Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson

on Thursday, 17 March 2022 at 13:30 hours

 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and via MFA Facebook Live

1. Update on evacuation of Thais in Ukraine

• MFA evacuated additional two Thai nationals from Ukraine. These Thai nationals departed Warsaw, Poland, and will arrive Suvarnabhumi airport on 17 March 2022 at 19.10 hrs.
• From 1-17 March 2022, 230 from 256 of Thai nationals in Ukraine were successfully evacuated. 8 groups (225 Thai nationals in total) arrived in Thailand by commercial flights, while 26 Thai nationals decided to remain in Ukraine.

2. Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Thailand paid a courtesy call on DPM/FM (16 March 2022)

• Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Thailand paid a courtesy call on DPM/FM to bid farewell on the occasion of her  completion of duty. 
• DPM/FM appreciated Ambassador’s role in strengthening the relationship between the two countries in all dimensions in particular on trade, investment, sports and education cooperation as well as organizing various cultural activities to commemorate the celebration of 150 Years of Thai - Austrian Friendship in 2019.
• Both sides realized the importance of soft diplomacy to strengthen cooperation in vocational education by taking advantage of existing interaction such as cooperation under Sattahip Technical College and the ASEAN European Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET).

3. DPM/FM to attend the 48^th session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (22 – 23 March 2022)

• DPM/FM will pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to participate in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC- CFM) in Islamabad, Pakistan during 22 – 23 March 2022. Thailand is currently an observer of the OIC.
• DPM/FM will hold bilateral meetings with various delegations of OIC Member States to explore ways and means to enhance the cooperation and follow up on the activities to commemorate the 70thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Pakistan.

4. Discussion between Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of New Zealand to Thailand (10 March 2022)

• Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs discussedwith Chargé d’Affairesi. of New Zealand to Thailand.
• Both sides discussed ways to promote bilateral relations at the 12^th Thailand-New Zealand Senior Officials’ Talks, to be hosted by Thailand in 2022. They also discussed progress under Thailand’s APEC host year, cooperation in ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region, particularly New Zealand’s keen interest to become ACMECS’ 2^nd batch Development Partner, as well as exchanged views on the situation and humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, the situation in Ukraine, and the Universal Periodic Review process (UPR) of UN Human Rights Council.

5. Thailand handed over 500,000 doses of Astrazeneca vaccine to the people of Myanmar (12 March 2022)

• Chargé d’Affaires, i., of the RTE in Thailand to Myanmar presented 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and syringes to representatives from the Myanmar Red Cross Society. The vaccines, produced by Siam Bioscience Co, Ltd. in Thailand, was the first donation from Thailand to other countries and was part of the 1 million doses that Thailand intended to provide to Myanmar.
• MFA thanked the RTE in Yangon, Dept. of Disease Control, MOPH, Astrazeneca Thailand and other relevant agencies, for close coordination on this matter. 

6. Seminar on “What will Thailand gain from hosting APEC2022?”

• DDGs of Dept. of Information, and Dept. of International Economic Affairs, attended the seminar on “What will Thailand gain from hosting APEC2022?,” hosted by Dept. of Public Relations. The seminar was also attended by Mr. MontriMahaplerkpong, a representative of ABAC, and KaviChongkittavorn, a senior journalist. 
• DDG of Dept. of Information highlighted the importance of APEC as an incubator of ideas and practices among member economies. APEC also created opportunities for Thailand and its business sector to show economic potential.
• DDG of Dept. of International Economic Affairs identified benefits from hosting APEC2022, including creating a more open environment for trade and investment, safer passage, and sustainable development and resilience created by the BCG Economy Model.
• APEC PR strategy focused on promoting inclusiveness of all stakeholders, especially business sectors, start-ups, MSMEs, youths, women, and civil society.
  
  

7. Clarifications on the news claiming that 15 countries are open for foreign travelers without any COVID-19 control measures

• With reference to the news claiming that 15 countries are open for foreign travelers without any COVID-19 control measures including quarantine rules and COVID-19 test results, MFA wishes to clarify as follows: 
• As of now, only 3 countries (among 15 countries mentioned in the news) namely; Switzerland, Sweden and Norway, have removed all domestic COVID-19 control measures. 
• For other countries, travelers are required to check on COVID-19 control measures and regulations set by respective countries of destination. 
• See more information on website of the embassies of destination countries, or website/facebook page of the royal Thai embassies within destination countries.

8. Adjustment of COVID-19 control measures for travelers from Thailand (Malaysia/Indonesia) 

8.1 Malaysia 

• On 8 March 2022, PM of Malaysia announced that Malaysia was in a transition period to declare COVID-19 an endemic disease.  As a result, from 1 April 2022, Malaysia will make adjustments to ease entry requirements. Important measures related to traveler from Thailand as follows: 
• Travelers who are fully vaccinated can enter Malaysia without quarantine. RT-PCR test result within 48-hours prior to traveling is required. Travelers also need to present a negative RTK (ATK) test result upon arrival.
• For travelers who are not fully vaccinated, 5-day quarantine is required. 
• Further information can be found at Facebook page of MOH of Malaysia, https://www.facebook.com/100064560379224/posts/332990932196250/?d=n

8.2 Indonesia  

• Since 7 March 2022, Indonesia has allowed travelers from 23 countries, including Thailand, to enter the country by air and apply for visa on arrival only at the GustiNgurah Bali International Airport. However, travelers can make an outbound flight from any international airport in Indonesia.
• Required documents include a negative RT-PCR test result. Travelers are allowed to stay in Indonesia for no longer than 30 days with only one renewal of stay. 
• Further information can be found at Facebook page of the Embassy of Indonesia in Bangkok, https://www.facebook.com/IndonesiaInBangkok

9. The Japanese Metrological Agency terminated the Tsunami Warning in Fukushima and Miyagi

• On 17 March 2022, the Japanese Metrological Agency terminated the Tsunami warning in Fukushima and Miyagi provinces after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japanese coast near Fukushima prefecture on 16 March 2022.
• The RTE in Tokyo has earlier issued a warning for Thai community in the areas that might be affected by the earthquake to remain vigilant and follow news from the Japanese authorities concerned closely. For emergency, contact the Embassy hotline at 090-4435-7812.
• No report of injury or fatality among Thais from this earthquake.

10. Mobile Consular Services in Narathiwat Province

• Mobile consular services will be held at Narathiwat City Hall, Narathiwat Province, from Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 March 2022 during 08.00 - 16.30 hrs.  The services include passport application, counselling on travelling abroad and house registration documents. 
• Applicants can walk-in to the City Hall without appointment. Further information can be found at https://bit.ly/3tb0yrD and the Dept. of Consular Affairs’ website, consular.go.th

Weekly Press Briefing:  https://fb.watch/bOvYUjUW2m/