Chiang Mai: Foreign tourists everywhere as hopes surge for post pandemic recovery

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath sent its reporters to the streets of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand where they reported that there were foreign tourists "walking to and fro" everywhere.

 

The picture near the Tha Pae gate, on Loi Khroh Road and around the moat in the old city was all the same - plenty of tourists especially Europeans. 

 

They had pictures of that, with faces "vaselined" out, perhaps mindful of new identity protection laws.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Tour companies, bike rental firms, guest houses, shops and restaurants were all back in business, getting going again after more than two dire years of the pandemic. 

 

This was especially true of tour companies, they suggested. As evidence of this they spoke to Anchan Jirawatnakul of Patiothai Tour in Muang district who said she reopened in March after being shut for two years.

 

She was starting to sell tours again to Europeans mostly with Brits and Germans top of the list.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

They were particularly interested in nature trails to Doi Inthanon - Thailand's highest peak - Doi Suthep, one day tours to Chiang Rai as well as rafting and elephant riding.

 

"Thank goodness Covid is over," she enthused. "There is renewed hope now that we can make a full recovery and return to the kind of business we had before Covid".  

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-06-30

 

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[Captain Monday]

They should respect local sensibilities and please, wear a mask????

[MisterTee]

"Thank goodness Covid is over."

   It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

[vandeventer]

Just don't rip them off. Word of mouth is like American Indian smoke signals.

[RichardColeman]

Yes , absolutely flooded. 3 tourists walking with cases and 2 buying a take away. What a joke. You'd think that when using the word 'everywhere' there would be more tourists in the background and pictures of crowded areas !

[billd766]

5 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

They should respect local sensibilities and please, wear a mask????

Why? The government announced a week ago that mask wearing is now optional.

 

Do try to keep up.

[Burma Bill]

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

mask wearing is now optional.

 

Do try to keep up.

Yes indeed. I hope to be visiting Chiang Mai from Siem Reap next month. I will not be wearing a mask - optional in Thailand and optional in Cambodia!!!

[Maybole]

I visited 2 banks, PEA, a BigC, a 7Eleven and a fresh market today, all insisted that I wear a mask.

[Captain Monday]

15 hours ago, billd766 said:

Why? The government announced a week ago that mask wearing is now optional.

 

Do try to keep up.

Nothing to "keep up with". Go to masks no longer required outdoors Tokyo or Singapore now you will see the only persons outdoors maskless, at least 99 percent, are  western males. Arrogantly traipsing about with the ang moh air of "know it all white supremacy".

I want nothing to do with these  gormless foreign clods. In the case of Japan the maskless gaijin are the main reason the country remains largely closed. Very shameful.  Think visitors should be held to a higher standard under penalty of expulsion, and heavy fines.

 

"Do try to keep up", what person under 80 even finds this condescending rejoinder the least but amusing anymore? Maskless farangs in Thailand will be looked at with derision for many years.

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, billd766 said:

Why? The government announced a week ago that mask wearing is now optional.

 

Do try to keep up.

PM2.5 is still with us, mask wearing is optional and good for your health.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, Maybole said:

I visited 2 banks, PEA, a BigC, a 7Eleven and a fresh market today, all insisted that I wear a mask.

Common sense prevails.

[Cabradelmar]

Covid is going to be NOT over before you know it. Masking will again be enforced indoors and proof of the new covid omicron variant Ba.4 and Ba.5 booster vax will be required for certain activities. I'll give it 6 to 9  months. I don't like it. But its going to happen. 

[Cabradelmar]

7 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

(clutches pearls)....runs to hide under bed........or just keep my mask handy

 

dont recall any vaccines being "required" hence why this is still dragging on..

 

aka the burden of the unvaxxed...im triple vaxxed pfizer...waiting to become magnetic

Just telling you that this not over. The powers that be are going to ensure it. More masking and vax required soon. Count on it 

[CNXBKKMAN]

I pass through the old city on my bicycle and there are a few tourists about, they are in single figures. Some tourist type businesses have reopened but the old city is almost dead. 

[dingdongrb]

On 7/1/2022 at 6:37 AM, hotchilli said:

PM2.5 is still with us, mask wearing is optional and good for your health.

Concrete is hard and skulls are soft.......no need for a helmet.....

