Oct 5 2009

Press Briefing on H1N1 situation update on July 22, 2009
Permanent Secretary ’s Conference Room
The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand
Press Briefing by Mr Michael D. Malison, M.D. MPA

Director
Thai Ministry of Public Health — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration (TUC)

Thank you Mr. Chairman for inviting me to join this press briefing today, and I would like to also thank the members of the press for their willingness to help us convey important health risk information to the public about the recent H1N1 flu outbreak, both about the situation and what individuals can do to protect themselves.

I ’ve been asked to share U.S. experience on the outbreak, but before I do that, I want to take a moment to commend my colleagues in the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand (MOPH) for their extraordinary efforts and dedication in doing the best they possibly can to contain this outbreak during the early stages, and more recently, to reduce transmission and minimize mortality among high risk populations. Thailand has gone to extraordinary lengths to detect and track the early cases of H1N1, to mobilize partners in academia, NGOs, and in local government, to engage the Ministry of Education on school closures and health screening, and to serve as a regional leader in helping other governments coordinating their responses by hosting the ASEAN +3 Health Ministers meeting on H1N1 a few months ago in Bangkok.

Thailand is also a leader on H1N1 vaccine development. As we have already heard from Dr. Birmingham, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, Thailand is rapidly scaling up vaccine production capacity in collaboration with WHO and we fully expect Thailand will become an important regional vaccine production center in the near future.

We heard a few a moments ago an update on the current H1N1 situation in Thailand – 6,776 cases and 44 deaths. The numbers in the U.S. as of last week were approximately 40,000 cases and 263 deaths. Even with the recent increase in deaths in Thailand, we see a consistent pattern of low mortality (< 1%), a pattern similar to that in the U.S. as well as other countries in the region. It ’s important for the media and the public to note that as the number of cases increases and we can no longer count each individual one, our case detection will increasingly underestimates the total number of persons who actually have H1N1. This said, we are continuing to monitor the number of deaths from H1N1 very closely, but this create a disproportionate sensitivity between case and death counts, and that means that we are very likely to see an artificial rise in case-fatality rates due to underreporting, not due to an increase in the severity of the virus.

We also need to keep this outbreak in perspective. While there is not very good background data in Thailand on seasonal flu in most provinces, in the U.S., seasonal flu affect roughly 20% of the population each year — that ’s roughly 40 million people. This results in 200,000 hospitalizations for pneumonia, and approximately 30,000 flu-related deaths.

As I ’ve mentioned, so far, the H1N1 outbreak has only affected a small fraction of this number and fortunately, there have only been a few hundred deaths. But flu is much more seasonal in the U.S. than it is in a tropical country like Thailand. Our peak transmission season is during the winter months — just a few months away. It ’s quite possible that we will see a large increase in H1N1 transmission this winter in the U.S., and may well see many more deaths.

Remember, this is a global pandemic of flu, and in the absence of huge quantities of a highly effective vaccine, the best we can do is to slow, but not totally prevent transmission.

The U.S., like Thailand, has urged people to exercise good hygiene including frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, covering their mouth with a sleeve when they cough or sneeze. We are also encouraging people who have influenza-like illness to stay home from work or school for 7 days. School closure has been implemented in some locations in the U.S. and other countries, but it’s not yet clear whether school closure alone dramatically affects transmission, especially in an urban setting where children have many other places where they can gather and spread illness. Mexico, you will recall, closed not only schools at the height of their outbreak, but businesses, churches, and all public transportation as well. This may have been an effective step in a crisis situation, but it came at considerable economic and social cost. The point is there ’s no easy answer about when to take drastic action like this — it ’s only partially a public health decision. It also requires elected officials and the business community to weigh in on the costs versus the potential benefits.

In closing, I’d just like again thank and commend my Thai MOPH colleagues for their hard work and dedication to protecting the public’s health. The U.S. CDC and WHO stands by your efforts, and we are here ready to assist in whatever way we can to help reduce the health threat posed by this or any other disease outbreak.

Thank you for your attention, and I ’ll be happy to answer any questions.

