Tourists from ‘high risk’ countries asked to consider postponing travel to Thailand

[webfact]

Tourists from ‘high risk’ countries asked to consider postponing travel to Thailand

 

FILE PHOTO: Passengers wearing masks are seen at the terminal hall of the Beijing Capital International Airport, in Beijing, China January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Martin Pollard

 

Foreign tourists from so called ‘high risk’ countries have been asked to consider postponing their travel to Thailand as the country continues to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

 

Last week, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn released a statement to say that if tourists feel they may be inconvenienced by additional screening measures put in place by Thai officials to combat COVID-19, they should consider changing their travel plans. 

 

The statement was released after Thailand on Thursday (5 March) identified a number countries and territories as “Disease Infected Zones”, including China, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Italy and Iran.

 

Travellers from these countries have been asked to self quarantine for 14 days after arrival in Thailand, as well as ensuring they report their condition daily to health officials. 

 

The statement on the TAT website reads:

 

On Thursday, 5 March, 2020, Thailand announced a list of territories outside the Kingdom of Thailand defined as “Disease Infected Zones of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak; namely, the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions), Republic of Korea, Republic of Italy, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

The announcement stated that Thailand remained at risk from transmission through travellers arriving from other countries, and this measure is to allow health authorities to prevent and control the disease efficiently, as well as to ensure effective surveillance of the disease.

 

Therefore, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to recommend travellers from these territories that if the travellers feel these measures will be inconvenient for traveling in Thailand, they may consider postponing travel to another period and await further advice from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health regarding the health measures involved.

 

Thus, TAT would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the hundreds of thousands of travellers from these four territories as well as all over the world who have booked travel to the Kingdom over the next few months for their continued support. The incredible support we are receiving makes us proud, as we continue to welcome international travellers to our Amazing Thailand.

 

However, due to public health concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak in many countries globally, we kindly seek your understanding on Thailand’s ongoing strict surveillance, which is aimed at safeguarding public health and to allow health authorities to effectively prevent and control the disease.

 

We are confident that when the situation of the outbreak improves, or if there are other appropriate grounds, these territories could further be declared as no longer Disease Infected Zones.

 

Our hearts go out to all countries and areas affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The thoughts and prayers of the Thai people are with you, and we are confident that we will soon overcome this challenge together.

 

The statement also reminds people to ‘travel safely’ when travelling by frequently washing hands with soap and water and using an alcohol based hand gel, as well as wearing a face mask, avoiding contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms and avoiding crowded areas.

 

At the time of publishing, Thailand had recorded 50 infections of the coronavirus, with one death. 33 of those infected have already made a full recovery. 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-03-09

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[Isaan sailor]

Only about six weeks too late....

[4evermaat]

The the article say "ask" or demand/decree?   Other countries are taking decisive measures.

[justin case]

I wonder how many people in thailand have to leave every 90 days (or less) to reactivate the next 90 ...I have NO FREAKING CHOICE !!!

[bluesofa]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign tourists from so called ‘high risk’ countries have been asked to consider postponing their travel to Thailand as the country continues to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

Surely just tell them some banks won't change their filthy foreign cash. That will stop them if they don't have any money to spend.

 

[Justgrazing]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The statement also reminds people to ‘travel safely’ when travelling by frequently washing hands with soap and water and using an alcohol based hand gel, as well as wearing a face mask,

I for one shall be taking their advice .. 

 

[bluesofa]

3 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

I for one shall be taking their advice .. 

 

You look quite sheep-ish in that.

[shackleton]

Surprised anyone no matter from what country

Would want to travel with this virus seemingly getting worse world wide 

Would have thought a wait and see approach on how things progress in the coming weeks months ect 

[marko kok prong]

I can scarce believe my eyes,Tat telling people not to come here,whatever next.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Foreign tourists from so called ‘high risk’ countries have been asked to consider postponing their travel to Thailand as the country continues to try and contain the spread of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19

A door has two functions, one is to open, the other is to be closed!

[bkk6060]

6 minutes ago, shackleton said:

Surprised anyone no matter from what country

Would want to travel with this virus seemingly getting worse world wide 

Would have thought a wait and see approach on how things progress in the coming weeks months ect 

Actually, just the opposite for some.

If their country is impacted, they will want to get away from it.

Thailand still has low documented numbers.

There are still Chinese coming here. 

And many Koreans I recently saw in Chiang Mai.

 

So, if you were in a place that had very high risks, wouldn´t you want to go to a place that seemingly has less?

[Andycoops]

I find it difficult to understand why anyone would want to go to a country that lies about almost everything to save face.

