CURFEW YOURSELF
PHUKET GOVERNOR CALLS FOR TOURISTS TO STAY INDOORS AT NIGHT
the nation this afternoon that there will not be any curfew in the country.
Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana on Wednesday issued a notice calling for all tourists on the island to to selfquarantine themselves in their hotel rooms or other accommodation from 5pm to midnight.
Not calling the order a “curfew”, the notice signed by Governor Phakaphong carefully “requests for cooperation” from tourists, and came 48 hours after crowds of foreigners gathered on Patong Beach on Monday night, with Patong Police clearing the beach of all people on Tuesday night.
The notice also came just hours after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam specifically announced to
That news came as the nation braced for a slew of new measures to counter the spread of the disease as the state of emergency powers were to come into effect from yesterday (Mar 26).
The state of emergency powers are to remain in effect through to April 30, Deputy PM Wissanu confirmed.
He also explained that under the new powers, invoked at the request of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday, only people 70 years of age or older, children five or younger, and those already suffering from serious health conditions must stay at home.
“At this stage, we have not announced a curfew, which means everyone can go out, but
these three groups of people are asked to stay at home,” he said.
“Any other people can go out at anytime,” Mr Wissanu said. “Government offices will remain open as usual and the media can continue reporting news of the outbreak, but please beware of fake news,” he said.
While for now a “lockdown” has been avoided, Mr Wissanu cautioned that other measures may need to be implemented later if the situation regarding the virus deteriorates.
“At this stage, we have not locked down the country as we are still waiting for Thai people to return home.
“We have not locked down provinces, but do not encourage people travel to other provinces as there will be a lot of checkpoints set up starting tonight,” he said.
“If you travel by public transport, you must have some space between each other,” he added.
“At the checkpoints, you have to be able to present an ID card and allow officers to check your body temperature,” Mr Wissanu noted. Government offices will stay open.
“Factories and banks are also allowed to stay open. Restaurants can be open, but only for takeaway. Department stores can be open, but only grocery zones, drug stores and for selling essential consumer goods. All types of public transport can operate as normal,” Mr Wissanu said.
“People do not have to hoard goods, as stores are continuing to be restocked all the time. Also, goods and food delivery drivers can work normally, and we also support people...
Tourists gathered on Patong Beach on Monday night (Mar 23). Photo: Tanyaluk
Tourists ‘asked’ to stay indoors at night
Continued from page 1 ...using delivery services in order to not go out,” he said.
“Some events can be held as normal, such as marriages and funerals. For Songkran, we want you all to splash water together with your family, not in public areas and crowded places,” Deputy PM Wissanu explained.
“Official events may be held, but the number of attendees must be reduced,” he said.
All mass graduation ceremonies have been postponed, he added.
Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana this afternoon broke from a meeting concerning emergency decree to tell The Phuket News, “By ‘lockdown’ we mean that people should try to stay at home. I have asked for cooperation from people many times about this. You can go outside for necessary things, but please do not go to any place where crowds of people are gathered.
“You can go out, but please quickly come back home,” he said.
Last Friday and on Monday this week (Mar 23), Governor Phakaphong declared all major businesses to shut down to help prevent the spread of the virus, including the closure of most stores in shopping malls, except supermarkets, as well as forc-
Gov Phakaphong is asking tourists to stay indoors at night. Photo: PPHO
ing all restaurants on the island to serve takeaway food only.
The move to shut down most businesses on the island follows Governor Phakaphong last Tuesday (Mar 17) ordering all entertainment venues to close – with the order coming into effect the very next day.
Governor Phakaphong has repeatedly assured that officials have ramped up measures to prevent the spread of the disease on the island, including mandatory checks on all people arriving – and now all people departing – on the island by vehicles passing through the Phuket Check Point at the northern end of the island.
“At this time, the situation does not need to be upgraded to Level 3,” Governor Phakaphong said.
“However, if necessary, we will increase our surveillance.
Phuket is ready to take care of patients and our Phuket brothers and sisters,” he said.
Additional reporting by Kiattikul Chumanee
Restaurants takeaway only, mall shops closed
The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
All restaurants in Phuket are now takeaway only and some areas in shopping malls have been ordered to close under the latest order issued by Phuket Govenor Phakaphong Tavipatana.
The order, issued at 11pm Monday night, came in to effect on Tuesday (Mar 24) and will remain in effect until at least Mar 31.
In announcing the raft of new venue closures, Governor Phakaphong on Tuesday night said the closures were urgently necessary to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“If this is not done urgently, it might have a very serious effect on people,” he said.
The order is to prevent gatherings and to close or control areas of people movement, including shopping malls, main grocery stores and small shops in the building in the same area, the order said.
Shopping malls are to close, but supermarkets, pharmacies and small shops that sell daily essentials and small shops that sell takeaway food only are allowed to remain open.
All restaurants, bars and food outlets must sell takeaway food only, the order added.
Restaurants in hotels must serve hotel guests only.
Fresh markets and “walking street” markets are allowed to sell only fresh, dried and cooked foods to be consumed
at another place, and allowed to sell daily essential consumer goods.
All seating areas in convenience stores, supermarkets and food shops must close.
Tattoo shops and any venues that conduct any form of skin piercings, including venues where traditional health practices and ceremonies that involve skin piercing, as well as fortune-telling venues, are held must close.
All businesses that sell amulets and venerated statues must also close.
Any areas that have snooker and billiard tables must close.
All golf courses and driving ranges must also close.
All pet grooming centres and any venue that provides any kind of health service for pets must close.
Beauty salons, weight loss centres and barbers must also close.
Fishing parks and shrimp fishing fun centres must close.
All swimming pools and water parks must close, including swimming pools in hotels, and even private swimming pools in rooms and villas.
Any person found breaching any of the health order closures above will face legal action under Section 52 of the Communicable Disease Act, Governor Phakaphong said in the order.
The penalty under Section 52 is up to one year in jail, or a fine of up to B100,000, or both, the order noted.
Last Friday (Mar 20), Governor Phakaphong ordered all fighting cock and fish venues and water parks to be closed until further notice. The order also covered six types of venues and shops to be closed until Mar 31, including spas and massage shops, fitness centres and gyms, Thai boxing and martial arts schools, indoor and outdoor kid’s playgrounds, markets and weekend markets, and gaming and Internet shops.
Convention hall sited for ‘field hospital’
THE CONVENTION hall at the new Phuket Provincial Hall, the one completed building at the site on the south side of Phuket Town, will be converted into a “field hospital” for COVID-19 coronavirus patients, the Phuket Governor has announced.
At least 100 beds along with the required medical equipment will be installed in the building, which so far has served as the venue for only a handful of government meetings.
The ground-floor level, which can accommodate 40 beds, will be used initially to treat COVID-19 patients who do not have serious symptoms, Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana explained.
Panaphong and Wongsakorn Noonchukhan and a host of other officials.
“The new convention hall has not been officially opened yet. It is in the same compound as the Phuket Provincial Hall,” Governor Phakaphong said.
The second floor of the building can accommodate a further 70 beds, he added.
“Patients suffering severe symptoms and who need respirators will continue to be treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital,” the Governor said.
Pillows, beds and blankets
will be provided by private businesses, Governor Phakaphong noted, adding that the “field hospital” is expected to open today (Mar 27).
Governor Phakaphong inspected the building yesterday (Mar 23), joined by Phuket Vice Governors Phichet
“Plus, there are four hotels in Phuket Town that have also offered their support to accommodate Person Under Investigation (PUI) cases [people so far only suspected of being infected with the virus] without any payment. They have room for another 400-500 patients,” he said.
Governor Phakaphong did not identify which hotels had offered to accommodate PUIs. Tanyaluk Sakoot
The order as issued in English Monday (Mar 23), effective Tuesday. Images: PR Dept
The convention hall at the new Phuket Provincial Hall will be converted into a ‘field hospital’ for COVID-19 coronavirus patients. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
Patong COVID warning issued Health chief alert comes as four cases confirmed on same day
The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Thanit Sermkaew has issued a warning for all people in Patong – and any persons who have visited Patong or come into close contact with any persons who live or work in the tourism town in the past few weeks – to be especially aware of contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Dr Thanit gave the warning on Tuesday (Mar 24) as he revealed that four of the nine new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Phuket announced that day came from Patong.
Among them was a 33-year-old Thai woman who worked as a waitress in an entertainment area in Soi Bangla, Patong, who had a history of touching tourists of many nationalities. She became ill last Monday (Mar 16).
Another Thai woman, 26, was a “freelance” (occupation and industry not defined).
She visited entertainment places in Soi Bangla Patong often, and fell ill last Friday
on (Mar 20), Dr Thanit said.
A third Thai woman, 27, was a dancer in an entertainment area in Soi Bangla, Patong. She became ill on Sunday (Mar 22), he added.
The fourth case to be reported that same day was a 28-year-old Thai man who worked as a security guard
Patong COVID case confirmed in Trang
A 24-YEAR-OLD WOMAN who has returned to Trang province from working in Phuket’s entertainment industry has been confirmed as infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus. She is the first person in Trang to have been confirmed as infected with the virus.
Trang Vice Governor Khajonsak Chareonsopha, as head of the Trang Communicable Disease Committee, broke the news at a press conference in Trang last Sunday (Mar 22), reported Post Today
Officials are now investigating where the woman worked and lived in Phuket in the hope of tracking down any persons who came into close contact with her, Vice Governor Khajonsak said.