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 7/1/2022 at 5:38 AM, Captain Monday said:

Go to masks no longer required outdoors Tokyo or Singapore now you will see the only persons outdoors maskless, at least 99 percent, are  western males. Arrogantly traipsing about with the ang moh air of "know it all white supremacy".

Do you want me to get you a cushion for your sore bum?

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 7/1/2022 at 5:38 AM, Captain Monday said:

Maskless farangs in Thailand will be looked at with derision for many years.

More likely to be admired for their bravery as the rest of the population cowers in fear over what is essentially the flu.

 

Time to let it go, the obsession is boring.

[BritManToo]

On 7/1/2022 at 5:38 AM, Captain Monday said:

Nothing to "keep up with". Go to masks no longer required outdoors Tokyo or Singapore now you will see the only persons outdoors maskless, at least 99 percent, are  western males. Arrogantly traipsing about with the ang moh air of "know it all white supremacy".

I want nothing to do with these  gormless foreign clods. In the case of Japan the maskless gaijin are the main reason the country remains largely closed. Very shameful.  Think visitors should be held to a higher standard under penalty of expulsion, and heavy fines.

 

"Do try to keep up", what person under 80 even finds this condescending rejoinder the least but amusing anymore? Maskless farangs in Thailand will be looked at with derision for many years.

If masks and vaccinations stop the spread of Covid, why did everyone still catch it? 

[hotchilli]

49 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Concrete is hard and skulls are soft.......no need for a helmet.....

Those with common sense will survive, those without will fall.

Goes for all things.

[dingdongrb]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

If masks and vaccinations stop the spread of Covid, why did everyone still catch it? 

Do seatbelts stop a person from dying in a car accident?

[Mr Meeseeks]

38 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Do seatbelts stop a person from dying in a car accident?

They have saved millions of lives, so yes, up to a point. 

 

Would a mask stop a person dying ever? No. 

[dingdongrb]

1 hour ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Would a mask stop a person dying ever? No. 

Really? You have proof that not a single person has stopped COVID from spreading by wearing a mask?

 

Why are masks required in operating rooms?

[Captain Monday]

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If masks and vaccinations stop the spread of Covid, why did everyone still catch it? 

That does not matter. It is about respect and fitting in. Exactly why unless one can get a business or family visa you cannot visit Japan this year without signing up for a strictly guided tour.

 

Thanks to BritManToo and  a million other other pale faced know it alls who won't simply follow the rules  and keep "asking questions"

[Mac Mickmanus]

21 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

That does not matter. It is about respect and fitting in. Exactly why unless one can get a business or family visa you cannot visit Japan this year without signing up for a strictly guided tour.

 

Thanks to BritManToo and  a million other other pale faced know it alls who won't simply follow the rules  and keep "asking questions"

Yes, I don't think that masks do much good to help .

But I wore one at all times whilst in Thailand , reason being that I was asked to and it wasn't the time for individual choices 

[Dante99]

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If masks and vaccinations stop the spread of Covid, why did everyone still catch it? 

Oh please get out of the world of black and white.  No they don't stop the spread but they do reduce it.  Isn't that good?

 

Why did everyone still catch it?  Well in fact everyone did not still catch it, sure some did but nothing approaching everyone. 

 

Are you feeling okay BritMan?

[BritManToo]

18 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

Oh please get out of the world of black and white.  No they don't stop the spread but they do reduce it.  Isn't that good?

Why did everyone still catch it?  Well in fact everyone did not still catch it, sure some did but nothing approaching everyone. 

Are you feeling okay BritMan?

Well this thread is about going on holiday.

I don't want to wear a mask when I'm on holiday, and I'm sure there's lots of people that think like me. I'd rather stay at home where I don't have to wear a mask, than book a holiday to a place where they want me to wear a mask.

 

[Bill97]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Well this thread is about going on holiday.

I don't want to wear a mask when I'm on holiday, and I'm sure there's lots of people that think like me. I'd rather stay at home where I don't have to wear a mask, than book a holiday to a place where they want me to wear a mask.

 

Well this thread is not about anyone suggesting that you take an unwanted holiday so you can stay home,  if the wife permits of course.

[William C F Pierce]

On 6/30/2022 at 3:16 AM, MisterTee said:

 

   It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

There's plenty of them in CM. Your fist stop the Karaoke bar.