ATTA chief outlines why Thailand should scrap quarantine: Europeans could benefit too

[webfact]

ATTA chief outlines why Thailand should scrap quarantine: Europeans could benefit too

 

Picture: The Standard

 

Thai media The Standard interviewed the chief of the Association of Thai Travel Agents after he was reported as pressing the Thai government to scrap quarantine for low risk country tourists come the end of the year. 

 

Wichit Prakopkosan said that visitors from countries like Thailand that have had the virus under control for 60 days or more should be allowed to come without the need for quarantine. 

 

He said this referred to people from many areas of mainland China, Taiwan and some parts of Europe. 

 

The essential parts of his argument were as follows:

 

* Tourism in Thailand has been completely devastated because of the lack of foreign tourists

 

* The number of foreign tourists has gone from 40 million a year to effectively zero

 

* Now was an appropriate time to open up to nationals from safe countries

 

* If that is not done even more tourist businesses are going to go to the wall

 

* Tourists from low-risk countries would not be infected and it would be safe to allow them in

 

* This could be accomplished with some practical control measures to guard against spread of the virus

 

But perhaps most pertinent of his points was this assessment:

 

He acknowledged that the STV (special tourist visa - a scheme promoted by tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprkarn and TAT chief Yutthasak Suphasorn) was a reasonable start but it was only a start, only a testing of the water.

 

Most revenue from tourism comes from people who come for seven days or less and having a 14 day quarantine is pointless and not going to revive the tourism sector in any substantial way at all. 

 

So he has urged the Thai government to ditch quarantine entirely by December for less risky groups. 

 

Source: The Standard

 

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[Sharp]

Totally agree! END OFF

[aussiexpat]

So TV/webfact just repeating the same story they released 5 hours before...must be a slow news day lol

[LeamchabangLarry]

Are you <deleted> kidding me?  Is this guy a sociopath?

[damascase]

43 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

So TV/webfact just repeating the same story they released 5 hours before...must be a slow news day lol

True! But they are now leaving out that is guy meant the tourist must travel in groups, access only to certain areas, and must be traced.... Ohhh, I can’t wait to get there!

[Flying Saucage]

Best statement published in the Thai media for a long time. Hope his associates in the elite are strong enough to counter the egoistic isolation policies of these Chinese-paid generals in the government. 

[alianware]

At least somebody from ATTA talks with brain.

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Pretty much anyone I know who visits Thailand regularly (and spends money there) - including me - can't wait for them to open to tourists, however any sort of quarantine is a complete deal breaker - people have jobs and limited time off.

 

I'd agree to plenty - tests before and after the flight, 1 day quarantine waiting for test results, hell I'd even agree to a pre-flight quarantine in my own country if it can be arranged - but a quarantine in Thailand is just impossible. The difference is that I can work from quarantine in my home country, but at least in my company they won't let me work from a different country. I highly doubt Thailand would do something like this - but if they did offer people a scheme where they can quarantine in their own country before visiting Thailand they will get some takers.

[Don Chance]

Presumably Thailand has not gone through the first wave yet which means a lot of vulnerable people will get sick and die. Even with the strict quarantine i suspect there maybe an outbreak, ending this opening up for tourist idea.

There are risk for travelers getting covid in Thailand, they may not have any experience in treating the disease. There maybe a big lock down and tourists are stuck in their rooms for weeks.

[Rockhound]

Thailand went through the "first wave" early this year before the panic hit the west.  There was no need for it to close down at all.  By the time they locked down it was over.  

[BestB]

Do not know why so many of you praising him when he clearly wants and targets China and “some” European countries but main target is Chinese.

 

 

[rupert the bear]

the economy is shot.end of story.must have tourist money.theres more than a sniff of the masses are revolting  and the great entitled feudal scam maybe approaching its last days.they can call out the troops again and massacre thousands in the old true tried and trusted formula and of course Xi will thumbs up that one,ASEAN too but.....social media, cameras on phone .nope they wont get away with it so...s korea japan taiwan west will leave  aghh more probs!and the sing an swiss accs aghhh they might freeze em.this is the bigger picture,can dumbo control see it ,ummm good question.give the unemployed and needy some of the loot.youve zillions and none of its yours.no so pay the price,short cut -sweep em some more crumbs off the table. tourist dollars.the trickle down effect well theyve been trickled on for decades so trickle on em some more!!asia can come and some of europe,anyone really so long as theyve tested negative.wakey wakey you old feudal fascists you

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

quarantine in their own country before visiting Thailand

And then what? put them in capsules and ship them to Thailand?

