Tourists enjoy a stroll along Patong beach in Phuket, as tourism starts to pickup for the upcoming high season. Dusida WorrachaddejchaiPhuket tourism operators expect the country's reopening to help build momentum for 1 million international arrivals in the first quarter of next year. At present, 825 international flights from 17 airlines are scheduled to arrive in Phuket in November, compared to 562 flights from 11 airlines in October. Thus the occupancy rate this month could gradually improve to 25-30% from 18-20% in October, before increasing to 35% in December. Meanwhile, La-Iad Bungsrithong, president of the Thai Hotels Association's northern chapter, said the occupancy rate for Chiang Mai in October was 40% in the city and 60% on the outskirts.

However, we now have prepared our protection and this situation could prep the country for safe reopening," said Mr Tassapon. "We have our airplanes ready for serving any routes that have passenger demand, but we also anticipate that some important markets, led by China, might not resume international travel in the next few months," he said. According to him, Bangkok and some major provinces, such as Phuket, appear ready for the reopening due to the availability of hospitels and related public services. The reopening, however, needs readiness among all the provinces to curtail the spread of the Covid-19. Mr Sanan also proposed that the government continuously evaluate the country's reopening and have clear communication to build up people's confidence.

Tourists from 63 countries now exempt from quarantine rulesAfter sunset, the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Royal Palace are illuminated with lights, a cheerful atmosphere to welcome tourists. Sarot MeksophawannakulThailand will begin admitting fully vaccinated visitors from 17 more countries without quarantine, increasing the number of countries on the list to 63. On Oct 21, the government issued an announcement to allow fully vaccinated travellers from 63 countries and territories to enter the kingdom without quarantine from Monday, assuming they pass a Covid-19 test upon landing in Thailand. Tourists who aren't vaccinated or not fully vaccinated will now be required to quarantine at a hotel for 10 days. Hotel bookings, particularly by guests from the 63 countries exempted from quarantine restrictions, are increasing, indicating that the reopening is attracting tourists from all over the world, said Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

47 new Covid deaths, 8,859 new casesMigrant workers from Thailand's neighbouring countries who work in Nonthaburi province are vaccinated at Bang Yai market in Bang Yai district on Saturday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Thailand logged 47 new Covid-19 fatalities and 8,859 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Sunday morning. On Saturday, 8,253 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the coronavirus. Since April 1, when the third wave of Covid-19 began, Thailand has treated 1,883,161 Covid-19 patients, 1,764,702 of whom have recovered to date. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 1,912,024 Covid-19 cases, with 1,792,128 complete recoveries so far.

ROME: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Chinese counterpart on Sunday that the United States opposed actions by China that have increased tensions across the Taiwan Strait, a senior State Department official said. A recent increase in Chinese military exercises in Taiwan's air defence identification zone are part of what Taipei views as stepped-up military harassment by Beijing. China claims the island as part of its own territory and views any foreign intervention on Taiwan as interference in its domestic affairs. While the United States, like most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan, Washington is the island's most important international backer and main arms supplier, and is required by law to provide it with the means to defend itself. Blinken made clear that Washington had not changed its "one China" policy regarding Taiwan, the official said.

Protesters gather signatures to end lese majeste lawPeople put their signatures on a petition to end the lese majeste law on Sunday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)Demonstrators were collecting signatures to propose the end of the lese majeste law, a protest leader said on Sunday. Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul said at a rally site in Ratchaprasong intersection the organisers expected to complete the collection of at least 10,000 signatures at the rally site in another bid to end the law. She and other key members of the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration led the rally to call for the end of Section 112. The constitution empowers people to propose to Parliament a new law or an amendment to an existing law if they can gather at least 10,000 signatures of eligible voters.

US Fed set to begin stimulus taper amid sticky inflationFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could find himself caught between the inflation hawks and doves at the central bank's next meeting. "I think it'll be one of the biggest surprises in a long time if they didn't taper. The latest sign of the wave came Friday when the Commerce Department -- the central bank's preferred inflation gauge-taker -- reported prices rose 4.4% year-on-year in September. The most potent policy move the Fed could make against inflation is raising its lending rate off zero. Lackluster data usually supports keeping monetary policy easy, but there's evidence that stubbornly highs prices are getting to FOMC members.

Taliban supreme leader makes first public appearanceTaliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada appeared in public for the first time since the group took power in AfghanistanKABUL - Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada addressed supporters in the southern city of Kandahar, officials announced Sunday, his first public appearance since taking control of the group in 2016. His low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government -- and even rumours of his death. On Saturday, he visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrassa to "speak to his brave soldiers and disciples", according to Taliban officials. He prays for the Taliban martyrs, wounded fighters and the success of the Islamic Emirate's officials in this "big test". After being appointed leader, Akhundzada secured the backing of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, who showered the cleric with praise -- calling him "the emir of the faithful".