In total, 24 people in Trang have been monitored for possible infection with the disease, including four foreigners living in the province, he said.
Vice Governor Khajonsak ordered local officials to check all persons in Trang for possible infection.
“They must report when any such risk people are found and have them placed under 14-day quarantine. If officials
find any people with abnormal health conditions, especially fever, they must have these people taken to hospital,” he said. Tanyaluk Sakoot
in an entertainment area in Soi Bangla. He became ill last Thursday (Mar 19), Dr Thanit said.
The others confirmed as COVID-19 positive that day included a 56-year-old French engineer who was on holiday with his wife, a 25-year-old Swedish flight attendant who
European countries. She became ill while staying abroad and hurried back to receive treatment in Phuket.
“All patients are under investigation by the Phuket public health team,” Dr Thanit said.
“The nine new patients today have been classified into two groups: patients who were infected in European countries, and patients who have a history of being involved in the entertainment industry.
“Most of these new patients have mild symptoms,” he said.
“These people went out and about as they normally would, which increased their risk of being infected,” Dr Thanit noted.
arrived in Phuket last Friday, a 62-year-old French golf coach, a 35-year-old Thai woman who worked as a customer service staffer who never travelled abroad but came into frequent contact with tourists from risk countries, and a 62-year-old Thai business woman who traveled to Switzerland and
In his express warning for people in contact with anyone who works or lives in Patong, Dr Thanit said, “If anyone used to visit or work in Patong or come into close contact with people from Patong in the past few weeks, if you now have a fever, sore throat and cough – you must put on a mask, keep distance from other people and see a doctor immediately.
“We are keeping under surveillance and tracking people who came from risk areas, and entertainment venues have been ordered to close already, in order to help prevent the decease from spreading.
“The closures [enforced so far] help to reduce the chance of social activities which risk transmission and infection,” he said.
“Please, to reduce the risk of becoming infected, minimise your social activities and avoid any other unnecessary public activities, and try to stay inside your accommodation,” he added.
On Wednesday, Dr Thanit announced that three new COVID-19 cases in Phuket had been confirmed, bringing the total number of officially recognised cases of people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus confirmed in Phuket to 29.
The three new cases were given as a Thai masseuse, 35; a Thai man, 33, who worked at Phuket International Airport; and a British national, 42, gender and status of staying in the country not explained.
The general warning for anyone who lives or works in Patong, or has come into close contact with anyone who does, was issued Tuesday (Mar 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
Trang Vice Governor Khajonsak Chareonsopha.
Photo: Trang PR Dept
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Unpaid workers protest
Employer forced to pay Myanmar workers left short
Eakkapop Thongtub editor@classactmedia.co.th
More than 100 Myanmar workers descended on the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) Phuket office in Phuket Town last Wednesday (Mar 18) in protest as they had not received their salary last month.
A total of 140 employees of Hat Yai Nantakorn Co Ltd were picked up by two 10-wheeled trucks from their camp in Ban Bangjo in Srisoonthorn and taken to the DLPW office.
Phuket City Police were notified and Chief Col Theerawat Liamsuwan, Capt Songchai Puangrod, and 30 officers were dispatched to the scene around midday to control and resolve the situation.
The police ordered four representatives from the Hat Yai Nantakorn company to liaise with DLPW Phuket Office Chief Wiang Suwanna and several of the disgruntled workers
representing the wider group, enlisting the assistance of an interpreter by the name of Mr Huawei.
“One of the workers explained that the company had not paid the workers their owed salary for the period Feb 16-29, despite the promise it would be done so on Mar 5,” explained Capt Songchai.
A human resources representative
from the company assured they would be paid later that day at the company offices and also promised the next payment, for the period Mar 1-18, to be paid by last Friday (Mar 20).
Satisfied with the agreement, the workers were then picked up by the same trucks and taken to the company premises to receive their outstanding pay.
The police added that, should a similar situation occur in future, the workers were advised not to gather en masse and protest but that they should send a representative to the DLPW office to resolve the situation.
“They will not be charged over this situation today,” Capt Songchai confirmed.
Chief Wiang stated that the negotiations between employer and employee had concluded successfully but expressed a note of caution moving forward in regards to the continued spread and impact of the coronavirus.
“After the outbreak of COVID-19, we have been a mediator between employer and employee more frequently,” he said.
“If the spread of the virus is not controlled soon many businesses may suffer meaning employers may be forced to cut their staff and the number of unemployed will keep increasing,” he concluded.
Scammed by savings fraud Laundrette robber chased down by 56-year-old man
KATHU POLICE ARE LOOKing for a 28-year-old woman from Trang who allegedly stole B50,000 from people who agreed to pay monthly contributions to a “rotating savings and credit” pool that they were told they could take turns borrowing money from.
More than 30 people arrived at Kathu Police Station at about 11pm Wednesday night last week (Mar 18) to file a formal complaint against the pool founder, Anongnut Saengwisut, 28, from Trang.
Nutcha Songkho, 32, told police that she and others were invited to join the “savings group” through social media.
“I accepted the invitation because she has a good profile and we got along well,” Ms Nutcha said.
“In this group, there were 20 members who had to contribute B2,500 every month, so the whole sum was B50,000,” she added.
On Mar 15, it was Miss Nutcha’s turn to borrow money from the group, but Anongnut did not transfer the money to her, she said.
Anongnut refused to reply to Miss Nutcha’s messages or answer her calls, but the next day (Mar 16), a friend of Miss Nutcha’s contacted Anongnut.
“My friend was told that if I wanted the money, I could go and file a complaint to the police,”
Miss Nutcha explained.
“We are filing this complaint together so Anongnut cannot do this to anyone else,” she added.
Miss Nutcha alleged Anongnut of being involved in many other savings groups with many members in southern provinces altogether involving payments from people totalling more than B1 million a month.
Kathu Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Amphonwat Saengrueng said Anongnut stood to face charges under the Rotating Saving and Credit Act 1991 and the Emergency Decree on Loans of Money Amounting to Public Cheating and Fraud B.E. 2527 (1984).
“Police will keep questioning relevant people and examining supporting documents in order to search for Anongnut,” Lt Col Amphonwat said.
Eakkapop Thongtub
POLICE LAST FRIDAY (MAR 20)
arrested a 25-year-old man for robbing coin boxes at a 24-hour laundrette in Phuket Town after a 56-year-old man kicked the thief off his motorbike and chased him to a house in a dead-end street in Samkong
Capt Somporn Rangsimanrat of the Phuket City Police and other fellow police were called to a row house in Soi Dechanarong, off Yaowarat Rd in Samkong, at around 10:30am. They arrived and arrested Sutthipong Aumsuk, 25, originally from Chachoengsao.
Sakkarin Rujiraworranan, a 56-yearold local resident who chased down the thief and called the police, explained to officers that he was withdrawing cash from an ATM in front of the Kasikornbank branch on Yaowarat Rd when he saw Sutthipong using a hammer to break open a coin box fitted to a washing machine at a 24-hour laundrette nearby.
When Sutthipong went to flee on his motorbike, Sakkarin kicked him.
“He fell down, and lots of coins fell out from his bag and onto the road,” Mr Sakkarin said.
“He ran off and I chased him. He ran down a dead-end street, and I saw him run into a row house, so I called the police,” he said.
Police arrived and ordered Sutthipong to come out. With their patience running out, officers kicked the door ajar,
prompting Sutthipong to open the door fully and surrender.
Police placed Sutthipong under arrest and marked him as in possession of B1,740 in coins, which included the coins the police picked up from the street.
Officers also seized the hammer used to break open the coin box, a tote bag and the Phuket-registered Honda Scoopy i motorbike that Sutthipong tried to flee on.
Sutthipong told police that he had already stolen about B2,000 in coins from three coin boxes at the laundrette two days ago.
He returned last Friday to steal from the other two boxes.
He said he wanted the money to spend on traveling.
Capt Somporn confirmed that Sutthipong has been charged with theft.
Eakkapop Thongtub
The disgruntled Myanmar workers arrive at the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) office in Phuket Town last Wednesday (Mar 18). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
The pool of victims file their group complaint at Kathu Police Station. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
Sutthipong Aumsuk, 25, originally from Chachoengsao, was arrested after he was chased down by a 56-year-old local resident in Phuket Town. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
Caught in COVID lockdown
Tanyaluk Sakoot reporter2@classactmedia.co.th
Hundreds of foreigners arrived at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town on Monday morning (Mar 23) in the hope of extending their stay in the country instead of risking contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus by having to travel home or anywhere else to comply with the Thai immigration regulation issued late last week.
Last Friday (Mar 20), Phuket Immigration confirmed to The Phuket News that by order from Bangkok all tourists can extend their stay by simply presenting themselves at the Immigration office, filing an application and paying B1,900.
However, all foreigners staying on any other kind of visa must obtain a letter from their respective embassy in order to be granted an extension to stay.
The order caught many foreigners, and embassies, unaware. One foreigner who has been living and working in Thailand for more than a decade told The Phuket News that he had been told that he had until April 3 to leave the country to comply with Thai Immigration’s requirement for him to leave the country every 90 days.
