The seven dangerous days closed with 1,917 accidents resulting in 1,869 injuries and 278 fatalities. Nirat Pongsitthithaworn, deputy interior permanent secretary reported the figures. On Sunday there were 188 traffic accidents, injuring 171 people and killing 31.

The province of Chiang Rai had the most accidents, with 66. Chiang Mai had the most injured individuals (63), while Bangkok had the greatest death toll (13). Mr. Nirat claimed Nakhon Phanom, Pattani, Yala, Ranong, Samut Sakhon, and Sing Buri provinces were devoid of traffic fatalities.

Thirteen of the 7,141 people charged with drunk driving were ordered by the court to wear an electronic monitoring device and be barred from leaving their homes for seven days from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. – ten in Ubon Ratchathani and three in Sukhothai.

During the same year, Mr. Witthawal added, the number of drivers charged with drink-driving increased by 1,080 from 6,061 in 2021.

He stated that everyone found guilty of drunk driving will be evaluated. Those judged to be at danger of developing an alcohol addiction would be referred to a Public Health Ministry-run medical institution for treatment.

Those who are determined to be in danger of repeating the offense will be placed in a three-day rehabilitation and behavioral modification camp. They would also have to report to probation officials on a regular basis and undertake community work for a fixed amount of time, according to Mr. Witthawal.

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Interior Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Nirat Pongsithithavorn said the figures were reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and concerned agencies.

Based on the data reported, the main cause of the accidents is speeding at 41.49% and drunk driving at 25.31%. In addition, out of the 1,720 accidents, motorcycles account for 84.34% and pick-up trucks for 6.43%. The report added that the accidents commonly peat from 6:01 PM – 7:00 PM with an average of 10.37% of the total accidents.

Most of the accidents have been reported from Highway Department roads at 38.59% followed by village roads at 38.17%. It is also noted that most of the accidents occurred on straight roads with an average of 80.91%.

Chiang Rai recorded the most accidents at 11 and deaths at 3 and Lampang with the most injuries at 11.

A total of 56,324 officials were deployed to man 1,900 checkpoints across the country. 410,818 vehicles were pulled over for safety checks and 70,180 drivers were charged. 19,264 of those charged were due to not wearing a helmet while 18,388 were not carrying a driver’s license.

The final record of the seven dangerous days will be disclosed in the next few days. Sunday marks the last day of the seven dangerous days and is also expected to record the most accidents. This is partly due to the massive number of people returning to work on Monday.

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From April 11-15, there were 1,478 road accidents resulting in 1,452 people’s injuries and 204 fatalities. Interior Ministry deputy permanent secretary Nirat Pongsithithavorn said on Saturday, citing a report from the Road Safety Centre. The accidents were 18% lower than the recorded accidents last year. Last year recorded 2,400 accidents resulting in 2,357 injuries and 277 deaths during the seven dangerous days.

On Friday, there were 277 recorded accidents resulting in 263 injuries and 44 deaths nationwide.

The main cause of these accidents remains to be speeding (39.35%), followed by drunk driving (28.5%). Motorcycles accounted for 77.7% of the accidents as in previous years.

Chiang Mai recorded the highest number of accidents at 60 resulting in 58 injuries and 8 deaths.

Twelve provinces have reported zero deaths so far: Trang, Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Prachin Buri, Pattani, Yala, Ranong, Lamphun, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Nong Bua Lam Phu, and Amnat Charoen.

Heavy traffic is expected in Bangkok as many returns to the capital as the holidays come to a close. This is the day that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation expects the most accidents. In response, they have closed the areas that are prone to accidents that will congest other roads. Those traveling back to Bangkok would expect to be met with heavy traffic.

The seven dangerous days conclude today as the holidays come to an end.

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Chiang Mai leads the most accidents at 14 resulting in 16 injuries while Lampang and Sa Keo provinces lead the fatalities at 3 each.

The current tally for the country since the seven dangerous days began is 1,195 road accidents, with 157 killed and 1,185 injuries. Chiang Mai leads with the most accidents at 44 while Nakhon Si Thammarat reported the most injuries at 43. Lampang had the most fatalities standing at 7. Only sixteen provinces remain accident-free.

Speeding was the most common issue in accidents. Department director-general Boontham Lertsukheekasem said that they are focusing on areas that people tend to visit a lot. These are areas where checkpoints are in the place where police check the alcohol level of drivers.

This is significantly lower than the peak of Songkran back when the pandemic haven not spread. After two years of hiatus from the pandemic, this is the first year people could travel back to their provinces to visit their loved ones.

