Foreigners eager to visit to Thailand, but few have actually booked flights: Poll

[webfact]

File photo

 

Following the news that Thailand plans to reopen its tourism industry, at least in part, from November 1, many foreigners are eager to visit the country, but those who have actually booked flights remain in the minority.

 

According to a straw poll carried out by ASEAN NOW, 31 percent of respondents said they planned to visit Thailand this year, while 30 percent said they planned to visit between January and March 2022.

 

However, when asked if they had actually booked a flight to Thailand, 81 percent of respondents said they had not yet bought a flight to Thailand.

 

The lack of people seemingly willing to take the step of actually buying an airline ticket to return to Thailand is perhaps an indication of the confusion regarding Thailand’s reopening plan. 

 

A particular area of confusion surrounds the online ‘Thailand Pass’ system, which the government has announced will replace the certificates of entry (COE) for visitors to Thailand from November 1.

 

Thai and foreign travellers will need to submit proof of vaccination and other documents on the Thailand Pass system before travelling to Thailand.  

 

However, while the government has said that Thailand Pass will be more efficient and will help to facilitate ease of travel for visitors, the system is yet to be launched. 

 

Elsewhere in the poll, there was perhaps little surprise to discover that Bangkok and Pattaya were the two most popular destinations among respondents.

 

Interestingly, most of the respondents said that a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants would not put them off visiting Thailand. 

 

However, opinion was fairly mixed, with 47 percent of respondents voting no, while 35 percent said that an alcohol ban in Thailand was reason enough to opt for another destination. 18 percent of respondents were undecided on the issue.

 

When asked how long they intended to stay for, most respondents (52%) said they planned to stay for more than one month. This perhaps indicates that most people looking to return to Thailand at present are expats or those with some other connection to Thailand, be it property ownership, marriage etc.

 

 

 

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[Tropicalevo]

waste of breath.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Tropicalevo

[DrPhibes]

You can't make solid plans on quicksand.  The government has shown in the last 6+ mo that they will change things on a whim.  No one wants to try and make vacation plans until there is a period of time of consistent rules and regulations tourists can count on.  Thai gov and culture does not understand the value of what little time people from other countries have for vacation and how important it is to make sure they don't miss a day of it let alone have the entire vacation cancelled at the last minute for some crazy face saving last minute requirement.

[RafPinto]

Better to make a survey:

 

How old are you:

Single or family:

Reason for coming?Boom boom or temple viewing?

Do you want to visit bars, drink and have fun?

 

That should clarify who wants to come and why.

[blackcab]

19 percent of respondents have booked a flight.

 

237 people.

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

but those who have actually booked flights remain in the minority.

That's because this seasons holidays have already been booked for other countries.

Until there are NO HOOPS, nobody will be booking a holiday in Thailand next year either.

[DrPhibes]

1 minute ago, RafPinto said:

Better to make a survey:

 

How old are you:

Single or family:

Reason for coming?Boom boom or temple viewing?

Do you want to visit bars, drink and have fun?

 

That should clarify who wants to come and why.

Ya, if you look at the chart for how long the stay 52% over 1 month.  Maybe there should be another to show 6mo+ for us coming back to our families.

[PoorSucker]

Guess Thai Airways didn't get the memo from the PM.

No flights from Stockholm to Bangkok on Nov 1st.

5 flights per week now although.

[samtam]

6 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

You can't make solid plans on quicksand.  The government has shown in the last 6+ mo that they will change things on a whim.  No one wants to try and make vacation plans until there is a period of time of consistent rules and regulations tourists can count on.  Thai gov and culture does not understand the value of what little time people from other countries have for vacation and how important it is to make sure they don't miss a day of it let alone have the entire vacation cancelled at the last minute for some crazy face saving last minute requirement.

Whilst adaptation to changing circumstances is admirable, when every pronouncement here is made, you can bet your bottom dollar it will change, because the plan is never ever completely thought through. No critical thinking. Announce, react, change. Guaranteed. 

[Will B Good]

Survey question 4 asks...... "if there is an alcohol plan".........????

 

 

[Sir Dude]

The smart thing to do is to wait until the dust settles a couple months into 2022, then we'll see where the goal posts really are. Those that want to come now, really do want/need to come, probably for reasons other than your 2 week jollies break, then off home. Likely that those wanting to arrive now will be those separated from family, property owners or those with financial/business interests here.

I might be wrong, but coming now is a big roll of the dice on a few fronts as anything, at either end of a holiday, could suddenly do a 180 for all sorts of reasons. Furthermore, why bother coming if there is no fun, alcohol in restaurants, bars/pubs/nightclubs etc. or even proper freedom of movement, plus curfews? There will be all sorts of persnickety nonsense all the way through a vacation here right now. 

Personally, I'd wait unless there really was a pressing reason to get here.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Sir Dude
Typos

[Will B Good]

So potentially 53% will swerve Thailand if it remains dry.......the tourist industry should be apologetic at the prospects.

[RichardColeman]

43 minutes ago, webfact said:

The lack of people seemingly willing to take the step of actually buying an airline ticket to return to Thailand is perhaps an indication of the confusion regarding Thailand’s reopening plan. 

Boy, that is an understatement if ever I heard one

[4MyEgo]

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

Interestingly, most of the respondents said that a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants would not put them off visiting Thailand. 

Did they mentioned that the bars, go go places and establishments that usually entertain male tourists with huge testosterone levels such as myself would all be closed. I don't think so, would it have made a difference then, I think so, because after a crash and burn event, one carries on to either the beach or the hotel pool for some R&R, that is the beauty of a holiday in Thailand for males with huge testosterone levels, IMO, having been there, done that.

