Picture: Sanook

 

The chief of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Yutthasak Suphasorn has noted that the pandemic is out of control in Thailand and vaccination is still low, reported Sanook in a brief report. 

 

In a similarly brief statement that is bound to attract widespread ridicule along the lines of "you don't say" Yutthasak noted that this may mean a readjustment to plans to reopen the country to foreign tourists in ten provinces come the start of October and Thailand's high season. 

 

This came as the spokesman for the economic situation brought on by Covid, citing TAT figures,  insisted that tourism spending will be 850 BILLION baht this year. 

 

The October 1st reopening plan - part of PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's grand 120 day reopening master plan - applies to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khirikhan (Hua Hin), Phetchaburi (Cha-Am), Chonburi (Pattaya), Buriram, as well as Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi and Phangnga where reopening is progressing according to plans already in place. 

 

Yutthasak told Sanook that the pandemic could not be controlled at the present time and he noted the CCSA were reporting 10,000 new cases daily.

 

Actually they are starting to hit 15,000 with fears they could top 20,000 or even 30,000 cases daily according to reports in the media, notes ASEAN NOW. Many lockdowns and travel restrictions are also in place some in the same provinces that are part of the reopening plans including Bangkok.

 

Yutthasak noted that vaccination was still low.

 

New assessments and plans were necessary given the current situation as Thailand would have to be careful regarding safety and risk factors.

 

He said this included the possibility of foreigners bringing in more infection. 

 

Interestingly he did not comment on potential tourists looking at Thailand and thinking that a visit might not be advisable at this time or in the coming months, especially with other more favorable domestic or closer to home options available to US and European tourists. 

 

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Really now?, Has Prayut been informed as well as Pattayas mayor?

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

The October 1st reopening plan - part of PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's grand 120 day reopening master plan

Prayuth "Master plan" ?

That should be substituted with (another) "Delusional plan" !

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

foreigners bringing in more infection

those dirty farang

" reopening plan will need to be reassessed"

No sh8t Sherlock!

"Oh did we say 2021? We meant 2023. Sorry of misunderstanding."

‘New assessments and plans were necessary given the current situation as Thailand would have to be careful regarding safety and risk factors’

————-

Forget October. Now - November. At least 5 million rich tourists in November.

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

He said this included the possibility of foreigners bringing in more infection. 

Yes, Mr. Yutthasak. If you want to accept foreigners' money you also will have to accept their germs. One thing is not possible without the other, I'm afraid.

 

But even IF the country were to open up, what makes you think that foreigners even would want to come? After all, under the current out-of-control situation, there would be a considerable risk they might BRING BACK an infection FROM Thailand. See? It works BOTH WAYS.

lol

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

He said this included the possibility of foreigners bringing in more infection. 

I think in the grand scheme of things you have enough community spread across Thailand - why even mention this

 

The real question is - who is going to come here 

 

Also I suspect Thailand is about to get a red rating from all major western countries - Thailand already rates itself as red

2 minutes ago, smedly said:

Also I suspect Thailand is about to get a red rating from all major western countries - Thailand already rates itself as red

Didn't the Philippines just put Thailand on red list?

That says it all.

4 minutes ago, smedly said:

I think in the grand scheme of things you have enough community spread across Thailand - why even mention this

 

The real question is - who is going to come here 

 

Also I suspect Thailand is about to get a red rating from all major western countries - Thailand already rates itself as red

Recently the Philippines shut their doors to travelers coming from Thailand.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-to-bar-travel-from-malaysia-thailand-to-curb-delta-covid-19s-spread

15 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

Yes, Mr. Yutthasak. If you want to accept foreigners' money you also will have to accept their germs. One thing is not possible without the other, I'm afraid.

 

But even IF the country were to open up, what makes you think that foreigners even would want to come? After all, under the current out-of-control situation, there would be a considerable risk they might BRING BACK an infection FROM Thailand. See? It works BOTH WAYS.

It definitely doesn't work both ways in this country such a suggestion will be met with blank stares of incomprehension.

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

He said this included the possibility of foreigners bringing in more infection. 

 

Oh please. Look at the sandbox. I'd be more worried about being an international traveller coming here and getting covid.

It would be no surprise to me that Thailand's belated entry to the WHO COVAX distribution of vaccines will be subject to some strings attached if there is any realistic hope of any meaningful position in the queue. Pursuing plans of "opening up" while admitting an out of control covid situation now exists seems ludicrous at best.

59 minutes ago, steven100 said:

those dirty farang

yeah a total joke.  And yet one poster argued with me about whether the Thai officials blamed foreigners or not.  Fresh infections are not coming in to any measurably significant degree.  The 50 million Thais that run around and mingle in open air markets, no social distancing, etc.  The relatively few tourists that come in legally under Sand box schemes or by air and are vaccinated, or have negative 3 day test and then ASQ, are not the ones infecting the country.

I don't know how I would manage getting dressed in the morning without the advice of any of these guys... 555

Forget high season 2021-2022. 

1 minute ago, Captain Monday said:

Forget high season 2021-2022. 

Forget even low season 2022/2023 at this rate 

When I read these TAT announcements I always wonder if anyone is giving serious thought to what else Thailand can 'sell', other than temples, beaches and 'entertainment'.

 

I personally can't see tourism ever coming back in the same volume as before, but I sure can see a pandemic coming back, repeatedly.

 

Time for another committee to talk seriously about putting some of their eggs in a few different baskets?

 

 

 

 

The TAT chief has spoken, now for the thoughts of Prayuth, Anutin, BMA, Mayor of pattaya and anyone else who feels left out. 

If Thailand does not get a handle on control via vaccinations, I predict being put on the red list for most of the rest of the world in the not too distant future.  How will TAT spin that?

Oh Well, here we go again.

39 minutes ago, Saltire said:

When I read these TAT announcements I always wonder if anyone is giving serious thought to what else Thailand can 'sell', other than temples, beaches and 'entertainment'.

 

I personally can't see tourism ever coming back in the same volume as before, but I sure can see a pandemic coming back, repeatedly.

 

Time for another committee to talk seriously about putting some of their eggs in a few different baskets?

 

 

 

 

There are already other baskets. Thailand is a major assembly point for computer components and small appliances (air-cons) as well as automobiles. It is also has significant aquaculture and agriculture growing and processing/export sectors. The Thai ship of state isn't in any danger of foundering because of limited foreign tourist arrivals (much to the chagrin of some).

'Reassessed' meaning CANCELLED !

I thought trolls post are removed, so why is TAT's chief statement still online?

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

yeah a total joke.  And yet one poster argued with me about whether the Thai officials blamed foreigners or not.  Fresh infections are not coming in to any measurably significant degree.  The 50 million Thais that run around and mingle in open air markets, no social distancing, etc.  The relatively few tourists that come in legally under Sand box schemes or by air and are vaccinated, or have negative 3 day test and then ASQ, are not the ones infecting the country.

What do you expect when you try and explain anything to people that are to stupid to realize that they are stupid?

 

Surely it can't be coming from Thai people or the millions of migrant workers (and sex workers) crossing the land boarders in both directions unchecked every day. All of this is completely the fault of the "evil farangs"!!!

$$$This came as the spokesman for the economic situation brought on by Covid, citing TAT figures,  insisted that tourism spending will be 850 BILLION baht this year.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

Nice dream

He says, if tourists come they might bring more infections, at the moment i think i would feel safer working at International arrivals than on the train from Korat to Bkk

Please excuse my lack of knowledge but what was the tourist spend in 2020 and 2019.?