The authorities are expecting the number of accidents to rise by Sunday when people will be traveling back to their homes. They expect the accidents to peak on this day and in preparation, they will tighten the measures to ensure road safety.

The seven dangerous days is a tally of accidents that occur in the country during the Songkran festival. This is due to the large number of people going back home to their provinces to celebrate.

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The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported 237 accidents on Monday, 301 on Tuesday, and 331 on Wednesday. On Monday there were 26 deaths associated with these accidents and 47 on Tuesday. The number dropped to 40 by Wednesday.

The so-called Seven Dangerous days began on Monday, marking the week of the Songkran Festival where many people will be traveling back to their provinces to be with their families to celebrate. The massive exodus has seen a huge number of accidents for the past years and it has formed the perception of these deadly days.

Police said earlier that those 1,937 checkpoints were set up for strict traffic law enforcement and 1,430 for alcohol checks, with about 80,000 officers on duty across all departments.

In the first three days, there were 869 accidents, 113 accident-related deaths, and 835 injuries reported.

Khon Kaen and Nakon Si Thammarat had reported the most accidents, at 33 each, while the southern province also led in total injuries, at 36. Samut Sakhon had the most road deaths from Monday-Wednesday, with six.

Department director-general Boontham Lertsukheekasem said on Thursday that attention was being shifted to bringing down road accidents on secondary routes, as most travelers had now reached home or tourist destinations.

He expected small roads would see more accidents until people were heading back at the end of the holiday.

Stay tuned for daily updates on the Thailand Songkran updates.

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Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will present the proposal. If approved, the changes will take effect by May 1, 2022. The aim would be to attract more tourists to revive the tourism industry.

Part of the changes will be the use of vaccine passports instead of applying through the Thailand Pass system. Mr. Phiphat said the ministry estimates that at least 10 million tourist arrivals, and 1-1.5 trillion baht in tourism income. This hinges on what travel policies each country formulates at this stage of the pandemic.

“Thailand is ready to welcome back foreign visitors as our public health system is adequately equipped,” he said.

“However, there has been concern about the number of domestic deaths caused by Covid-19, while daily caseloads of infections after Songkran will also be taken into account when the government considers further reopening the country to tourists,” Mr. Phiphat said.

On April 1, 2022, the government scrapped the requirement of an RT-PCR test prior to traveling to the country. Also, RT-PCR tests on arrival for foreign visitors are also expected to be replaced by antigen tests from next month.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said more than 100,000 hotel rooms have been booked under the government’s “We Travel Together” scheme during Songkran. The scheme allows participants to pay only 60% off normal room rates, with the government responsible for the rest. The subsidy was initially capped at 3,000 baht per night for up to five consecutive nights in the first stage but has now been stretched to 10 nights.

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Phuket issued an order for a repeat test on the fifth day for all tourists arriving on the island. This comes after a large number of tourists tested positive upon arrival. Dr. Koosak Kookiatkul, provincial chief health officer made the announcement.

“This means Test & Go tourists coming to Phuket will have to pay for their two Covid-19 tests and book their hotel rooms on the first and fifth days in advance,” Dr. Koosak said. “In case they test negative for Covid-19 in the first test, they may undergo the second test and stay in a hotel while waiting for the test result of the repeat test,” he added.

During the first day of the Test and Go program, the island received 17 visitors. Another 2,439 were under the sandbox scheme. 2 of those under the Test and Go and another 104 from the Phuket Sandbox tested positive. Most of the infected cases were from Russia and Kazakhstan. It worries health and government officials that it will affect the overall tourism program.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew said that out of 300 recorded cases in a day 100 of them are from tourists. The tourists arriving from the two nations account for most of the infection. Russian tourists account for a vast majority of international tourists arriving in Thailand through Phuket,” the governor said.

Follow us to know the latest update on Thailand COVID cases.

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The Sandbox Extension program will also be introduced between Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Ko Samui/Ko Pha-ngan/Ko Tao, where Sandbox travelers can travel within these destinations during the first 7 days in Thailand.

This comes with the return of the Test and Go Program.

Points of entry

Phuket International Airport for Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Phuket.

Krabi International Airport for Krabi.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, then transit on a sealed flight for Ko Samui, or Phuket.

Suvarnabhumi Airport then travels by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route to Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray – in Chon Buri, and Ko Chang in Trat.

Eligible Sandbox destinations within Thailand

Existing Destinations: Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao).

From 1 February 2022: Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Trat (Ko Chang).

From 1 February 2022: Sandbox Extension – Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Ko Samui/Ko Pha-ngan/Ko Tao.

