100 billion baht rescue package for Thai tourism mooted - foreign tourists wanted before year's end

[TKDfella]

Oh gee, not another 'idea to save tourism'. Haven't these people got anything better to do? Practically the whole world is struggling under the strain of Covid 19 and they think they can pile up ideas to bring tourists to Thailand. It just shows that that have little or no idea on what's going on outside their own domain and they most definitely don't understand it.

[DrTuner]

1 hour ago, iaminwa said:

Exactly mate - I am the same, Elite Visa, working out of Thailand, and not worth the hassle to try and go their on my time off, and then try and get back to my country and back to work afterwards - I hate to say it, but looking like 2021 before I feel I can get back there.

I'm on the opposite side, also with TE - I want to go out to scout for a place to move to, but don't want the hassle when coming back to family. 2021 or very late in 2020, I suppose. Everything seems to be on pause right now.

[Jaspermiller922]

Who the hell is going to come to Thailand on holiday and spend it in quarantine?

What an idiot in fact he makes idiots look intelligent 

[ChipButty]

Right now it's not looking good

[natway09]

The US, ???? Has this guy lost his marbles along with his commission ?

[johng]

18 minutes ago, shy coconut said:

Thai tourist association ever labeled foreigners as dirty.

As far as I know no one at TAT ,  but someone else in the "government" did.

[hashmodha]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

This is the third time i have posted this, but it is still quite relevant.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

The question is; is anyone listening? Or are public officials just spewing nonsense to get their name in the paper?

 

I've given you an outline on what and how to do it; can you take it from here?

 

 

 

This is one of the most sensible posting here I have ever read on Thai Visa platform!My Compliments,it really should be sent to Bank of Thailand,TAT and other governing bodies,

 

Here is breaking news about long term travels,

FRIDAY 07TH AUGUST 2020

Published on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 

IATA says air travel won't recover until 2024

 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) remains highly pessimistic about a speedy recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.


In an update on the state of the industry, IATA cut their coronavirus recovery forecast, and now says it will likely be 2024 before passenger traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels.


That is a year longer than previously forecasted.


It cites slow progress to contain the virus in the United States and major uncertainty over the future of corporate travel.


It also said 2020 passenger traffic will decline by about 55%.


"The second half of this year will see a slower recovery than we'd hoped," IATA Chief Economist Brian Pearce said.


Business travel will possibly never fully recover.


"It will remain to be seen whether we see a recovery to pre-crisis business travel patterns. Our concern is that we won't," Pearce said.


IATA also points to relatively weak consumer confidence for leisure travel due to job security concerns and rising unemployment, as well as a general anxiety about travel.


"What improvement we have seen has been domestic flying. International markets remain largely closed. Consumer confidence is depressed and not helped by the UK's weekend decision to impose a blanket quarantine on all travelers returning from Spain. All of this point to a longer recovery period," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

There is more serious news coming in but not necessary to put up here!

[rct99q]

In Canada as soon as some of the tighter restrictions were lifted people were pouring into malls, restaurants, beaches, and tourist spots.

In Calgary I popped into one of the larger malls as it had a testing centre (covid19) and it was like Christmas. 

Stores (larger ones) were allowing 50 people at a time and they had people waiting in long lines.

Canmore a popular tourist spot near Banff on one of its first weekends after a phase 2 reopening had nearly 2,000 visitors. 

Places in the Okanagan region of BC see close to 100% occupancy on weekends.

I have no doubt that if the Thai Government allowed a limited number of scheduled commercial flights from certain regions, those flights would be full. Say they allowed 2-3000 visitors a day people would be here. Even with needing to quarantine and limited to where they could go. 

Mexico, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, parts of the US, will always have people wanting to visit. The second some of the world wide restrictions are lifted people will be packed on planes. 

I am sure some people might find it hard to believe but there are enough people around the world who wouldnt find spending $1000 and up on a quarantine hotel and losing two weeks as a hardship. I have met plenty of 30baht a day backpackers here in Thailand who given the chance would certainly come back. Sex pests, Hi-So's, drug addicts, Students, Vloggers, Medical Tourists, the pot is endless.

 

 

[JTXR]

I can understand that those involved in Thai tourism are in trouble and even desperate, and maybe it's inevitable that they keep coming up with various ideas and casting about for possible solutions, but it's better to be ruthlessly realistic in planning.

 

The original post says only those from countries deemed to have the virus under control would be eligible, and then it says the U.S. is included.  That's nuts.  The U.S. most definitely does not have the virus under control.  I'm an American living in Thailand and I don't even want tourists arriving from America.

 

Thai tourism officials need to understand that tourists simply aren't going to come in significant numbers if the first 14 days of their stay needs to be in an overpriced quarantine hotel.  They need to understand that mass tourism is only coming back after there's a vaccine.  They need to plan based on that understanding.

