May 5: Liberation Day!
Today is liberation day. On May 5, there are activities and parties everywhere in the Netherlands to celebrate the end of the Second World War. Today, the Dutch flag is allowed to fly from sunrise to sunset.
Today for the first time in many months, maybe even seen and heard an airplane in the Isan sky for more than a year.
Nearly 71 percent fewer passengers at Dutch airports in 2020
In 2020, 23,6 million passengers traveled to and from the five national airports in the Netherlands. In 2019, there were 81,2 million.
The severely affected travel sector, which has now been practically completely shut down for about 10 months and has been requested not to carry out any travel until April 1, at least, will talk to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday 28 January. ANVR chairman Frank Oostdam and vice-chairman also TUI director Arjan Kers want to speak with the Prime Minister about the current position of the travel sector, the support measures plus package and the future prospects.
Corona pandemic plunges 1,5 million Thai into poverty
Last year, 1,5 million Thai fell below the poverty line due to the corona crisis. Thailand now has 5,2 million poor people, according to the World Bank.
The corona pandemic has proved disastrous for aviation. In 2020, the number of airline passengers fell by 60 percent, the UN aviation organization ICAO said in a report on Friday.
'Tahitian Queen succumbed to corona in Pattaya'
When I tell newcomers about what the nightlife in Pattaya was like during my first visits in the early XNUMXs, I always talk about Walking Street. That was - at least in my memory - the only "naughty" place, where you easily came into contact with beautiful young Thai ladies. I always made an exception for the one venue outside Walking Street and that was Tahitian Queen, a few hundred yards down Beach Road.
Last year, 20,9 million travelers passed through Schiphol
In 2020, 20,9 million passengers traveled from, to or via Schiphol, a decrease of 71% compared to 2019. Eindhoven Airport saw the number of travelers decrease to 2,1 million last year, Rotterdam The Hague Airport to 0,5 million ; decreases of 69% and 77% respectively.
Prayut: 'Thailand not locked, but extra measures'
Prime Minister Prayut announced today that Thailand will not go into a national lockdown. However, the government will "intensify" the measures after the outbreak of COVID-19 infections in Samut Sakhon.
Prime Minister Prayut hinted on TV yesterday that the relaxations on travel within Thailand may be lifted and he also keeps open the possibility of taking strict measures, such as a ban on all New Year's festivities. The Thai government is concerned about the Covid-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon.
The Netherlands in lockdown from today until January 19, 2021
The Netherlands will go into the strictest lockdown to date from Tuesday 15 December to at least Tuesday 19 January.
Run-off in Pattaya
During a meeting with Deputy Mayor Pattana Boonsawad in the Soi Khopai district, Teerasak Jatupong, Chief City Manager's Office, reported that 300.000 people have now left the city of Pattaya due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Travel industry disappointed with loss of hope
The first reaction of the travel industry organization ANVR, after the announcement of the travel advice proposed by the cabinet on Tuesday evening, can best be described as 'disappointing' and 'disproportionate'. Also because any perspective is totally lacking.
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has advised the CCSA to shorten the mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 10 days. This concerns visitors from countries with low numbers of infections.
The Netherlands goes into partial lockdown for at least 1 month
The Dutch cabinet decided yesterday that stricter measures are needed to ensure that the number of infections decreases.
Poverty due to corona crisis: 170.000 Thai students are at risk of dropping out of school
The Equitable Education Fund says 170.000 students may drop out of school because household incomes have fallen. Many parents have become unemployed due to the corona pandemic.
The aviation sector is doing very badly. Every minute the sector loses about $ 300.000, the financial disaster is getting bigger and bigger. Despite the fact that airlines receive support from governments, things are not going well and much more money is needed, warns IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac.