Reuters file photo for reference only
In a massive U-turn after few people turned up as part of the government's STV (special tourist visa) scheme Thailand has decided to open up to the whole world irrespective of Covid conditions.
They have abandoned the requirement that the STV will only be given to those from low risk countries - but announced that all the checks and paperwork will still need to be followed.
Crucially, this means visitors will still have to quarantine for 14 days.
This much criticized sticking point begs the question:
Will the government's move inspire any more tourists to come to the country?
Critics will say that the cabinet's latest decision is putting a BandAid on the festering sore that is the much maligned STV project that allows long stay in Thailand.
The government hopes that allowing visitors from every country on earth - including hotbed places like the US and many countries in Europe - will provide more tourists and give Thailand's ailing tourism sector a much needed boost.
It will have to.
So far the numbers have been tiny in relation to usual tourism figures.
Picture: Manager Online
PM's office deputy spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek faced the press after a cabinet meeting and admitted that only 825 people had come on the STV so far.
And there were just SIX visitors on yachts; to boost this number the government resolved to allow such people to stay 30 more days, now a total of 60.
Ratchada was at pains to point out that everyone on STV must complete all the requirements that have been so roundly criticized.
And that includes the expensive and onerous 14 day quarantine.
Many will say that the government's U-turn is more like a vicious circle with the inevitable consequence that few people will consider coming to Thailand unless they have very specific reasons - like family and business, notes Thaivisa.
Source: Manager Online
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