Thai Govt hopes tourism can be revived as COVID subsides

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand’s hospitality industry is struggling with waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, various government measures recently launched are expected to turn around the situation, as flights resume and a more effective vaccination rollout is being implemented.

 

The tourism sector and related businesses such as air travel and restaurants are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. Government agencies have since issued strong measures to help revive and transform such activities in order to respond to post Covid-19 demand.

 

Phuket Sandbox, and Samui Plus were launched respectively, in the hope of bringing foreign tourists back to the world-renowned resort islands and later other tourist destinations in Thailand.

 

Under the scheme, vaccinated tourists are allowed to visit the popular island destinations without having to undergo quarantine.

 

Unfortunately, rising numbers of Covid-19 infection in Thailand and the rest of the world have put the scheme through a difficult phase, especially Phuket Sandbox. While the program targeted 100,000 tourists by the third quarter of this year, more than 26,000 foreigners have visited so far. Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s governor admitted the target may be impossible to achieve due to fewer than expected arrivals in July and August.

 

However, he noted that the Sandbox scheme has helped in boosting local confidence to extend the scheme to other tourist destinations because only 0.3 per cent, or 83 people, have tested positive and most were identified at the airport.

 

Later on, TAT announced updates to its Phuket Sandbox program – “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” - that provides fully vaccinated travelers from the Middle East with opportunities to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine.

 

From 16 August, 2021 onward, the mandatory stay in Phuket was reduced from 14 to 7 days for travelers from the Middle East who had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Following the initial 7 days, another 7 days can be spent in select destinations, including Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao).

 

As the third wave seems to be subsiding with the number of daily newly infected cases reported at around 15,000 for lower for several weeks, the government announced easing of some Covid-19 restrictions, such as allowing more provincial travel, dining out and the reopening of shopping malls in high risk areas, including Bangkok.

 

At the same time, domestic flights to and from Bangkok and between other areas also resumed on September 1, allowing tourists to go beyond Phuket.

 

The government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the current outbreak should subside further and the government has announced the procurement of more vaccines, adding up to 140 million doses of vaccine by the end of this year.

 

Booster shots or a third shot for millions who were vaccinated much earlier will also occur in October this year.

 

The government plans to reopen more areas to foreign tourists. According to Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, nine areas are designated as a tourism pilot program. Four have been reopened – Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Phang-Nga. The rest are Bangkok, Chiangmai, Prachuab Khirikhan and Petchaburi will be decided in the next phase.

 

Meanwhile, spa operators in Hua Hin which is in Prachaub Khirikhan province will propose that the government opens Hua Hin to foreign tourists in Oct 1 after 80% of local residents are vaccinated.

 

“Hua Hin Recharge” will adopt the quarantine-free approach as seen in the Phuket Sandbox project.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-09-07

 

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[Kadilo]

They will need to go further and lift some more restrictions if they want  the revival to have maximin effect. 
 

But with another 3 months before the bulk of the Xmas/NY visitor’s arrive, and the continued reduction in Covid numbers, there is plenty of time for that to happen. 

[herfiehandbag]

So, with tourism ready "to be revived" one of the country's top policemen stands up and threatens anyone who arranges or takes part in a party in which alcohol is served, with arrest and imprisonment!

 

I just don't know whether to laugh or cry

[Will B Good]

Any tourism to Thailand will be highly dependent on whether or not Thailand is red, amber or green listed by the tourist's country of origin.

 

UK has Thailand red listed, so there will be very few, if any, 'real' tourists from there regardless of what TAT dream up..

[zzaa09]

4 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Any tourism to Thailand will be highly dependent on whether or not Thailand is red, amber or green listed by the tourist's country of origin.

 

UK has Thailand red listed, so there will be very few, if any, 'real' tourists from there regardless of what TAT dream up..

TAT is colour blind at this time. ????

 

Open up the gates and allow the chips to fall where they may.????

[MrJ2U]

I'd like to travel domestic but still waiting for my appointment that finally comes on the 12th for Pfeizer.

 

My wife is waiting for the Moderna we've booked and paid for months ago. Now that's only 1.95 million doses.

 

Like many Thais she doesn't want to take Sinovac so we're waiting for something more suitable.

 

 

[Stanaris]

Simple way of getting more tourists.  Open Thailand to all double vaccinated visitors who are willing to come here.  NO Quarantine and No tests, just come and enjoy a relaxing holiday. Allowing alcohol sales and consumption would be good too.

[EricTh]

It's too early to open up.

 

Just look at the rising daily cases in Singapore and Israel where most are already vaccinated, something is wrong. Fully vaccinated figures below.

