April 1st still on the table for Thailand's opening to foreign tourists
Picture: Daily News
Thai media Daily News continued to maintain that April 1st would be the date that Thailand begins its path to accepting foreign tourists again.
They published a story that reported the Thai minister for tourism and sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan as meeting a delegation of tourism operators and associations from Surat Thani led by the deputy governor of the province.
Representatives came from the holiday islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan as well as the mainland to present their cases for the opening of the country.
Daily News said that Pipat will be proposing to a meeting of the CCSA (Covid steering) committee at the end of next week that visitors be allowed from countries such as the US, UK, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, South Korea and India.
Without elaborating further the media harped back to previous reports from Anutin Charnvirakul, DPM and health minister, who favors 7 day area quarantine for those foreigners who have received two doses of vaccine and ten days (not confined to hotel rooms) for those that haven't been jabbed.
The media said that such a plan would inspire visitors to Thailand from many countries.
Thaivisa notes that potential visitors to Thailand could be forgiven for being confused about contradictory messages coming from different ministries.
Pipat and Anutin would say they have a common goal though it is plain they have their own proposals and agendas.
Potential visitors to Thailand would be well advised to wait for firmer decisions at the CCSA main commitee on Friday March 19th before deciding their next move.
Even then keeping a watchful brief would be advisable.
Reading between the lines April 1st seems to be a date for the next stage in "quarantine easing" for tourism while October 1st remains a more realistic date for a broader return to mass tourism with less restrictions.
The Ministry of Public Health has postponed the launch of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday, as it is awaiting the results of an examination after cases of blood clotting were reported in some countries.
Dr Piyasakol Sakonsattayatorn, consultant on strategy and planning for management of the Covid-19 vaccine, announced the postponement of AstraZeneca vaccination for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cabinet members, who were to be the first recipients.
Dr Piyasakol said that it was necessary to delay the vaccination because there were reports from Denmark and Austria on Thursday night about suspected side-effects that caused blood to clot in the veins.
The Ministry of Public Health and the medical team believed that the vaccination would be the safest for the public but wanted to find out if the side-effects in some European countries, especially Denmark and Austria, were caused by the vaccination, he said.
Prof Dr Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok said there were chances of finding adverse reactions or side-effects in a mass vaccination programme. Blood clot in the veins is most common among African and European people, who are at three times more risk than Asians, indicating that genetic factors are involved. There are currently 3 million doses of the vaccine given in Europe, of whom 22 have died, or 7 in a million.
He said the vaccine was not bad but they needed to ensure that the problem did not occur from a manufacturing error. Some of the recent cases of blood clotting reportedly occurred after use of vaccine manufactured in South Korea from where Thailand is sourcing its supply after it's original supplier, Italy, was blocked from fulfilling the order because of an EU restriction. It is not known from where Denmark has got its vaccine.
The National Vaccine Committee has postponed the AstraZeneca vaccination for 1-2 weeks.
Dr Yong added that race or heredity was a major risk factor in vaccination.
However, coagulation has never been associated with any vaccine, he said, adding, Thailand now needs to patiently wait for the report data that may come out within 1-2 days. He still believes that AstraZeneca is one of the best vaccination options.
Dr Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, is in her press conference at Government House in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Screenshot)
Thailand will be fully reopened by October and all Covid-19 restrictions lifted, if all sectors continue to cooperate with the government in its containment efforts, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) hinted on Wednesday.
Among the major requirements for reopening the country, after more than a year of costly restrictions, was the public sector's readiness to resume normal life, said CCSA assistant spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangson.
Speaking after a meeting of the CCSA's sub-committee on easing business and activity restrictions, Dr Apisamai praised officials in Samut Sakhon, the epicentre of a recent wave of infections.
They had been performing well to contain Covid-19 and continued to be highly compliant with the CCSA's control protocols, she said.
Active cooperation by the private sector and a similar good response by members of the public to the government's Covid-19 containment efforts were two other major criteria to take into consideration before approving the full reopening of the country, she said.
"The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the CCSA's main committee on March 19," she said.
