Expats believe Thailand is correct to keep its borders closed to foreign tourists

 

 

Expats say they think Thailand is doing the right thing by keeping its borders closed to foreign tourists, according to a straw poll conducted on the Thaivisa Facebook page.

 

The poll was carried out between 27 July - 3 August on more than 9,600 people to gauge their reactions to the ban on international arrivals, put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand. 

 

Respondents were asked: COVID-19: Do you think Thailand is correct to keep its borders closed to foreign tourists?

 

58% voted ‘yes’, while 42% voted ‘no’.

 

Opinions were mixed from those commenting on the poll.

 

Facebook user Brad James wrote: Unfortunately yes... looking at Europe..Spain has seen a spike in cases after tourism reopened & now borders (sic) with France and Portugal have been closed. The UK & other countries have stopped all but essential travel to Spain, no tourist travel. If Thailand can survive without the foreign tourists then they should keep their country safe.

 

As a foreigner, I would respect their choice though I wonder how many more people will lose their jobs. It would be their choice too. I respect it, wrote Nori Norihito

 

Adam Wysocki said the onus should be on the Thai government to help those in need: But the Thai Govt need to do a better job taking care of displaced Thai tourism workers who’ve lost their jobs!

 

Dan Goodwin questioned the amount of testing that has been carried out in Thailand: I’m sure if Thailand did the same amount of testing as other countries did their numbers would be much higher.

 

Mario De Clippelier said that despite being impacted by the closing of the borders, he was still in favour: Yes they are. See what's happening in Belgium right now : people returning from vacation and the second wave has started. I hate closing the borders becoz i should be in Thailand right.

 

Lars Larsen painted an altogether grimmer picture of the future: No, they’re waiting for a vaccine that may never come. Then what? Economy destroyed for nothing. The things following this are much more dangerous than (sic) the virus.

 

Bill Lawrence said: Yes, and I live in Hong Kong. I'd love to make my annual rainy season trip to Chiang Mai. But Thailand is doing the right thing.

 

Roy Martin: I would say for tourists and vacationers yes but for people who have family here let them come with proper testing and quarantine procedures

 

One of the comments that got the biggest reaction was from Ian Fitton, who wrote:

They have lost 58 lives due to (sic) the COVID 19 pandemic, destroyed their already depleting economy, made 8 million unemployed. 50/60 people die everyday on Thai roads but they do little or nothing to change this diedemic!!!

 

The news comes as officials in various sectors of the tourism industry continue to explore ways in which foreign tourists may be able to visit Thailand safely. 

 

Last week, the idea of Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi and Phuket being the first destinations to welcome tourists was mooted again. 

 

Officials had said previously that safe travel corridors could be established to the islands, with the idea being that a lockdown would be more straightforward in the event an outbreak should occur.

 

It is not known when Thailand will lift its ban on international arrivals, although it has begun lifting some of the restrictions put in place to stop foreigners from entering the country.

 

On Friday it was confirmed that Thailand Elite Card holders, some business people and those who come to Thailand for medical treatment will be able to enter the country.

 

Foreigners who hold permanent residency or work permits will also be able to enter but all must undergo 14 day quarantine.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-08-04

 

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More desparate women for them that's why.

Same as asking prisoners if the would like to be released or try a poll of would you like to see your family's this year or next if your in the wrong place????  

I'm on board. Nail that door shut!

Some expats think the borders should be shut until there is a vaccine for death.

Some also think the world is flat.

47 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

More desparate women for them that's why.

Great isn't it and along with desperation comes reduced prices !!

2 hours ago, webfact said:

9,600 people

oh pls my  sides , and a 56-42  vote  , oh  yes overwhelmingly  splitting.

Now if  yous  shown it 78-22 your title  would  have made  sense.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand Elite Card holders

oh yes  the  card  that makes your  life  easier????

1 hour ago, Don Mega said:

Great isn't it and along with desperation comes reduced prices !!

 

I sure think so. It's working, don't mess with it.

 

But I do feel horrible for the people who have lost their jobs, especially in the tourist trade.

 

With that said, Pattaya is delightful these days!

2 hours ago, SidJames said:

Some expats think the borders should be shut until there is a vaccine for death.

