Special Tourist Visa: Thailand opens to the world - But will the tourists really come?

 

Reuters file photo for reference only
 

In a massive U-turn after few people turned up as part of the government's STV (special tourist visa) scheme Thailand has decided to open up to the whole world irrespective of Covid conditions.

 

They have abandoned the requirement that the STV will only be given to those from low risk countries - but announced that all the checks and paperwork will still need to be followed. 

 

Crucially, this means visitors will still have to quarantine for 14 days. 

 

This much criticized sticking point begs the question:

 

Will the government's move inspire any more tourists to come to the country?

 

Critics will say that the cabinet's latest decision is putting a BandAid on the festering sore that is the much maligned STV project that allows long stay in Thailand.

 

The government hopes that allowing visitors from every country on earth - including hotbed places like the US and many countries in Europe -  will provide more tourists and give Thailand's ailing tourism sector a much needed boost.

 

It will have to. 

 

So far the numbers have been tiny in relation to usual tourism figures. 

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

PM's office deputy spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek faced the press after a cabinet meeting and admitted that only 825 people had come on the STV so far.

 

And there were just SIX visitors on yachts; to boost this number the government resolved to allow such people to stay 30 more days, now a total of 60.

 

Ratchada was at pains to point out that everyone on STV must complete all the requirements that have been so roundly criticized.

 

And that includes the expensive and onerous 14 day quarantine.

 

Many will say that the government's U-turn is more like a vicious circle with the inevitable consequence that few people will consider coming to Thailand unless they have very specific reasons - like family and business, notes Thaivisa. 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-12-09

 

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3 minutes ago, webfact said:

But will the tourists really come?

No, plenty of other options without quaranten. 

 

https://www.timeout.com/london/news/no-quarantine-countries-holiday-destinations-uk-travel-100220-120420

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

But will the tourists really come?

 

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

Crucially, this means visitors will still have to quarantine for 14 days. 

 

Edited December 9, 20205 yr by Thaiwrath

Bring the Baht down 25% then the people will come ... money talks!

STV brought back from the trash heap of ideas.

 

Thought the acronym alone was a death-knell.

 

Weird, must've been some puuyai's nephews idea?

 

At least they issued more STVs than SmartVisas.

 

 

Yeah right.. Have they checked the FX rates recently?

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/chart/usdthb=x

5 minutes ago, Jack Mountain said:

Bring the Baht down 25% then the people will come ... money talks!

And just how do you do that Jack ??

Let the Russians in they dont mind spending a few quid

3 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

And just how do you do that Jack ??

Just by leaning back, most of the time the opposite happens of what I suggest, so the tourists stay away. Mission accomplished.

11 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

No, plenty of other options without quaranten. 

**Quarantine

Did you actually read the link you posted EotBenz8888?

 

Quote

 

Look closer at the details, however, and your options don’t seem quite so expansive. Just because the UK has opened up a ‘travel corridor’ with a country – removing a mandatory self-quarantine period on arrival back to the UK, and revoking the official advice against travel – doesn’t mean you’re welcome there.

In fact, in many cases, countries on the UK’s safe-travel list still have their borders closed to international visitors and no flights available. In other places, you’re free to travel but you’ll still face a 14-day quarantine on arrival.

So the question is: where can you actually go, and not have to quarantine either when you land or when you return home? Here are all the countries and territories currently open to UK travellers, along with information on flights, testing, and health and accommodation forms you may have to fill out.

(An up-to-date list of UK ‘travel corridors’ can be found here. But remember that, as in the case of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, France and Turkey, the British government may choose to reimpose restrictions at a few hours’ notice, meaning you could still have to quarantine when you get home. Note also that rules may differ slightly for travellers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.)

 

 

My daughter's and their families visit for 2 weeks every year. Anyone believing they and millions like them will spend it in quarantine and then go home is seriously deluded.

There are a number of active tourism threads running in this news forum ALL with contradictory news titles.

 

Is there anyone within the TAT, or Junta for that matter, have idea what which hand is playing with the 'pud'?

13 minutes ago, Jack Mountain said:

Bring the Baht down 25% then the people will come ... money talks!

More chance of landing on your mountain, Jack

1 minute ago, Jack Mountain said:

Just by leaning back, most of the time the opposite happens of what I suggest, so the tourists stay away. Mission accomplished.

 

"Just by leaning back"----well that's certainly a financial move that I hadn't considered.

 

Lean back and the Baht drops 25%.......................

2 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

My daughter's and their families visit for 2 weeks every year. Anyone believing they and millions like them will spend it in quarantine and then go home is seriously deluded.

We would actually be doing alright business wise if they dropped that 2 week nonsense, most of the guest that had to cancel want to come back and we have a couple who want to book for 1 year but are not going to do the 14 days quarantine, most of these I already know and spend a lot of money in the local community where they like going to the markets to buy their supplies.

6 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

 

"Just by leaning back"----well that's certainly a financial move that I hadn't considered.

 

Lean back and the Baht drops 25%.......................

A well reader would see that that is not the mission ... san (may i say san?)

