New Buzzword: Area Quarantine - Thailand set to open resorts and islands as three ministries tackle tourism crisis

 

Pipat Ratchakitprakarn (File photo for reference only)

 

There is a new buzzword on the lips of every Thai in the tourism industry from the minister down through the ranks. 

 

Area Quarantine.

 

This is now being hailed as the answer to Thailand's tourism crisis after the pandemic saw the 3 trillion dollar industry that is 17 % of GDP decimated. 

 

Here's how it will work come next month then progress later from July.

 

In the first phase long stay tourists will be targeted for the main tourist areas.

 

Then "travel bubble" countries will be identified from the third quarter. That is as early as July.

 

These are countries that have been as successful as Thailand in controlling the pandemic and delivering vaccine. 

 

The selection of areas where tourists have been well known to stay at least one month and possibly as long as three is seen as vital to success. 

 

These will be Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, and the three islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. 

 

All these are ready and willing and able to cope with the anticipated numbers who will be beating a path to Thailand's door. 

 

Importantly, THREE ministries are working on the plans, tourism and sports minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan told the Thai media yesterday. 

 

This three pronged approach is crucial, he said. His own ministry will grinding down into the nitty gritty of the obstacles.

 

The transport ministry under Saksayam Chidchob - from a well known family in the north east not unfamiliar with getting things done - will handle the all important flights and travel arrangements.

 

While the ministry of public health under Anutin Charnvirakul - who has masterminded Thailand's Covid-19 response strategies - will handle health and vaccine matters making sure that each and every Thai and foreigner is as safe as can be. 

 

Pipat said they were also looking into the possibility of even stopping two week quarantine at some stage this year for foreigners who have had two doses of vaccine. 

 

Pipat has been busy this week on all his plans.

 

Thai media reported that he had a "video conference" with the Department of Health Promotion of the MoPH and 216 tourism operators to present his ideas and plans.

 

Nothing is set in stone just yet - that will come when PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and his cabinet rubber stamp the plans. 

 

But it is hoped that as early as next month and certainly by May "Area Quarantine" will be in full swing in the tourist areas.

 

The media reported that tourism was 17% of Thai gross domestic product pre-pandemic raking in 2 trillion baht from foreign tourists annually and a further trillion from the domestic tourism market. 

 

Critics of the minister's gung-ho stance suggest that few foreign visitors have much appetite for travel just yet and only this week a tourism Thai business leader said it was all pointless if 14 day quarantine stays in place. 

 

Others point out that the tourism ministry and TAT(Tourism Authority of Thailand) plan to promote long stay tourists already flopped not even meeting unambitious targets.

 

The Thais seem to be pinning their hopes on vaccines creating confidence though many have criticized the slow rollout of vaccination in the country.

 

A process that has already been mired in allegations of smoke and mirrors and flip-flopping. 

 

 

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2 minutes ago, webfact said:

There is a new buzzword on the lips of every Thai in the tourism industry from the minister down through the ranks. 

 

Area Quarantine.

That's 2 words !

The "buzzword" should be - PATHETIC

Here we go again. The Friday's muppet show.

Bubble should be the buzzword.  Each tourist will get their own bubble to stay inside of.

 

15 minutes ago, AlfHuy said:

Here we go again. The Friday's muppet show.

I would really miss it.

14 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Bubble should be the buzzword.  Each tourist will get their own bubble to stay inside of.

 

OMG....don't let Anutin or TAT see this!!!!

... Meanwhile Brits, having been vaccinated, will be able to take their annual 2 weeks summer holiday in Cyprus without being incarcerated and gouged of their hard earned cash.

Who are they trying to convince with these "plans" and "ideas"?

 

Themselves? Thai people?

 

It's certainly not us, we're already here. And if its potential tourists just STOP confusing them with the today's "plan".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cyprus will allow British tourists who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 into the country without restrictions from May 1, its tourism minister said on Thursday.

 

Take note Thailand, this is the only way it will work ................LOL

Pipat, forget all these ridiculous plans. Get on the phone to Cha Cha and Anutin and tell them that the ONLY way tourism can reopen is if Thailand gets 70% of its population vaccinated, with some priority in tourism areas and there is NO QUARANTINE...so tell them to get their ish together...

 

...and some bloke apparently owns a factory, supposedly to make vaccines locally - you might want to call him and ask him to hurry up as well.

 

Jeez, if these announcements weren't so funny I wouldn't bother opening them to read.

