Thailand week in review: Million doses of Pfizer vaccines arrives for students, More Covid-19 relaxations announced, Bangkok allows selling booze, and more

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, October 25th to the 31st, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

 

PHOTO: Covid-19 Center

1. Additional 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines arrives in Thailand yesterday for student distribution, Public Health Ministry reports

A total of 1,538,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in Thailand as scheduled last Wednesday mainly for vaccinations for students over 12 years old prior to school reopening in November. The Ministry also ensured that the number of vaccines is sufficient to cover 4.3 million registered students nationwide. Vaccines are NOT mandated for students and require parental consent, although the Ministry of Education stated that about 80% of eligible students 12-17 had opted in.

Additional 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccine arrives in Thailand yesterday for student distribution, Public Health Ministry reports

2. Thai-born K-pop singer LISA will NOT join countdown festival in Thailand, her South Korean entertainment agency announces

Lisa’s South Korean agency shortly responded in a statement following the Tourism and Sports Minister’s announcement last week, saying that the artist “will not be able to attend the event.” Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn later stated that reporting the news before signing the contract was a mistake and would not confirm any details about Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli until it is official for the same reason.

Thai-born K-pop singer LISA will not join countdown festival in Thailand, her South Korean entertainment agency announces today

3. Thailand’s Covid-19 Center Committee announces more Covid-19 relaxations, effective Monday, November 1st

Major relaxations in the preventive measures were mainly to concord with the Prime Minister’s country reopening scheme in November. Dark-red zone provinces are now reduced to only seven provinces, mainly the southern provinces. Chonburi has been dropped from the dark red to a red zone province while Bangkok is listed as a “Blue Zone” to welcome foreigners in the reopening. One of the most anticipated relaxations is probably the lift of the alcohol sales ban in restaurants that are also approved in four provinces in the Blue Zone and in high surveillance areas or the yellow zones. Full details of the change can be observed in the article below. Alcohol restrictions and rules, however, vary zone to zone.

Thailand’s Covid-19 Center Committee announces more Covid-19 relaxations, effective Monday November 1st

4. Bangkok officially allows alcohol in restaurants as of November 1st, many rules apply

Following the alcohol sales relaxation in four blue zone provinces, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has officially allowed drinking alcohol in restaurants starting this Monday, November 1st, but under several conditions that only restaurants with a proper license and SHA-certified are allowed to sell the drinks up until 9:00 P.M., The BMA also stated that the SHA standards would be increased for venues approved in order to sell alcohol widely but safely.

Bangkok officially allows alcohol in restaurants as of November 1st, many rules apply

And, that is all for this week. Thank you as always for reading the Pattaya News/TPN News!

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.