As part of the reopening proposal, the CCSA will consider upgrading Samut Sakhon from a maximum control area to an area on high alert for Covid-19, she said.
The province is due to receive 70,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines in three weeks and no serious side effects of vaccinations administered in the province in the first week had been detected, the doctor said.
On Wednesday was the last day of preparing to imnplement so-called "bubble and seal" Covid-19 containment measures, Dr Apisamai said.
Under these measures, factories which provide on-site accommodation for workers will be "sealed", meaning employees cannot leave the grounds.
Workers from factories that don't offer on-site dormitories and sleep elsewhere will have to adhere to a "bubble" approach -- their movements will be strictly monitored, and officials may be required to deliver their food and other essentials, so they have no reason to leave their dormitories.
As of Monday, 112,595 factory workers and fresh market vendors, as well as local of various communities in Samut Sakhon, have been tested for Covid-19, said Dr Apisamai, of whom 975 had tested positive for Covid-19, approximately 0.87%.
The CCSA on Wednesday recorded 39 new cases of Covid-19, 34 of which were local transmissions and the rest imported.
Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the CCSA's spokesman, told the Bangkok Post that clearer details of the idea of reopening the country should be made available after the March 19 meeting of the CCSA since they concerned several ministries and would take time to finalise.
Meanwhile, the Department of Medical Sciences said its inspection of 230 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine would likely be completed today.
Jabs from this batch of imported vaccine will be administered to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other cabinet ministers by the end of this week, said the Department's director-general, Supakit Sirilak.
The government on Wednesday also claimed a success in its so-called Villa Quarantine programme, being piloted as a tourism-based Covid-19 quarantine option on the resort island of Phuket.
A total of 58 European visitors who arrived there on a chartered flight from Indonesia on Feb 21 had completed their quarantine periods and now were ready to travel more freely in Thailand, said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
Those tourists planned to stay for a month and were also interested in visiting other key destinations, said Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn.
However, Ekkasit Ngamphichet, president of Pattaya's Business and Tourism Association, urged the government to speed up its vaccination programme and hasten the adoption of shorter quarantines for foreign tourists as the economy needed a lift.
This easing will be considered Phase 2 and a complete re-opening, potentially (but not promised) with no quarantine would be in Phase 3, hopefully starting in October of this year.
Dr. Apisamai stated that the government would ensure the decision would be announced officially well in advance, knowing that hotels, airlines, and the tourist industry would need time to prepare if the country would indeed re-open in October.
She stated that it was not clear if it would be only for vaccinated tourists and would depend drastically on the situation with Covid-19 around the world, the level of vaccinations taking place in various countries, and the safety standards being implemented by airlines. She did caution that a "re-opening" could exclude certain countries and places based on the prevalence of Covid-19 or if they were considered "high-risk." Africa, for instance, will not be included in a reduced quarantine program due to concerns about variants and overall testing, the CCSA stated earlier this week.
Although at this time the date is just a "goal", with many countries vaccinating quickly, especially those who are major tourist suppliers to Thailand like India and the UK, the landscape could see a wider opening by October, in time for Thailand's "high season."
Possibility of reopening Thailand on Oct 1 to be considered
Apisamai Srirangsan
If vaccination drives in other countries continue easing the pandemic situation, then Thailand should be fully reopened within this year, Apisamai Srirangsan, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson, said on Wednesday.
She said a CCSA team spoke with deputy Samut Sakhon governor Thiraphat Khashmat about infections in the province and learned that the number of new cases has been dropping continuously. CCSA will consider readjusting the colour-tier labels for provinces on March 19 because, over the past few weeks, only 10 provinces have been reporting infections.
The relaxation of more measures may be considered before April 1 so people can enjoy Songkran festival this year.
CCSA is considering the possibility of reopening the country on October 1provided the government is fully prepared, businesses are willing to follow health measures and the public will maintain guard against the virus.
Foreign students not barred from political gatherings, says Immigration
Anti-government demonstrators gather at Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Sunday. Foreign students can take part, if they stay within the law, says the immigration chief.(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Foreign students are not barred from taking part in political gatherings, so long as their actions stay within the law, Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang said on Wednesday.