“As I am on a Non-immigrant, multiple-entry business visa. I am
able to travel to and work in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days at a time. This is not usually a problem as I return home regularly every six to eight weeks.
“However as my home is under siege of the coronavirus, I have stayed here for the full 90 days. Now I must leave as there are no extensions available for business visas. When I go home I will have to go into 14-day quarantine then I must get a COVID-19 medical clearance before trying to get back into Thailand to continue the business.
“There is great risk Thailand will close its borders and not let me return. The sensible choice is
for me to send the Thai staff home. Stop paying rent, tax and wages in Thailand and move all my assets out of Thailand. That is not good for me and not good for Thailand,” he said.
Worse, by Monday Phuket Immigration Deputy Chief Lt Col Udom Thongchin confirmed that any foreigners still in the country after their permits to stay had expired were being fined, the maximum, B500 a day.
Lt Col Udom explained that his office has no authority in the matter. “Everything is up to the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok… If a foreigner’s permit to stay is about to expire and they cannot
get a letter from their embassy, or their embassy refuses to issue them a letter, we have no regulation that can help them. We can only wait for any new policies to come from the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.
“My advice is for foreigners to urge their embassies to issue them a letter requesting a 30-day extension. If their visas expire, they will be charged for B500 a day overstay in accordance with the law,” he added.
Lt Col Udom clarified that people having to leave the country because their permit to stay will expire does not apply to foreigners renewing their one-year extensions to stay.
“These are being processed as usual,” he said.
“If people are just renewing their one-year permit to stay, like they do every year, they do not have to leave the country while waiting for their renewal to be approved. These people are unaffected,” he said.
By Monday afternoon the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket confirmed it is providing visa support letters to Australians in Thailand who can prove long-term residency in Thailand.
“Please email Consular.Phuket@ dfat.gov.au with your personal particulars page of your passport and a copy of your current visa. There will be no fee applied for this service,” said a notice posted on the consulate’s official website.
“We will not consider providing these letters to those who are traveling on Tourist Visas,” the notice added.
“Australian Government advice remains that Australians should seek to return home while commercial options remains to do so,” the notice said.
Australians were urged to check the Australian government’s SmartTraveller website for more details.
By Tuesday, the British Embassy in Bangkok announced that it too is issuing support letters for any visa type so that British nationals stuck in Thailand can extend their stay in the country instead of having to risk infection by travelling either back home or to another country.
“The British Embassy can issue a letter to support applications to extend existing visas. Those holding a tourist visa should first apply for a 30-day extension at an Immigration Office,” said the notice issued on the Gov.uk website for the British Embassy in Thailand.
The notice adds that to apply, email Bangkok.DocumentaryServices@fco.gov.uk with evidence of:
• Copy of biodata page of passport • Entry stamp • Visa stamp/sticker with expiry date At the time of going to press, these were the only two embassies The Phuket News had confirmed were issuing the letters.
Foreigners queue at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town on Monday (Mar 23). Photo: Supplied
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The last stand
The national emergency powers rolled out this week to help try to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus will be as divisive as the last time Prime Minister Prayut had such wide-ranging powers, immediately after the 2014 coup.
At the time this article went to press, the state of emergency had been confirmed for Mar 26-Apr 26, but the details of exactly which measures will be immediately enforced had yet to come to light.
Yet no matter what measures are doled out, they will not silence critics. If the official reports are to be believed – and we presume that at least the government believes them –the measures already in place have already made Thailand one of the safest places in Asia. The government’s own reports beg the question that
Keep
clear
Re: Phuket restaurants takeaway only, areas in shopping malls closed in latest order
No the beaches aren’t closed, and it’s a problem. Just like in many other countries some people are treating the closures like a holiday. Patong beach today (Mar 24) was not exactly busy but it definitely wasn’t appropriate for social distancing, especially the food vendors crammed in along the pathways.
CaptainJack69
Re: Four more COVID cases in Phuket, order to close businesses re-issued
Crazy why they can’t identify where (in what town) the cases are showing up. The more info the better for everyone.
Capricornball
Instead of complaining, people, just stay home and follow the rules, stay home to protect the nurses, doctors and caregivers – nobody wants to hear that your partying is spoiled or you can’t do this or that… Stay Home. Basta. Phkt-2016
if the existing measures have already contained the virus to just four deaths as of Tuesday (Mar 24), then why the need for the emergency powers?
Of course, the strong argument of a preventative policy is best is being advocated, and that too is difficult to argue against. But the only real measure that can be taken is an all-out ban on being in public without essential need – a real “lockdown”, not the measures taken so far that have already been given that label by enthusiastic officials and excited media.
Local officials this week finally took genuine measures to reasonably try to prevent the spread of the disease with the mass closure of venues across the island, but the big question for Phuket is whether or not they will close the beaches.
This is where all those people stuck in Phuket might
Blurred
lines
Re: Phuket’s six new cases include Swiss, Canadian Stating the area where these tourists were staying would be useful??
robknight
Re: Four more COVID cases in Phuket, order to close businesses re-issued
I find it amazing that the two Chinese identified as having the virus in February did not infect another single person in Phuket. The WHO has said that one person can infect at least two others, or is that truth being hidden.
Goldwing
Re: General warning for Patong as nine more COVID-19 cases in Phuket announced
The authorities in Bangkok say that anyone who says there is a Government cover-up will be prosecuted B20,000, so I will not say it.
Papa paul
Ram jam
Re: Phuket Immigration jammed with foreigners, expats on non-immigrant visas forced to leave the country
relish where they happen to be trapped during this global episode – providing they don’t catch the disease while having minimal or no health coverage at all. People on the beaches this week have shown that some enjoy the social distance the sand can provide, while others plainly, and dangerously, did not. At this stage it is a choice.
It’s no secret that the beaches are nigh sacrosanct when it comes to the island’s tourism image. People flout the law at will where they want or simply have the tacit approval of local authorities, as long as it does not interfere with the money-making lure of our shores.
Now, while we’re under siege by this virus, whether Phuket’s beaches will remain open will send a clear message as to exactly how serious officials consider the threat.
Phuket Immigration office and garden is a great place for spreading the CONVID-19 virus.
Kurt
I suggest the local authorities simplify the procedure for the visa extension due to the coronavirus as follows: tourists submit the application and pay B1,000 for each month of extension; 3 months, B3,000; for the all year 2020.
Pascale
After living working in Thailand for 18 years, I’d expect nothing less than this from the Thai Immigration dept. Just issue the visas like a normal country would, and stop forcing people to gather in large groups, or travel, which will ultimately cost both foreign and Thai lives as COVID-19 spreads! Amazing Thailand – Yes, amazingly nationalist, amazingly greedy, amazingly unremarkable.
Mattysiam2
Whilst you are criticising them, spare a thought for the IOs [Immigration officers] in Phuket Town who are having to deal with a massive influx of ‘customers’, some of whom
Phuket bars, clubs closed for 14 days over COVID-19 fears
Phuket Immigration jammed with foreigners, expats on non-immigrant visas forced to leave the country
Phuket Immigration extends permits to stay for foreigners stuck in Thailand
Governor admits Danish family with COVID under treatment in Phuket
Patong COVID shutdown costing B100mn a day: PEBA President
Four more COVID cases in Phuket, order to close businesses re-issued
Phuket Immigration confirms B500 a day overstay fines are being levied
Phuket Opinion: Songkran will survive
Bangla gets a COVID hosedown
Phuket DJ confirmed with COVID-19 calls for people to self-quarantine
may be infected. Don’t take your anger out at them – they are just the coal face and not the ones making the decisions.
Bucket. Gasoline. Match. Please close the offices now. Forcing people into close proximity when every single health authority on the planet is saying DO NOT DO THAT. Just ignore immigration, they will grandfather everyone in. They'll have to.
Christy Sweet
On the move
Re: New Provincial Hall convention hall to become COVID-19 ‘field hospital’ Why not Chalong hospital, it’s empty.
Feeling better
Nasa12
Re: Vendor offers free meals to people put out of work by coronavirus
One of the few articles with good news at times like this. The other good news is the decision by the PN to allow only six comments per person per day. Everyone on here – except one person – will be happy now. Well done PN! Pascale 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fascinated
Stark warning over COVID-19
Stay at home or risk sharing same coronavirus fate as Italy
THAILAND
Bangkok Post
People must stay home and not socialise, or Thailand will become like Italy with coronavirus patients overwhelming health resources and medical personnel having to decide which patients to treat, or not, the dean of the faculty of medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, warned on Monday (Mar 23).
Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa issued his caution via the university’s online television channel.
He said the number of people with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Thailand was soaring, like those of the European countries that were unable to control the disease.
He blamed the situation on people who visited virusspreading venues like boxing stadiums and pubs, and refused to self-isolate.
Countries that failed to control the disease saw COVID-19 cases rise from 100 to
200 in three days. The increase in Thailand took 3.5 days, Dr Prasit said.
“If we do nothing, we will become a country that is unable to control the disease,” he said.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand was rising by 33% daily. At this rate, the number of infections would reach about 350,000 and deaths
total about 7,000 by April 15, Dr Prasit said.
The number of critically ill people by then would be about 17,000 – and that would exceed the country’s medical resources.
