Measures aimed toward attracting wealthy long-stay foreigners to Thailand have been permitted in principle by Cabinet. Seems to be a bit of deja vu, however the government says it’s concentrating on foreign investors, highly-skilled professionals and wealthy retirees in a bid to develop the Covid-battered financial system. Long-term residence visas of up to 10 years are on supply, together with work permits for people who qualify.A government spokesperson explains that while the visa issued to qualifying people might be a 10-year visa, it have to be prolonged after 12 months 5. The extension shall be good for one more 5 years solely. Foreign nationals who believe they meet the eligibility criteria must first apply for a “qualification certificate” and supply documentation and evidence of their status. Applications for a qualification certificates may be made via the Thai Board of Investment or at any Thai embassy or consulate. Once granted the certificate, international nationals can then apply for the long-term residence visa for each themselves and their partner. The visa prices 10,000 baht per yr, per individual and holders will still have to report their residence to the authorities – but only once a year, instead of every ninety days like most of us.More particulars about this story at thethaiger.comAs infections proceed to decline in Thailand, the government meets tomorrow to debate the easing of a quantity of restrictions. The CCSA is also expected to decrease the country’s Covid alert, from Level 4 to three. It was raised earlier this month amid concerns over the highly-contagious Omicron variant. The move adopted the suspension of the Test & Go entry program, but that might doubtlessly make a comeback as early as next month.Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the federal government is considering relaxing some measures and probably expanding Thailand’s sandbox program to different destinations beyond the 4 southern sandbox destinations at present available… Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Koh Samui. The public health minister says it might be expanded to Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, in addition to the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen and the central province of Samut Prakan, simply south east of Bangkok.Regarding bars and nightclubs, Anutin was much less enthusiastic, insisting they proceed to be shuttered in the intervening time.The Thai authorities and Southern separatist group Barisan Revolusi Nasional nonetheless stand apart on a number of important issues related to the ongoing southern insurgency and associated border matters. The two parties met final week in the first peace talks in two years. Reports say the BRN wishes to determine an autonomous area generally known as Patani Darussalam, which incorporates Thailand’s Deep South provinces close to the Malaysian border of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla.In this region, the BRN seeks an Islamic training system taught in the Malay language. Thai authorities say they won’t conform to autonomy and have acknowledged that as an alternative, they might consider adopting Malay as a second language.The conflict between the Thai authorities, and the Patani Malay people in Southern Thailand, has existed since 1909, when Patani formally turned part of Thailand. The Patani Malay individuals are primarily Muslims, whereas Thailand’s majority are Buddhists. This, along with their completely different language (Malay) and tradition, has created tensions, ongoing violence particularly over the previous 25 years, and over 7,000 insurgency-related deaths.Plans to expand Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport will kick off in July, based on Transport Minister. The so-called East Expansion venture is anticipated to take around 2 and a half years to complete, at a price of 7.8 billion baht. The venture will begin in July with a bidding course of to appoint a contractor.The plans have already been approved by Cabinet, Airports of Thailand, and a government committee on capacity enhancement at Suvarnabhumi. Once complete and opened in March 2025, the newly expanded area will imply Suvarnabhumi can deal with as a lot as sixty five million passengers a year.Current capability is at 45 million. The minister says the 44% improve corresponds with predictions for passenger numbers in 2025.The International Air Transport Association predicts that by 2024, Suvarnabhumi shall be handling sixty five million passengers a yr, related figures to those recorded earlier than the Covid pandemic slowed passenger arrivals to a crawl.Chinese New Year is expected to be celebrated on February 1 to welcome the Year of the Tiger. But with the raising Covid-19 an infection price, especially round Bangkok, the big, noisy Chinese New Year events alongside Yaowarat Road, also called Chinatown, is cancelled again this yr. The Royal Jubilee Gate, or Odeon Gate, will nonetheless be decorated, and people are allowed to visit Chinese shrines, worship, and pay respect to their ancestors as normal.This 12 months, the road will nonetheless be adorned and open to visitors, but there shall be no events and enormous ceremonies. The shrines will still be open for guests under the Covid-19 prevention measures.Phuket has also cancelled its Chinese New Year event from February four to 6 because of the instances that are increasing with 383 new Covid cases reported at present. Another famous Chinese New Year occasion in Nakhon Sawan continues to be on from January 25 to February 5.One factor that might be lacking in any of this year’s year’s celebrations is Chinese visitors… they’re still largely banned from journey out of China.You take your PCR take a look at after your keep in Thailand, before you come residence to the UK. Cancel anytime take a look at positive and are confined in a Bangkok hospital for 10 days. Then, to add insult to injury, you’re fined four,000 baht for overstaying your visa if you go through immigration… purely since you have been confined in hospital in the days after your visa had expired.This is the unhappy story, one of many, when the Test & Go program didn’t fairly go to plan. Quite a high share of vacation makers from overseas have been found to test constructive after their compulsory PCR checks (certainly in places like Phuket during late December and January), leaving them to an uncertain 10 days of quarantine in a hospital, ‘hospitel’, field hospital or, if they’re fortunate, confined to theirg