Pol Lt Gen Sompong was reacting to an announcment by an education institute in Pathum Thani province warning foreign students against taking part in political gatherings. It said they risked having their visas revoked, citing an order from the Immigration Bureau.
The immigration chief said the warning might have arisen from a misunderstanding.
He said the immigration office of Pathum Thani had earlier contacted all education institutes in the province to express concern that if foreign students took took part in political protests they could risk being infected with Covid-19.
"Please be assured that the Immigration Bureau has never issued an order to ban foreign students from political gatherings. We only want them to be careful about the pandemic. The bureau understands well about people's rights under the Thai constitution," Pol Lt Gen Sompong said.
However, the bureau chief said he would like to ask foreign students to be careful not to break the law. A criminal offence could affect their status as students in Thailand.
They could take part in political gatherings only if they stayed within the scope of the law, he said.
Thailand Post Distribution teams up with THAI to deliver vaccines
Thailand Post Distribution (THPD) has joined hands with Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) to deliver Covid-19 vaccines via its vast country-wide logistics network.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to cooperate in delivering Covid-19 vaccines to both domestic and overseas destinations.
"The THPD will use this opportunity of working with THAI to improve our logistics and warehousing systems as we aim to be certified under ISO9001 and the Good Storage Practice standards," said THPD managing director Pheera Udomkitsakul.
"We also hope this campaign will expand into future cooperation between the THPD and THAI in selling and distributing foods and products of both companies to a wider audience," he said.
Pheera said the THPD currently has a modern warehouse management system and has been operating cold storage warehouses of international standard, thus making it an ideal candidate in handling the delivery of drugs and medical supplies.
"Our delivery staff have been trained under GDP [good delivery practices] to ensure on-time deliveries and have received the Q-Mark certification, which has been issued by the Department of Land Transport as a service quality standard for truck operations," he added.
A surf skate promotion event is organised in Phuket last month to boost local tourism. Phuket is a province that may receive extra doses of Covid-19 vaccine. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
Additional doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be sought for provinces which are tourist destinations to boost confidence and the local economies there, according to Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome.
Mr Itthiphol said on Tuesday the Culture Ministry and the Tourism and Sports Ministry have agreed to ask the government to provide these provinces with more doses of Covid-19 vaccines if they are designated tourism zones. They include Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Tourist spots that have received the first batches of Sinovac vaccines this month are Koh Samui in Surat Thani which has received 2,500 doses; Pattaya in Chon Buri (4,700 doses); Chiang Mai (3,500 doses); and Phuket (4,000 doses).
The second batches will be distributed in June, with Samui to receive 16,000 doses; Pattaya (50,000 doses); Chiang Mai (32,000); and Phuket (16,000).
The third batches will be rolled out in September, with Samui to receive 16,000 doses; Pattaya (48,000 doses); Chiang Mai (48,000); and Phuket (48,000).
Mr Itthiphol spoke on Tuesday after meeting with representatives from concerned agencies to discuss easing Covid-19 measures for the Songkran festival next month.
Mr Itthiphol insisted that water splashing will probably be allowed during the Songkran festival next month.
"It should get the green light because the daily number of new Covid-19 cases has dropped from three digits to only two digits," the minister said.
The Culture Ministry and the Tourism and Sports Ministry would present detailed measures for the Songkran festival to a sub-committee of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) tomorrow, he said.
This year's Songkran would focus on the cultural aspects of the festival such as merit-making, sprinkling water on Buddha statues, pouring water onto the elderly's palms and asking for their blessings, Mr Itthiphol said.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry has worked together with the private sector to come up with activities to attract tourists and generate income during Songkran while health measures will still be enforced, he said.
Asked by reporters if foam parties which involve crowded gatherings would be allowed during Songkran, Mr Itthiphol said that the two ministries had agreed that participants should wear protective gear such as glasses, masks and raincoats to prevent close contact with one another.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry will ask the Disease Control Department to consider the zoning for water splashing activities during Songkran as in pre-Covid times, Mr Itthiphol said.