 

Singapore - 80%

Israel - 63%

Edited September 7, 2021 by EricTh

[tjo o tjim]

16 minutes ago, EricTh said:

It's too early to open up.

 

Just look at the rising daily cases in Singapore and Israel where most are already vaccinated, something is wrong. Fully vaccinated figures below.

 

Singapore - 80%

Israel - 63%

Singapore has ~1/7 the infection rate of Thailand in the last 7 days; that is a pretty good attestation to the efficacy of the vaccine.

 

Israel’s 63% vaccination rate was initially admirable, but few consider that a sufficient number today; the consensus seems to be closer to 80% with issues remaining when you get outbreaks among ineligible groups.  

[daveAustin]

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I'd like to travel domestic but still waiting for my appointment that finally comes on the 12th for Pfeizer.

 

My wife is waiting for the Moderna we've booked and paid for months ago. Now that's only 1.95 million doses.

 

Like many Thais she doesn't want to take Sinovac so we're waiting for something more suitable.

 

 

Umm, let me think…

Pfizer’s not the be all and end all. In fact I hear there can be heart issues while efficacy also drops off. But as with an expensive handbag, you pay more so it has to be better right. Nowt as queer as folk. 

[daveAustin]

Thailand, you’ll have to open up properly and put an end to ridiculous hoop jumping before people will go en masse. You’re not special no more. 

[TooMuchTime]

15 minutes ago, tsigane said:

I spent last winter in Colombia and loved it.  Far superior compared to Thailand in terms of quality of services per dollar spent.  Virtually no Covid restrictions.  Going back to Colombia this winter again, regardless whether Thailand "opens" or not. 

But muh delta variant!!!

[RichardColeman]

Vaccine passport, end of your travel restrictions.

 

Some point the world needs open, may just as well do it now if you've had your jab. As for future variants, yes they will happen, but we cannot close down the world in fear every 3-6 months. Get on with it.

[Soikhaonoiken]

4 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Any tourism to Thailand will be highly dependent on whether or not Thailand is red, amber or green listed by the tourist's country of origin.

 

UK has Thailand red listed, so there will be very few, if any, 'real' tourists from there regardless of what TAT dream up..

Think I read some where, that if a Country is on a Red list (ie )  that your insurance becomes  void,  so a fat lot of good TAT insisting that travellers need a minimum of $100,000 cover for CoVid cover.... 

Edited September 7, 2021 by Soikhaonoiken
Missed words

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

8 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I'd like to travel domestic but still waiting for my appointment that finally comes on the 12th for Pfeizer.

That's what I'm waiting for. Us teachers have holidays coming next month, but we're not going to be doing any traveling until we get jabbed between now until then.

[EricTh]

6 hours ago, tjo o tjim said:

Singapore has ~1/7 the infection rate of Thailand in the last 7 days; that is a pretty good attestation to the efficacy of the vaccine.

 

Israel’s 63% vaccination rate was initially admirable, but few consider that a sufficient number today; the consensus seems to be closer to 80% with issues remaining when you get outbreaks among ineligible groups.  

 

You can't compare a full vaccination rate of 80% (Singapore) with 10% (Thailand), can you?

 

A full vaccination rate of 80% is already called herd immunity and yet the cases are still rising.

 

 

 

 

[vukovar77]

8 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I'd like to travel domestic but still waiting for my appointment that finally comes on the 12th for Pfeizer.

 

My wife is waiting for the Moderna we've booked and paid for months ago. Now that's only 1.95 million doses.

 

Like many Thais she doesn't want to take Sinovac so we're waiting for something more suitable.

 

 

It was pretty stupid to pay MODERNA (and wait) if PFIZER is available for free NOW!

[dougiemac52]

6 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Umm, let me think…

Pfizer’s not the be all and end all. In fact I hear there can be heart issues while efficacy also drops off. But as with an expensive handbag, you pay more so it has to be better right. Nowt as queer as folk. 

I got Pfizer, cost me absolutely nothing 

[ronster]

Subsides ?? The place still looks like a wasteland from a mad max movie and these lunatics think they are doing an excellent job vaccinating people and they will just flick a switch and all will be well !!

Totally of the scale delusion ! ????????????

[wensiensheng]

How about hoping that kids can go back to school? It may not have immediate payback in terms of baht raked in, but kids are the future of this country. Even in highly vaccinated Phuket, although they are clamoring for tourists to come in, the situation is at the same time deemed to be too precarious for kids to attend school. Talk about contradictory.

