Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Thailand news, views and comments
Post Reply
User avatar
Udon Map
Admin
Posts: 2840
Joined: July 31, 2013, 7:57 pm

Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Udon Map » May 27, 2020, 3:08 pm

From CNN
By: Kocha Olarn and Karla Cripps
Open 1.jpg

Bangkok (CNN) — With news that many countries in Europe are reopening to tourism in time for summer, travelers with their sights set on Asia are anxiously awaiting word on when they'll be given the green light to visit their favorite destination.

As of now, those with Thailand in mind will need to wait at least a few more months before packing their bags.
"It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year," Yutasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.

And even then, he says, there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go.

"We are not going to open all at once," he adds. "We are still on high alert, we just can't let our guards down yet. We have to look at the country of origin [of the travelers] to see if their situation has truly improved. And lastly, we have to see whether our own business operators are ready to receive tourists under the 'new normal'."

Similar versions of this strategy are already being looked at in the region -- referred to as "tourism bubbles." Basically, a country will open borders reciprocally with destinations that also have their coronavirus situation under control.

Once Thailand does open to international tourists, they'll likely only be able to visit certain spots, says Yutasak. "We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled -- for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui. This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, since this is almost a kind of quarantine."

Open 2.jpg
Chinatown: Many street food vendors in Bangkok, including those in Chinatown, have erected plastic dividers between diners as part of efforts to adhere to government-issued social distancing rules.
Photo by: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images


Yutasak says they're finishing up a framework to restart tourism, but much of the decision-making lies in the hands of the CCSA -- the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration -- which will decide when is the best time to open the border.

Phuket-based Bill Barnett, managing director of Asia-focused consulting firm C9 Hotelworks, says "baby steps are needed" to reignite international tourism. "The next step is bilateral agreements between countries," he says. "Thailand's good standing in the face of the crisis with China, along with strong pent-up demand, make it a logical short-term solution for overseas tourism to return to the Kingdom."

For now, Thailand isn't taking any chances and the country's borders are firmly shut. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a temporary ban on all international commercial flights into the country until June 30, excluding repatriation flights. The Thais who do return on these flights are put into quarantine facilities for 14 days.

Meanwhile, on May 26, the Thai Cabinet agreed to extend the nationwide state of emergency until June 30.

Thailand has seemingly managed to avoid the ravages of the virus experienced by many other nations around the world. When this story was published, the country had recorded 3,042 Covid-19 cases and 57 deaths. It's reporting only a handful of new Covid-19 cases each day -- occasionally even zero. Instances of local transmissions are low, with most recent Covid-19 infections discovered in quarantined returnees.


Country kicks off domestic tourism push, eases lockdown measures

Thailand is now focused on reopening to domestic tourism in June, says Yutasak. Resorts and hotels in some tourism destinations throughout the country have already been given the green light to reopen, including in Hua Hin, a popular beach resort about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Bangkok.

Nationwide lockdown measures put in place in late March have been easing in stages throughout May. Malls, markets, museums and some tourist attractions have already reopened and more are slated to follow. Bangkok's Grand Palace, for instance, will reopen June 4. National parks, theme parks, stadiums, spas, massage shops and cinemas remain closed, but local media reports some will likely be given the go-ahead reopen in June.

Restaurants -- limited to offering only delivery and take-out services in late March -- can now allow customers to dine in but are banned from serving alcohol and must adhere to strict social distancing measures. Pubs and night clubs remain closed, and a curfew is in place from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Local transport networks are increasing services, including rail and bus lines, while airlines are upping the number of domestic flights. Phuket International Airport, however, remains closed until further notice. Thailand's most popular tourism island emerged as a coronavirus hotspot in March, facing the highest infection rate per capita out of all of Thailand's 77 provinces. As a result, Phuket officials imposed strict lockdown measures and embarked on an intensive drive to test residents.