[craigieboy1973]

9 hours ago, alianware said:

At least somebody from ATTA talks with brain.

Not only atta but Thailand 

[yellowboat]

I just cannot  help but remember when cha cha usurped power and tightened immigration.  I feel sorry for the average Thai, as tourism is one of the few things he can actually participate in, but not for the junta.   Not having a middle class hurts.  

[TonyR101]

Thailand does need its tourists back in the country, not only from select regions but from all over the world. I might be a dreamer but my suggestion would be -

 

1, Re-start scheduled international air flights into Suvarnabhumi Airport on a limited basis enabling Thai Immigration to handle the flow without undue airport crowding.

2. COVID test all arriving passengers and extend the arrival card to include more details of each passenger's programme in Thailand, prior to passport control.

3. Provide a lockable security tracking bracelet for each arriving passenger, collecting data similar to what we currently have on our Smart Phones, for a period of 14 to 20 days after arrival.

4. Advise passengers of hefty penalties for any avoidance of current health protection rules, and increase the strength of tourist police to make random passport checks, and assist tourists in keeping to the rules.  

 

The costs of tourist testing and hire of tracking bracelets, would be charged as a fee/deposit on arrival.

[Misterwhisper]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Most revenue from tourism comes from people who come for seven days or less and having a 14 day quarantine is pointless and not going to revive the tourism sector in any substantial way at all. 

The most reasonable argument I've heard in weeks. Someone is using their brain... which I can't say for all these other dunces that keep conjuring up the most insane schemes touted as miracle cures to save Thai tourism.

 

How about Mr. Wichit to helm TAT or even being appointed tourism and sports minister instead of political cronies whose only expertise is in the field of kissing a**? 

[chiman]

Hope Thailand is careful in regards to opening...

[anchadian]

* Tourists from low-risk countries would not be infected and it would be safe to allow them in

_______________________________________________________

 

That's guaranteed then?

[Cadan]

First time someone thinks clear... be difficult to convince the herd but it’s worth a try...

[terryw]

Why do they never talk about an air corridor with Vietnam? Since the Da Nang outbreak Vietnam has now gone 30 days covid free.

[Mickeem]

1 hour ago, BestB said:

Do not know why so many of you praising him when he clearly wants and targets China and “some” European countries but main target is Chinese.

 

 

Hit it right on the button there

 

[Enzian]

Speaking for myself (and a little for the out of work Thai female I'm currently supporting) I'm not so sure I want anything to change. It's such a pleasure to walk down Sukhumvit soi 11 at 8 on a Saturday night with few people and fewer vehicles. If this is ever over we'll look back on these moments as a bit of dream-like paradise never to be seen again. And I know I'm being totally unrealistic.

[pathologix]

Because the president of the ATTA has a secret epidemiology degree? Because reopening without quarantine has gone great for other tourism-dependent destinations and businesses? (Went great for cruises!)

 

All the actual evidence points toward a non-quarantine reopening being terrible for the long-term recovery of the tourism sector and the larger economy. Last thing Thailand needs is imported COVID getting into its factories, shutting down the true economic engine of the country. 

[Jiggo]

* Now was an appropriate time to open up to nationals from safe countries

 

What safe country's, oh yer Thailand, head in sand comes to mind lol

[Jiggo]

48 minutes ago, terryw said:

Why do they never talk about an air corridor with Vietnam? Since the Da Nang outbreak Vietnam has now gone 30 days covid free.

28 cases last month, of course that's recorded, may be a lot more up the Delta. 

[digger70]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

ATTA chief outlines why Thailand should scrap quarantine: Europeans could benefit too

Yea scrap everything and open the country. 

If it goes pear shape like Tourist infecting Thais And Thais infecting Tourists so be it just close the borders up Again.

 

[Dialemco]

Maybe better wait as looks like will be prepared to open up without any restrictions in the end which is too dangerous as the viras is very much alive and kicking. With such procrastination end of year international tourism is probably already lost

[NorthernRyland]

100% of tourism is going to come from China for the upcoming high season. I think we can all see that coming now.

[thairookie]

The Thai health professionals and academics must come together and verify the official figures released by the Chinese government, and explain on what basis the information released is to be believed, when most other countries believe the Chinese government is cooking up (or down) the numbers infected.

 

The Chinese tourists should be banned not just in Thailand but also on all International flights.