 

I’m lucky, my daughters private school has an excellent online program, Thai kids going to local Thai schools have just been on a months long extended holiday.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand’s hospitality industry is struggling with waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, various government measures recently launched are expected to turn around the situation, as flights resume and a more effective vaccination rollout is being implemented.

The government measures are actually keeping away tourists [not those who have connections here] 

plus the still very low vaccination rate.

Thailand or I should say the Government shot itself in the foot last year and is still paying the price for that now.

Until the vaccinations [double doses] are up to 80%+ and the ridiculous hoops to come are dropped, nothing is going to change fast.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, wensiensheng said:

How about hoping that kids can go back to school? It may not have immediate payback in terms of baht raked in, but kids are the future of this country. Even in highly vaccinated Phuket, although they are clamoring for tourists to come in, the situation is at the same time deemed to be too precarious for kids to attend school. Talk about contradictory.

 

I’m lucky, my daughters private school has an excellent online program, Thai kids going to local Thai schools have just been on a months long extended holiday.

Agree but even with a good online provision, its just not the same and they miss the important social interaction with their friends and sporting activities. 

[kevin612]

70-80% percent of vaccination rates will get rid of quarantine.

[wensiensheng]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Agree but even with a good online provision, its just not the same and they miss the important social interaction with their friends and sporting activities. 

Absolutely. And kids in private schools using the UK curriculum were lucky that school closures coincided with the normal school holidays. Thai kids were meant to be in school for those two whole months!

 

Trying to keep the school thing linked to the thread topic, there is so much focus on the baht to be raked in from tourists, but I never see a government comments bemoaning the lack of schooling.
 

I’m beginning to sound like Brewster, but the contradiction in terms of, on the one hand enticing in tourists at almost any cost, whilst on the other hand keeping kids out of school, is just too much to ignore. Both happening at the same time within a small island with a highly vaccinated island. 

[Mickeymaus]

22 minutes ago, ronster said:

Subsides ?? The place still looks like a wasteland from a mad max movie and these lunatics think they are doing an excellent job vaccinating people and they will just flick a switch and all will be well !!

Totally of the scale delusion ! ????????????

The switch is called "the new normal". This can be everything. There is no clear definition for "the new normal". Up to... ????

[SmartyMarty]

10 hours ago, AnotherFarang8 said:

I began to learn Spanish today, will go check Colombia. Most beautiful girls are in Medellin. No vaccination required, no pcr tests, no nothing invasive. The old normal just the way i like it. F these new “normal” dictators! There are still sane countries in the world.

While Medellin is a very beautiful city, with climate similar to northern Thailand, you will find that, in general, Colombian women are not up to the same level of 'beauty' as Thai ladies. The cost of living is a bit higher than Thailand but I've found that the bureaucracy is just as bad, if not worse than LOS.

[10baht]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Under the scheme, vaccinated tourists are allowed to visit the popular island destinations without having to undergo quarantine.

It's the COE process stupid, that needs to go. 

[zzaa09]

3 minutes ago, 10baht said:

It's the COE process stupid, that needs to go. 

...and the quarantine process.

[PingRoundTheWorld]

8 hours ago, EricTh said:

Just look at the rising daily cases in Singapore and Israel where most are already vaccinated, something is wrong. Fully vaccinated figures below.

Israel peaked weeks ago - the only reason for the high numbers now is mass testing of school children as the school year opened last week. Something like 70% of new cases are unvaccinated children. In other words the adult population numbers are drastically down - which makes sense since about 25% have already received the third booster shot, and a few more percent received their first shot. The real statistics that matter - deaths and hospitalizations - are going down.

There's no such thing as "too soon" - Thailand's approach is overly cautious - bordering on paranoid - but it is at least successful in minimizing incoming infected passengers. But it's useless if tourists arrive to find a boring scene where aside from daytime activities there's nothing to do at night. They need to fully reopen nightlife to vaccinated patrons!

[10baht]

Thailand has 69 million people. Thailand has 1.28 million detected Corvit cases. Thailand has 12,855 Corvit dead. The death rate for detected Corvit cases in relation is around 1%. The risk of death in relation to the population would be: 12855 × 100 / (69000000-1280000) = 0.018%.

A quote from another thread but they apply here, the real problem is not the calculations themselves but the source of the numbers used in the calculations. Bogus Thai Gov't propaganda.

I also know the following is undoable but to really calculate the efficacy of the vaccines you need to get at least 100 volunteers for each vaccine and actually expose them all to the virus. Then see how many get it and/or how sick they get or die. I know the definition used to calculate the efficacy is the definition, but it is not really accurate. BTW the 1st paragraph is a quote from someone else so corvit = covid I am pretty sure.