Hua Hin, Thailand: People sit on the beach on May 24, 2020 in Hua Hin, Thailand's oldest beach resort. Provincial officials there signed orders to re-open hotels last week. The resort town is about a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok, making it a popular weekend destination for locals. Allison Joyce/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Kocha Olarn and Karla Cripps, CNN
Updated 27th May 2020

..we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year,"

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," Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.

"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."

Thailand is now focused on reopening to domestic tourism in June, says Yuthasak. 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.

Phuket International Airport, however, remains closed until further notice.

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.

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.

full https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ ... sts-covid/

Likely the 'top end ' resorts will open first, I mean who wants the cheap charlies coming into town spending money on regular stuff

God'sGift wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 1:53 pm Likely the 'top end ' resorts will open first, I mean who wants the cheap charlies coming into town spending money on regular stuff

seems we never see eye to eye;
i predict that the travelers this year, once they are allowed in, will be filing the gh's and 1-2 star hotels ( an Chinese places) PLUS business travelers
We wont see the 3-5 star travelers till, at the earliest Jan 2021 the big hotels/resorts wont open until everyone is 100% ready, as they cant afford to open and not be at least 50% full.

More good news? Or more building up false hope?

This article just appeared from The Thaiger:

"July 1 will end all lockdowns in Thailand, including international travel"

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thethaiger ... avel%3famp

Sure its great news for us that live here
BUT will they still require a Negative free covid test, $100,000 in insurance and a possible 14 day quarantine for all arrivals ( including the Chinese)

Until these 3 are eliminated, no tourist will come to thailand

PS: 2nd day of breaking the law by swimming in the sea

You're right. The barriers to entry across Thailand (assuming they'll adopt them too), Cambodia and Vietnam are too high for tourists. True especially if you have to leave after 30 days, my goodness!!

Bernie Bro wrote: ↑Fri May 29, 2020 2:25 am You're right. The barriers to entry across Thailand (assuming they'll adopt them too), Cambodia and Vietnam are too high for tourists. True especially if you have to leave after 30 days, my goodness!!

Thailand cannot seriously be thinking of adopting Cambodia's system. They will have zero tourism. #

I expect Cambodia to greatly relax the requirements in the near future. They know that over 25% of their GDP is tourism, higher for Siem Reap. Tourists will find elsewhere to go in 2020 and spend their money. Where will the people go to find food?