But with cases slowing to a trickle in recent days, embattled travel industry players question the continued closure of the island's airport when the rest of the country is opening to domestic flights. "The Phuket tourism sector at the moment is sad, stunned, annoyed and dismayed at the lack of a defined plan to reopen the airport," says Barnett. "The recent 24-hour notice by CAAT of a sustained closure was a hard pill to swallow for a damaged industry. There is no point to open hotels, while the airport is the trigger for reopening. The vague notice and lack of a clarity on when the airport [will reopen] makes it impossible for businesses to plan forward actions."


Local businesses struggle

Even with domestic tourism starting to kick off in some provinces, it's only a drop in the bucket.

In 2019, nearly 40 million tourists visited Thailand, according to government data. The TAT estimates only 14 to 16 million will visit this year.

Financially stressed hotels in need of cash flow have already started aggressively selling hotel rooms and vouchers, says Barnett, while also looking to the local market to provide some relief. "Staycations and road trips are being touted but in a country where tourism represents 12 to 14 percent of the GDP, these small bites are not going to bridge the road to recovery," he says. "Broader ASEAN bilateral agreements and getting airports open and airlines back in the air is what's needed."

Open 3.jpg
Shoppers wearing face masks walk past a sign reminding visitors to observe social distancing at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market on May 17.
Photo by: CANDIDA NG/AFP/AFP via Getty Images


Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the city's most popular shopping destinations, reopened on May 9. But though Thais and expats have returned, it's simply not enough foot traffic for vendors to make a sustainable living, says shop owner Tassanee Larlitparpaipune. "International tourists make up about 50 percent of my customer base," she says. "Most are from Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia." Before the Lunar New Year holiday in January, Tassanee owned four clothing shops at the market. She has since closed two and is now considering shuttering a third and shifting her focus to online orders.


Wildlife returns to once busy natural spaces

But the Covid-19 pandemic hasn't had completely negative consequences. As seen in other once busy global destinations, Thailand's wildlife has benefited from the global shutdown -- particularly marine animals. Marine biologist Dr. Thon Thammawongsawat says the changes he's witnessed have been remarkable, with animals returning to destinations once crowded with humans.

"For example, pink dugongs were spotted around Ban Pe, in Koh Samet and green turtles laid eggs for the first time in six years at Koh Samui beaches," he says. More than 200 of these turtles were born on the secluded beach of the Banyan Tree Samui resort, with three nests hatching between April 4 and 24, according to hotel staff.

Open 4.jpg
More than 200 baby green turtles hatched at Koh Samui's Banyan Tree resort in April.
Photo by: Banyan Tree


A giant mother turtle reportedly laid the eggs in late February and early March, which were then protected by the resort's resident marine biologist and the local Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

Other species of turtles have returned to Thailand's shores to lay eggs, too. "The most crucial indicator of positive side effects from this crisis is that we've seen leatherback turtles lay eggs in the highest amount since we began recording statistics eight years ago," says Thon. "Last year, we recorded that there were about 100 leatherbacks hatched. This year, up until now, there are more than 300 hatched and returned to the sea."

The country's national parks officials say they hope to preserve some of these gains. "The department has decided to close national parks -- both land and marine parks -- every year between two to three months a year," Sompoch Maneerat, director of information for Thailand's Department of National Parks, tells CNN Travel. "Durations and dates will be varied depending on the nature of each location. The purpose is to achieve sustainable tourism, where nature can rest during the low season."

As for popular Maya Bay, where the 2000 movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed, Sompoch says it will remain closed until at least 2021, as the ecosystem has not yet fully recovered to an acceptable level.
The bay has been closed since June 2018 part of a rejuvenation program aimed at reviving the area's decimated corals.


Courtesy of CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... index.html



User avatar
Udon Map
Admin
Posts: 2840
Joined: July 31, 2013, 7:57 pm

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Udon Map » May 27, 2020, 3:09 pm

Bottom line? If you leave Thailand it won't be so easy to get back here.

