Thailand is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season, with the government collaborating with the private sector to offer a variety of entertainment and leisure activities to create a festive mood. The precautionary measures have been lifted, and people are congregating outside to socialise. Everything seems to be going well, but we shouldn't be careless.
Despite the late arrival of winter, the number of new Covid-19 cases topped 700 per day earlier this month, showing that the Covid-19 virus never stops attacking. I feel like it's getting closer to me, just like the time some of my friends had the ailment.
The other day, two friends reported on Facebook they had been to a party and had gotten Covid-19. This event turned into a spreader event as the other 15 attendees also got infected. One of my friends had mild symptoms, so she decided to isolate herself and recover at home by taking medicines for her sore throat, fever and cough. However, it seemed to take a long time as she was still testing positive after 10 days.
At the same time, the infection struck another close friend after having lunch with a co-worker and a positive Covid-19 test result that evening. Her sickness also spread to her family. They visited a hospital due to a chronic illness, but after worked from home and isolated themselves.
My old classmate who had Covid-19 in the middle of the year was recently put at risk when her brother had the illness at work. Thankfully, she got through this episode. To lower their risk, some of my media friends decided to have a sixth Covid-19 vaccine because they travel frequently and interact with many people.
After getting the fifth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine five months ago, I opted to get an injection of a flu vaccine that can defend against four different strains of influenza prior to a trip to Taiwan.
In October, Taiwan reopened its borders to unrestricted foreign travel, which contributed to an increase in demand. Visitors are no longer required to undergo quarantine upon arrival, submit to any PCR tests or even show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
In China, there are signs of good things as China's national health authority is now allowing Covid-19 patients with mild and no symptoms to isolate at home following protests against the rigorous zero Covid policy.
Learning to live with the Covid-19 virus, the new guidelines strictly forbid closing down buildings, sealing doors and fire exits, and restricting business-related travel, according to the BBC. Lockdowns would remain, but they should only be used in more specific locations, such as certain buildings, apartments, or floors rather than entire neighbourhoods or cities.
If no new cases are discovered after five days, high-risk areas would be allowed to resume normal operations. Schools can stay open with student attendance if there isn't a larger campus outbreak.
People are beginning to plan their New Year's celebrations and travel once more as they return to Thailand, signalling new opportunities for the tourism industry. To commemorate the 10 millionth visitor up until Dec 10, the Tourism Authority of Thailand recently held the "Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebrations".
Thailand saw 9.78 million international visitors arrive between Jan 1 and Dec 5, according to the Immigration Bureau, and on Dec 10, the 10th million visitor arrived.
There was an event to greet visitors who arrived on that day at seven international and regional airports, including Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao and Samui, as well as two border crossing sites at Sadao and Nong Khai.
Additionally, the TAT unveiled the "Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters" campaign, which focuses on meaningful travel and uses soft power like food, cinema, fashion, and festivals to promote Thailand.
After a two-year hiatus, this year's countdown celebrations will resume with a range of live music performances and lavish firework shows to raise spirits. As a result, shopping centres and entertainment venues around Bangkok's downtown will see large crowds of local and foreign tourists.
After more than three years of coping with the Covid-19 virus, it's time to get back to normal. A mask and hand sanitiser are indispensable tools in daily life even when a large gathering is difficult to avoid.
Pattarawadee Saengmanee is a feature writer for the Bangkok Post's Life section.