This week: US issues travel warning, Tangmo friend confesses, Shane Warne dies and Songkran gets the green light
Americans advised to avoid travel to Thailand
The already decimated tourism sector was hit this week with a new travel warning issued by the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added Thailand, Hong Kong and New Zealand to its list of destinations Americans are advised not to visit because of Covid-19.
The CDC elevated its Thailand travel warning to "Level Four: Very High".
In total, the CDC urges Americans to avoid travel to about 135 countries and territories.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand played down the announcement, saying the warning was the same as the one issued last year when the infection rate peaked.
The TAT said rising inflation and soaring travel costs due to higher oil prices are the main obstacles for the international market.
Tangmo's death 'an accident'
The death of TV actress Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong appears to be an accident based on the evidence, so said the national police chief.
He made the comment before the investigation was completed.
Previously, Tangmo's mother said she had forgiven the boat's owner, after he promised to pay her 30 million baht in compensation.
The following day, one of Tangmo's five speedboat companions admitted to causing the boat to lurch while he was driving, which threw Tangmo overboard to her death.
Phaiboon "Robert" Trikanjananun told investigators that he had little knowledge of driving boats and wanted to try it.
Cricket legend Shane Warne dies on Samui
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne died this week while on holiday on Koh Samui.
Autopsy results confirmed that the 52-year-old leg-spin bowler, one of the greatest Test cricketers of all time, died of natural causes after a suspected heart attack.
His body left Thailand on Thursday, flown back to Australia where he will receive a state funeral.
Songkran is on
Songkran celebrations will go ahead next month after a two-year hiatus due to Covid.
The government announced that inter-provincial travel will be permitted, stressing that the public must follow disease prevention measures.
Covid-19 cases were rising again this week with official caseloads in the low twenty thousands per day. However, when positive ATK test results are included, Thailand sees up to 72 thousand new cases per day.
