Plans to open Thailand further to tourism - 40,000 foreign returnees have arrived since July

[rooster59]

Plans to open Thailand further to tourism - 40,000 foreign returnees have arrived since July

 

 

A foreign ministry spokesman has announced figures for the number of Thais and foreigners who have returned to Thailand since the pandemic broke out. 

 

And now the foreign minister himself is indicating that westerners may be allowed to charter planes and quarantine at resorts in tourist areas. Whether this marks a shift in current arrangements remains unclear as CCSA (Covid-19 committee) approval remains a hurdle.

 

But both Thai Rath and Daily News intimated that Thailand was about to open more widely to a broader spectrum of foreigners, not just mostly Chinese travellers on special tourist visas. 

 

FM spokesman Thanee Saengrat said that from July 9th to 24th November the ministry had issued Certificates of Entry (CoE)  to 40,401 foreigners. 

 

Of these the most were Chinese at 7,116 followed by 5472 Japanese, 3279 Americans, 2640 British and 2169 South Koreans.

 

He said that the three most prevalent categories for these were 1) Work permit holders or those with a right to work and those married or with children 2) spouses or children of Thais and 3) School or college students and their parents.

 

Regarding Thai returnees Thanee said that in the period June 4th to 25th November 128,103 Thais had been assisted by the FM in returning home. Of these 97,396 had returned by air, 28,700 by land and 2,007 by sea. This process was continuing as was the repatriation of foreigners. 

 

In December 6,951 Thais were due to return (data from November 16th).

 

The top ten countries from which Thais had returned were as follows: 1. Malaysia, US, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, UK, Sweden, Germany, Australia and India. 

 

Thai Rath reported that 711 foreigners had arrived on the STV, special tourist visa that permits long stay that can be extended up to 270 days.

 

Both media reported that Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai was in favor of opening the country further to all foreign tourists.

 

The suggestion was that westerners would be allowed to charter planes to fly in and quarantine in tourist areas.

This would be subject to CCSA approval, said the spokesman on behalf of the minister.

 

How this would differ from current arrangements was not clearly articulated, notes Thaivisa.

 

Sources: Thai Rath and Daily News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-11-28

 

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[Thaiwrath]

5 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

westerners may be allowed to charter planes and quarantine at resorts in tourist areas

 

They just don't get it that this AIN'T going to happen on a wide scale, if at all !

[AmySeeker]

Out of the 40,000 that have returned - how many tested positive in quarantine ? The hospitals are making some big money. 

[NCC1701A]

I'm planning on buying a Lamborghini with $200. 

[Traubert]

14 minutes ago, AmySeeker said:

Out of the 40,000 that have returned - how many tested positive in quarantine ? The hospitals are making some big money. 

And earning every penny.

[AmySeeker]

19 minutes ago, Traubert said:

And earning every penny.

 

Depends. If someone is asymptomatic, there is very little to do. But i'm sure they are still rinising that 100,000 US DOLLAR INSURANCE. 

 

Of course i have nothing to back up this claim, haha

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

He said that the three most prevalent categories for these were 1) Work permit holders or those with a right to work and those married or with children 2) spouses or children of Thais and 3) School or college students and their parents.

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

The suggestion was that westerners would be allowed to charter planes to fly in and quarantine in tourist areas.

This would be subject to CCSA approval, said the spokesman on behalf of the minister.

So the majority of people who have returned actually belonged here, and are not true tourists.  When will these government dimwits quit touting that they are tourists.  Nothing has changed and there has been no true tourism from an international point in 8 months.  The only travel has been domestic.  They sure wanted the Chinese to come en-mass and hyped it up, but it was a non-starter.  The ones they claimed were tourists from China were anything but.

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

But both Thai Rath and Daily News intimated that Thailand was about to open more widely to a broader spectrum of foreigners, not just mostly Chinese travelers on special tourist visas. 

Those that returned on the STV more than likely live here for half of the year like the snowbirds I know that have come back.  However, they hated the 14 day quarantine, and only went through it so they could get to there homes they have here.  

 

These daily articles are just an eyesore, and only wishful speculation and hopefulness that the country of Thailand is not forgotten as a tourist destination.

[sweetserenity]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Both media reported that Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai was in favor of opening the country further to all foreign tourists.

Without vaccination being a requirement? 

[Misterwhisper]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Chinese at 7,116 followed by 5472 Japanese, 3279 Americans, 2640 British and 2169 South Koreans.

And 1 German.

And 1/2 a Dutch (a Belgian hailing from Flanders, actually).

[ThailandRyan]

You forgot my buddy's dog he repatriated with him, he is Belgian, a Malinous, so your half Dutch just made it to a full 1.

[Wiggy]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

So the majority of people who have returned actually belonged here, and are not true tourists.

This is a valid point. Last year they claimed 40m tourists. I left and re-entered the country five times, so was I five tourists? 

[LawrenceN]

"the three most prevalent categories for these were 1) Work permit holders or those with a right to work and those married or with children 2) spouses or children of Thais and 3) School or college students and their parents."