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All travelers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

1. A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/.
2. A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
3. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom.
4. For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery.
5. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
6. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
7. A confirmed payment for at least a 7-day stay at approved accommodation establishments; such as, a SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotel, within the above-mentioned eligible Sandbox destinations.
8. Travellers to Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Phuket can change accommodation twice within the first 7 days (can book 2 different hotels) within the province.
9. Travellers to Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao can change accommodation 3 times within the first 7 days (can book 3 different hotels). However, they must stay the first night on Ko Samui and must receive a negative result for their first RT-PCR test, before being able to change accommodation to other hotels on either Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao. Or they can choose to book 3 different hotels on Ko Samui alone.
10. For travellers under the Sandbox Extension programme, as well as travellers to Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Trat (Ko Chang), we will provide more details as soon as possible.
11. A confirmed payment for 2 RT-PCR tests;
12. Krabi, Phang-Nga and Phuket: Travellers can reserve and prepay for the 2 RT-PCR tests via www.thailandpsas.com (2,100 Baht/test, or 4,200 Baht/2 tests).
13. Surat Thai (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao): Travellers can book and prepay for the 2 RT-PCR tests when booking and prepaying for accommodation at SHA++ hotels (2,200 Baht/test, or 4,400 Baht/2 tests). The first test will be conducted at Samui International Airport, and the second test at any of the designated hospitals on Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao.
14. For travellers under the Sandbox Extension programme, as well as travellers to Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Trat (Ko Chang), we will provide more details as soon as possible.
15. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery
16. Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
17. Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
18. Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
19. For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians. *We will provide an update on this as soon as the official information becomes available.
20. Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

All travelers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter, and present the required documents to the person in charge to carry out the checks.

On-Arrival Requirements / During the Stay

1. All travellers must undergo ‘entry screening’ including body temperature check at the point of entry.
2. Travellers arriving on a direct flight to an international airport at the Sandbox destination must present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
3. Travellers with a transit flight to the airport at the Sandbox destination (Currently only Samui Airport, and from 1 February 2022 also at Phuket International Airport) must undergo entry screening at the first point of entry or at the final destination:
   • At the first point of entry, present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures before boarding the transit flight;
   • At the final destination of entry, present the required documents to the Immigration/health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
4. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the first RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test.
5. Travellers with a negative test result can enjoy travel activities within the Sandbox areas throughout the 7 days, but must return to their prearranged accommodation on a nightly basis. They are not allowed to stay overnight in any other places. In addition, they must undergo their second RT-PCR test on Day 5-6, or when they experience respiratory symptoms.
6. Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
   • Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation.
   • While receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge.
   • After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery.
7. Travellers must stay at least the first 7 nights within a Sandbox destination if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand. If staying less than 7 nights, the traveller must leave Thailand to another country immediately.
8. While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.
9. Travellers who experience COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment. Those with a COVID-19 testing appointment must get tested.
10. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application.
11. Travellers who intend to stay less than 7 nights in a Sandbox destination must undergo the second RT-PCR COVID-19 test 1 day prior to their departure date to another country. A negative RT-PCR test result (COVID-19 not detected) issued no more than 72 hours before travelling is required when exiting/entering the Sandbox destinations.
12. Travellers who intend to stay more than 7 nights and to continue their journey to other parts of Thailand must undergo the second RT-PCR COVID-19 test on Day 5-6. After receiving a negative test result on Day 7, travellers can obtain a ‘Release Form’ and from Day 8 continue their journey domestically.

Stay tuned for Thailand Sandbox updates.

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The suspension of the program has had devastating impacts on the tourism sector. It results in an estimated loss due to the cancellation of the scheme is said to reach up to 7 billion baht. Many operators are proposing to enter the sandbox scheme as an alternative.

The government has approved the inclusion of 6 destinations into the sandbox program. Koh Samui, Koh Pangan, Koh Tao, Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket were added. Additionally, Pattaya and Bangkok operators are also proposing to include both provinces in the sandbox. Operators argued that the recent order to work from home has canceled many events, meetings, and bookings in both provinces. Also, they have sighted Bangkok as the gateway to the country and must be included in the program.

January is among the high seasons for the tourism industry. This year’s season did not yield much profit for operators due to the surge in omicron cases in the country. The government is trying its best to balance public safety and tourism. They try their best to navigate through the challenges posed by the new variant.

All arrivals who were not approved for the sandbox scheme must undergo a quarantine period. After which they will be allowed to travel. The arrivals include all tourists and returnees from abroad.

Keep yourself updated on Thailand Travel Guide with Indo-Thai News.

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