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Archives for August 2020

Thailand extends Emergency Decree for the fifth time to the end of September

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Bangkok, 31 August, 2020 – The Royal Thai Government has approved the extension of the Emergency Decree nationwide for the fifth time, from 1-30 September, 2020.

According to the announcement published in the Royal Thai Gazette on 28 August, 2020, the government stated that the fifth extension of the state of emergency was still needed to enable authorities to enforce communicable disease control measures to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections. It noted that there are still no vaccines proven to prevent COVID‑19.

The statement added that the government recognised the need to relax disease control measures in phases for various businesses and activities to allow the public to return to daily life with the new normal. However, strict disease control measures must still be in place to ensure public health.

Thailand will continue to record a growing number of Thai and non-Thai nationals entering Thailand under special conditions in the coming month, according to the statement.

These incoming arrivals are eligible Thais and non-Thai travellers who must seek an advance certificate of entry from local Thai embassies or consulates abroad, as well as the relevant necessary documents as required under the order of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to remind all to continue to adhere to health and safety routines to protect themselves, as well as others from the COVID-19 infection.

These include keeping social distancing, wearing a mask, and frequently washing hands. Avoid close contact with other persons, no hugging, especially with vulnerable groups like the elderly, or those who have underlying conditions because it can increase the infection rate and potentially lead to severe disease more easily than in other groups.

People can greet via a Wai (Thai greeting) from a distance of 1 or 2 metres. When staying together, people must wear masks, use personal utensils or serving spoons, or eat a la carte servings to protect themselves and loved ones from getting the disease.

TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/).

For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.

Emirates and flydubai reactivate partnership offering seamless travel to over 100 unique destinations through Dubai

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Dubai, UAE, 31 Aug 2020– Emirates and flydubai have announced that customers of both airlines can once again access a wider range of travel options around the world, connecting seamlessly and safely through Dubai.

Following the progressive resumption of passenger flights to global destinations, the two Dubai-based airlines have revived their successful and strategic partnership to offer customers increased connectivity, convenience and travel flexibility. Emirates customers can now travel on codeshare flights to over 30 destinations on flydubai, while flydubai customers have over 70 destinations they can travel to on Emirates. Some of the favourite flydubai destinations for Emirates passengers include: Belgrade, Bucharest, Kyiv, Sofia and Zanzibar.

Commenting on the renewal of the partnership, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are delighted to announce that our customers can once again take advantage of the complementary strengths of Emirates and flydubai to access an enhanced network of cities on a single ticket and integrated loyalty programme, enjoy a safe, smooth and stress-free transfer experience through Dubai and have their baggage checked through to their final destination.

“The partnership has crossed a number of successful milestones since its inception in 2017 and over the coming months, Emirates and flydubai will be working together to re-open even more of the world for our customers,” added Kazim.

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said: “We are confident that the demand for travel will continue to increase as more countries gradually start to lift restrictions on international travel. flydubai has restarted operations to 32 points around the network since June and we expect the number to steadily grow over the next few months. Dubai has put strong health and safety protocols in place which has encouraged well informed passengers to travel, whether for business, leisure or to reunite with their loved ones.

“We remain agile in our approach to maximise the utilisation of our fleet by supporting government efforts to operate repatriation flights and increasing cargo-only operations. Our partnership with Emirates will continue to facilitate a more seamless flow of passengers and cargo across our combined networks in the recovery phase,” commented Obaidalla.

Emirates and flydubai will offer travel experiences reflecting their individual brands while keeping the health and safety of customers and employees on the ground and in air as their top priority. The two airlines have each implemented extensive safety measures to combat COVID-19 at every step of the customer’s journey including enhanced sanitisation of all touchpoints and advanced HEPA filters fitted in aircraft cabins to eliminate dust, allergens and germs from the cabin air.

Customers transiting through Dubai go through thermal screening at the airport. Transfer desks at Dubai airport have been fitted with protective anti-microbial screens and airport staff dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) are available to provide additional assistance. Several of flydubai’s flights to destinations in Africa, Central Asia and Europe operate from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, facilitating seamless connections to passengers travelling on Emirates’ flights to and from Dubai.

COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit customers to Dubai further assuring a safe transfer experience through the airport for customers of Emirates and flydubai.

Customers boarding Emirates flights will also be provided with a complimentary hygiene kit containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes.

For more information on safety measures, visit

Emirates: www.emirates.com/yoursafety

flydubai: www.flydubai.com/en/plan/covid-19

Customers booking with Emirates can also travel with confidence as the airline has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This also includes travel on any codeshare flights with flydubai on an Emirates ticket. For more details: www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance

The partnership between Emirates and flydubai first came into effect in October 2017 and received a tremendous positive response from customers who were able to benefit from the increased connectivity and greater choice along with a smooth transfer experience in Dubai. Over 5 million passengers took advantage of the un-matched city-pair connections offered during the first two years of the partnership.

In August 2018, flydubai adopted Emirates Skywards as its loyalty programme, allowing customers to earn more Skywards Miles and Tier Miles, reach their rewards faster and enjoy more privileges as they move through membership tiers.

Emirates and flydubai reactivate partnership offering seamless travel to over 100 unique destinations through Dubai

by

Dubai, UAE, 31 Aug 2020– Emirates and flydubai have announced that customers of both airlines can once again access a wider range of travel options around the world, connecting seamlessly and safely through Dubai.

Following the progressive resumption of passenger flights to global destinations, the two Dubai-based airlines have revived their successful and strategic partnership to offer customers increased connectivity, convenience and travel flexibility. Emirates customers can now travel on codeshare flights to over 30 destinations on flydubai, while flydubai customers have over 70 destinations they can travel to on Emirates. Some of the favourite flydubai destinations for Emirates passengers include: Belgrade, Bucharest, Kyiv, Sofia and Zanzibar.