[Anna Rak]

British Home office remove quarantine restrictions for Malaysia and Brunei.

 

There are many great beaches and holiday spots on the East coast of Malaysia, so to try and get some sort of far east holiday this year that will be a last minute destination for me, my Thai wife and our children for our 3 weeks vacation.

 

So Thailand has lost my annual 200,000 Thai baht spend, I know in the great scheme of things it's a small amount but as they say every little helps. 

[Aussie Col]

5 hours ago, rvaviator said:

i am sure they would get some uptake on a 14 day 'lock up' + 3 month tourist visa ...... Show travel insurance which would cover C-19. + return ticket.

Seeing as you have to jump through hoops before to get a 3 month visa and it takes for ever and day to get one i don't think it will happen

People don't want to spend 2 weeks in a overpriced hotel for the start of their holiday. 

I get the covid-19 cover, but to expect men married to Thai ladies to spend any time in a overpriced hotel they are diluted. Perhaps it might be an idea to let these married men quaratine in their own homes. Just saying

[tandor]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

this is sound like a PR stunt and for public consumption to show that the are still relevant and justify their positions and big salaries where many airlines are not predicting things to go back to normal anytime soon but that will not those talking heads from dreaming big...

..so cheap beach umbrella hire, no dual pricing, jet-skis without hidden damage, bungy cords and parasails that stay secured..wow! it indeed sounds like La-la Land.

[tribalfusion001]

The numbers coming with this strategy are going to be very small, mass long haul tourism will take years to recover. In that time people will find nearer places to go and maybe not come back.

[soalbundy]

Every 20th tourist gets a free holiday paid by the state.

[sead]

So I guess US have the virus under control rofl

[hottrader77]

5 hours ago, colinneil said:

Dream on Suphawan, cloud cuckoo land is where your at, time to start being realistic, severe restrictions, you plonker, who in their right minds would come here and put up with that?

Its thai mentality treat tourists like <deleted> and they will still come back for more <deleted> , oh also he forgot to say the isolation for 14 days costs 100,000 baht entrance to thailand fee , thats why i just renewed my retirement visa so i dont have to pay it when i go back uk which wont be until march next year after most of winter is over and 2nd wave has had its fun in uk and also might be a vaccine by then and work money well spent girls girls girls here is come 

[GAZZPA]

5 hours ago, NE1 said:

 

Have Europe and the countries mentioned got Covid under control now ?

Did i miss something ?

absolutely not,,, there are signs of a second wave across Europe, particularly Spain and the UK. Typically stupid Thai authorities living with their heads deep in the sand.. i fear for Thailand.. Dangerous when so many people get desperate because they cannot pay the rent and put food on the table.

[kingstonkid]

My bquestion to all these requests is where do they think the money comes from or do they still believe in the famous money tree that the government has hidden.

 

 I know this may not be a popular idea but personally I think the governemtn should prioritize where to help and not spend money on things like tourism that they can not help.

 

The ROI on a lot of things that Thais do is not good especially tourism with everything that is going on in the world.

 

Smart governments are going to let the economy get bad people will be out of work but the country will not be in total debt.

 

I can at the end of this roller coaster see a lot of countries going through the same pains that Greece did because they have printed too much money and it has become worthless.

 

The problem is that all the countries that would normally bail them out will not be that stable either.

[Percy P]

5 hours ago, darksidedog said:

And they actually think that tourists in their droves are going to put up with that? Replace this idiot with an intellectually superior  packet of peanuts and lets all move forward with reality.

Well what's your suggestion.What do you have in mind.

[Aussie Col]

3 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I don't see any evidence of that likely to be the case in Thailand.

 

Most of the "visitors" who come here come here in part because they dislike/want to avoid all the rules and regulations they may have back home.  They're not exactly the toe the line types, in general.

 

And returning Thais certainly didn't honor the self isolation rules back before the mandatory quarantine came into effect...  It was out the door and party soon after arriving.

 

 

Exactly. Even for a 3 month stay people won't want to spend 2 weeks in a overpriced hotel and in the meantime Farangs are looking to book their Christmas and new year holidays in their home countries unless Thailand makes it easier for them to come here.

This coming Christmas and New Year Thailand is going to lose out on 10's of millions of tourists money. that is a hell of a lot of money and jobs lost.

[WhatsNext]

Thailand, every 2 hours a new plan from some idle government official that wants his 15 minutes of fame.

Why do we even bother to react ? There will be a new more illogical plan within the next 14 hours. A have a few for free :

 

1) In November start with all the foreigners that have a last name starting to A-F

2) Flood Pattaya so that it will be an island and the virus will stay there, everyone welcome

3) Koh Chang for Indians only if they bring soap for their soapy massage

4) Chinese group tours will go to the newly build little Thailand theme park in Cambodia 

5) Reopen only the airport, you can't get out but at least you have been in Thailand

 

[mickymouse1]

USA & UK ?

