PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is deliberating on a proposal to open the country to foreign tourists coming from countries where coronavirus seems to be under control, officials said Friday. Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said PM Prayut has expressed interest in negotiating tourism exchanges with those countries, known as a bubble deal, which will allow tourists to travel without having to go through the quarantine measures.
"It was a direct order given by the Prime Minister," Phiphat said. "The Thai government is ready to negotiate with a group of countries or countries willing to accept tourists. We are going to do it right away.
Since April, Thailand has imposed a moratorium on foreign flights which is now expanded to June 30. Only Thais can fly into the country on repatriation flights and certain groups of foreigners such as diplomats and work permit holders, though they must pass a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
The Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn Tourism Authority said the concept of a bubble contract is still being examined. Potential countries are Asian countries traveling to Thailand within six hours, he said.
But this doesn't mean visitors will quickly return in big numbers, Yuthasak said. Just some classes of visitors, such as business and health travelers, would be permitted to enter the nation in the interests of public safety since the global pandemic remains far from over.
"We'll have measures for them in place," Yuthasak said. "Before they board their flights to Thailand they will need to present their health certificates and insurance policies. They will also need to take a COVID-19 test, and download an application for tracking upon arrival. It doesn't mean we're going to drop our guards.'
Certain countries like Australia and New Zealand have begun travel corridor negotiations, the tourism chief said. Japan is also considering lifting its ban on visitors from Thailand and also from three other countries.
After a fall in visitors and sales triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, Thailand's tourism sector is actively searching for a path to recovery.
Many companies do depend on Chinese visitors, about 10 million of whom last year visited Thailand. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism, Chinese visitors invested approximately 580 billion baht in 2019, or approximately 30 percent of total international tourist expenditure.
Source Khaosodenglish
Keep updated with phanganist.com by following our Facebook page.