For more information, please visit tatnews.org

Oct 5 2009

Bangkok, 2 July 2009 – Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai Government has agreed to extend the exemption of the visa fee for tourist visa applications until 4 March 2010.

The exemption will apply to all applicants for visa on arrival at all international airports in Thailand as well as those applying at Thai embassies and consulates abroad for stays longer than the period for which they are normally eligible.

Thailand presently gives a Visa on Arrival for citizens of 20 countries for a stay not exceeding 15 days. Citizens of another 42 countries are allowed a visa-free stay in Thailand not over 30 days.

Those who wish to stay longer than those periods have to apply for visas at the Thai embassies or diplomatic missions abroad before their arrival in Thailand.

The extension is one of several measures taken by the Thai tourism industry to revive itself in the wake of a number of global and local events that have led to a temporary decline in visitor arrivals.

According to TAT Chairman, Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, “As a result of the global economic downturn, the worldwide travel and tourism sector has declined as people have become more cautious about spending on leisure and business travel. Hence, the government has implemented many measures to enhance Thailand’s competitive advantage and strengthen our country’s unique qualities.”

Other recent measures include a reduction of landing charges for aircraft and reduced entry fees for national parks. On 1 June, the “Package Tour for Transfer Passengers” initiative was introduced. Transfer passengers making a stopover of 6 to 12 hours at Suvarnabhumi International Airport can take short tours of Bangkok and the surrounding area.

In order to tap the weekend break for short-haul countries, TAT has also introduced 72-hours travel programme guide book to several provinces including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya. The most recent programme guide book in the series is 72 hours in Hua Hin.

In 2008, Thailand welcomed around 14.59 million international visitors, a growth of only 0.88 per cent.

In January – April 2009, visitor arrivals to Thailand totalled 4.7 million, down 14.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. While most markets showed varying rates of decline, arrivals from the Middle East grew by almost 11.5% and arrivals from South Asia were up 3.6 per cent.

For more information, please contact

Visa Division, The Customs Department
Tel: 02-575-1063
E-mail: consular03@msa.go.th

Royal Thai Consulates and Embassies Abroad
Immigration Bureau
Tel: 02-287-3101-10
E-mail: immcallcenter.agent6@gmail.com
Hotline: 1178

Contact information:

International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

For the latest updates, please visit
www.TATnews.org

Oct 4 2009

Pattaya City Hall
North Pattaya Road
Banglamung, Chonburi
June 12, 2009

Two days ago there was a report about two Taiwanese tourists found to have been affected with influenza AH1N1 while traveling to the Eastern Resort in Pattaya City, Chonburi. This report however caused the city to worry about the impact to the tourism sector In Pattaya, due to the restrictions of Taiwanese travels Into the city

The team of epidemiologist of the Public Health Ministry and the Public Health and environment of Pattaya city along with authorities and hospitals has taken a steady action in Pattaya an nearby areas by investigating the places where these Taiwanese were spotted or were found to have spent their time. A number of random test have been conducted, also having random test for people in Pattaya.

As of yesterday in Pattaya city Itself, 21 people were confirmed to have tested positive for AH1N1. The Disease Control Department director-general Somchal Chakrabhandu said the patients were staff at an entertainment place, where order have been given to shut down the place until fully cleaned up to the international hygiene. Hence, local authorities in Pattaya are stepping up measures to contain the spread of the virus and ensure the town Is clear of AH1Nl in a week.

Pattaya City Mayor Itthiphol Khunplome more than 80 health volunteers have been dispatched to monitor closely the health of the immediate families of the infected patients. A surveillance centre has been set up in Bang Lamung Hospital and 420,000 anti-viral tablets were distributed to medical facilities, two tamiflu tablets to be taken by the infected staff and one each for the non-infected persons. Full controls are being to make sure that the disease will not be spread to the nearby area; which involved various parties In the city as well as from the national sectors in engaging the big cleaning at public places in the city.

FInally, we would like to Inform all the tourists and the citizens that the country Is doing all It can to ensure safety while also having prevention methods. We will continue to serve our best and we welcome everyone back to the beauty of sea sand and sun.

