As several countries around the world moved to introduce Covid tests for incoming Chinese tourists a top Thai virologist has skirted round the issue.
The question of Chinese people potentially spreading Covid after their country said they would abandon restrictions from January 8th is a hot topic around the world.
Especially in Thailand as 20% of the country's pre-pandemic tourists (40 million) came from China. Tourism is picking up again with 10 million visiting in 2022 and more expected next year - especially Chinese.
Dr Yong Poovoravan was reflecting on the latest stages of Covid infection in a Facebook post.
He mentioned Japan and South Korea where there are large numbers of infections but avoided mentioning China by name.
Instead he spoke of variants and the need for vigilance especially as only a small percentage of the world's population had received 3 jabs.
He recognised that around 70% of the world's population had got a couple of jabs or acquired immunity through infection.
He stressed the need for Thailand to maintain vigilance, monitoring new variants that might not have entered the Thai population before.
His message was "follow the science".
He stopped short of jumping on the bandwagon in demanding PCR tests for incoming tourists from China.
The US, India and several countries in the EU have implimented these measures.
Thailand is unlikely to follow suit as it attempts to get its struggling tourism industry - and those vital Chinese - back on side, notes ASEAN NOW.
That might risk annoying the Chinese, a step too far for those keen to accelerate the pace of tourism in Thailand.
-- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-12-31
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