Koh Samui: Tourism businesses fear catastrophic effect of suspension of Test and Go

[webfact]

Picture: Daily News

 

As Thailand's Chamber of Commerce casually said that the effect of suspending the Test and Go program would have a minimal effect on the Thai economy, those most affected beg to differ.

 

Daily News reported from Koh Samui where operators are furious at the sudden government "flip-flop".

 

Chawaeng hotels representative Withaya Wongpatanathon told them the effect could be catastrophic.

 

He slammed the abrupt decision pointing out that businesses in Samui had invested heavily in the reopening of Thailand since November 1st.

 

They believed they were on the path to recovery now they have to face further turmoil slap bang in the middle of what should be high season.

 

Withaya said that he felt Samui should be treated in the same way as the Phuket Sandbox pointing out that 80% of people on the island had been vaccinated too.

 

He called for an urgent review of the decision saying that foreign tour agencies and individual tourists had been utterly confused by what has happened. 

 

People have made hotel and flight bookings but are now baffled by the new rules that they must arrive before January 10th, he said referring to the 200,000 applicants who can still come, 90,000 of whom are waiting final approval.  

 

Ratchaporn Phoonsawat of the Samui Tourism Promotion Board also said that many tourists and agents had been in contact.

 

All bookings were being cancelled, he claimed.  

 

He too pointed out that hoteliers, restaurateurs, people selling things in the street had all invested heavily in the promise of the return of tourists.

 

He also called for a review of the government action saying that everything was in place in Samui to prevent infection from Omicron. 

 

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[Tropicalevo]

Well said Khun Withaya and Khun Ratchaporn.

[yogi yogi]

but first build a public airport on at least a nearby island?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He slammed the abrupt decision pointing out that businesses in Samui had invested heavily in the reopening of Thailand since November 1st.

 

They believed they were on the path to recovery now they have to face further turmoil slap bang in the middle of what should be high season.

Welcome to the real world... 

[JonMac]

Arrived Samuel yesterday. Great to be back after 3 years. Our favourite hotel in the world is a bit quiet though!