As vaccine tourism takes off in Thailand, what can jab-seeking jet-setters expect?

13 Sept 14:12 Key points summarised by AI

Thai travel agencies are launching 'vaccination tours' to the US and Serbia, combining COVID-19 jabs with sightseeing, primarily targeting wealthy Thais eager for faster inoculation than domestic options.
These luxury packages vary significantly in cost and duration; a 7-day US trip for a single-shot vaccine starts around Bt67,500 (excluding airfare) for US visa holders, while a 30-day Serbia trip for a two-dose vaccine costs approximately Bt200,000 (including airfare and quarantine).
Thai authorities caution against advertising 'vaccine tours' and highlight potential risks, including denial of entry to host countries, rapidly changing vaccine policies abroad, and the lack of insurance coverage for vaccinations received overseas.
Despite official warnings, some Thai tourists have successfully received vaccinations abroad, and more destinations like Alaska and the Maldives are exploring offering jabs to visitors to boost their pandemic-hit tourism economies.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.