Pipat: Thailand ready to vie for Chinese and other tourists as country reopens

[webfact]

Pipat Ratchakitprakan//File photo

 

Thailand's minister of tourism and sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan spoke to the local media after PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's TV announcement about the November 1st reopening of Thailand to foreign tourists on Monday.

 

He was upbeat but short on detail, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

He said there would be no problems after his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed how it could be done with the Phuket Sandbox.

 

The next stage was reopening ten other provinces to foreign tourists without quarantine and following what other countries like Singapore, the UK and the US were doing. 

 

Maintaining quarantine for seven days was not going to help in the battle to grab a share of foreign tourists.

 

He supported the PM's plan saying that Thailand was a key winter destination for many nations.

 

He specifically mentioned America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and China. 

 

He stressed the need to ensure that ATK testing at airports was well planned and streamlined to welcome the tourists.

 

He expressed confidence in Thailand's immediate future. 

 

He made no mention at all of any decision China may make in allowing its citizens to travel or whether there in fact was a decent market of international travellers to Thailand, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Cart before the horse I do believe. He should be waiting until all the requirements are laid out before he makes such statements.  Add to that we have no idea when China will allow their citizens to travel.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

Thai red truck drivers will be foaming at the mouths...they like to wait for the traveling packs of em...

 

Just look for the leader with the flag!....or they will be walking in the street for easy pick up! ????

[Sticky Rice Balls]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

He made no mention at all of any decision China may make in allowing its citizens to travel

not something that is done in the public eye--all going out the back door or behind the curtain...

[Thailand]

3 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

not something that is done in the public eye--all going out the back door or behind the curtain...

And the 3 weeks quarantine on return?

[Guderian]

They're trying to follow much richer countries with far higher vaccination covereage in opening up (e.g. Denmark. where 88% of people over the age of 18 and an astonishing 97% of the over-60's have received both shots). It's premature, many doctors don't even think the UK (with two-thirds of the population fully-vaccinated, compared with just one-third in Thailand)) should be fully reopening yet. Of course, everyone wants life to return to normal and to be able to go out for a beer, and for people working in the foreign tourism sector to get their jobs and livelihoods back, but they're going too far too fast. They simply don't have the breadth and depth of vaccine coverage, and this is likely to end in tears, I'm afraid.

[RafPinto]

He specifically mentioned America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and China. 

 

He forgot the "Africans" who want to overwinter in warmer climates.

[Laughing Gravy]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He specifically mentioned America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and China. 

 Obviously delusional. Three weeks quarantine back in China not included the quarantine in Thailand. These idiots are either very misinformed or just like to spread hype, in the belief someone might actually believe it.

[Artisi]

Don't spoil their fun, let them rabbit on about nothing, keeps them busy, employed and no time to think up any further stupid idea's. 

[zzzzz]

so open the country Nov 1st
open the bars, clubs Dec 1st?

yea, sounds ideal

[toolpush]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Cart before the horse I do believe. He should be waiting until all the requirements are laid out before he makes such statements.  Add to that we have no idea when China will allow their citizens to travel.

I don't think most people have quite figured out the overall picture yet. The virus was released in China. Now China is for all practical purposes again a completely closed country (just like prior to 1989). China has been hemorrhaging foreign currency the last few years and is in big financial trouble (Evergrande). The last thing the Chinese Government wants is their citizens leaving and spending hard earned foreign currency and transferring such currency out to buy condos, houses and such. Also being exposed to such foreign attributes like freedom of speech, the press and so on. Isn't the virus and fear of it a handy excuse to keep the Chinese locked in?

[vandeventer]

3 hours ago, RafPinto said:

He specifically mentioned America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and China. 

 

He forgot the "Africans" who want to overwinter in warmer climates.

The poor Africans are too broke paying off the Chinese debt traps.

[RichardColeman]

wonder if they have taken this time to fix all the pot holes caused by their coaches  ?

[Mark17AA]

He didn't mention how much we are all going to spend... suspicious me thinks. 

 

Think of number double it and divide by the last number oh can't be bothered.

[apetryxx]

Why would anyone want the Chinese, the very country that spawned this Wuhan virus in the first place? Madness but perhaps every Rimbi is worth it!

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said there would be no problems after his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed how it could be done with the Phuket Sandbox.

Yes, he showed everyone.

[nkg]

4 hours ago, Guderian said:

They're trying to follow much richer countries with far higher vaccination covereage in opening up (e.g. Denmark. where 88% of people over the age of 18 and an astonishing 97% of the over-60's have received both shots). It's premature, many doctors don't even think the UK (with two-thirds of the population fully-vaccinated, compared with just one-third in Thailand)) should be fully reopening yet. Of course, everyone wants life to return to normal and to be able to go out for a beer, and for people working in the foreign tourism sector to get their jobs and livelihoods back, but they're going too far too fast. They simply don't have the breadth and depth of vaccine coverage, and this is likely to end in tears, I'm afraid.

