Measures aimed at attracting wealthy long-stay foreigners to Thailand have been accredited in precept by Cabinet. Seems to be a bit of deja vu, however the authorities says it’s concentrating on overseas traders, highly-skilled professionals and wealthy retirees in a bid to develop the Covid-battered economy. Long-term residence visas of as much as 10 years are on provide, along with work permits for individuals who qualify.A government spokesperson explains that whereas the visa issued to qualifying folks will be a 10-year visa, it must be extended after year 5. The extension shall be good for another 5 years solely. Foreign nationals who imagine they meet the eligibility criteria should first apply for a “qualification certificate” and supply documentation and proof of their status. Applications for a qualification certificates may be made through the Thai Board of Investment or at any Thai embassy or consulate. Once granted the certificates, international nationals can then apply for the long-term residence visa for both themselves and their partner. The visa prices 10,000 baht per year, per person and holders will still need to report their residence to the authorities – but solely once a year, instead of every 90 days like most of us.More details about this story at thethaiger.comAs infections continue to say no in Thailand, the federal government meets tomorrow to debate the easing of a number of restrictions. The CCSA can be anticipated to lower the country’s Covid alert, from Level four to 3. It was raised earlier this month amid concerns over the highly-contagious Omicron variant. The transfer adopted the suspension of the Test & Go entry program, however that could doubtlessly make a comeback as early as subsequent month.Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the government is considering relaxing some measures and probably increasing Thailand’s sandbox program to other locations past the four southern sandbox locations at present available… Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Koh Samui. The public health minister says it could probably be expanded to Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, as nicely as the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen and the central province of Samut Prakan, simply south east of Bangkok.Regarding bars and nightclubs, Anutin was less enthusiastic, insisting they remain shuttered for the time being.The Thai government and Southern separatist group Barisan Revolusi Nasional nonetheless stand apart on several important issues related to the ongoing southern insurgency and related border issues. The two parties met final week within the first peace talks in two years. Reports say the BRN wishes to establish an autonomous area generally recognized as Patani Darussalam, which includes Thailand’s Deep South provinces near the Malaysian border of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla.In this area, the BRN seeks an Islamic schooling system taught in the Malay language. Thai authorities say they won’t conform to autonomy and have stated that as an alternative, they might consider adopting Malay as a second language.The battle between the Thai government, and the Patani Malay people in Southern Thailand, has existed since 1909, when Patani formally grew to become a part of Thailand. The Patani Malay people are primarily Muslims, while Thailand’s majority are Buddhists. This, together with their totally different language (Malay) and culture, has created tensions, ongoing violence particularly over the previous 25 years, and over 7,000 insurgency-related deaths.Plans to broaden Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport will kick off in July, based on Transport Minister. The so-called East Expansion venture is expected to take around 2 and a half years to finish, at a cost of seven.eight billion baht. The challenge will begin in July with a bidding process to nominate a contractor.The plans have already been approved by Cabinet, Airports of Thailand, and a authorities committee on capacity enhancement at Suvarnabhumi. Once complete and opened in March 2025, the newly expanded space will mean Suvarnabhumi can handle up to sixty five million passengers a year.Current capacity is at forty five million. The minister says the 44% improve corresponds with predictions for passenger numbers in 2025.The International Air Transport Association predicts that by 2024, Suvarnabhumi shall be handling 65 million passengers a year, comparable figures to those recorded earlier than the Covid pandemic slowed passenger arrivals to a crawl.Chinese New Year is anticipated to be celebrated on February 1 to welcome the Year of the Tiger. But with the elevating Covid-19 an infection price, particularly around Bangkok, the large, noisy Chinese New Year occasions alongside Yaowarat Road, also called Chinatown, is cancelled again this 12 months. The Royal Jubilee Gate, or Odeon Gate, will nonetheless be adorned, and persons are allowed to visit Chinese shrines, worship, and pay respect to their ancestors as regular.This yr, the street will still be embellished and open to guests, but there shall be no events and huge ceremonies. The shrines will nonetheless be open for guests beneath the Covid-19 prevention measures.Phuket has also cancelled its Chinese New Year occasion from February 4 to six as a result of cases which might be increasing with 383 new Covid circumstances reported right now. Another well-known Chinese New Year occasion in Nakhon Sawan is still on from January 25 to February 5.One thing that shall be missing in any of this year’s year’s celebrations is Chinese visitors… they’re nonetheless largely banned from travel out of China.You take your PCR take a look at after your stay in Thailand, earlier than you return residence to the UK. Banned test constructive and are confined in a Bangkok hospital for 10 days. Then, to add insult to injury, you’re fined 4,000 baht for overstaying your visa when you go through immigration… purely since you have been confined in hospital within the days after your visa had expired.This is the unhappy story, certainly one of many, when the Test & Go program didn’t fairly go to plan. Quite a excessive share of vacation makers from overseas have been discovered to check constructive after their compulsory PCR exams (certainly in locations like Phuket throughout late December and January), leaving them to an uncertain 10 days of quarantine in a hospital, ‘hospitel’, area hospital or, if they’re fortunate, confined to their