“That would be like the situation in Italy. Decisions would then have to be made whether to treat someone, or not. I do not want that to
Thousands flee Bangkok for provinces
BANGKOK
THE PARTIAL LOCKDOWN OF BANGkok and the order by the Interior Ministry to close 18 border points taking effect on Monday (Mar 23) triggered a massive exodus of Thais and foreign workers from Bangkok for their hometowns last Sunday.
Mor Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok saw around 80,000 passengers leaving for their hometowns. However, few were able to observe “social distancing” among the large crowds packing into stations or buses.
The exodus came as Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul urged people in Bangkok and adjacent provinces to work from home for 14 days to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, many foreign labourers headed for
Mor Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok saw around 80,000 passengers leaving for their hometowns.
the border, hoping to return to their hometowns in neighbouring countries.
Others, meanwhile, want to escape the partial lockdown in Bangkok for the relative freedom of the provinces, where shops are still open and they still have chance of finding work. Bangkok Post
and return home as fast as possible,” Dr Prasit said.
“Talking normally to another person produces droplets that travel about one metre. So people must stay at least two metres apart. When you are talking to people, you must wear a mask. Wash your masks daily,” he said.
“A communicable disease cannot be transmitted if people do not make contact. Home is the safest place, unless there is an infected person.”
Following this practice would limit the case increase rate to within 20% a day, or at 32.7 new cases a day. “It is difficult, but still possible. It must start today, or it would be too late,” Dr Prasit said.
happen,” Dr Prasit said.
To keep the number of COVID-19 patients within the country’s capacity to treat them, the increase in national cases must be limited at 20% daily.
“To achieve this, people must stay at home, do not socialise… If you must go out to buy food, you must wear a mask, go the shortest distance
With social distancing, the number of new cases would start to fall in four weeks, he said.
He also called for a complete ban on visitors, saying thermal scans did not work because many infected people did not have a fever during their initial period of infection.
“When they have a fever, the disease has already dam-
aged their lungs and they will need lung support devices,” Dr Prasit said.
The countries that were able to control COVID-19 were Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, he said.
Dr Prasit estimated the COVID-19 outbreak would continue in Thailand for about nine months.
At time of press, Italy had almost 64,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 6,077 deaths.
Elsewhere, in an opinion poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, 41.04% of those quizzed want cities locked down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and 14.61% said the government should disclose truths regarding the COVID-19 situation.
Regarding its effects, 86.68% of the respondents said the virus had caused a significant impact on their daily life and physical and mental health, as well as the country’s economy, tourism, trade and investment.
The poll was carried out between March 17-21 on 1,457 people across the country.
Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University warns of the need for strict social-distancing. Photo: Screenshot from the Mahidol University channel
Photo: Bangkok Post
COVID costing B100mn a day
TOURISM
Khunanya Wanchanwet reporter1@classactmedia.co.th
Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), has estimated that the forced 14-day shutdown of entertainment venues in Patong to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus is costing the island at least a B100 million a day in lost revenues.
The shutdown, announced by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, came into effect on Mar 17, leaving the usually busy Bangla Rd shrouded in darkness.
“PEBA members will meet up later to discuss this order because being closed for 14 days is affecting a wide range of tourism-related businesses,” Mr Weerawit told The Phuket News
“The amount of economic damage to Patong entertainment venues alone is at least B100 million a day,” he added.
Mr Weerawit argued that Phuket should not be subjected to the same level of constraint as other places in the country due to the island’s reliance on tourism.
The Cabinet resolution on Mar 17 gave provincial governors discretion in how to enforce the health
provisions regarding COVID-19.
Phuket Govenor Phakaphong in announcing the shutdown said he was just following what others were doing and that Phuket should not be an exception.
In Pattaya, officials have ordered all bars to close but allowed restaurants to stay open as long as they obey specific requirements, such as patrons keeping at least one-metre
distance from each other.
“Patong cannot use the same policies as in central Thailand,” Mr Weerawit said. “I will send a letter to Phuket Governor insisting this simply for the reason that Phuket province is different from other provinces.
“Here is a tourism province. If any service is closed for a long time, it will have a big impact on
impacts of the measure,” he told The Phuket News.
“Some governments have already shut down their whole countries, while others have shut down only some cities,” he said.
“But I am worried about the people who work for entertainment venues. They were paid day to day, and are directly and immediately affected by this order. I wonder how long they can live on whatever money they have set aside,” Mr Preechavude said.
Along Bangla Rd last Wednesday (Mar 18), not only were bars closed, but also restaurants, convenience stores, and small stalls selling food and water.
Some bars in side streets had signs saying closed due to COVID-19 and that they will open early next month. One sign said the venue would reopen in September, Others simply said, “Closed.”
the economy and a lot of people,” Mr Wirawit added.
Patong business magnate and President of Patong Development Foundation Preechavude “Prab” Keesin was more accepting of the shut down.
“I understand the order for all entertainment venues to close to prevent the spread of the disease. We have to accept the unavoidable
Bar staff on Bangla Rd that The Phuket News spoke to said they already had been paid for the days worked so far this month, but they have lost their jobs.
“Now we are waiting for [termination of employment] compensation from our employer, and then we will go back home to other provinces,” one staffer said.
The group of now-former bar staff then hugged each other and took photos for the memories before walking away.
Social security fund launches help for COVID-hit employers
THE SOCIAL SECURITY Board (SSB) has decided to offer financial help to workers registered under its social security system who have either lost their jobs or have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective from March 1, workers who have lost their jobs because their employers have folded will be given 50% of their salaries – with a ceiling of up to B15,000 a month – for a maximum of 180 days, Sutthi Sukoson, permanent-secretary for Labour Ministry, said in his capacity as SSB chairman.
Workers suspended resulting from the government’s order that certain businesses close temporarily, will also be paid 50% of their salaries – with the same B15,000 ceiling – but for no more than 60 days, he said.
Workers who have been forced to resign due to the virus outbreak will receive 45% of their salaries – again
with the B15,000 ceiling – for up to 90 days, while workers who have been laid off stand to receive 70% of their wages, but no more than B15,000, for 200 days, he said.
The board also decided to reduce the 5% monthly contribution to the social security fund by both employers and employees to 4%, he said.
The board has also decid-
ed to defer contributions for the months of March, April and May by three months, meaning the deadline for the March contribution would be pushed to July 15, he said.
Mr Sutthi added the Labour Ministry will speed up the implementation of these measures in order to assure timely assistance for affected parties in this time of crisis.
The Phuket news
Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary Sutthi Sukoson announced the new measures on Friday (Mar 20).
Photo: NNT
COVID-19
A lone tourist walks past the end of Bangla Rd near Patong Beach. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 How COVID-19 is
A reality check on what COVID-19 means in Phuket LIVING WITH COVID-19
There is nowhere you can go in Phuket without the COVID-19 coronavirus determining every aspect of your life, other than staying at home hoping not to become infected.
Dr Thomas Lodi, a wellness expert who has been practicing medicine for over 30 years, now heads The LifeCo wellness centre located between Nai Thon and Nai Yang beaches, just south of Phuket International Airport.
For the first 10 years of his medical
career, Dr Lodi worked in conventional settings as an internal medicine specialist, urgent care physician and as an intensivist in ICU and CCU departments of various hospitals throughout the US.
Subsequently, Dr Lodi continued his search for more effective and less toxic therapies by training with alternative health experts in Japan, Europe, Mexico and the US. He is licensed as a Homeopathic Medical Doctor MD (H) in Arizona and as an Allopathic Medical Doctor in the State of New York.
In 2018, Dr Lodi was featured in the acclaimed docu-series “The Truth about Cancer” and recently hosted
at the H.E.A.T Anti-Aging conference in Bangkok. He is the Founder and Medical Director of Integrative Oncology and Internal Medicine at An Oasis of Healing Center in Arizona. He is also the Founder and Chief Medical Consultant for the Institute of Integrative Oncology, Singapore and Director of Integrative Oncology and Integrative Medicine at The Lifeco Wellness Center, Phuket. Here we ask Dr Lodi the simple, but most pressing, questions about living with the threat of COVID-19 in Phuket.
What are the real dangers of COVID-19, the best we know right now? Respiratory failure and cytokine
storm (excessive immune responses that damage lungs). The two cell types to which this virus attaches are mucus cells and cilia cells in the lungs. These cells together keep the lungs clean… mucus is secreted to “trap” particulate matter and the cilia beat rhythmically outward towards the mouth… like a conveyor belt. With these cells non-functional, the lungs will accumulate everything from microorganisms, waste products, toxins from the environment and so on. Also, the immune system gets turned on “full blast” and causes system wide inflammation.
Continued on page 10
A woman buys her home essentials at a shop in Phuket Town earlier this week. Photo: Khunanya Wanchanwet
Good health is the best defence
Continued from page 9
Who is primarily at risk?
The elderly over 65 and those with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems.
What are the symptoms and how bad are they for most people?
The symptoms are a dry cough, shortness of breath, aches and pains, weakness, no appetite and, of course, fever.
Most people will not know they have it: 81% of cases symptoms are mild (lungs); 14% become severely ill; 4.7% become critically ill; and the fatality rate is 3.4 %.
How is COVID-19 contracted?
Fifty percent of infections are hand to
face (mouth, nose, eyes). Also, the virus can be airborne in droplets from sneezing and coughing.
Phuket seems to be the only place where people who come into frequent contact with strangers are the only ones wearing face masks. Everyday people going about their daily lives do not. Should people wear face masks? Who should? Why?
