This week: Test & Go goes, Pattaya's 'happy water', jail for Ducati cop and Tangmo charges
Test & Go ends, Thailand Pass likely scrapped
Good news for the tourism sector this week, as starting May first, fully vaccinated travellers entering Thailand are no longer required to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival or book one night in a quarantine hotel.
In addition, the amount of health insurance coverage needed has been halved to US$10,000.
All travellers still have to register on the Thailand Pass system, however this requirement maybe scrapped from June.
Once vaccinated travellers pass through immigration, they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand.
Before tourists rejoice too much, a plan to collect a 300-baht tourism fee from each international visitor will be submitted to the cabinet within the next two weeks to start in around three months.
Pattaya 'happy water' targeted
Pattaya police have stepped up their campaign against “happy water”, a new kind of illegal drug cocktail whose use has become rampant in nightspots.
One suspected trafficker has been arrested and others are being sought.
Happy water is made by mixing other drugs — typically a combination of ecstasy, methamphetamine, diazepam, caffeine and tramadol — dissolving the powder in hot water or mixing it with sweetened drinks.
Police said the cocktail is popular with pub-goers, particularly Chinese tourists.
Policeman gets jail for killing doctor
A speeding police motorcyclist has been sentenced to one year and 15 days in prison for running over and killing Bangkok ophthalmologist Waraluck Supawatjariyakul.
Pol L/Cpl Norawich Buadok was found to be driving at 108-128 kilometres per hour, well above the 80kph speed limit.
His Ducati Monster big bike hit Dr Waraluck on a pedestrian crossing on Phaya Thai Road on January 21.
She died of her injuries.
Six charged over actress Tangmo's drowning
Six people have been charged with recklessness causing death, giving false statements and concealing evidence over the drowning of actress Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong on February 24.
Detectives said the actress fell from the back of a speedboat and was hit by its propeller before drowning in the Chao Phraya River.
Police also said everyone aboard the boat was drunk, and someone told them to delay meeting police to avoid being prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol.
