phuketrichard wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:31 am experience a 2nd wave.

There will be 2nd, 3rd and so on. It’s a highly contagious respiratory disease. History of respiratory diseases leaves no doubt about it.

What governments can do is admit a mistake and start treating it like other respiratory diseases or double down on insanity.

Oi! second wave BS. Same as any other flu and in Thailand where less than 60 people died, half already had other comorbidities - the only second wave will be the wave of govt and medical propaganda.

A few days ago replied in an intended sarcastically funny way to a guys YT video saying the Pattaya Taliban will setup check-in/check-out and temp checks for the beaches, and rope off designated distancing on the sand, and apparently woops, the Taliban was reading and got he crazy idea - - - -

https://www.pattayamail.com/coronavirus ... ors-304474

"To allow contact tracing, the beaches should be fenced off and limited entry points established where visitors can register with the government’s Thai Chana contact-tracing app and have their temperatures checked, Jakarat said."

Damn - just say it "NO TOURISTS ALLOWED - LOCALS OR FOREIGN - PERIOD"

TRAVEL INFORMATION FROM THAILAND TO THE UK.

UPDATE As of June 2020.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. This advice is being kept under constant review.

There is a ban on international passenger flights landing in Thailand until 30 June. This may have an impact on flights. Check with your airline before travelling to the airport.

Please allow three hours for connections if you are flying from a regional airport to Bangkok to catch an international flight. Check carefully which airport you need – commuting between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports can take 1 hour or longer.

Outbound flight availability to the UK is as follows:
There are direct flights from Thailand to the UK with Eva Air every Sunday. Details on these flights, and information on other indirect flights here:
https://pattayaone.news/latest-updates- ... -thailand/

Please note that this information is correct at the time of publication. The operational situation changes hourly. We will continue to update our#TravelAdvice for #Thailand. Check our page https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/ regularly

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched its LINE chat application, "TAT Contact Center," aiming to provide another way for tourists to inquire about travel information in both the Thai and English language. Tourists can select from the menu to find recommended tourist attractions in Thailand, e brochures, and a list of operators who have received the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration, "SHA, "certification.

For more information, please contact the TAT Call Center 1672 (24 hours.)

Source:
/?type=3&theater

FYI:

no tourist till end sept?? Economy in the shits

Thailand’s international flights may not restart until September

BANGKOK: A senior director of civilian aviation recently said that international flights are not likely to resume in Thailand until late September.

I believe international flights will resume this September,” Chula said. “All of the airlines could not assess the demand for air travel. They have to wait and see the situation by the end of this month.

“The government has to make a final decision before the country’s airspace could be open, but it does not mean an all-out opening for air travellers, since only business people would be allowed to take the flights under the so-called travel bubble proposals,” he added.

Charles Blocker CEO IC Partners Ltd reported that 22 of 38 Thai airports were open (58%) but with only 50% ‘normal’ flight capacity and 25-30% of seats occupied.

Although flights have resumed (domestic only) the AoT think getting back to normal volume however will take longer. Looking at the long range forecast for recovery AoT announced flights won’t return to ‘normal’ before October 2021.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/thailand- ... veuJeg45Ts

Thailand to turn away from mass tourism, target the wealthy
Kingdom considers protocols for return of foreign tourists
published : 19 Jun 2020 at 11:42
writer: Bloomberg News

The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks.

The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said.

Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities.

People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time.

The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Mr Phiphat said.

“One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... he-wealthy

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 9:25 am Thailand to turn away from mass tourism, target the wealthy
Kingdom considers protocols for return of foreign tourists
published : 19 Jun 2020 at 11:42
writer: Bloomberg News

The government's tourism-revival strategy is to target big spenders seeking privacy and social distancing in the Covid-19 era, rather than try to attract a large number of visitors, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

The pandemic provides an opportunity to reset the sector, which had become reliant on Chinese groups and backpackers, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

Once the country’s borders are reopened and so-called travel bubbles are agreed upon, marketing efforts will be geared toward wealthier individuals who want holidays with minimal risks.

The government will initially allow a small number of arrivals, such as some business executives and medical tourists. It is also working with the travel industry to identify and invite individuals in target demographics, which will probably include previous visitors to luxury resorts in the islands of Phuket, Samui, Phangan and Phi Phi, the minister said.

Phuket is “a prototype” because it has all the needed facilities.

People may be required to pass Covid-19 screenings before traveling and upon arriving, choose a single resort island and remain for a minimum period of time.

The “high-end visitors” will be able to travel freely while they’re on the island and be allowed to leave for home or other destinations in Thailand once the minimum 14 days have passed. The country plans to court such visitors, possibly during the winter months of November-February when European and American travelers seek out warmer climates, Mr Phiphat said.

“One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... he-wealthy

Very narrow minded thinking. 5 backpackers are the ones that would spend money to keep tuk-tuk drivers mini-bus operators and roadside noodle stalls in business. But we must look after the super-rich owners of luxury hotels first.

Duncan wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 9:53 am Very narrow minded thinking. 5 backpackers are the ones that would spend money to keep tuk-tuk drivers mini-bus operators and roadside noodle stalls in business. But we must look after the super-rich owners of luxury hotels first.

Arguably it's discriminatory isn't it? At least in terms of wealth..don't want that riff raff coming in. Still, it's their country and what they want to do with it I suppose but it does send a certain signal out to the world in my view.

clutchcargo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:06 am

Duncan wrote: ↑Sun Jun 21, 2020 9:53 am Very narrow minded thinking. 5 backpackers are the ones that would spend money to keep tuk-tuk drivers mini-bus operators and roadside noodle stalls in business. But we must look after the super-rich owners of luxury hotels first.

Arguably it's discriminatory isn't it? At least in terms of wealth..don't want that riff raff coming in. Still, it's their country and what they want to do with it I suppose but it does send a certain signal out to the world in my view.

I dont agree with it and know if they try and implement it, it will backfire, (to much of the tourism industry caters to the 1-3 star visitors)

But is it anymore discriminatory than traveling to Bhutan where you need spend $250/day, (most definitely keeps out the backpackers)
or to visit Tibet, where you can ONLY visit if your on a tour?

Phuket has many many more hotels/ghs' that cater to the non wealthy, than those 4-5 star resorts..