If you are not sick or around people, there is no need to wear a mask. Here are the WHO recommendations:
If you are being self-isolated due to one of the following circumstances:
• You have travelled from high risk areas within the past 14 days; or
• You have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus;
then, you should use a surgical mask in the following circumstances:
• You need to leave your home for any reason and be in public areas;
• You are visiting a medical facility; or
• You have symptoms and other people are present in the same room as you.
• N95 masks filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles,.
People have expressed sincere concern about the fingerprint-scanning device at Immigration at the airport. Should people be concerned about this? What should people do about this, if anything? They have hand sanitiser bottles next to the fingerprinting device. Use it twice: once before and once after.
People have also expressed their opinion that the normal everyday temperature in Phuket – and elsewhere in Thailand – has helped to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. One senior health official has even said he expects COVID-19 to disappear as Thailand enters its annual hot season. Is there any merit in this understanding? Not enough is known about this variant of coronavirus because it is new. The standard coronavirus that causes upper respiratory illnesses remains intact in cold weather and dies quickly at 58°C.
Are the precautions the Thai government is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 reasonable? Or is it lacking? Or even an overreaction? Or a bit of both? Any there any examples that highlight your opinion on this?
The Thai government will do what all governments are doing… Each government has had an initial different response, but now that the pandemic is without doubt, all governments will be requiring the same regarding social distancing and quarantines.
Now that COVID-19 has already reached around the world, do you believe travel bans should still be in place? Should people still travel?
Traveling makes no sense now since most countries are locked down, and it is safer not to travel at this point to keep the virus contained.
What can people do to help protect themselves against being infected with COVID-19?
Viruses are not really alive so they cannot be “killed”. Ultimately, it is our immune systems that develop an adaptive response to recognise any cell infected with the virus and eliminate it. Everything we that we need to do to
avoid becoming ill must be geared towards strengthening our immune systems.
• Sleep early and at least seven hours.
• Eat no more than two healthy meals per day with 18 hours between your last and first meals. During the window of time when the body is not digesting food, it has time to focus much more energy to the immune system.
• Eat plant-based, whole foods rather than processed foods.
• Eat at least 70% of your food uncooked and organic.
• Meditate at least twice per day.
• Vitamin C not only can treat active infection but can protect from getting infected. Vitamin C actually prevents viruses from entering cells. Take from eight to 15 grammes per day orally, depending on bowel tolerance, body size and stress levels
• Vitamin A: 30,000-50,000 units per day with food until vitamin A levels in the blood are over 300 iu/dL
• Vitamin D: 30,000 iu/day to keep levels in blood above 70, which contributes to enhancing immune response.
• Zinc: 90mg per day
• Selenium: 400ug per day.
• Magnesium: 1,000mg per day. Best used as a transdermal spray applied directly to the body
• Green tea: drink several cups of freshbrewed green tea per day.
• Keep your bowels clean with probiotic enemas and colon hydrotherapy and healthy food. Up to 60% of the immune system exists in the gut.
What else should people know about COVID-19 that has not been given enough attention in the media?
If it is not covered in the media, we probably should not discuss it.
In summary, how should people go about their daily lives now that COVID-19 has spread around the world and is now part of our daily lives?
For now, hang out with friends and family and avoid crowds and follow the rules above. Most will not get sick from this virus but you do not want to be the one who spreads it to someone who does not have the health you have and may become critically ill or die.
D. Lodi and the team at The LifeCo Wellness Center located near Phuket International Airport have created basic and comprehensive immune boosting packages which are certainly appreciated at this time. Learn more at www.thelifeco.com/ en/viral-infection-prevention-program/
Dr Thomas Lodi.
A healthy diet is vital in boosting the immune system.
Taking flight after graduation
EDUCATIONAL CORNER
High school seniors are completing the final steps of secondary education. They are taxiing towards the active runway, called “exams”, down which they will lumber like a fully loaded 747 and then, just like that, they will be airborne. The mathematical miracle of flight is, I believe, less complicated than the transition of a young person on their way to autonomy.
The runway to independence intersects the university planning process, a process which is often thought to facilitate the transition from childhood to adulthood. Recently, I visited with a group of seniors to reflect on this “quasi” rite-of-passage.
As senior year begins, the recognisable force is “drag”. Students don’t expect applications to be difficult, time-consuming or complicated. Quickly, they are overwhelmed by downpours of information, thunderstruck by rigid entry requirements, and a fog of ambivalence clouds previous itineraries for coveted destinations: lengthy forms and impossible essays fuel feelings of inadequacy. A teen’s emotional control panel glows red with warning lights. Reliably, the
mechanical failure is procrastination. A college applicant’s first flight is always delayed, until that is, the pilot realises, it’s not a solo.
Eventually, students persuaded by fellow passengers and flight crews, reignite their internal electrical system, and the preflight checklist begins anew. Teachers are invaluable, providing mock interviews, essay editing and coaching for exam questions designed to trick well-trained critical thinkers.
Counsellors keep a realistic eye on the forecast, maintain calm, solve problems, replenish confidence and leverage networks for alternative flight plans. Classmates and parents provide essential companionship helping students steer through the turbulent anticipa-
tion. By early December, the tarmac is full of applicants, requesting clearance for take-off.
The primary thrust, to let their applications fly, is trust. Most students will describe this dynamic as a force transferred from parents. Students report; “My parents allowed me to express my choices and decisions.” Or, “Although they did not help me much, they played critical roles, supporting me when I was overwhelmed.” And, “Even the question of whether to attend university was a choice of ‘if’ rather than ‘when’. My desires motivated the universities I chose.” Adding, “My parents were mostly hands-off, trusting me to make my application without pressuring me; they helped me com-
plete personal and financial data.” The confidence a student feels from significant others helps them withstand the grounding, gravitational pull of doubt.
University applications are submitted between November and March. Students are in the air for days, often months. In the event of weather, students have learned to trust themselves while employing a practical toolkit of skills for navigation. A new class of pilots will soon graduate from the life simulation of university applications. It’s not quite a rite of passage, but useful just the same.
Casey Nolen Jackson is one of two University Counsellors at British International School, Phuket.
A new class of pilots will soon graduate.
Photo: Cole Keister / Unsplash
Casey Nolen Jackson
Life after high school need not be daunting. Photo: Green Chameleon / Unsplash
Why COVID-19 gives me hope
SUSTAINABLY YOURS
We’re living through strange and uncertain times having gone from the climate crisis of 2019 directly into the health crisis of 2020. No need to go to the cinema anymore to watch the latest Hollywood disaster movie, these days it seems as if we’re all living through one and you just need to turn on BBC or CNN. Hurricanes, volcanoes, floods, droughts, fires, now a virus, dare I ask what’s next?
COVID-19 and Climate Change
Although the two may not seem to be connected, climate change and COVID-19 are two parts of the same problem. It is an environmental crisis that created this health crisis.
Despite what conspiracy theories might have you believe, there is no credible evidence to suggest that this virus was made in a lab or is a bioweapon. A recently-published study in the journal Nature debunks this claim by comparing the gene sequence of COVID-19 to previously studied coronaviruses, and found that this pathogen evolved and was not engineered.
The most likely explanation for its evolution is that the destruction of nat -
ural habitats from development, mining, farming, burning and exotic animal encounters from hunting and the global wild life trade created an ideal environment for the zoonotic transfer of a novel coronavirus to humans.
We’ve seen this same scenario play out before with SARS, Ebola, MERS and even AIDS. Furthermore, our global interconnectedness from travel and trade has made it easier for them to spread more quickly than ever before.
An R-nought of 2 means that the
Economy COVID-19 has demonstrated the vulnerability of our economic system, which highlights the need for a universal basic income (UBI) more than ever. In a world where 1% of the wealthiest own 50% of the world’s wealth, it is clear that our current model doesn’t work for most people. A UBI would help redistribute wealth by taxing companies like Amazon and Google, which use artificial intelligence and robots but pay little in taxes. A UBI could give people enough to pay rent and bills and make it through financially-stressful times.
rate of infection of this virus is exponential, and with a mortality rate of 1% to 3%, it can kill millions. So, while we should take it seriously, climate change is at least as significant a threat, even though it’s on a longer time frame.
Nevertheless, governments, corporations and individuals have continued business as-usual for fear of slowing economic growth. It is only the immediacy of COVID-19 that has brought the world to a grinding halt.
Not to minimise the deaths, but to date, the virus hasn’t actually killed that many – approximately 16,500 worldwide as of March 24. By comparison, a 2015 study from the University of California found that air pollution in China killed 4,000 people per day.
While everyone is feeling the economic pressure from the global shutdown, there are reasons to be optimistic and lessons to be learned about how to deal with climate change from how we’re managing COVID-19.
Global Action
It is the first time we’ve seen this level of global cooperation since World War II. Open communication between governments on this level is unprecedented, and it is precisely this type of commitment, personal sacrifice, and systemic mobilisation that it will take to fight climate change.
In China alone, we’ve seen a drop of 25% in emissions almost overnight, which, according to Marshall Burke, an assistant professor at Stanford, could prevent as many 50,000 to 75,000 premature deaths.
Schools, bars, restaurants and businesses have closed, planes have stopped flying, and individuals have stopped driving. Who would have thought this was possible even just a few months ago?