User avatar
tamada
udonmap.com
Posts: 17220
Joined: February 21, 2007, 4:03 am
Location: Down two...then left

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by tamada » May 28, 2020, 9:34 am

Udon Map wrote:
May 27, 2020, 3:09 pm
Bottom line? If you leave Thailand it won't be so easy to get back here.
But if you are not allowed to stay, it's all a moot point. That's the bottom line.

mickojak
udonmap.com
Posts: 1367
Joined: June 3, 2012, 3:08 pm

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by mickojak » May 28, 2020, 9:43 am

tamada wrote:
May 28, 2020, 9:34 am
by tamada » May 28, 2020, 12:34 pm

Udon Map wrote: ↑May 27, 2020, 6:09 pm
Bottom line? If you leave Thailand it won't be so easy to get back here.
But if you are not allowed to stay, it's all a moot point. That's the bottom line.
And, if you have to leave, your chosen other country may not be open.
That's gunna be messy

User avatar
tamada
udonmap.com
Posts: 17220
Joined: February 21, 2007, 4:03 am
Location: Down two...then left

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by tamada » May 28, 2020, 10:10 am

^ I think the only country where your admission may be guaranteed is the one that issued your passport.

But back on topic: there was a lot of flapping going on when first the Health Minister suggested China and Korea may get special consideration, going so far as to say the PM had verbally OK'd it. I think that was a mangled translation and the PM had simply agreed that the motion be up for discussion by the CCSA at their next meeting. More recently, the idea of tourists from low-risk nations may be 'pipelined' to low-risk destinations in Thailand was floated by an equally gormless government functionary. It appears from the OP that they consider a couple of islands as being perfect for this 'plague island' scenario so Udon's exemplary record on prevention and containment stays intact. TBH, apart from some concrete dinosaurs, fragments of ancient pots and Ho Chi Minh's temporary lodgings, there's really not a lot going for it.

User avatar
Udon Map
Admin
Posts: 2840
Joined: July 31, 2013, 7:57 pm

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Udon Map » May 28, 2020, 10:36 am

tamada wrote:
May 28, 2020, 9:34 am
Udon Map wrote:
May 27, 2020, 3:09 pm
Bottom line? If you leave Thailand it won't be so easy to get back here.
But if you are not allowed to stay, it's all a moot point. That's the bottom line.
That won't happen, Tam. Two reasons. First, foreigners currently in country have been subject to the same restrictions that Thais have, so we're just as likely (or unlikely) to be infected by or to spread the virus. No logical reason to throw us out. Second, I believe that it would be logistically impossible to round up every foreigner and ensure that s/he leaves the country. And what do you do with those who are ethnically Thai, but not Thai citizens, who were born in and live in another country but are here visiting?

mickojak
udonmap.com
Posts: 1367
Joined: June 3, 2012, 3:08 pm

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by mickojak » May 28, 2020, 10:40 am

But, I thought once the borders re-open, everyone had 7 days to leave?????

User avatar
Khun Paul
udonmap.com
Posts: 7743
Joined: September 16, 2008, 3:28 pm
Location: Udon Thani

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Khun Paul » May 28, 2020, 10:47 am

There you go Mickojak, thinking , often here thinking is not logical as the Thai thought processes are also not logical , therefore foe a sane man to think is a recipe for disaster especially when dealing with Thai officialdom .

User avatar
maaka
udonmap.com
Posts: 3314
Joined: October 9, 2007, 6:03 am

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by maaka » May 28, 2020, 10:55 am

well I am on a tourist visa, its run out, my thai airways flight home was canned even before I left the lucky green country. I now have until the end of July grace before something happenings...either thai airways start up again, or I go another carrier, or I try a re re tourist visa extension, or opt for the retirement visa, seeming I might not get back in for some while, and with health insurance, doctors papers and whatever else will be required..Then I might be sent to Koh Samui...step by step methinks

User avatar
tamada
udonmap.com
Posts: 17220
Joined: February 21, 2007, 4:03 am
Location: Down two...then left

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by tamada » May 28, 2020, 11:00 am

