Thai minister proposes 'golf quarantine' to boost tourism

 

FILE PHOTO: Asia's Hideto Tanihara of Japan hits the ball on the fourth hole during the second day of foursomes competition against Europe at the Royal Trophy golf tournament in Chonburi province, near Bangkok, January 10, 2009. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s Tourism Minister said on Monday he had proposed a plan to allow foreigners to quarantine in some of the country’s many golf resorts to boost the ailing tourism sector during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“We are discussing with the Public Health Ministry and the country’s coronavirus taskforce to offer hotel and golf quarantine for tourists with medical certificates,” Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told reporters.

 

Foreign tourists would be able to spend the two-week quarantine period at a specified resort and move around in the hotel area and also play golf, he said, rather than just isolating in their rooms.

 

The plan, which is subject to the approval of the cabinet, comes as the Southeast Asian country grapples with a second wave of coronavirus infections after managing to largely contain community spread for months.

 

Thailand has reported a relatively low 10,834 COVID-19 infections and 67 deaths, though since several clusters emerged in December the country has been recording several hundred new cases a day.

 

Thailand attracted 40 million tourists in 2019 who spent 1.91 trillion baht ($63.4 billion), but the number of visitors dived during the pandemic after its borders were sealed, devastating hotels, restaurants and tourist spots that relied on foreigner visitors.

 

A special visa scheme that was started last year for long stay visitors has attracted about 1,000 visitors, Phiphat said.

 

($1 = 30.1300 baht)

 

(Reporting by Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Ed Davies)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-13

 

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How about massage parlor or GoGO bar quarantine for those who doesn't golf eh? you'll catch many more tourists no doubts...

Why not rent beach bungalows and you can quarantine on the beach and go swimming all day?

18 Holes are available on just about any soi and could be a backup plan ????

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

If they had staff involved, they would have to be tested also.

Some of these courses have caddie/staff apartments so if they did not leave the property and were tested it could work.

It would all have to be done in a "bubble" type configuration.

Great idea but logistically, not sure .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Who dreams this stuff up? Alice in wonderland

 

well, its a funny idea and obviously its not gonna recover the economy. yet....still gratefull to be in Thailand with regards to the covid crisis. I just read in London they started storing dead bodies in tents bc the morgues are full. And the usa has a daily death rate of 4000 ppl.

so well, Thaioand still wins big time and deserves praise and support  and not ridicule and cheap jokes.

10 minutes ago, findlay13 said:

 Who dreams this stuff up? Alice in wonderland

 

Possibly

 

 

 

Some of these people "Ministers"...ha...just don't seem to get it.  Is a golf resort going to be any different from  any other type of resort in regards following protocols for safety during Covid?   NO...so why not just offer this option to all resorts  then?

Would I be correct in assuming the minister owns a golf course or two?

21 minutes ago, findlay13 said:

 Who dreams this stuff up? Alice in wonderland

 

Did I read something about a canabis restaurant opened in Bangkok?

2 minutes ago, Dogbarker said:

Did I read something about a canabis restaurant opened in Bangkok?

Yeah dats it! Dem fukkas is HIGH!

Just another balls up from a minister devoid of any constructive ideas. Until countries get people vaccinated no one has the time to go through a quarantine period before commencing their real holiday.

Listen up G.O.T. Tourists, quality or otherwise, are not coming back until there is no need to quarantine. Just accept it. You cannot have your cake and eat it...simple!

How does this help tennis players?

policy vs.

strategy vs.

tactics vs.

sales and operations.

this proposal falls under what category ?

 

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

Seems that De javu, is catching or maybe someone had been sleeping through the past few months and thought they had a bright new non tested Idea. Maybe just 15 minutes of fame was needed for this poor lost soul.

How about opening schools first? 

7 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Seems that De javu, is catching or maybe someone had been sleeping through the past few months and thought they had a bright new non tested Idea. Maybe just 15 minutes of fame was needed for this poor lost soul.

 

The Reuters reporter who was slow off the mark reporting this old news?

 

My parents love golf, live near a golf course. Mum once a week, dad 3 times a week. They also come to Thailand for 3-4 months every Aussie winter. 
 

They would happily do their quarantine in a golf course. It would be good for the golf courses to earn some revenue, pay some out of work workers.

Good idea all round. It would be nice to have this option. 

 

But no doubt it will be criticized on this forum by people who are not planning a Thai holiday and would never use the service anyway. 

The Keyboard Komplainers.

i would take a drop from the rough in that stock photo. 

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

18 Holes are available on just about any soi and could be a backup plan ????

There are surely also 18 holes in the government and they may even be big enough

I get more and more convinced that this government lives in an alternative reality

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai minister proposes 'golf quarantine' to boost tourism

 

I think they need to cut the grass first if they are serious about promoting golf ....

 

Now they've done it....again!!  ????

 

OHHHH.....now they bring this idea up again now that I've paid for my "luxurious" ASQ accommodation in beautiful downtown BKK !!!

 

I think I'm going to Scream......5555   ????????

 

Just kidding....I don't even know how to play golf (but can operate a golf cart)

 

be safe everyone 

mac

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s Tourism Minister said on Monday he had proposed a plan to allow foreigners to quarantine in some of the country’s many golf resorts to boost the ailing tourism sector during the coronavirus pandemic.

Has he just woken up!  This was proposed and accepted months ago!  In fact it is already in situ according to yesterday's article on ASQs!  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201171-what-to-expect-at-asq-hotels-in-thailand/

 

"Golfers looking to tee up golf quarantine in Thailand, and who have all their advance arrangements in good order, will be allowed to undergo quarantine at an ASQ golf course hotel. During the mandatory quarantine period, foreign golfers are allowed to enjoy a round of golf and other health-related activities at the course on their personal expense account."

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

Do you ever get that feeling of déja-vu?

 

 

Oh no, not again!

1 hour ago, condobrit001 said:

Would I be correct in assuming the minister owns a golf course or two?

Maybe hit the nail on the head there!????

Wonder what happens if an inmate tests positive. Do they stop them playing?

And what's the cost to the tourist? Hotel & Golf = double maybe?