While this isn’t a long-term solution for reducing CO2 emissions, we can learn from this experience for the future. For example, companies could allow people to work from home more often or make greater use of video conferencing rather than flying. At the same time, governments could implement shorter work weeks and encourage businesses to offer flexible work hours to stagger the flow of traffic.
This crisis has also exposed the vulnerability of our global supply chain. For example, a hospital in Brescia, a small town in Northern Italy, ran out of replacement valves for its ventilators. The manufacturer was overwhelmed with demand and unable to supply the part. However, a nearby 3D printing company was able to backward-engineer the valve and print 100 units within 24 hours. This type of ingenuity demonstrates our ability to localize supply chains using modern technology, thus alleviating the need to transport certain goods from other countries, which will lower their carbon footprint.
Living Life
If there is a silver lining here, it is that COVID-19 has put life into perspective and will help us to re-examine our values as a society. We should not sacrifice good health, good relationships, clean air, clean water or healthy food for the sake of economic development or convenience.
What we are now experiencing is a mandated low-carbon lifestyle, which restricts our ability to fly, drive, and buy things. If we don’t want this to become our permanent future, we need to take significant strides in getting governments, corporations, and individuals to lower their carbon footprints.
Staying Healthy
The coronavirus has also highlighted the need to stay healthy and how much we sometimes take good health for granted. Eat a plant-based diet, avoid alcohol, quit smoking or vaping, exercise, meditate, get enough sleep, appreciate the ones you love and avoid the ones you don’t, and you might find that you are not only healthier, but happier as well.
While climate change lacks the immediacy of COVID-19, it is every bit as significant a threat. An environmental crisis caused this health crisis, and if the world continues along the same path, there will be future pandemics. Governments, businesses and individuals need to address climate change with the same amount of fervour with which they are fighting COVID-19. Because they are two parts of the same problem, to solve one in the long run, we will need to address the other. For that, we need to rethink how we utilize our resources, stop over-consuming, and start living in balance with nature.
Palmer Owyoung is an environmental activist working with the Kamala Green Club and the Global Sustainability Hub.
Palmer Owyoung
Many of Cathay Pacific’s planes have been parked up. Photo: AFP
Spice up your cup with a Dirty Chai
Coffee with a view at Rustic and Blue - By The Sea
CAFE SOCIETY
Amy Bensema bensema.amy@gmail.com
Abeautiful location with stunning views, plus an excellent coffee menu, combine for a picturesque coffee break along the Rawai coast. Rustic and Blue - By The Sea opened in early February. Little sister to the successful Rustic and Blue - The Farm Shop in Chiang Mai, Phuket’s branch has quickly become a local favourite. The atmosphere is charming, the staff welcoming and the menu is entirely fresh and creative.
Nestled on a hill amongst swaying palm trees, Rustic and Blue - By The Sea is an Instagram dream. The cosy white house turned cafe and restaurant features air-conditioned and al fresco dining, lush green plants and a variety of quirky touches. Head to the rooftop to sink into plush bean bags and enjoy sea views while nourishing your caffeine fix or grabbing a bite to eat.
The coffee menu at Rustic and Blue
- By The Sea is unique. While it’s possible to get old favourites such as Espresso, Americano and Latte, I highly suggest trying the more artisanal coffee drinks such as the Black Sea Salt Caramel Mocha or the Dirty Chai. The latter is perfectly spiced, and when served on ice, extremely refreshing.
House Cold Brew Coffee is also available by the bottle, or enjoy an interesting drink such as the Orange Cold Brew Fog, a curious combination of ice shaken cold brew, fresh orange and a hint of brown sugar. Rustic and BlueBy The Sea also offers a choice of whole milk, soy milk, coconut milk or housemade cashew milk to accompany all of their coffee drinks.
If coffee isn’t what you are after, try the delicious smoothies. The Coconut Sesame Banana Smoothie is my favourite. It’s a yummy concoction of coconut sesame, granola, banana and coconut milk, topped with fresh fruit. For those looking for a healthier alternative, vegan options for the smoothies are also available. Bulletproof Coffee, various chocolate drinks and delicious teas are also on the menu.
The menu also offers crafted fruit
drinks, delicious and pleasantly presented. My favourite is the Spiced Pear & Apple, which includes dukkah, mango, apple juice and lime. Served in a copper tumbler, the drink is topped with fresh apple and is a smooth treat for a hot day.
Satisfying your sweet tooth is also possible at Rustic and Blue - By The Sea. The cafe and restaurant has an excellent cake display case filled with goodies such as rich Carrot Cake, Raw Vegan Berry Cheesecake, gluten-free Olive Oil Almond Cake with pistachio, orange and polenta and the glorious Flourless Chocolate Cake, which is another gluten-free option.
Small batch artisan ice cream is also housemade and clever flavours include Goat Cheese Mulberry, Pina Colada, Sesame Coconut and Dark Chocolate.
I’ve enjoyed a coffee break at Rustic and Blue - By The Sea various times. It is one of my favourite cafe and restaurants in Rawai. It should be noted that the full food menu is also creative and full of interesting meal combos and flavours. If you find yourself in the Rawai area and are looking for a leisurely place to spend the day, I can’t
recommend Rustic and Blue - By The Sea enough.
Follow Rustic and Blue - By The Sea on Facebook at www.facebook. com/rusticandbluephuket/ or on Instagram www.instagram.com/rusticandblue_bythesea/ The cafe & restaurant is open Wednesday - Monday from 9am until 10pm.
Cafe Society is a monthly column which chronicles one girl’s search for the perfect cup of coffee. Have a cafe to recommend? Contact Amy via email at bensema.amy@gmail.com or follow her caffeinated adventures as @phuketstagram on Instagram.
Healthy smoothies
Spiced Pear and Apple
Excellent cakes!
Rooftop bean bags
Mussels night @ Shakers
MULTI-CHAMBER PHUKET BRIEFING & NETWORKING
Briefing 5.00 - 6.00 pm/ Networking 6.309.00 pm at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort Cost: The briefing is free to attend but pre-registration is required. Please state briefing when making a booking. The networking is THB 500 for BCCT members and participating chambers and THB 900 for non-members payable at the door. Price includes food and beverage.
1.2kg mussels served with French fries, your choice, your style: natural, marnière, Provençale, garlic and cream or Thai style. Reservations recommended B295 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381. FRI 27 MAR SAT 28 MAR
All you can eat BBQ Ribs night
6PM – 11PM: All you can eat BBQ Ribs served with salad buffet, potato salad & choice of sauces. Reservation recommended. 295 baht P./P. shakersphuket@gmail.com, 081 891 4381.
tion of choice ingredients and the overall personality of the burger maestro are all major factors in determining whether any hamburger is worthy of the label “Phuket’s Best Burger”. Restaurateurs and chefs will all compete to see whose burger reigns supreme and become Phuket’s Best Burger 2020. Phukets Best Burger, Blue Tree Phuket, Cherng Talay, phukets bestburger@gmail.com
All you can eat Sunday Roast Buffet Beef, Pork and Lamb – Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes – Yorkshire pudding –roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes –gravy, mushroom sauce, mint sauce. Reservations recommended. B350 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
All you can eat BBQ night
6pm – 11pm: Beef, Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Sausages, Prawns and Squid, Salad buffet, Choice of potatoes and sauces, bread, buns and garlic bread. Reservation recommended. B395 P/P. shakersphuket@gmail.com 081 891 4381.
www.skymarinegroup.com There will be a light buffet sponsored by the Dock A Café and special prices on your favourite beverages. Come and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. There is no entry fee, just drop your business card or register at the bar. We hope to see you there and if you know anyone you think would be interested in coming please invite them along. To join our mailing list please send an email to growboatingphuket@gmail.com The Grow Boating Networking Evening is organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association. Find us at www.facebook.com/groups/ GrowBoatingNetworkingEvening/ or our Website www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com/grow-boating-networkingevening Grow Boating is kindly supported by our media partner The Phuket News, Live 89.5 radio and Phuket News TV. See www.thephuketnews.com
THU 9 APR
Phuket Cricket Week 2020
ACST Phuket Cricket Week 2020 at the Alan Cooke Ground, Thalang, Phuket. Featuring the 17th Phuket International Cricket Sixes from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th and the 9th Thaland International Cricket 7’s from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th April. Admission is free and refreshments are available. Come and enjoy Fun in the Sun and make Friendships Through Cricket.
FRI 17 APR
La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Phuket Dinner - April 2020
Location - Suay Restaurant, Baan Wana. For more details - www.facebook.com/ laChainePhuket
special night to celebrate our 4th year anniversary! From 5.30 - 6.30 pm complimentary selected beverage and snacks will be served. Seats are limited in the bar area and strictly on a first come first served basis. For dining, please make a reservation at fbreservation@thenaiharn.com or call +66 7638 0200
FRI 22 MAY
The 5th annual Phuket Hospitality Challenge 2020
The 5th annual Phuket Hospitality Challenge 2020 is open for registration. The event brings together the Industry’s top professionals for an enjoyable day of golf and sampling of some of the finest food and beverage anywhere on a golf course. Once again the aim is to raise vital funds for the Children’s First Fund Charity, which looks after orphaned children all over Phuket with education and sustenance. Contact Mark at mark@asean-events.com or Laguna Golf Phuket for further information.
