Thai authorities admit "Billion Baht" quarantine has been massive cash cow for economy

 

Image: Bangkok Biz News

 

The head of Thailand's Health Service Support Department has admitted that state and local quarantine in Thailand has brought in a huge amount of money for hotels and the economy.

 

Dr Tharet Kratnairawiwong told Bangkok Biz News that in the last four months the ASQ and ALQ schemes had brought 1.2 billion baht into the country. 

 

This has benefitted operators and the wider economy, he said. 

 

He cautioned that those offering ASQ (quarantine facilities in Bangkok and surrounding areas) and ALQ (upcountry) needed to follow six regulations laid out by the health ministry and interior ministry.

 

Failure to comply with these regulations could see quarantine facilities cut or even suspended from the list.

 

Source: Bangkok Biz News

 

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Just now, rooster59 said:

in the last four months the ASQ and ALQ schemes had brought 1.2 billion baht into the country. 

And I wonder how much it would have brought in if they hadn't taken advantage of the situation and over charged like crazy.

5 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

has brought in a huge amount of money for hotels and the economy.

Huge amount for the hotel owners, probably affluent already, and probably paid a bung for the privilege of being an ASQ hotel.

Not much being spent in the economy when people are holed up there for 2 weeks ! 

Edited November 28, 20205 yr by Thaiwrath

Since quarantine is technically a medical term and for medical purposes why would the insurance companies not pay for the quarantine as part of a medical expense like going to a doctors appointment.  Then I woke up and realized it was only mandatory because it was for traveling and voluntary and not because it was mandated.  Yet for those arriving on a work permit, that would be mandatory, so maybe the employer should pay.  So confused now, my head hurts.

 

Yes the Government is raking in the dough as well as those ASQ facilities and required staff.

1 minute ago, rooster59 said:

This has benefitted operators and the wider economy, he said. 

 Dr Tharet  seems like a bit of a comedian, benefitted operators certainly, but wider economy, ha,ha,ha. Dream on pal.

In many places boasting about gouging money is considered poor manners.

Here, let me fix that headline:

 

"Thai authorities admit "Billion Baht" quarantine has been massive cash cow for economy a small group of well connected individuals.

2 minutes ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

In many places boasting about gouging money is considered poor manners.

Not here in Thailand, Fleecing tourists and even their own people is a "Job" only a Thai can do.

This was a point I made when it was mooted to reduce quarantine from 14 to 10 days and then rejected, no doubt the Thai Hoteliers Association had a chat with the government that the lucky few would be losing a substantial amount of money if it was reduced to 10 days, hence the government ditched the idea, money, money, money............ Hey that would make a good record ????????

Ok lets cut the <deleted> nonsense here; 1,2 billion baht divided by an average of 40,000 baht per person for quarantine (as most were Thais it is probably  a lot less) means that at least 30,000 people went through. In the last 3 months that is at least 1,000 people arriving per day... Didn't happen! 

It's amazing how many people are willing to be quarantined just to come to Thailand. It must be hell back home.

 

If quarantine makes so much money, Thailand might extend the period indefinitely so they can make more money.

 

43 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

in the last four months the ASQ and ALQ schemes had brought 1.2 billion baht into the country. 

it's all profit, no expenses? wondering how much of that 1.2 billion  baht is/was in the government cronies pockets... btw how much of that was spend to improve the economy or is it just hot air blowing

Edited November 28, 20205 yr by Mavideol

4 minutes ago, EricTh said:

It's amazing how many people are willing to be quarantined just to come to Thailand. It must be hell back home.

 

For most, Thailand is their home and they are returning to it.

 

Most, if not nearly all, are Thais. 

Benefitted operators of the mini bar and room services providers.., ????

22 minutes ago, EricTh said:

It's amazing how many people are willing to be quarantined just to come to Thailand. It must be hell back home.

 

If quarantine makes so much money, Thailand might extend the period indefinitely so they can make more money.

 

I just booked my ASQ. It's nothing to do with Thailand but more to do with the fact I've not seen my family since January. 

Has is actually BROUGHT THE MONEY IN? I mean there are very few foreigners, so any Thais doing quarantine will be getting state quarantine for free, or using their own Thai money. Ok, some will have earned money abroad and be bringing it in, but how many and how much, I wonder.

53 minutes ago, Wildliferescue said:

means that at least 30,000 people went through. In the last 3 months that is at least 1,000 people arriving per day.

 

Where I come from there are 90 days in 3 months, and 40K is not the average, it is the cheapest option

1 hour ago, Golden Triangle said:

This was a point I made when it was mooted to reduce quarantine from 14 to 10 days and then rejected, no doubt the Thai Hoteliers Association had a chat with the government that the lucky few would be losing a substantial amount of money if it was reduced to 10 days, hence the government ditched the idea, money, money, money............ Hey that would make a good record ????????