Edited December 9, 20205 yr by Jack Mountain

1 minute ago, Jack Mountain said:

A well reader would see that that is not the mission ... 

Please---Your most welcome to expand on this Yoga position that devalues the Baht by 25% Jack

Only long stay tourists will come as no short time tourists will pay for 15 nights in quarantene. However the Thai government must keep quarantene as it is essential to prevent a covid outbreak here.

They are now having a problem from Thai workers returning from Myanmar and sneaking back into the country and not quarantening and being found positive.

I am now on my 3rd day in a ASQ in Bangkok and have no complaints as I have just come fro the UK where 60,000 people have died from covid 19.

30 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

No, plenty of other options without quaranten. 

 

Calling BS on this claim.

 

Form the linked article:

 

Look closer at the details, however, and your options don’t seem quite so expansive. Just because the UK has opened up a ‘travel corridor’ with a country – removing a mandatory self-quarantine period on arrival back to the UK, and revoking the official advice against travel – doesn’t mean you’re welcome there.

 

Yes, there are a few places one can go, assuming you can even get there.

 

But your 'argument' is spurious at best.

 

 

6 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

Please---Your most welcome to expand on this Yoga position that devalues the Baht by 25% Jack

convert some of their claimed massive FCR (which is currently way to high) to Thai baht or start printing Thai baht - both will have the same effect of diluting the currency and dropping the value 

Just now, smedly said:

convert some of their claimed massive FCR (which is currently way to high) to Thai baht or start printing Thai baht - both will have the same effect of diluting the currency and dropping the value 

 

 

as for the OP 

 

Thailand just is not getting it

 

no matter what they do nobody is coming here on holiday for at least another year

 

perhaps if they started treating tourists (including expats) properly instead of contempt they might just convince some people to come here, pre covid they were killing it already - people were getting angry and deciding not to come here or were leaving in masses - they need to take a long hard look at what they are doing going forward and what they have done looking back and correcting the negative sentiment they have created

Re arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic din't help the Titanic and it would not help foreign tourists coming in in droves as long as this quarantine business is enforced and in particularly now that Covid has rared its ugly head again in Thailand thanks to some brain-dead Thai people who sneaked in from Burma...

I have wife, house in Thailand , money and time to go Thailand for long time but I dont even concider it because of 14 days guarantine and because Thai people can go unchecked to airplane with me.

If the quarantine was more reasonably priced then others may come but being fleeced and a 14 day hotel arrest isnt gonna work

3 minutes ago, FarangPumpui said:

I have wife, house in Thailand , money and time to go Thailand for long time but I dont even concider it because of 14 days guarantine and because Thai people can go unchecked to airplane with me.

I guess if being away from your wife for a year...(or maybe more) rather than spend a 2 weeks in a hotel. Is maybe more of a reflection on your relationship then anything else.

Thailand is doing nothing different then any other country...including yours when it comes to their citizens.

 

All Citizens are allowed to return to their own country

Tourists from any country can now apply for Special Tourist Visa

By THE NATION

 

 

The Cabinet has done away with restrictions on nationality for long-stay tourists and tourists who travel on yachts as well as their crews who are allowed to enter Thailand under the Special Tourist Visa (STV), the government’s deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday.

 

With the gazette announcement, the STV policy takes effect from October 1 for the period until September 30, 2021.

 

“Previously the STV only allowed in tourists from countries with a low risk of Covid-19 infections under Public Health Ministry regulations,” she said. “However, only 825 persons from 29 countries and six yachts have applied so far, which is lower than government’s estimation.”

 

The Cabinet therefore agreed to remove the nationality restrictions for tourists applying for the STV, as well as extend the period during which tourists and/or yachts would be inspected and approved to enter Thailand at immigration checkpoints for 30 days, in order to allow more qualified tourists to enter the kingdom and promote tourism.

 

“Although the nationality restriction is removed, tourists in both groups will still need to comply with other regulations under the STV, which include providing evidence of a place to stay during their long visit and submitting to alternative state quarantine in appointed hospitals or hotels for not less than 14 days,” she added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399320

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-09

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

3 minutes ago, Sametboy2019 said:

If the quarantine was more reasonably priced then others may come but being fleeced and a 14 day hotel arrest isnt gonna work

I agree--much to high.........

Countries Without Quarantine – Which Countries Allow Quarantine Free Travel?

 

https://blog.wego.com/countries-without-quarantine/

13 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

I guess if being away from your wife for a year...(or maybe more) rather than spend a 2 weeks in a hotel. Is maybe more of a reflection on your relationship then anything else.

Thailand is doing nothing different then any other country...including yours when it comes to their citizens.

 

All Citizens are allowed to return to their own country

Other countries you can quarantine at your home. Two weeks prison in the hotel and possible covid infection during quarantine dont sound good because after that you have to spend your time on the hospital long time

I know a few people who is dying to come for long holiday, and willing to pay what it costs, but the problem is the paperwork on top of it. If they can do the paperwork much easier, it will ease the decision to come to Thailand.