Commenting on the renewal of the partnership, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are delighted to announce that our customers can once again take advantage of the complementary strengths of Emirates and flydubai to access an enhanced network of cities on a single ticket and integrated loyalty programme, enjoy a safe, smooth and stress-free transfer experience through Dubai and have their baggage checked through to their final destination.

“The partnership has crossed a number of successful milestones since its inception in 2017 and over the coming months, Emirates and flydubai will be working together to re-open even more of the world for our customers,” added Kazim.

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said: “We are confident that the demand for travel will continue to increase as more countries gradually start to lift restrictions on international travel. flydubai has restarted operations to 32 points around the network since June and we expect the number to steadily grow over the next few months. Dubai has put strong health and safety protocols in place which has encouraged well informed passengers to travel, whether for business, leisure or to reunite with their loved ones.

“We remain agile in our approach to maximise the utilisation of our fleet by supporting government efforts to operate repatriation flights and increasing cargo-only operations. Our partnership with Emirates will continue to facilitate a more seamless flow of passengers and cargo across our combined networks in the recovery phase,” commented Obaidalla.

Emirates and flydubai will offer travel experiences reflecting their individual brands while keeping the health and safety of customers and employees on the ground and in air as their top priority. The two airlines have each implemented extensive safety measures to combat COVID-19 at every step of the customer’s journey including enhanced sanitisation of all touchpoints and advanced HEPA filters fitted in aircraft cabins to eliminate dust, allergens and germs from the cabin air.

Customers transiting through Dubai go through thermal screening at the airport. Transfer desks at Dubai airport have been fitted with protective anti-microbial screens and airport staff dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) are available to provide additional assistance. Several of flydubai’s flights to destinations in Africa, Central Asia and Europe operate from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, facilitating seamless connections to passengers travelling on Emirates’ flights to and from Dubai.

COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit customers to Dubai further assuring a safe transfer experience through the airport for customers of Emirates and flydubai.

Customers boarding Emirates flights will also be provided with a complimentary hygiene kit containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes.

For more information on safety measures, visit

Emirates: www.emirates.com/yoursafety

flydubai: www.flydubai.com/en/plan/covid-19

Customers booking with Emirates can also travel with confidence as the airline has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This also includes travel on any codeshare flights with flydubai on an Emirates ticket. For more details: www.emirates.com/COVID19assistance

The partnership between Emirates and flydubai first came into effect in October 2017 and received a tremendous positive response from customers who were able to benefit from the increased connectivity and greater choice along with a smooth transfer experience in Dubai. Over 5 million passengers took advantage of the un-matched city-pair connections offered during the first two years of the partnership.

In August 2018, flydubai adopted Emirates Skywards as its loyalty programme, allowing customers to earn more Skywards Miles and Tier Miles, reach their rewards faster and enjoy more privileges as they move through membership tiers.

To boost domestic tourism, expatriates urged to visit Khung Bang Kachao, the “Lung of Bangkok”

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Bangkok, 31 August, 2020 – H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), led a group of foreign ambassadors along with expatriate residents in Thailand to join a project ‘Explore the Unseen Thailand: Bang Kachao Beyond Expectations’, to cycle around to explore the local community. This aims to encourage the expats to take a journey domestically.

More than two million expatriates living in Thailand are being targetted under the ongoing domestic tourism programme designed to expedite a recovery of the Thai economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To boost domestic tourism, expatriates urged to visit Khung Bang Kachao, the "Lung of Bangkok"H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports

Mr. Phiphat said that a pilot project focussing on Khung Bang Kachao, the “Lung of Bangkok,” has been initiated to motivate expats working and residing in Thailand to see places they may not otherwise have thought about.

The project has been developed by the Ministry in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism (DASTA), a specialised unit under the MoTS.

Located in Samut Prakan province, Khung Bang Kachao is a large green oasis on the periphery of Bangkok, and one of the country’s most important oxygen producers. The area also has environmental, economic, tourism, social, and cultural significance.

The venues in Khung Bang Kachao that the group visited in this trip included Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nai, the Bang Nam Phueng Community Enterprise Homestay, the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Botanical Garden, and Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market.

To boost domestic tourism, expatriates urged to visit Khung Bang Kachao, the "Lung of Bangkok"

DASTA has developed these routes in accordance with the four-point policy guidelines of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports: Safety, Clean (complying with the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration), Fair (distributing revenue to the local communities), and Hospitality.

The concept also fits research showing that expats like to better understand the concept of “Thainess,” learn more about the Thai way of life, and seek out opportunities for nature tourism.

The Minister said Khung Bang Kachao is the perfect place for expats to experience the charm and attractions of local tourism activities — all in an area easily accessible from Bangkok as well as from surrounding provinces; such as, the Eastern Economic Corridor region where many expats live as retirees, technical consultants, managers and trainers.

“We hope that after visiting Khung Bang Kachao, expatriates will spread the word to their families and friends. We want them to see more “Unseen” places and travel more often. Hence, it is necessary to introduce them to places  that are attractive to them,” the Minister said.

A number of non-governmental organisations are working to improve the Khung Bang Kachao quality of life based on the wisdom of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and his Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. More information about this project can be found here: http://www.ourkhungbangkachao.com/en.

In Main Photo (from left to right):
Ms. Rawadee Russamithat, Advisor to Minister of Public Health;
H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports;
Mr. Sittipong  Phuthaworn, President of the Bang Ko Bua Subdistrict Community-Based Tourism Club;
Mr. Chote Trachu, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Sports;
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business