 

If fully insured, fully vaccinated tourists with 2 negative PCR tests are allowed into Thailand, what difference does it make?

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by nkg

[it is what it is]

4 hours ago, Guderian said:

They're trying to follow much richer countries with far higher vaccination covereage in opening up (e.g. Denmark. where 88% of people over the age of 18 and an astonishing 97% of the over-60's have received both shots). It's premature, many doctors don't even think the UK (with two-thirds of the population fully-vaccinated, compared with just one-third in Thailand)) should be fully reopening yet. Of course, everyone wants life to return to normal and to be able to go out for a beer, and for people working in the foreign tourism sector to get their jobs and livelihoods back, but they're going too far too fast. They simply don't have the breadth and depth of vaccine coverage, and this is likely to end in tears, I'm afraid.

this is true, and was always on the cards once the usa, and to some extent australia, talked about opening up on nov 1

[Bernietravelling]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said there would be no problems after his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed how it could be done with the Phuket Sandbox.

Oh my Buddha, that means: we have to expect the worst ! ????

 

You remember the first weeks of this „successful“ prototype?

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He said there would be no problems after his ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed how it could be done with the Phuket Sandbox.

We all saw how that turned out..

I sincerely hope the health system can cope on a national scale roll-out.

[dunroaming]

5 hours ago, Guderian said:

They're trying to follow much richer countries with far higher vaccination covereage in opening up (e.g. Denmark. where 88% of people over the age of 18 and an astonishing 97% of the over-60's have received both shots). It's premature, many doctors don't even think the UK (with two-thirds of the population fully-vaccinated, compared with just one-third in Thailand)) should be fully reopening yet. Of course, everyone wants life to return to normal and to be able to go out for a beer, and for people working in the foreign tourism sector to get their jobs and livelihoods back, but they're going too far too fast. They simply don't have the breadth and depth of vaccine coverage, and this is likely to end in tears, I'm afraid.

There was a news report on the BBC about Thailand re-opening to ten "safe" countries on November 1st.  They included Britain and the USA which raised an eyebrow or two!  Clearly the Thai authorities are desperate for tourist dollars at any cost.

[ukrules]

6 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Add to that we have no idea when China will allow their citizens to travel.

It could be years away, or even many years from now. I wouldn't count on the Chinese doing anything at all any time soon.

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by ukrules

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Pipat: Thailand ready to vie bend over for Chinese

[Cake Monster]

6 hours ago, Guderian said:

They're trying to follow much richer countries with far higher vaccination covereage in opening up (e.g. Denmark. where 88% of people over the age of 18 and an astonishing 97% of the over-60's have received both shots). It's premature, many doctors don't even think the UK (with two-thirds of the population fully-vaccinated, compared with just one-third in Thailand)) should be fully reopening yet. Of course, everyone wants life to return to normal and to be able to go out for a beer, and for people working in the foreign tourism sector to get their jobs and livelihoods back, but they're going too far too fast. They simply don't have the breadth and depth of vaccine coverage, and this is likely to end in tears, I'm afraid.

This reopening is not just about the Vaccination numbers.

We are just a couple of weeks away from that opening now, but infections within the Country seem to be rising on a daily basis.

As with many others, I am worried about the tests to be performed. So far Thailand has only demonstrated its ability to not test. Not just for current Infections, but also for any potential new strains of the Virus that may be present within the population of the Country.

The Countries mentioned in the post of @Guderian, all have World class health services also, whereas Thailands is not yet to that standard, and should there be a large uptick in cases, we will be back to the Field Hospital situation again, as Khon Kaen now is starting to realize.

This reopening is all about Money, and the safety and welfare of the population really does not count for anything

Never has, and never will.

[spidermike007]

Now more than ever, anytime Phiphat, Prayuth or Anutin open their mouths, one can be dead certain anything that comes out will be lies, fabrications, fake news, fake promises, bad information or just  misleading. 

[Paul Henry]

Someone needs to explain to the Thai bureaucrats what a holiday is. They don't have a clue, they believe its people coming to Thailand just to leave their money behind and put up with a myriad

of rules, regulations and demands. Forget about enjoying yourself and having fun . Just pass over your money and leave.

[jacko45k]

Let other places have them..... please!

[Isaan sailor]

If the mighty Baht keeps rising—not many will want to come.  And those of us still here will begin to leave.

[jacko45k]

Just now, Isaan sailor said:

If the mighty Baht keeps rising—not many will want to come.  And those of us still here will begin to leave.

It has lost nearly 5 baht relative to Sterling, over 3 baht to USD and 2.5 relative to Euro this year.

[Petey11]

Wish them all the luck in opening up everything, the Thai people need the money. Unfortunately every other country that has opened up has seen a resurgence of covid waves, even those with high vaccination rates. I know this is TIT who miraculously seems to defy the trends, but I for-see an upturn in infections when they open with all the consequences of a low percentage of the population vaccinated. Put all the effort into getting people vaccinated, gradually open to your domestic market and then open up to international tourists.