 

Where on earth do they come up with them. Hilarious again. Thank you for making my sides sore.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

These are countries that have been as successful as Thailand in controlling the pandemic and delivering vaccine.

Obviously they live in a parallel universe.  These people love patting themselves on the back.

 

So lets see how many of the population in Thailand have had the vaccine so far. 0.0001%  Very well done on delivering the vaccine.

 

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Bubble should be the buzzword.  Each tourist will get their own bubble to stay inside of.

 

The Flaming Lips held a gig earlier this year with people in such bubbles-bigger really. Everyone could stand, move and dance in them. 

Flaming Lips stage unique 'space bubble' concert in Oklahoma https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55794674

 

The Flaming Lips, sounds like the current government  here in Thailand with all of the lip service given to the public.  Well done. Just need the Songkran Water festival and they will be complete.

18 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

The Flaming Lips held a gig earlier this year with people in such bubbles-bigger really. Everyone could stand, move and dance in them. 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Pipat has been busy this week on all his plans.

Took 5 minutes to come up with this rubbish. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

There is a new buzzword on the lips of every Thai in the tourism industry from the minister down through the ranks. 

 

Area Quarantine.

 

Try Area 51 , that might work ..

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

A process that has already been mired in allegations of smoke

 

Gun or Ganja ..

While there are still wrinkles, this seems to be the most sensible attempt yet. I sincerely hope for the sake of all those affected, that they can successfully open the country up to some degree soon.

4 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

... Meanwhile Brits, having been vaccinated, will be able to take their annual 2 weeks summer holiday in Cyprus without being incarcerated and gouged of their hard earned cash.

Have fun it’s not Thailand 

I doubt that vaccinated tourists look forward traveling to a country where the locals haven’t been vaccinated.

I wonder if the pool villas for rent in Pattaya will be allowed to accept visitors for that "light quarantine" ?

5 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Bubble should be the buzzword.  Each tourist will get their own bubble to stay inside of.

 

Not a bad idea actually. Put a mini fridge in there stocked with beer and a laptop and I’d be happy. 

3 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Obviously they live in a parallel universe.  These people love patting themselves on the back.

 

So lets see how many of the population in Thailand have had the vaccine so far. 0.0001%  Very well done on delivering the vaccine.

 

Microscope Please!     https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations

 

5 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 Cyprus will allow British tourists who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 into the country without restrictions from May 1, its tourism minister said on Thursday.

 

Take note Thailand, this is the only way it will work ................LOL

Fortunately it is not up to you, or anyone else on this forum.

"Pipat said they were also looking into the possibility of even stopping two week quarantine at some stage this year for foreigners who have had two doses of vaccine."

 

This.

 

The only really workable solution as long as they get the domestic program rolling.

 

 

I do find it odd that they don't mention Hua Hin.

 

I know a lot of tourists tend to pass through HH. But there are plenty of longstayers - especially among the retirees and snowbirds like me who do stay for months on end renting and spending.

 

Still, at least it is moving incrementally in the right direction. They're obviously terrified of losing all of a second high season.

 

These guys are deluded fools or more that likely let's make it up as we go along lunatics 

"While the ministry of public health under Anutin Charnvirakul - who has masterminded Thailand's Covid-19 response strategies - will handle health and vaccine matters making sure that each and every Thai and foreigner is as safe as can be"

 

Including the "dirty unwashed" ones? And the ones who refuse to wear a mask? (Where is his by the way? Every pic I have seen of him spouting off recently he is conspicuously "maskless" while those round about him seem to be following the "rules")

6 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

... Meanwhile Brits, having been vaccinated, will be able to take their annual 2 weeks summer holiday in Cyprus without being incarcerated and gouged of their hard earned cash.

Only from May the 1st

Just now, sambum said:

"While the ministry of public health under Anutin Charnvirakul - who has masterminded Thailand's Covid-19 response strategies - will handle health and vaccine matters making sure that each and every Thai and foreigner is as safe as can be"

 

Including the "dirty unwashed" ones? And the ones who refuse to wear a mask? Where is his by the way? Every pic I have seen of him spouting off recently he is conspicuously "maskless" while those round about him seem to be following the "rules". Oh, I forgot, I think he changed his mind on that - didn't he?

 

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

I doubt that vaccinated tourists look forward traveling to a country where the locals haven’t been vaccinated.

 

A good test of the efficacy of their particular "jab"!