Mr.Verawat Khakhay
Deputy of Mayor Pattaya Citv
Section of Tourism Development And Promotion,
Sub Of Tourism Promotion

Oct 4 2009

Pattaya City Hall,
North Pattaya rd, Banglamung
Chonburi, 20260
June 10, 2009

The latest case reported two Taiwanese citizens, were found to have been affected with influenza AH1N1 while traveling to the Eastern Resort in Pattaya City, Chonburi.This report however, caused the city to worry about the impact to the tourism sector in Pattaya, due to the restrictions of Taiwanese travels into the city.

The team of epidemiologists of the Public Health Ministry and the Public health and Environment of Pattaya city along with authorities and hospitals has taken a steady action in Pattaya and nearby areas by investigating the places where these Taiwanese were spotted or were found to have spent their time.

A number of random test have been conducted, also having random test for people in Pattaya. Pattaya city along with 25 clinics 4 official hospitals, 2 private hospitals and Public health center of Pattaya are involved in the test and treatment procedures. There has been 420,000 medicine tablets prepared as well as 200 laboratory are setup to conduct up to 200 tests per days. The safety and prevention methods are a major concern therefore, this ensures that the country is a safe and risk free place.

All procedures and safety measures are been looked at to the highest level. Finally, we would like to inform all the tourists and the citizens that the country is doing all it can to ensure safety while also having prevention methods. We will continue to serve our best and we welcome everyone back to the Land of Smiles.

Mr.Verawat Khakhay
Deputy of Mayor Pattaya Citv
Section of Tourism Development And Promotion,
Sub Of Tourism Promotion

Oct 4 2009

Spas in the kingdom given high marks for service and variety of treatment packages

New Delhi, April 27, 2009

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office announced today that Thailand was awarded the Readers Choice “My Favorite Spa Destination” in Asia at the asiaSpa Awards held in Gurgaon on April 8, 2009. The award was given as a result of a survey conducted by asiaSpa Magazine and validated by Grant Thornton, one of the world’s top five audit companies.

The awards were organized by asiaSpa India Magazine and recognized outstanding spas and related services in several categories. With its offering of the some of the world’s best spas and wellness retreats, Thailand easily won the coveted award voted by readers of the magazine. The award has firmly established Thailand’s position as the spa destination of choice for many of the 500,000 Indians that visit the country annually.

Spas have currently become a significant income-generating service business for Thailand, in addition, to creating a positive impression among Thais as well as foreign visitors alike. This is due to the fact that the Thai spa business provides standard and quality services of authentic Thai ways; such as, traditional Thai massage, Thai herbs, Thai healing, as well as Thai wisdom that has been well blended with the western style of well being. These distinctive characteristics have made Thai spa gain much popularity and a prominent reputation throughout Asia.

The spas of Thailand offer spa goers a great range of diversity and pricing, but all have the undeniable touch of Thainess. Whether your spa experience is in a traditional Thai Sala, a shopping centre or a beach resort it is the element of Thainess that unites all of the kingdom’s spas while clearly delineating them from what the rest of the world has to offer. Traditionally many have taken a natural approach – high touch rather than high tech, natural product rather than commercial preparations – but as the world has focused increasingly on the environmental impact that we have on our planet, this element of nature is coming more and more to the forefront as we try to bring balance to our lives.

Statistics show that spa visits, and revenue, are increasing every year. In the U.S. where there are over 18,000 spas, the total revenue that spas earned in 2008 was a staggering US$10.9 billion. Spa visits grew by a healthy 25% over 2007 and spa locations have mushroomed by an average of 20% in the last 8 years. The figures show that more and more people are seeking out full and day spas to recharge their batteries after contending with an increasingly hectic life schedule.

About TAT

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organization in Thailand to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism.

TAT supplies information and data on tourist areas to the public, publicizes Thailand with the intention of encouraging both Thai and international tourists to travel in and around Thailand, conducts studies to set development plans for tourist destinations, and co-operates with and supports the production and development of personnel in the field of tourism.

Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968, there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has also established many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965. During the past 30 years, TAT has since established 22 more offices in different parts of the world.

Press Contacts:
Anuj Kumar Singhal
Information Officer
TAT New Delhi Office
E-mail: singhalanujkumar@gmail.com
tatdel@tat.or.th