Asked if people travelling around on pickup trucks would be allowed to splash water on roads, Mr Itthiphol said that such activities are not traditional ones during Songkran but they happened when people travel to their home provinces.
"Celebration activities will be considered. For now, it [water splashing on trucks] is not prohibited," Mr Itthiphol said.
Officials were focusing more on ways to limit the number of participants in Songkran events.
"We are paying more attention to the number of people at event venues... We will find a balance between helping the economy and the prevention of new clusters [of Covid-19] which would spread the disease in communities," the culture minister said.
People would be advised to observe social distancing when giving traditional greetings to elderly people during the Thai New Year. Event organisers would also be asked to ensure social distancing. Chairs could be arranged for participants, Mr Itthiphol said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said that he had instructed the CCSA's sub-committee to discuss guidelines for Songkran celebrations with relevant agencies before submitting them to the cabinet next week.
"The situation has now improved. With the collaboration of everyone, the Songkran events can be held. But what type of events will be held and how will have to be discussed to ensure they will not affect disease control measures. They may be less fun but still safe," Gen Prayut said.
Area quarantine to be discussed by tourism minister and operators in Phuket on Wednesday
views 382
Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is scheduled to meet with representatives of hotels and other tourism-related businesses on Thailand's famous resort island of Phuket on Wednesday, to discuss the proposed "area quarantine" concept for foreign travelers and tourists.
The concept will allow travellers arriving from abroad more freedom of movement and is expected to attract more foreign visitors to Thailand and to Phuket, which will be one of the first areas to implement the "area quarantine" concept, tentatively in April, if approved by the government.
Most hotels in Phuket remain almost deserted, with only 20% occupancy during weekends and other holiday, and most of those customers are Thais.
Meanwhile, the National Communicable Disease Committee approved the idea of vaccine passports on Monday, to be issued to those already inoculated. The document will shorten the period of mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 7 upon arrival in Thailand, with the exception of travellers from South Africa, who are still subject to 14-day quarantine.
Tourism and tourism-related businesses are optimistic that the vaccine passport will encourage more foreign travellers to visit Thailand.
K-Research forecasts 2 million foreign tourists to visit Thailand this year. Arnun Chonmahatrakool
Vaccination will have a profound impact on Thailand's tourism industry recovery and reopening strategy this year, with 2 million foreign tourist arrivals expected at this juncture, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).
"Thailand's path to economic recovery will mostly depend on the tourism industry [outlook] as to when the country will reopen for foreign tourist arrivals. The Covid-19 vaccines and the [reopening] policy of each country will have a significant impact on the recovery of Thailand's tourism industry in 2021," said Kevalin Wangpichayasuk, assistant managing director of K-Research.
The development of internal vaccination of countries where foreign tourists originate from and the inoculation progress in Thailand are key factors determining the tourism recovery outlook, said Ms Kevalin.
"Other crucial factors are whether Thailand's quarantine period is reduced, the clarity of vaccine passport policy and if countries would allow their citizens to travel to Thailand."
The forecast is based on the vaccination progress in 10 countries, which are the countries of origin for foreign tourists arriving in Thailand such as China, European countries, Japan and the US, and the inoculation timeline announced by the Thai government, said Ms Kevalin.
But the 2 million foreign tourist arrivals are still considered low and local tourism businesses still have to rely on local tourists for revenue, she said.
Quarantine requirements could be eased for visitors inoculated against Covid-19 before they travel to Thailand, beginning in October, as the government struggles to rescue the tourism sector, according to Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
The final decision would be made by the CCSA board, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, at its meeting next Monday.
All arrivals are currently required to go through 14-day quarantine upon entry to the country.
Foreign tourist arrivals were registered at 6.7 million in 2020, down 83.2% year-on-year and a far cry from the arrival figures logged a year earlier at nearly 40 million.
January's foreign tourist arrivals stood at 7,694, down 99.8% year-on-year, as Thailand still imposes stringent measures on inbound arrivals to safeguard against the virus contagion.
Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, assistant managing director of K-Research, said Thailand's GDP growth is projected to expand by 2.6% this year boosted mainly by an export recovery, state economic stimulus measures and how the government's virus containment measures are not as severe as last year's.