 

Why do they continually conflate tourism with expats? None of the three categories above are tourists. The Immigration police would be taking a huge step forward if they would try to understand that we're not all "tourists." Fewer people would abuse tourist visas if Immigration would recognize the diverse reasons for us being here. 

[tonysilly]

Chinese people are not real tourist. Just buffet lovers! 

[ourmanflint]

Quote

Of these the most were Chinese at 7,116 followed by 5472 Japanese, 3279 Americans, 2640 British and 2169 South Koreans.

I wonder what the Japanese expat forums bitch about? Anybody know what they are called?

[Thaifly88]

1 hour ago, Wiggy said:

This is a valid point. Last year they claimed 40m tourists. I left and re-entered the country five times, so was I five tourists? 

Yes, you would have been the equivalent of 5 tourists according to the statistics, but this type of travel is not typical, so what’s your point ?

[Misterwhisper]

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

You forgot my buddy's dog he repatriated with him, he is Belgian, a Malinous, so your half Dutch just made it to a full 1.

Let's compromise and settle for 3/4.

[Justgrazing]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

The suggestion was that westerners would be allowed to charter planes to fly in

 

Bit iffy that .. never heard what happened to the jet full of Chinese investors that was coming in weeks ago ..  

[Misterwhisper]

1 hour ago, Wiggy said:

This is a valid point. Last year they claimed 40m tourists. I left and re-entered the country five times, so was I five tourists? 

Yes, you were.

I was 9 tourists.

And a buddy of mine who travels practically every week for business was around 46 tourists (he took a break from traveling occasionally).

 

We all should've received some sort of gratification for being such avid Thailand visitors, e.g. a free 2 nights in a nice hotel or similar.

[bluesofa]

6 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

Bit iffy that .. never heard what happened to the jet full of Chinese investors that was coming in weeks ago ..  

They're probably busy trying their money back for the trip.

[steve73]

40 million foreign "visitors" last year equates to around 110,000 per day... And this year there's been just 40,000 since July, or what would normally arrive in less than 9 hours....  Nothing to crow about..

 

I hope they keep the numbers low until the country can adequately protect its residents, and if this means mandatory vaccinations for ALL arrivals then so be it.

 

Thailand had done extremely well in preventing the spread of Covid, and I just hope they can keep it up in what is hopefully the final stages.  I'm not expecting (or hoping) 2021 to be much busier than this year.

 

 

[Dario]

Where does the government take this 40'000 foreigners figure from? I don't believe one word. Until now they said that people from abroad "trickle" in.

[cheapcanuck]

2 hours ago, Wiggy said:

This is a valid point. Last year they claimed 40m tourists. I left and re-entered the country five times, so was I five tourists? 

Yes

[chilly07]

Still repatriating Thai nationals without covid tests before flying? They need to apply the same rules as for foreigners then they wouldn't keep finding so many Thais with covid in Quarantine. 

[TKDfella]

The next thing we'll hear is that birds and other animals are beginning to migrate back to Thailand saying that it is a good sign of tourism. Yeah, what these guys keep spouting is just as ridiculous of what I just wrote.????.

[ronaldo0]

Might have issued COE certificates but doesn’t mean people went through with it all . I bet a lot have done parts of it and though na will wait a few months to see if it changes . 

[paulikens]

57 minutes ago, steve73 said:

40 million foreign "visitors" last year equates to around 110,000 per day... And this year there's been just 40,000 since July, or what would normally arrive in less than 9 hours....  Nothing to crow about..

 

I hope they keep the numbers low until the country can adequately protect its residents, and if this means mandatory vaccinations for ALL arrivals then so be it.

 

Thailand had done extremely well in preventing the spread of Covid, and I just hope they can keep it up in what is hopefully the final stages.  I'm not expecting (or hoping) 2021 to be much busier than this year.

 

 

@steve73 glad its all working out for you.

[taxin]

5 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

 

So the majority of people who have returned actually belonged here, and are not true tourists.  When will these government dimwits quit touting that they are tourists. 

The answer is never. The Thai authorities are not touting foreigners living here as holiday makers, which is what the majority of the world would describe as a tourist, they have simply not come up with a word yet that can broadly describe a non Thai.
 

They can’t use the term “farang” as Asians (Chinese, Koreans etc) are not regarded as farangs, it’s also a racist term and would be frowned upon.

 

Although often used they also can’t use the word “aliens” as this would imply we are from another planet.

 

We all need to accept in the eyes of the Thai authorities there are 2 types of people living in Thailand, Thais and tourists. Tourist = non Thai.

[khunjeff]

6 minutes ago, taxin said:

The Thai authorities are not touting foreigners living here as holiday makers, which is what the majority of the world would describe as a tourist, they have simply not come up with a word yet that can broadly describe a non Thai.

 

Yes, they have - it's "foreigner".

[Benmart]

6 hours ago, Traubert said:

And earning every penny.

As for who earns what, how and why is beyond my capability. I have, however, read various articles concerning overcharging, double-pricing and other scams by hospitals hereabouts, written by the Thai and foreign media as well.

[ExpatOne]

Local case in Chiang Mai from someone who skipped quarantine and they are expecting to open things up and be able to handle it.