Thailand open to 17 more countries Nov 1Tourists enjoy Phra Nang beach in Krabi on Saturday as the country prepares to welcome visitors fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 coronavirus without quarantine on Monday. (AFP photo)The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Saturday announced Thailand is to admit visitors from 17 more countries without quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of pre-flight negative Covid-19 test results from Nov 1, increasing the number to 63. The announcement was signed by Thani Thongphakdi, the ministry's permanent secretary. On Oct 21, Thailand issued an announcement to allow fully vaccinated travelers from 46 low-risk countries and territories to enter the country without quarantine from Monday. The 17 additional countries announced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry are: India, Taiwan, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Croatia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Romania, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Luxembourg.

BMA relaxes restrictions prior to big reopeningThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will allow only restaurants certified by the Safety and Health Administration (SHA) to serve alcohol and no later than 9pm. The move follows the government's decision to allow serving of alcoholic drinks in restaurants and eateries in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket when the country reopens tomorrow. Elderly care centres can open normally (recipients of services and staff must be fully vaccinated with random Covid-19 screening every week). Appointments are required at spa and traditional massage parlours (customers using steam services must be fully vaccinated or test negative within 72 hours). Spectators of sports competition must be fully vaccinated or test negative within 72 hours.

Embassy fetes national hero on special dayThe Indian Embassy of Bangkok is celebrating its National Unity Day on Sunday, capping a week of events as it pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a national hero born on this day in 1875 who played a leading role in unifying the nation and was later named its first deputy prime minister. The festivities kicked off with an exhibition of a portrait of Patel, attended by Pikulkaew Krairiksh, chairwoman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, and her husband. "Despite the separation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was able to approach everyone of those princely states to unify into one country," the ambassador said. "He brought them together as one country (showing them how) they would benefit by being part of India," she added. Together with the key role played by the Indian constitution, Patel had taught the states a valuable lesson about living together in harmony despite their differences.

Still a chance to tweak reopeningThe final destination is ultimately the same, but the path to endemicity will vary from country to country. These factors combined left the government no choice but to move toward reopening in a much more cautious manner -- so cautious that it risks losing out on the benefits it wanted to reap from the reopening. Moving forward, the government has to understand that living with Covid-19 will require much more intervention on its part. Even before reopening, certain businesses have begun testing their employees as part of the requirement to reopen. Right now, schools can't resume in-person instruction until 85% of their staff and students are vaccinated.

Men were drilling for water in Krabi when they struck gas at 400 metresTwo workers were severely burned on Saturday in Krabi after they struck gas that caught fire while they were drilling a borehole for water. The incident took place at a rubberwood factory owned by Paradome Co Ltd in tambon Krabi Noi of Muang district in the southern province. Police and firefighters who arrived on the scene found a drilling rig in flames near the site. A worker told police the factory hired Water Group Chatnakornbadan Co Ltd to drill for groundwater to find a new water source. When the workers had drilled to about 400 metres, the well caught fire.

Back in the black: Higher oil prices lift ExxonMobil, Chevron profitsHaving returned to profitability, ExxonMobil plans to use extra cash to reduce debt and buy back sharesNEW YORK: Profits at ExxonMobil and Chevron rebounded in the third quarter on strengthening oil and natural gas prices, according to results released Friday that underscored the industry's improved financial position compared with the darkest days of the pandemic. After US oil futures sank into negative territory in spring 2020 on widespread Covid-19 restrictions, demand has returned in a big way, lifting oil prices back above $80 a barrel and driving European gas prices up more than five times their level from a year ago. The latest surge in oil and gas prices comes as the industry faces increased pressures from investors to build up low-carbon businesses amid rising worries over climate change. - More buybacks -ExxonMobil reported profits of $6.8 billion, compared with a loss of $680 million over the same period last year. At Chevron, earnings came in at $6.1 billion, compared with a loss of $207 million a year ago.

Bangkok is now designated a new tourist-oriented area with few Covid-19 restrictions along with Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket, starting Monday. Working from home in the dark-red zones will apply to at least 70% of the government workforce and the private sector can go beyond that. Gatherings will be limited to 50 people in the dark-red zones, 200 in the red zones, 500 in the orange zones and 1,000 in yellow zones. Schools can reopen and many activities can resume in the dark-red and red zones with permission from authorities. Alcohol sales and consumption will be banned in the dark-red, red and orange zones and allowed in yellow and blue zones.