But the growth ratio could dip below 2.6% given that foreign tourist arrivals fall below the anticipated 2 million tally, said Ms Nattaporn.
Suthep Thaugsuban, the former leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), weighs in on the current political situation in a special interview with the Bangkok Post at the Pacific City Club in the capital's Sukhumvit area. Pornprom Satrabhaya
Former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was recently sentenced to jail for five years for his role in street rallies to oust the elected government led by Yingluck Shinawatra, voiced his concerns about the ongoing political crisis, saying there are masterminds behind the scenes who are pulling the strings to instigate a civil war.
In a special interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Suthep, co-founder of the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT) Party, said on Monday the current situation is worrying as the political power struggle is taking place both in conventional and unconventional forms.
Multiple fronts
On the parliamentary front, some political parties and MPs are pushing for charter amendments to pave the way for a new constitution to be drawn up, which would lead to division among Thais, Mr Suthep said.
Supports of an amendment have argued that the current constitution is undemocratic as it was the result of the 2014 coup, but Mr Suthep disagreed, saying their calls to abrogate the constitution is based on personal biases.
"They failed to look at the constitution's merits which actually benefit democracy," he said. "Amendments should be made to sections which are seen as undemocratic -- there's no need to write a new constitution."
Meanwhile, he continued, those who disagree with the push for a new charter are concerned that amendments may affect the status of the monarchy.
He said although the parliament recently agreed that chapters 1 and 2 of the constitution won't be amended, there are about 30 other sections which deal with royal powers which aren't likely to be spared from further scrutiny.
Chapter 1 of the constitution contains sections which define Thailand as a single, indivisible kingdom and a democratic regime with the King as the head of state. Chapter 2 contains sections which deal with royal prerogatives.
Street politics
On another front, efforts are being made to bring politics onto the streets, with growing calls to reform the monarchy and for Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, to be scrapped, Mr Suthep said, adding those inside and outside parliament seem to be working hand in glove.
"Thais can have different opinions, but we must put the interest of the nation above everything else. We have to work together to avoid any severe conflict that deepens social division, which would lead to a civil war as some countries or some groups wish to see,'' Mr Suthep said.
"The best way to prevent this by following the law. Those who take to the streets must not break the law or infringe on others' rights,'' he said, adding that those who disagree with anti-government protesters should also avoid mounting counter-demonstrations.
Despite the differing political stances, one can respect each other and must not consider others to be enemies, added Mr Suthep, who is a former secretary-general of the Democrat Party.
"Ultimately, the nation must survive and society must be at peace. We have to be united and put the country's interests first. Changes should take place in line with legitimate procedures,'' he said.
Civil War?
Mr Suthep said that some groups have been trying to plunge the country into civil war, though he believed it would unlikely happen because of Thais' cultural predisposition.
"From my experience, it will be difficult for the country to reach a civil war, even though several groups are trying to provoke it. It is worrying, but it is impossible because most Thais by nature are not extremists or prone to violence,'' Mr Suthep said.
Commenting on the government's performance, Mr Suthep said that the government is in a tough position, as the cracks begin to show among coalition parties, as it struggles to deal with the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"How long the Prayut Chan-o-cha government will be able to stay on in office remains to be seen. But I think there is no other alternative that is acceptable to the people, except Gen Prayut," he said.
"I am not looking down on others, but I think the public won't be happy to see the leaders of other political parties as prime minister given the current circumstances.
"One of Gen Prayut's strengths is that we have never heard him being involved in corruption. Plus, he also remains steadfast in his loyalty to the nation," Mr Suthep said.
Ready to appeal
Mr Suthep is one of the eight former leaders of the disbanded People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) jailed by the Criminal Court last month, before the Appeal Court later granted them bail.
Mr Suthep said that he would fight in court to prove his innocence, adding that he and other protest leaders staged the protests of their own volition because at the time the country did not have much choice.
"We knew what we would face... We don't regret our decisions," he said.