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[Cake Monster]

46 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

You can't make solid plans on quicksand.  The government has shown in the last 6+ mo that they will change things on a whim.  No one wants to try and make vacation plans until there is a period of time of consistent rules and regulations tourists can count on.  Thai gov and culture does not understand the value of what little time people from other countries have for vacation and how important it is to make sure they don't miss a day of it let alone have the entire vacation cancelled at the last minute for some crazy face saving last minute requirement.

Nothing, as far as I am aware, has been said about people that arrive  and are tested positive upon their Mandatory PCR test.

Are these people whisked off to some Covid prison to undertake a 14 Day Quarantine before their departure back to their Country of origin

Or are they allowed to Vacation with not having to do Quarantine.

The thought of being on an Aircraft that touches down in Swampy, and just 1 passenger tests positive is horrendous.

 

 

[thaivisareader]

over the top difficult to visit Thailand at this time. Zero clarity. Thank you prayut & your  low IQ cohorts. You have sucked the fun out of a lovely country and population. How proud you must be

[terryp]

you have seen nothing yet .............   this is the real madness  

 

https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/umufy3EgqL/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9D%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A5/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99_ThailandPlus_%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A9.pdf

[Longwood50]

Notice that 52% said they plan on staying for 1 month or more.  That is not a tourist that is some form of long term resident. Those that are staying for 1 month or more don't for the most part rent hotel rooms, frequent tourist spots, or go out to  restaurant daily.  

With the hurdles such as multiple covid tests and insurance those who are planning on visiting for two weeks or less are obviously going to find the expense and hassle not worth a short trip to Thailand.  

[Elkski]

Where did they get this list of names to survey? No way do these numbers reflect a sampling of random people in foreign countries. I bet in USA less than 1% a year traveled to Thailand in the peak years.   This must be one expat list.   Over a month requires a trip to immagration or a SETV ahead of time.   Pure rubbish.  

[JCP108]

4 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Survey question 4 asks...... "if there is an alcohol plan".........????

 

 

I always have an alcohol plan.

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, DrPhibes said:

You can't make solid plans on quicksand.  The government has shown in the last 6+ mo that they will change things on a whim.  No one wants to try and make vacation plans until there is a period of time of consistent rules and regulations tourists can count on.  Thai gov and culture does not understand the value of what little time people from other countries have for vacation and how important it is to make sure they don't miss a day of it let alone have the entire vacation cancelled at the last minute for some crazy face saving last minute requirement.

....and their learning curve isn't keeping up the pace - as they still struggle to get it.

[it is what it is]

4 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

The smart thing to do is to wait until the dust settles a couple months into 2022, then we'll see where the goal posts really are. Those that want to come now, really do want/need to come, probably for reasons other than your 2 week jollies break, then off home. Likely that those wanting to arrive now will be those separated from family, property owners or those with financial/business interests here.

I might be wrong, but coming now is a big roll of the dice on a few fronts as anything, at either end of a holiday, could suddenly do a 180 for all sorts of reasons. Furthermore, why bother coming if there is no fun, alcohol in restaurants, bars/pubs/nightclubs etc. or even proper freedom of movement, plus curfews? There will be all sorts of persnickety nonsense all the way through a vacation here right now. 

Personally, I'd wait unless there really was a pressing reason to get here.

 

agree, i have friends who would visit but are put off by the uncertainty and/or palaver involved. tbh life doesn;t seem too bad back home, winter and possible plan b aside

[khunpa]

Who wants to go a place where you can get arrested for having a glass of wine with your steak dinner and have to go to bed at 9pm because everything is closed?

 

There are Muslim countries more holiday-friendly than Thailand right now..

Edited October 25, 2021 by khunpa

[sammieuk1]

The general missed his foot and shot himself in the face with never ending requirements misinformation and now 80% of flight slots being cancelled until the end of March by airlines its going to be another long painful winter for tourism ???? 

[cheapcanuck]

Im waiting to travel to Thailand until the dust settles, next year. The rules and regulations have changed at least 5 times the last 6 months. How can you plan anything in an environment like that?

[mahtin]

[tomyami]

"sure am eager" left first week in May everything shut and town deserted much the same today was hoping they would finally get there act together was to be there nov but now early spring 22.

They should not open there are few tourists prepared to chance it

love to know the no. enquiring at embassies and the airline bookings would give an accurate figure

 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by tomyami

[mommysboy]

Only a full reopening guaranteed without the hassles of tests at either border will ensure some chance of a recovery in international tourism.

[The Hammer2021]

9 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Did they mentioned that the bars, go go places and establishments that usually entertain male tourists with huge testosterone levels such as myself would all be closed. I don't think so, would it have made a difference then, I think so, because after a crash and burn event, one carries on to either the beach or the hotel pool for some R&R, that is the beauty of a holiday in Thailand for males with huge testosterone levels, IMO, having been there, done that.

 

Testosterone levels, high or low is irrelevant.

[NanaSomchai]

6 hours ago, terryp said:

https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/umufy3EgqL/แบบฟอร์มฝ่ายกงสุล/คู่มือการใช้งาน_ThailandPlus_ภาษาอังกฤษ.pdf

This now confirms at 100% that Thailand has entered a totalitarism authoritarian era.

 

GPS, facetracking, position tracking, no cap, no sunglasses, no eyeglasses, must be turned on at all times, uses your dataplan at your own expense, etc, etc, etc.

 

We have now entered a new era, the Chinese masters will be pleased.

 

I'm done with Thailand. I know I've said this before, but this time, I really mean it.

Edited October 25, 2021 by NanaSomchai