[FarFlungFalang]

52 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

A door has two functions, one is to open, the other is to be closed!

They also have entry and exit functions.So that's four.

[nobodysfriend]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourists from ‘high risk’ countries asked to consider postponing travel to Thailand

That is a very gentle approach in times of a pandemic .

[ukrules]

Thailand is one of the very few places which has early infections and according to government numbers it's 100% under control despite 500,000 people coming here from infected areas including China in the early months.

 

Of course everyone wants to come here, they want to escape the virus because it's supposedly under control.

 

Once word gets around and people begin to notice this expect a massive increase of people coming to Thailand.

 

It's time to shut the door now because they will bring it with them when they come.

 

Having incredibly low numbers will be a magnet for anyone looking to escape the plague, it won't matter if the numbers are pure lies (as I suspect).

 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The statement also reminds people to ‘travel safely’ when travelling by frequently washing hands with soap and water and using an alcohol based hand gel, as well as wearing a face mask, avoiding contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms and avoiding crowded areas.

I'm going the extra mile... gargling with a single malt, hang the expense!

[FarFlungFalang]

Now Egypt and Iceland have overtaken Thailand on the infections list and are now 27th outside of China I predict they will soon have the least amount of infections in the world how "Amazing" is that?

[brucegoniners]

No idiots! You block travel from those countries. My dear god!

[Chelseafan]

So now Thailand are asking tourists NOT to come. I wish they would make up their minds...

 

I will begrudingly postpone my upcoming trip if they refund me the flight/hotel/car hire costs...

 

 

 

[Davo369]

9 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

I can scarce believe my eyes,Tat telling people not to come here,whatever next.

The corona virus is allergic to under the table back handers

[Boomer6969]

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

Having incredibly low numbers will be a magnet for anyone looking to escape the plague, it won't matter if the numbers are pure lies (as I suspect).

If you weren't already in Thailand you'd be the only one coming, as no one believes the "incredible" BS figures provided by the Thai authorities. The only reason for people coming for holidays now is that they made non refundable bookings before the outbreak started.

[ukrules]

41 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said:

If you weren't already in Thailand you'd be the only one coming, as no one believes the "incredible" BS figures provided by the Thai authorities. The only reason for people coming for holidays now is that they made non refundable bookings before the outbreak started.

It's amazing that you didn't detect a hint of sarcasm in my post, especially as I mentioned that I suspect the official numbers are pure lies.

[timendres]

11 hours ago, justin case said:

I wonder how many people in thailand have to leave every 90 days (or less) to reactivate the next 90 ...I have NO FREAKING CHOICE !!!

I did not even consider this issue. Certainly going to present a problem for quite a number of folks.

[Tayaout]

12 hours ago, Andycoops said:

I find it difficult to understand why anyone would want to go to a country that lies about almost everything to save face.

It's a feature! Hello hansum man! 

[saengd]

13 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Actually, just the opposite for some.

If their country is impacted, they will want to get away from it.

Thailand still has low documented numbers.

There are still Chinese coming here. 

And many Koreans I recently saw in Chiang Mai.

 

So, if you were in a place that had very high risks, wouldn´t you want to go to a place that seemingly has less?

I personally would not wish to travel back to the UK right now and am getting ready to throw away the return half of my ticket for early May, my garden is a much less risky place.

[Boomer6969]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

It's amazing that you didn't detect a hint of sarcasm in my post, especially as I mentioned that I suspect the official numbers are pure lies.

Maybe I shouldn't post at 3am..

[Bohemianfish]

My sister in law just called us from Khon Kaen minutes ago. A letter was sent out to everyone in the province that all international travelers must self-quarantine. Basically, they were told to report anyone who was out and about and appeared to be visiting internationally, Thai or otherwise. Wife is alarmed and wants to cancel our trip.

Haven't seen anything in the news and it takes days for a letter to arrive? I realize there are a few countries on a list that have been the focus of Thai authorities.

We are planning to cancel our trip there for April. Wife doesn't want to deal with the stress of what's going on and potential self-quarantine.

[madmen]

22 hours ago, justin case said:

I wonder how many people in thailand have to leave every 90 days (or less) to reactivate the next 90 ...I have NO FREAKING CHOICE !!!

what visa requires 90 day back to backs? 

[saengd]

Just now, madmen said:

what visa requires 90 day back to backs? 

The, I can't get a real one so I have to do border runs visa.

[NCC1701A]

25 minutes ago, Bohemianfish said:

My sister in law just called us from Khon Kaen minutes ago. A letter was sent out to everyone in the province that all international travelers must self-quarantine.

this is interesting. can you post a photo of the letter?