If they reduced to 10 days, they might be able to squeeze in a third sucker by month end. I wonder if they will mull or have mulled this. Makes good business sense. Much like the sittings at restaurants. Get 'em in, get 'em out as quickly as possible to make place for next customer.  

In December starts vaccination in Europe and then soon after quarantine will be a thing of the past for those who show proof they got vaccination. 

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

Huge amount for the hotel owners, probably affluent already, and probably paid a bung for the privilege of being an ASQ hotel.

 

21 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

wondering how much of that 1.2 billion  baht is/was in the government cronies pockets...

What I’ve heard from people working in the hotel industry, the government takes up to 40%. In addition to that, some hotels simply don’t wanna take the operational hassle and/or have their regular business being affected by it. 

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

And I wonder how much it would have brought in if they hadn't taken advantage of the situation and over charged like crazy.

 

You got 13 likes (so far) for that comment - but has anyone really thought realistically about the numbers involved. 

Exactly how have they ‘over charged like crazy’ ???

 

Example: I stayed at TwoThree hotel.

15 nights : 45,000 baht. 

 

2x Covid Tests (12,000 baht)

45 meals (±500 baht per day. Foot outsourced to a local bakery)

Airport trx (600 baht)

 

= 1660 Baht per night

 

That's hardly the fleecing everyone suggests it is.

12 minutes ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

 In addition to that, some hotels simply don’t wanna take the operational hassle and/or have their regular business being affected by it. 

False.

There are over 100 hotels now and more want in.

Your regular business comment is misguided as many of these hotels would be shut down, people losing jobs, if not for the ASQ.

 

13 minutes ago, thaibestlover said:

In December starts vaccination in Europe and then soon after quarantine will be a thing of the past for those who show proof they got vaccination. 

 

Not sure about this. I read a few days ago in the Bangkok Post that Prayut announced already that they will not open the flood gates until all Thais are vaccinated. If so, it doesn't matter if foreigners are vaccinated. And, how long can it take till all Thais are vaccinated when they intend to start vaccination mid of 2021 only?

 

The close relations of the government to the six richest families in Thailand and to China are well known. Both are interested in investing in the Thai tourism industry and other companies at the lowest possible cost, meaning after these enterprises went bankrupt. Therefore, keeping the country closed for some more months is of strategic interest for these investors.

 

Therefore, it's quite possible that it might not help us foreigners to come back to Thailand, even if we are vaccinated.

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

in the last four months the ASQ and ALQ schemes had brought 1.2 billion baht into the country. 

it's all profit, no expenses? wondering how much of that 1.2 billion  baht is/was in the government cronies pockets... btw how much of that was spend to improve the economy or is it just hot air blowing

 

The article is definitely ‘hot air blowing’....  The reality is how much money has not been brought in by the Thailand’s lock-out of international tourists. 

 

Millions of people not coming....   1.2 Billion is approximately 27,000 people (assuming 45,000 baht per ASQ stay)

(I’m not sure if ASQ has provided accommodation for 27,000 people coming in to Thailand)

 

In 2019 Thailands tourist numbers were 39.8 million, an average of 3.3 Million per month. 

Assuming 45,000 per tourist (to compare to an average ASQ stay) - thats approximately 150 Billion Baht (per month)

 

Thus: announcing that ASQ has been a ‘cash cow’ is fundamentally flawed and really highlights how the Thai Authorities are trying to ‘dress up the figures’... like putting lipstick on a pig.... 

 

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

The head of Thailand's Health Service Support Department has admitted that state and local quarantine in Thailand has brought in a huge amount of money for hotels and the economy

 

Which was what it was all about from day one .. even blind Pew could see that .. 

2 hours ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

In many places boasting about gouging money is considered poor manners.

In other places it is a cultural norm!

40 minutes ago, thaibestlover said:

In December starts vaccination in Europe and then soon after quarantine will be a thing of the past for those who show proof they got vaccination. 

That will depend upon just what requirements are applied to arriving "vaccinated" travellers, which will in turn depend on the amount of "influence" exerted on those who make the decisions.

 

If the celebratory tone regarding the amount of cash being "brought in" is genuine don't expect anything much to change!

51 minutes ago, thaibestlover said:

In December starts vaccination in Europe and then soon after quarantine will be a thing of the past for those who show proof they got vaccination. 

Could start but not very likely until next year.

European Union says first COVID-19 vaccinations possible by Christmas | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

 

US, Germany and UK could start Covid vaccinations as early as December | Coronavirus | The Guardian

Edited November 28, 20205 yr by ThailandRyan

In a previous story Thailand was proposing taking advantage of the gaps in Europe caused by the pandemic, now they say quarantine is a great cash cow. Seems to be a theme evolving here of taking advantage for thailand of a situation at the expense of others.

16 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

now they say quarantine is a great cash cow.

.....if you have control of the distribution of the  financial stimulus packages!