Udon Map wrote:
May 28, 2020, 10:36 am
tamada wrote:
May 28, 2020, 9:34 am
Udon Map wrote:
May 27, 2020, 3:09 pm
Bottom line? If you leave Thailand it won't be so easy to get back here.
But if you are not allowed to stay, it's all a moot point. That's the bottom line.
That won't happen, Tam. Two reasons. First, foreigners currently in country have been subject to the same restrictions that Thais have, so we're just as likely (or unlikely) to be infected by or to spread the virus. No logical reason to throw us out. Second, I believe that it would be logistically impossible to round up every foreigner and ensure that s/he leaves the country. And what do you do with those who are ethnically Thai, but not Thai citizens, who were born in and live in another country but are here visiting?
You used the terms "logical" and "logistically". What country are we talking about here?

If we are similarly uninfected, then there's no logical reason for them to allow us to stay longer than what they see as necessary.

I will give Thai Immigration the benefit of the doubt here and they will graciously confer 14-days for those currently under the amnesty to leave the premises. That will include those with kith and kin here who were unable to fulfill the procedures or complete the border hops or get the correct visa regionally (like in Laos) to sustain a longer term stay.

Oops! It looks like I'm a glass half-empty guy today.

User avatar
Barney
udonmap.com
Posts: 4409
Joined: November 1, 2012, 5:51 am
Location: Outback of Nong Samrong Udon Thani

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Barney » May 28, 2020, 11:47 am

maaka wrote:well I am on a tourist visa, its run out, my thai airways flight home was canned even before I left the lucky green country. I now have until the end of July grace before something happenings...either thai airways start up again, or I go another carrier, or I try a re re tourist visa extension, or opt for the retirement visa, seeming I might not get back in for some while, and with health insurance, doctors papers and whatever else will be required..Then I might be sent to Koh Samui...step by step methinks
maaka
Im in the same leaky boat as you. My METV runs out early June.
Went to immo and they just said all is Ok but the 31 July is just a date and not guaranteed. We will have 7 days to leave the country once the borders open up even if before 31 July. You get the little piece of paper with info.
Once 31 July arrives and borders are not open then they may provide a further date.
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

User avatar
maaka
udonmap.com
Posts: 3314
Joined: October 9, 2007, 6:03 am

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by maaka » May 28, 2020, 2:09 pm

Rodger that Barney...I never read the wee piece of paper the officer babe gave me, to busy looking at the shape of things..haha...

7 days is not much time to arrange a flight seeming Thai Airways will reduce its flights to Auckland from 7 down to 3 per week..Its the getting back that worries me, and or should I stay, because getting back might be a long time off, and the missus is getting use to having me around, dam it.

User avatar
Zidane
udonmap.com
Posts: 7075
Joined: July 6, 2005, 12:24 pm
Location: Udon Thani

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by Zidane » May 28, 2020, 3:05 pm

I think if the Thai Government introduces draconian measures for farangs wanting to stay here for a long time all it will do is increase business (and the prices) for visa agents and/or make some farangs disappear off the radar and live here illegally until they are caught.
I,d be very wary of visa runs for a while. What happens if you exit Thailand and the destination country won't accept you.... then you try to get back into Thailand and they won't let you re-enter?
There will be refugee camps for elderly farangs springing up all over the place. ;)
For me some kind of health insurance is acceptable.... say 1,000 baht a month for long stay foreigners.
Just when I thought our chance had passed,you go and save the best for last.

User avatar
maaka
udonmap.com
Posts: 3314
Joined: October 9, 2007, 6:03 am

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by maaka » May 28, 2020, 3:41 pm

we will all be camped up along the Friendship Bridge, stuck in the No Go Zone

User avatar
747man
udonmap.com
Posts: 15135
Joined: March 25, 2007, 2:22 pm

Re: Why Thailand Isn't Reopening to International Tourists Yet

Post by 747man » May 28, 2020, 6:14 pm

Just Been Announced by government.....ALL Open for Business + International Travel FROM JULY 1st, We Shall See " Eh..

Post Reply

Return to “Thailand News”