Thailand's Tourism minister has provided further clarity on the beginning of Thailand’s reopening to foreign tourism.
30/08/2020
THAILAND LONG-STAY THE NEW TRAVEL MODEL FOR FOREIGN TOURISM
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has given assurances that the reopening of Thailand to foreign tourism is going ahead. He revealed that the Thai cabinet, on Tuesday last, agreed to set up a new Thai tourism agency to market and operate long stay holidays to Thailand to tourists in countries free from a recent Covid 19 outbreak and who can meet the country’s demanding and strict entry criteria.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr Phiphat, on Saturday August 29th, provided further clarity on the beginning of Thailand’s reopening to foreign tourism.
The minister has confirmed that on Tuesday, August 25th, the cabinet approved plans for the establishment of a new tourist development agency called "Thailand Longstay" The new entity is to be 30% owned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The new body will be responsible for marketing, offering and organising holidays to Thailand on a new basis to those interested in entering the kingdom.
This will include working with tourists to organise their visas through the relevant Thai embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It will also include obtaining the relevant insurances for all long-stay tourist passengers wishing to enter Thailand, at this time, to the value of $100,000 which will include insurance cover against the Covid 19 virus.
Bangla rd, Patong post-pandemic.
PHUKET SCHEME IS GOING AHEAD VOWS MINISTER
Mr Phiphat left no doubt that the initiative is going ahead and even suggested that a pilot of the new scheme would go ahead in mid-September.
This would see 200 tourists arriving in Phuket from both Australia and New Zealand, although it's our understanding that Australia is closed to international flights until the very earliest next year.
However these tourists, like the current certificate of entry passengers, will be expected to provide a medical certificate and be tested within 48 hours of departing for Phuket.
Once they arrive on the tourist island, they will be subject to 14 days quarantine within the alternative quarantine scheme run in conjunction with the Ministry Of Health which includes weekly Covid 19 tests and stringent security.
Mr Phiphat said that 10 hotels or resorts (government approved) will be involved initially in the scheme.
He also announced a more restrictive quarantine for those arriving on such tours who wish to travel further in Thailand outside Phuket.
While those who have spent 14 days in quarantine can go on to have access to the island, those who wish to travel to other parts of Thailand must spend 21 days in quarantine.
In addition, no one can apply to Longstay Thailand to visit the kingdom without being resident in a country that has not had a serious Covid 19 outbreak within 30 days.
Bangla rd. Patong, pre-pandemic.
SCHEME TO BE EXAMINED BY PRIME MINISTER
Mr Phiphat said the final details of this proposal was now being studied by the Prime Minister and the CCSA (Centre for Covid 19 Situation Administration).
His comments came as a government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul appeared to purposefully move to put a damper on the prospect of any immediate approval for foreign tourism to recommence on Friday.
On Friday, Ms Traisulee emphasised that no firm decision on the matter had yet been taken by the government.
She appeared to be addressing concerns of those in Thailand who are set against allowing foreign tourists to return out of prevalent fears that it may cause another outbreak of the disease.
Her comments followed confirmation from Thai Airways that it was commencing direct flights from the end of November to Phuket from six countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.
The airline also reported that it would be running chartered flights from China bringing in Chinese passengers to the once tourism mecca.
Plans are in place to send officials from Phipat's department, within days, to Phuket joined by officials from the Public Health, Interior and Transport ministries as well as Tourism Authority executives to brief the local people on the new scheme.
Mr Phipat expressed his wishes to maximise Thailand’s relationship with loyal and regular visitors with a new model for tourism.
He also indicated that a similar team would visit Ko Samui. It is now clear that this programme for tourism after it is tested in Phuket will, if successful, be expanded to other tourist hotspots in Thailand.
Thailand is setting out its stall for a new tourism model.
Mr Phiphat explained that many of the expected holidaymakers will be former regular visitors to Thailand and the new approach would help maximise Thailand’s relationship with these friends outside its borders.
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