EVERY DAY
SIZZLING ANDAMAN PRAWNS
Experience the king of the Andaman with the sound of a sizzling hot plate.Bodega & Grill brings you a Sizzling Andaman Prawn platter served with roasted portobello mushroom, rosemary potatoes, cherry tomatoes, lemon garlic sauce and aioli. Enhance the flavour of your favorite dish with a perfect choice of premium beverage. THB 1,800++ per set serving for 2 persons Open daily from 06:00 - 10:00 PM For more information please contact: 076-358500 or FBRESERVATION-LAGUNAPHUKET@ ANGSANA.COM
Crossword
by Myles Mellor & Sally York
66. Calf meat
67. Some cameras, abbr.
68. Bobby, of rink fame
69. One way to stand by
Down 1. UK TV organization 2. Tons 3.
1 in three billionaires don’t have college degrees.
83 percent of cellphones reported missing in Japan in 2018 (130,000 phones) were eventually returned to their owners.
1,600 dollars is how much Krone Company’s Abraham Lincoln pen costs, containing the 16th president’s DNA in its cap top.
160,000
US dollars is how much a diamond that an Arizona man stole in 2014 was worth. He traded it for $20 worth of marijuana.
1 million
US dollars is how much Glenda Blackwell won when she bought a scratch-off lottery ticket to show her husband that they were nothing but a waste of money.
event distance 60. Until 61. States of feeling 62. Naval yeses 64. Milestone 65. Everybody does it
Answers
Strike caller 21. English horse racing locale 24. Numbers game 25. Des Moines native 26. From then on 27. Service arm, abbr. 29. Song on the Beatles’ “White Album”
30. East Indian sauce
Green
Jigsaw puzzle part 33. Atlantic haddock
Pointer’s word
“___ out!” (ump’s call) 40. Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano)
41. Former “The Tonight Show” announcer Hall 46. Lens settings 47. Big name in cosmetics 48. Put on 51. N.Y.P.D. employee
52. Trouble
53. Like some airports, abbr.
54. German resort
55. “___ contendere” (no contest plea)
56. Weeder
57. “The Sounds of India” musician, first name
58. Watched
59. “Are we agreed?” 63. Wily
ISLAND VIEW
March 27, 1915
Typhoid Mary, the first healthy carrier of disease ever identified in the United States, is put in quarantine for the second time, where she would remain for the rest of her life.
March 28, 37 AD
Roman emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
March 29, 845 AD
Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collects a huge ransom in exchange for leaving.
March 30, 1867
Alaska is bought from Russia for $7.2 million, roughly about 2 cents per acre ($4.19/km²), by US Secretary of State William H. Seward.
March 31, 1492
Spanish Inquisition: Queen Isabella of Castile issues the Alhambra Decree, ordering her 150,000
Jewish and Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity or face expulsion.
April 1, 1976
Apple Inc. is formed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in Cupertino, California.
April 2, 1841
Rama IV is crowned King of Thailand. Source: Wikipedia
Freedom Beach. Photo: Patrizio Forci
Mary ‘Typhoid Mary’ Mallon.
Buy & Sell
Fully equipped Liveaboard 4 sale
24m Live-aboard
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Investor With 90 million THB of Clean Funding to Invest In Deep Sea Fisheries Project Required
Investor With 90 million THB of Clean Funding to Invest In Deep Sea Fisheries Project Required Project would be eligible for Thailand Board Of Investment approval with 5 year tax breaks. Project calls for the importation / Thai FlaggingRegistration of 2 fully operational Pelagic Tuna & Swordfish Longline Vessels currently operating successfully in the Indian Ocean Fishery. Thailand Domestic & Japan Fresh-Chilled Auction Floor Export Markets targeted. Thai Captains / Australian-NZ Pelagic Longline Fishing Masters-Crew Trainers on each vessel with minimum 50% Thailand National Crew. Writer is Australian National Fishing Vessel Manager / Pelagic Longline Fishing Master / Marine Engine Driver / Crew Trainer who has been catching & exporting sashimi grade fish killed by the Ikijimi method to the Japanese Auction Floor since 1978. Advertiser has previously been employed as Chief Engineer on 1 of the vessels to be purchased & been employed as Captain/Fishing Master on the other Vessel to be purchased. It is time to develop the totally undeveloped Thai Flagged Pelagic Longline Fishery. Qualified Investors Post Your Confidential Register Of Interest to; Capt. Brad Durkin - PESCADOR SEAWAY Co., Ltd - P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket 83000. Capt. Brad Durkin, P.O. BOX 144, Phuket Post Office, Phuket, 83000
BUSINESSES FOR SALE
CARS, TRUCKS FOR SALE
Corolla Altis Toyota Corolla Altis 1600cc Just one Lady owner from new. Replacement 1800cc Engine approx 50,000km ago. Air Conditioning. Extra Dark Tinted Windows. Full Leather interior. Drivers Airbag. Power Steering. Remote Central locking. Full Infra Red Alarm. Alloy Wheels with 4-good Pirelli’s. Electric Windows and Mirrors. 4-speed Automatic. Drives Great. Road Tax paid until 25.10.2020. Priced for fast sale THB 99,000. 99,000, stephentroup@btinternet.com, 0835237092.
BOATS, YACHTS FOR RENT MEMBERSHIPS
Nissan X-Trail SUV 2012 TOP DEAL - XTRAIL 2.0 - Only 49000 km, Automatic gear, leather, Top condition, 2nd owner, electric chairs, 10/2012, petrol motor B549,000, 0867479292, claudstrey@gmail.com
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Only done 12,000kms, very clean inside out. 2017 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4GT, just registered and insured to August 2020. Tinted with electric fronts seats and video screen for back passengers. No dealers! Baht1.1M, Terry, 063 078 7808
Golf Memberships
Loch Palms and Phuket Country Club 200,000 baht plus transfer fee each. Don Morris, discobamboo9309@hotmail.com, 081 597 7442
Canyon Country Club for sale B550,000 I will pay the transfer. Lars 06-5758-2520 or email info@laliinvest.se
Superlai Park@Downtown Phuket Wanted : Studio, 1 or 2 bed. Preferably high floor. South facing. Must be attractively priced for quick sale. Tel/SMS 0840541476 e-mail clive@clivetown.com
URGENT
ULTEGRA MD 8000 - Cassette SHIMANO
ULTEGRA 11-28 T - Wheels Set S-Fight ALU 33 mm (include tire) -Shifters Lever Set SHIMANO 105 MD 7000 - Caciper F& R SHIMANO ULTEGRA MD 8000 - Pedals LOOK KEO Carbon - Saddle SELLE ITALIA SLR Carbon - Chain SHIMANO ULTEGRA Contact K.Pom, 081-901-8577
and dining with high ceilings, pool, relaxation
wonderful gardens.
4 Rai land for sale in Pa Khlok Beautiful, flat and all services available. Situated on a side Soi just 400 metres from the main road to Cape Yamu/Ao Po Marina in 7 minutes and Heroines monument in 5 minutes and 10-15 minutes from the airport/Blue Canyon/Laguna/Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina. An oasis of peace and quiet yet in a superb location. Almost square piece, perfect for large villa and extensive grounds or quality development. ceopaulm@ hotmail.com
Sea View Villa on East Coast 3,200 sqm land in a gated community, 4 bed, 4 bath, 1 maid room, European kitchen, office, gym, sauna, pool 4.5 x 10m, jacuzzi, laundry room, well water, carport for 3 cars. 39MB, konilion@hotmail.com, 083 633 1910.
Luxury Bangla Road
60 SQM in Absolute Bangla Suites, very quiet. Rooftop swimming pool, bar, restaurant and panoramic view of Patong Bay. Bought 8.5MB, sell at 4.5MB. sfrkata37@gmail.com or 081 894 8446.
0867479292
Phuket condo with a view of the islands
F1 goes virtual to fill void Season expected to resume by summer with revised calendar
FORMULA ONE
Formula One’s drivers will battle it out in an Esports Virtual Grand Prix series in a bid to give fans their racing fix while the season is delayed by the coronavirus.
The 2020 campaign has been put on hold due to the pandemic and races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Holland, Spain, the Netherlands and Monaco have all been postponed.
The Azerbaijan Grand prix, scheduled for June 7, was also confirmed as confirmed on Monday (Mar 23).
In an effort to temporarily fill the void, Formula One chiefs have asked current F1 drivers to play a racing game featuring as-yet unnamed celebrity guests.
“Featuring a number of current F1 drivers, the series has been created to enable fans to continue watching Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has affected this season’s opening race calendar,” a statement said.
‘Revised calendar’ Meanwhile, the CEO of Formula One Chase Carey said on Monday (Mar 23) that he “fully expects” the 2020 season to start this summer with a revised calendar of “15-18 races” despite the raft of postponements due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Carey insisted that the season would go ahead, although admitted that it was still impossible to know exactly what the schedule will look like.
“We and our partners fully expect the season to start at some point this summer, with a revised calendar of between 15-18 races,” Carey said in a statement.
“It is not possible to provide a more specific calendar now due to the fluidity of the current situation but we expect to gain clearer insights to the situation in each of our host countries, as well as the issues related to travel to these countries, in the coming month.”
“The first race of the series will see current F1 drivers line up on the grid alongside a host of stars to be announced in due course.
“In order to guarantee the participants safety at this time, each driver will join the race remotely.”