DREAMING OF £&$ only.

Do you really believe that I will go to Thailand for a holiday and accept to submit to a quarantine period?

Who is going to accept spending their holiday stuck in a room or being told to go here and not there...movement restriction in force....????????????????????

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Under this plan only those from countries deemed to have the virus under control would be allowed entry and they would then be subject to quarantine and severe restrictions on where they are allowed to go.

So, welcome tourists from New Zealand, where you can enjoy quarantine and severe restrictions for your holiday of a lifetime.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Countries that would be eligible were China, Taiwan, the US and those in Europe, reported TPBS. 

What? What? Some of the worst affected places on the planet? Really? They have the virus under control?

[Aussie Col]

30 minutes ago, Anna Rak said:

British Home office remove quarantine restrictions for Malaysia and Brunei.

 

There are many great beaches and holiday spots on the East coast of Malaysia, so to try and get some sort of far east holiday this year that will be a last minute destination for me, my Thai wife and our children for our 3 weeks vacation.

 

So Thailand has lost my annual 200,000 Thai baht spend, I know in the great scheme of things it's a small amount but as they say every little helps. 

I suspect that tourists that once used to come to Thailand for their winter holidays will now holiday elsewhere where they are welcome. Thailand is going to take a huge financial hit over the next 6 months which will it many many years to recover from and in the meantime unemployment soars.

[whitfield]

Covid test within 72 hrs of departure.  Covid test on arrival, tourist must stay in one pre-designated hotel/resort/address for 7 days.  Stay in hotel until result of arrival test is known which should be within 24 hrs.  It doesn't completely eliminate risk but it does massively mitigate it and is also compatible with an enjoyable holiday.

[thailand49]

Take that 100 billion, and designate locations just off the airport and put up medical tents and have all the medical needs in place for those who need to be quarantine once off the plane if tested positive and supply the necessary utilities under contract with food carts temporary 7/11 to be station where those quarantine can purchased food and necessary items.

 

Take the status most heavily traveled plus the outbreak numbers from each province and based on ratio set up medical tents in those areas for those who need or want to be tested later, quarantine and treated. Be the first instead of following, copying to lead that will bring in your tourist.

 

Be the first!  just open the damn place up meantime get ready if not now it will be later you got no choice really in the matter, the outbreak is coming you can keep up the smoke and mirrors or just be realistic and go for broke when you do at less you be ready!????????

 

You can't stop the second wave even when the vaccine is in place meantime you can generate income for the country and get people back to work. Oh forget all the talk about doing away with duel pricing that includes charging tourist double for the service when the outbreak comes the locals will need the medical attention also you can't live in a bubble those who like this Thai official lives in a financial bubble he works for the government his and their whole lives he hasn't felt the pain like 90% of Thai cut off all these guys paycheck you will hear a different tune this is no difference than Dr. Faci! 

 

 

[BigC]

I reckon   Chinese should  pay double considering they started  all this.just my morals I won't be accept Chinese customers based on principle 

 

If any country deserves to be part of the 2 or 3 tier pricing system it is china

 

Be their country ve under control  or not

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

23 minutes ago, mickymouse1 said:

USA & UK ?

DREAMING OF £&$ only.

Do you really believe that I will go to Thailand for a holiday and accept to submit to a quarantine period?

Who is going to accept spending their holiday stuck in a room or being told to go here and not there...movement restriction in force....????????????????????

 

Of course it doesn't work for short-time holiday makers...

 

But if I was looking to come for the season and stay 3-4 months, I don't think an upfront two-week quarantine is so outrageous under the circumstances.  And, the ASQ hotel prices in reality aren't necessarily that far beyond normal prices, when you consider the required testing and monitoring.

 

50,000b packages for 14 days works out to about 3750b per night.  But that includes the required COVID checks and tests, and some level of meal service in most of the packages I've seen.

 

 

[VBF]

5 hours ago, steven100 said:

your post is too long so i stopped after the second sentence .... I have to be at the doctors at 1.30pm  

Or maybe your attention span is too short????   Just wonderin' ????

[VBF]

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Of course it doesn't work for short-time holiday makers...

 

But if I was looking to come for the season and stay 3-4 months, I don't think an upfront two-week quarantine is so outrageous under the circumstances.  And, the ASQ hotel prices in reality aren't necessarily that far beyond normal prices, when you consider the required testing and monitoring.

 

50,000b packages for 14 days work out to about 3750b per night.  But that includes the required COVID checks and tests, and some level of meal service in most of the packages I've seen.

 

 

Still 3 X the price of my usual hotel in Pattaya (and it IS a decent place with good aircon WiFi, pool) I've been known to stay there for 3 months which of course attracts a good rate reduction.

Eating all your meals in the hotel when on holiday?

Don't think so. ????