitors, without the need to quarantine, from November last year. Although this policy was suspended for six weeks due to outbreaks of the highly transmissible omicron variant, the resumption of tourism has already had supportive effects on the economy. By labeling COVID-19 as endemic, the country can promote inbound travel more widely. To encourage more visitors to come, Thailand will drop the requirement for visitors to take a PCR test prior to travel to the country, effective April 1. From May 1, they will only be required to take an antigen test instead of a PCR test upon arrival. However, the road map does not ensure the country will reach its destination. Daily cases in the kingdom remained elevated at 27,071 on Friday, with 80 fatalities reported. Mishandling of the ongoing omicron outbreak and the potential importing or emergence of new virulent variants could hinder Thailand's path. Easing back on testing requirements could make the country more vulnerable to new outbreaks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 Yesterday afternoon was informed I will be release one day earlier meaning today instead of Monday. So I celebrated with a nice meal Pasta Anchovy and salad and wine of course 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 Anyway this is my ART result today, finally. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 (edited) Good to hear u & your partner are well! Is the pre-arrival PCR test requirements to Thailand, not required confirm? I planned to visit BKK soon for a couple of weeks R&R. Can approve my visa boh? Edited March 22, 2022 by Bigbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 26, 2022 Author Share Posted March 26, 2022 (edited) On 3/22/2022 at 7:31 PM, Bigbird said: Good to hear u & your partner are well! Is the pre-arrival PCR test requirements to Thailand, not required confirm? I planned to visit BKK soon for a couple of weeks R&R. Can approve my visa boh? There is no visa required from Singapore. I think PCR mayt not be needed from 1st April Edited March 26, 2022 by Yamato 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 On 3/26/2022 at 5:28 PM, Yamato said: There is no visa required from Singapore. I think PCR mayt not be needed from 1st April Seems like i need to wait for 1 Apr to book the Thailand Pass! Hope not too crowded during Apr! But SongKran Fest is coming soon, so fat hope i guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 Went to the market this morning My breakfast at the market - kway chap 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 And then it was time to go to the airport Checking in Tea break at the Thai Airways lounge Finally going back to Singapore 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 Clear day, smooth flight Great lunch, Chinese flat rice noodle with seafood Amazing airline food has wok-hei (wok taste). Respect! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 At the Suvarnabhumi Airport this morning, really happy to see many more people compare to 2 months ago also my flight was 80% full, seems like there is really light at the end of the tunnel now. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted March 31, 2022 Author Share Posted March 31, 2022 (edited) Foodland is a 24 hours supermarket chain and always have a eater with it famously known as Took Lae Dee. In the morning they have special price for "American" breakfast for 65 baht only (US$2) A few days ago I visited a branch at Ramintra Road near my home. Was there at 5.30am, did some shopping and then had breakfast there: This is my $2.70 (65 baht) breakfast consisting - fruit juice, fresh coffee, wholemeal toasts and butter, sausage and eggs Edited April 1, 2022 by Yamato 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 3, 2022 Author Share Posted April 3, 2022 Just saw this new review of the Thai Airways kinda enjoy this review and like to share 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 3, 2022 Author Share Posted April 3, 2022 Some of the Singapore food I had past few days 1. Having breakfast at Tanglin Halt coffeeshop Roti prata and chai-tow-kway Love 'em roti prata 2. Fishball meepok at ION foodcourt very nice chili sauce and crispy lard Prices 3. Its almost midnight and the market is still alive with customers for food Stalls still opened My favourite wanton noodle shop Midnight supper 4. I had to queue while raining although have overhead shelter still splattered All for this stall Curry rice Check out the gravy on the rice, simply heavenly Sunday breakfast at Tanglin Halt Market Noodle stall Wanton Noodles Lormee 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 4, 2022 Author Share Posted April 4, 2022 (edited) Want to share my ThaiPass application timing: 1. Applied at 8.21pm on 02-Apr-2022 2. Approved at 2.57pm on 3rd-Apr-20223. Time taken to get it approved = 18 hours 36 minutes Edited April 4, 2022 by Yamato 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 4, 2022 Author Share Posted April 4, 2022 This is what I was actually back to Singapore this time for, a birthday party which the family celebrated on Saturday 95th Birthday "cake" (pies actually) Pictures of this amazing restaurant mischievously named "Holy Crab" as it specialises in Singaporean's favourite seafood Sri Lankan crabs. Longevity buns, a Chinese tradition (these are from Peach Garden restaurant located in Chinatownpoint mall) We started with this addictive CapriCorn, crispy corn kernels coated with salted egg and fried with herbs and spices Grilled giant octopus - a little charred on the outside and soft on the inside, perfectly executed "BitterSweet" bitter gourd - the mixture of bitterness and sweetness and saltiness (I suspect from salted eggs) simply brings one to the next level of "antagonising" one's taste buds Sweet & Sour Pumbaa (from the Lion King) is not your ordinary Gou-Lou-Yok (sweet & sour pork) the crispiness of the pork surface combined with the special coating of sauce and cooking it with rambutan and pineapple is certainly outstanding The white part is the rambutan Green Assam (tamarind) Soon Hock (marble goby) cooked I think with a Thai flavour this dish is perfect with Thai jasmine rice "Smoking Pot" is claypot rice with large and thick slices of foie gras and chunks of chicken, watch the attached video and you will straight away know this is a must order dish with rice perfectly cooked with a charred crispy layer. Magic Flying Meesua (rice noodle). Coincidently meesua is also known as longevity noodle so suits the occasion. Forget about the presentation which is amazing in the first place but the fact that the deep fried noodle after engulfed with the crap seafood sauce combination is like having burnt seafood noodle, unforgettable and craving for more. (watch the video for better presentation) Traditional favourite and iconic Singapore's Chili Crab which an extra Oomph and I suspect the extra oomph comes from some Thai herbs. The 12 of us had a great time with this very special birthday party for our family matriarch. 95th birthday pies Celebration Map https://goo.gl/maps/RocPnU8Qid8uXJmW6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 5, 2022 Author Share Posted April 5, 2022 Today lunch at a popular Singapore chicken rice stall located in Mei Ling Street market Succulent chicken Lunch 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 6, 2022 Author Share Posted April 6, 2022 Arrived Bangkok Collecting luggage Waiting for my ride to PCR hotel On the way to PCR hotel 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 20, 2022 Author Share Posted April 20, 2022 Sharing an interesting video of street walking in Bangkok for those who missed Bangkok. Thanks to "Bangkok Walk Director" channel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 21, 2022 Author Share Posted April 21, 2022 It's another festival last week here in Thailand, Songkran the water festival. Grand Seiko Thailand contacted me about a Songkran gift for me, very nice gesture for their customer. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share Posted April 30, 2022 (edited) Seven and a half hour was all it took for my two applications this morning for my trip on 3rd May Edited April 30, 2022 by Yamato 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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