By Nop Meechukhun

 

Bangkok – Minor International Chairman William Heinecke submitted an open letter to the Prime Minister yesterday, April 18th, urging the Thai government to cancel the ‘Thailand Pass’ entry scheme and ‘Test & Go’ program as soon as possible to help recover the country’s tourism industry.

 

The Thai government is set to meet later this week to discuss proposals to ease the unpopular programs or even possibly eliminate them altogether, although the latter is a longshot according to many analysts, despite the program’s negative impact on tourism arrival numbers.

 

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Heinecke stated in the letter that although the number of foreign arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport was rising after the cancellation of pre-arrival Covid-19 testing, the daily number of international arrivals was only 11,623 people per day, significantly lower than over 50,000 people per day in April of 2019.

 

The letter read: “Despite the cancellation of pre-arrival Covid-19 testing, the visitors to Thailand are still required to complete an unnecessary series of steps, including pre-booking RT-PCR tests, prepaid one-night hotel accommodations, mandatory health insurance, and more in order to secure a visa and/or Thailand Pass.

 

 Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/19/minor-international-chairman-william-heinecke-urges-thai-government-to-cancel-all-entry-measures-as-soon-as-possible-to-boost-tourism/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-04-20

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Minor International Chairman William Heinecke submitted an open letter

This Minor Bulldog faced chairman is giving a major advice. Listen to him Thailand!!

Until the threat of quarantine is eliminated, tourism is a non-starter.

Other than more tourists equal to better business to him, the man know what he's talking about as a person closely connected and involved with the hospitality industry...

He is spot-on, but a Thai leader cannot accept advice from a farang, no matter whom, as that would result in loss of face.

4 minutes ago, Homburg said:

He is spot-on, but a Thai leader cannot accept advice from a farang

William Heinecke holds Thai citizenship

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/bill-heinecke-gave-up-us-citizenship-to-become-a-thailand-billionaire.html

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

William Heinecke holds Thai citizenship

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/bill-heinecke-gave-up-us-citizenship-to-become-a-thailand-billionaire.html

Hence a Farang with Thai citizenship, in the eyes of every Thai.

Heinecke doesn't have a vested interest does he?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok – Minor International Chairman William Heinecke submitted an open letter to the Prime Minister yesterday, April 18th, urging the Thai government to cancel the ‘Thailand Pass’ entry scheme and ‘Test & Go’ program as soon as possible to help recover the country’s tourism industry

Must be about the 5th letter he's sent.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

William Heinecke holds Thai citizenship

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/bill-heinecke-gave-up-us-citizenship-to-become-a-thailand-billionaire.html

True, but no matter what, he's still a farang in the Thais eyes.  

As Mr. Heinecke is a Thai citizen, I wonder why he didn't submit his letter to the PM in Thai?

2 hours ago, webfact said:

William Heinecke holds Thai citizenship

But not prefix 'General'

5 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

But not prefix 'General'

Not even a Major, just a Minor.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Must be about the 5th letter he's sent.

I think he needs a tracking number 

Why is this person not on the board of the Thai Tourist industry 

Obviously knows what he is talking about 

As mentioned has Thai citizenship can provide advice leadership in promoting

Thailand to the outside World 

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Must be about the 5th letter he's sent.

...and 500th words of advice

A bit of context in the article would have been helpful. What is Minor and who is this guy? Never heard of either.

4 hours ago, Homburg said:

He is spot-on, but a Thai leader cannot accept advice from a farang, no matter whom, as that would result in loss of face.

Yeah! totally true.... farang telling him what he has to do...I won't happen!

He'll be along in a few years to tell us how great the next coup has been.

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Hanuman2547 said:

As Mr. Heinecke is a Thai citizen, I wonder why he didn't submit his letter to the PM in Thai?

Only a guess, but seeing that he's fluent in Thai he likely submitted the letter in both Thai and English.

 

English language publications would have republished the English version and vice versa. 

8 hours ago, timendres said:

Until the threat of quarantine is eliminated, tourism is a non-starter.

Tourist arrivals have re-started and are increasing.

6 hours ago, Homburg said:

He is spot-on, but a Thai leader cannot accept advice from a farang, no matter whom, as that would result in loss of face.

Heinecke is a Thai citizen.

2 hours ago, worldexpress said:

A bit of context in the article would have been helpful. What is Minor and who is this guy? Never heard of either.

Ever heard of Google?    

37 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Heinecke is a Thai citizen.

As has already been stated, being a farang relates to your ethnicity, your race. It doesn't matter what citizenship you hold, what passport is in your pocket - you are still a Farang.

 

Heinecke is talking a lot of sense. Hence he will be ignored.

 

 

4 hours ago, Hanuman2547 said:

As Mr. Heinecke is a Thai citizen, I wonder why he didn't submit his letter to the PM in Thai?

He does not speak Thai as far as I am aware, even though it is a requirement for citizenship. 

5 hours ago, worldexpress said:

What is Minor and who is this guy? Never heard of either.

For reference (Wikipedia):

William Ellwood Heinecke is an American-born Thai businessman. He is the Founder & Chairman of Minor International PCL. Minor International includes Minor Hotels, Minor Food Group and Minor Lifestyle................Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three core businesses: hospitality, restaurants and lifestyle brands.......with a portfolio of 536 hotels 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Heinecke

11 hours ago, Hanuman2547 said:

True, but no matter what, he's still a farang in the Thais eyes.  

One could also argue based on some previous comments that he is also still a farang in farang eyes. So maybe it's just farangs projecting their own experiences and opinions and assuming all Thais feel this way too. I somehow doubt that.

Thailand following China has cost them their economy!  

China will step in now and take what is left.

On 4/20/2022 at 12:03 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

Ever heard of Google?    

If you ever took a writing class (or even a high school English class), you'd have understood the point: fully covering the 5 W fundamentals, when writing.

On 4/20/2022 at 5:42 AM, Homburg said:

He is spot-on, but a Thai leader cannot accept advice from a farang, no matter whom, as that would result in loss of face.

Isn't he a Thai citizen, look at what he controls and runs, I don't think he could do that as a foreigner without any legal standing in business, land