The grand re-opening? The Tourism Authority of Thailand chief Yutthasak Suphasorn revealed his latest assessments about foreign tourism targets and predictions to Thai Rathyesterday. It was revealed that the first arrivals as part of the much vaunted Phuket Sandbox tourism reopening scheme in the southern province would include people from the USA. However, it was hardly opening the floodgates - just 20 had booked to come on July 9th. Thai Visa





Picture: Thai Rath

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand chief Yutthasak Suphasorn revealed his latest assessments about foreign tourism targets and predictions to Thai Rathyesterday.

 

It was revealed that the first arrivals as part of the much vaunted Phuket Sandbox tourism reopening scheme in the southern province would include people from the USA.

 

However, it was hardly opening the floodgates - just 20 had booked to come on July 9th. 

 

And also CNN were coming. 

 

Yutthasak also said that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) have still got to ratify the details that will allow double dose vaccinated tourists to enter Thailand. 

 

He said that he had been in discussions with his counterparts at the Thai tourism ministry and they were expecting 3-4 million foreign tourists this year. 

 

Thaivisa did the math - that would mean for the top end assessment 18,691 would need to arrive every day on average.

 

The National Economic and Social Development Council have said that they are banking on 500,000 foreign tourists before the end of the year. 

 

That would be a more modest 2,336 per day. 

 

Meanwhile Siriphan Chiawsamut, a TAT marketer, said that authorities in Krabi were working on an alternative reopening plan called 1+2+4 Q.

 

Under this scheme Koh Phi Phi, Railay beach and Koh Hong would be opened in July with foreign tourists having to quarantine in their rooms for one day.

 

On days 2 and 3 they could use the hotel grounds, then on days 4-7 they could move further afield subject to restrictions. 

 

They hope to expand this to Koh Lanta and Ao Nang on the mainland in August if it meets with official approval. 

 

Also Thai Rath reported the TAT chief Yuttasak as saying that he expects 129,000 foreign tourists to visit Phuket from July to September. 

 

They would mainly come from the USA and Europe, he said.