Some also think the world is flat.

The world's not flat, I'll be damned.

Seeing as it's most likely going to be hordes of Chinese that come once the borders are open, I vote to keep them shut too. The last thing we need is tourists bringing in C19 and another lockdown.

 

Besides, tourism is only 12% of GDP so it won't really be missed ????. 

2 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

The world's not flat, I'll be damned.

It is sort of but has radiused corners on the edges.

Just now, JonnyF said:

Seeing as it's most likely going to be hordes of Chinese that come once the borders are open, I vote to keep them shut too. The last thing we need is tourists bringing in C19 and another lockdown.

 

Besides, tourism is only 12% of GDP so it won't really be missed ????. 

I don't mind the Chines coming its the damn tourist buses that bring them.

Those who are retired and only care about themselfs and the monthly allowance coming in are sure happy with the status quo at least until the amount gets reduced by their goverments or the inflation rises. Those running a business sure are not happy as the economy is in bits.

Just now, Shuya said:

Those who are retired and only care about themselfs and the monthly allowance coming in are sure happy with the status quo at least until the amount gets reduced by their goverments or the inflation rises. Those running a business sure are not happy as the economy is in bits.

Business here is going gang busters, daily we are hiring new staff to keep up with demand.

4 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

I don't mind the Chines coming its the damn tourist buses that bring them.

Join them for lunch at a seafood restaurant, or queue up amidst them at 711, then get back to me.

Easy math, most foreigners is above 55 - 60? And many of those is in the risk zone, why say yes to something that might kill you, or give you health problems without any indurance cover? 

 

Im hopefully not in the risk zone, not invested in Thailand still say or think the borders should be closed for now.

Like it matters much what farangs think or want in this country...

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Join them for lunch at a seafood restaurant, or queue up amidst them at 711, then get back to me.

I don't do seafood restaurants (disgusting <deleted> it is) and rarely go to a 7/11 so it may be a while before I get back to you.

3 minutes ago, Shuya said:

Those who are retired and only care about themselfs and the monthly allowance coming in are sure happy with the status quo at least until the amount gets reduced by their goverments or the inflation rises. Those running a business sure are not happy as the economy is in bits.

My businesses have been relatively unaffected except during the month of April during lockdown. 

 

Guess I am lucky we have nothing to do with tourism. 

 

That being said I am expecting a knock on effect eventually, no business will immune to the looming global economic disaster. 

3 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

More desparate women for them that's why.

And that was all you could say about Thailand. Good on you!

44 minutes ago, brucegoniners said:

 

But I do feel horrible for the people who have lost their jobs, especially in the tourist trade.

 

Nice guy.

 

 

2 hours ago, Don Mega said:

Great isn't it and along with desperation comes reduced prices !!

Ugly guy.

I would think that the expats who took this poll are not the ones on Non O visa who depend on the boarders being open to stay in Thailand.

I traveled around the Eastern Coast over the last month and it was amazing. I love Thailand right now for personal reasons, mainly deserted beaches. However, I know a lot of people that need the money and I think they should reopen. I don't personally believe that covid is any worse than SARS or H1N1 which we were cognizant of, but not hysterical. Furthermore, I think that once covid dies down in the rest of the world the people left in Thailand will not have a proper immune response when they do reopen and a vaccine may or may not be reliable.

Headed back to Phuket. unless they do open up then Suvarnabhumi will continue to look like this at 8 am. Even the Bangkok Airways lounge which is open and serving your in air meal to you is empty.

Thailand has been very fortunate, to date!  Until there is a widely available vaccine, there should not be any tourism anywhere in the world.  Asking Thais to give up their grandparents for the sake of tourism is not really an option.  My children in Texas (USA) are in fear every day!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Expats believe Thailand is correct to keep its borders closed to foreign tourists

I believe that at the moment keeping the borders closed is a good thing, judging by the infection rates of Thais returning from other countries opening up of the tourism industry would be a very bad day and start this whole fiasco again.

I don't use faceTROLL

I think the Farangs who Are involved in the Bars Hotel restaurant business are the ones who need the Tourists mainly Western to come vack as soon as possible

In reality this us not going to happen this year and proberly early bect year

At best unless a cure for 5ge Cori