F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris took part in two separate virtual races over the weekend following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.
The races will be run for 28 laps for around 90 minutes and will take place at the same time as the postponed Grands Prix would have occurred.
The events start this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix run on the official 2019 F1 video game. Viewers will be able to tune in via YouTube, Facebook and Twitch with a qualifying session to determine the grid preceding the race itself.
Carey said the sport plans to race during the usual summer break and admitted that the campaign could finish after the scheduled final day in November.
The new season will not start until at least June 14 with the Canada GP in Montreal.
Following a spate of postponed races due to the coronavirus, Formula One CEO Chase Carey says he fully expects the 2020 season to start this summer with a revised calendar of 15-18 races. Photo: AFP
BISP Flying Fish ready for finals
MORE THAN 120 SWIMmers turned out on March 3 for the second BISP Flying Fish Club Champs of the year at the 25-metre pool on the BISP campus.
Swimmers from Swordfish through to High Performance were able to choose from a variety of events, including the Individual Medley, and were encouraged to register in three or four races.
The event provided students with an opportunity to swim in a relaxed yet competitive environment and to practice key racing skills.
Coach Charlie, Aquatics
Director at British International School, Phuket (BISP), said the swimmers have shown huge improvements since the last Club Champs held in November.
“The swimmers are hungry for competition, which is great to see and are technically looking much better and racing smarter,” he said.
The final Club Champs of the year is scheduled for June 6 and a Blue versus Orange inter-squad meet will also be announced shortly. You can view the Club Champs #2 Flickr album now. For more information on the BISP Swim Programme, please contact info@bisphuket.ac.th Lee Blake
Phuket’s young chess masters battle it out
CHESS
Bobby Tsang
The Lemonade Family Club and Southside Knights Chess Club co-hosted our first ever Phuket Chess Battles tournament for children under 13-years of age on March 15.
It was an all-out tussle of six rounds between Phuket’s brightest young minds under a Swiss tournament format of rapid play, which enforces a time limit of 20 minutes but guarantees all participants six rounds of chess. The player who accumulates the most points takes the grand prize of B6,000.
After a full day of mental warfare, the competition ended up in a tie-break situation where the top two battled it out in a sudden death five-minute blitz match.
Canada’s Tye Shnet managed to prevail in a pulsating clash with eventual runner-up Andrian Shatalin of Russia.
Special congratulations are offered to the top three and we thank all the participants who attended and the supporting families who gave up their Sunday to bring their little chess warriors to our event.
The top three were as follows: 1st place: Tye Shnet (Canada) prize money B6,000 2nd place: Andrian Shatalin (Russia)
prize money B2,000 3rd place” Artem Marchenko (Russia) prize money B1,000
The final standings were as follows:
1. Tye Shnet (Canada)
2. Andrian Shatalin (Russia)
3. Artem Marchecnko (Russia)
4. Laurence Rice (UK)
5. Cecil Kelly (HK)
Anyone interested in learning more can contact the Southside Knights Chess Club via Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/1655669081227748/
6. Maverick Skitch (Canada)
7. Solomon Shchelkunov (Russia)
8. Alex Rodrigues (England)
9. Ivan Gorodetskiy (Russia)
10. Daniil Shmatko (Russia)
Tournament organiser Bobby Tsang with the Top 3: (from left) third-placed Artem, winner Tye, runner-up Andrian. Photo: Southside Knights Chess Club
Swimmers in the 25-metre pool at the BISP Flying Fish Club Champs event on March 3. Photo: BISP Media
English football shutdown extends
FOOTBALL
Kieran Canning
The shutdown of English football was extended until at least April 30 last Thursday (Mar 19) after the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) held crisis meetings.
“We’ve collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April,” said a joint statement by the English Football Association, Premier League, EFL, players and managers’ bodies.
UEFA’s decision earlier this week to postpone Euro 2020 for 12 months could allow games to be completed over the summer if strict restrictions on travelling and mass gatherings to halt the spread of COVID-19 are lifted in time.
The leagues still hope to finish the season once play can be restarted rather than accepting the current standings as final or declaring the campaign null and void.
“We’re united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so,” added the statement.
Even if play can commence in early May, that could mean matches stretching beyond the June 30 goal UEFA agreed on Tuesday for finishing the season.
The end of June is when many players’ contracts and loan deals expire.
However, the English authorities are putting no limit of when the 2019/20 season must be finished.
“The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and ‘each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season’.
“However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football.”
Off-season break scrapped?
One option could see the end of the 2019/20 and beginning of the 2020/21 come together with no time for an off-season break.
“Players may need to get their summer break in now before we finish what was the 19/20 season and roll it right into the 20/21 season without a break,” Brighton striker Glenn Murray told AFP
“Everyone loves sport,
everyone loves watching football but I really think the right decision was made in bringing it to a halt.
“At this moment in time it’s pretty irrelevant, people’s health is first and foremost. Once we get over this crisis we can look at sport and getting the Premier League and Football Leagues back in action.”
The sudden shutdown, though, could have long-lasting consequences for many lower league clubs worrying if they will even be able to survive the next couple of months with no income from gate receipts.
A £50 million (B1.9 trillion) short-term relief package was announced by the EFL to help stricken clubs on Mar 18.
However, there has so far been no bailout from the Premier League to ensure those further down the pyramid survive. AFP
Palace star Zaha’s gesture to help fight coronavirus
FOOTBALL
CRYSTAL PALACE WING -
er Wilfried Zaha has offered free accommodation to medical staff in his London properties as they treat patients with coronavirus.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international is the latest football personality to offer a free bed, following in the footsteps of former Manchester United star Gary Neville and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Zaha willingly took up the baton saying he had friends working in the National Health Service and he could provide accommodation for the hardpressed staff who could not return home after their shifts.
He has built up a property portfolio of around 50 properties in London, usually used by corporate clients but with global travel severely restricted they are largely empty.
“It is clear that my inten-
tions are that all I want to do is help at every opportunity, especially in the crazy period we are going through,” said Zaha in The Times
“Health workers please reach out. We have already had feedback – this is exactly what we wanted to achieve.”
Neville, now a TV pundit, has offered free use of 176 rooms in two Manchester hotels he co-owns while Russian tycoon Abramovich has invited medical staff to 72 rooms in the hotel at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground. AFP
Photo:
The gates at Premier League grounds will remain shut until at least April 30. Photo: AFP
Sport
OLYMPICS
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday (Mar 24).
The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but after telephone discussions between IOC President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a historic joint decision was taken for the first postponement of an Olympics in peacetime.
Abe said Bach was in “100% agreement” when Japan asked the IOC to push back the Games.
In a joint statement, the pair said that based on current World Health Organization information, the Tokyo Games “must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community”.
“The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present.
“Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games
Olympics postponed over coronavirus pandemic NO GO TOKYO
will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020,” the statement concluded.
The decision will be a devastating blow for the city of Tokyo, which had won widespread praise for its organisation, with venues finished well ahead of time and tickets massively oversubscribed.
Highest-profile postponement
The Olympics, which has experienced boycotts, terrorist attacks and protests, but has been held every four years since 1948, would be the highest-profile event affected by the virus that has killed thousands and closed sports competitions worldwide.
The IOC has come under increasing pressure in recent days to postpone the Games, scheduled to start on July 24, with 1.7 billion people across the planet in lockdown
to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Training has become impossible for many athletes and exposes them to the risk of contracting or spreading the disease. Competitions and qualifiers have been scrapped, while international travel is severely limited.
On Sunday (Mar 22), the IOC had initially given itself a deadline of four weeks to come up with a proposal to postpone the Games, a Herculean task that touches on every aspect of Tokyo 2020 planning from venues to security to ticketing.
But after Canada and Australia withdrew their teams and the powerful US Olympic Committee and World Athletics also joined the chorus calling for a postponement, the writing was on the wall.
Tokyo was spending some US$12.6 billion (B414bn) to host
the Games, according to its latest budget, and experts believe a postponement could cost it some $6bn in the short-term before recouping it when they eventually go ahead.
It will also be a bitter blow to sponsors and major broadcasters who rely on the four-yearly extravaganza for critical advertising revenue.
It is not the first time Tokyo has seen unscheduled changes to the Games – it was due to be the first Asian country to host the Olympics in 1940 before pulling out due to international pressure over its war with China.
Unparallelled complexity
The IOC came under fire for taking so long to make its decision after other major events such as the European Football Championships already announced postponements.
But Tokyo 2020 organisers had
pointed to the unparalleled complexity – not to mention cost – of shifting the Games. It is not even clear venues will be available and tens of thousands of hotel rooms will need to be cancelled and rebooked.
“It is mind-bogglingly complex to make a sudden change after seven years of preparation for the biggest sporting event in the world,” Michael Payne, the IOC’s former head of marketing, told AFP.
Squeezing in the 16-day Games into what will already be a hugely crowded 2021 calendar is another major headache, with arguably the two biggest sports, swimming and athletics, due to hold their world championships that summer.
However, World Athletics has already said it was prepared to shift its world championships, scheduled for August 6-15 next year in Oregon, to accommodate a rescheduled Games.
The Summer Olympics is by far the highest profile event to be affected by COVID-19 and will now take place in 2021. Photo: AFP
IOC President Thomas Bach. Photo: AFP
Protests in Tokyo had been calling for postponement. Photo: AFP