The announcement was made by Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan, an assistant spokesperson for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, also known as the CCSA. The CCSA manages the government's Covid-19 response and is chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha.
The items on the agenda that is likely to be decided next week are:
-Set Songkran guidelines for the country, balancing the importance of the holiday to Thai people and the chance to see their family and relax vs. Covid-19 safety concerns. Songkran, the Thai New Year, also known as the water festival, is the biggest holiday of the year for Thai people-and the longest. It falls this year from April 10th-April 15th, officially, although some provinces and areas, including Pattaya, hold the event on different days to boost domestic tourism.
-Consider swapping the Emergency Decree that is been in place for roughly a year with Disease Control Laws by the end of May. The Communicable Disease Act has been strengthened, according to Thai officials, and is being considered to replace the Emergency Decree, which some critics say has been used to stifle pro-democracy protesters and has been used in matters unrelated to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. The government denies these accusations.
-Review current provincial zone status, colors, and codes around the Covid-19 Coronavirus, with the aim of making changes or reductions by April 1st, 2021. Chonburi, for instance, is currently designated a "yellow" or high-surveillance zone. It is hoped by many in the province that the area will be designated green, or low-surveillance, by the time Songkran starts to encourage domestic tourism, and, possibly, to allow later closing than Midnight for entertainment venues in Pattaya.
-Discussion will take place around officially considering adjusting the length of quarantine for vaccinating tourists. The government is currently considering making a plan to reduce the length which will last over the Summer until roughly October, called "Phase 2" of the overall plan to re-open more broadly to tourism. Phase 3 would take place in October with the hope of potentially (but not guaranteed) dropping quarantine to vaccinated tourists in time for the "High-Season" for tourism.
It is important to note that all of these are proposals and will be reviewed throughout the week by the Thai Government in advance of next week's major meeting. We will continue to keep you updated here at The Pattaya News.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is urging the government to allow quarantine-free entry for vaccinated tourists in June to prepare for the upcoming high season.
Vichit Prakobgosol, president of Atta, said more than 1 billion people globally will be inoculated by mid-year and operators are confident that segment will be safe to travel.
The government must set up a clear timeline for reopening and vaccine passports, which includes safety measures and a list of provinces ready to welcome tourists without quarantine, he said.
The association will submit a letter with the request to reopen the country by June to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, the Public Health Ministry, the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand this week.
The regulations on reopening must be completed by April to let operators prepare marketing plans before tourists change their mind in favour of other destinations.
Mr Vichit said there will be only 200,000-300,000 tourists during the first month of reopening due to limited international flights.
Demand will take 3-6 months to pick up, he said.
"Reopening helps tourism workers get back to work after 1 million jobs were lost in the sector, while another 2 million are on unpaid leave," he said.
If inoculated tourists visit Thailand by mid-year, the number of international arrivals is estimated to reach 8 million, generating 500 billion baht in tourism receipts this year, which would support GDP growth of 2-3%.
He said if Thailand were to open for tourists in July or in the final quarter, the number of tourists would stand at 6 million and less than 3 million, respectively.
"As vaccine rollouts gather pace in many parts of the world, we have to skip quarantine and find an effective solution to welcome vaccinated tourists." Mr Vichit said.
Mr Vichit said Thai tourism is expected to recover to the levels experienced in 2019, with 40 million travellers, in 2023.
He said the country has to prepare new tourism products to boost the growth of the recovery, including man-made attractions such as entertainment complexes.
The passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport is almost empty after a second wave of outbreaks in January. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)
More layoffs in Thailand's aviation industry will be seen this year as a result of no liquidity and a slow revival in international markets expected in the final quarter.
Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said all airlines are struggling with earnings as the domestic market has yet to regain positive momentum. The fourth quarter of last year was the most prosperous period before the second outbreak ravaged the tourism industry from late December.
The pandemic has seen all airlines to reduce their workforce by varying numbers, while one airline -- Nok Scoot -- had to permanently exit the market.
The number of staff at seven airlines under AAT remain at just 16,000, a far cry from 25,000-30,000 prior to the outbreak.
He said the smaller size was necessary for survival as they have to keep the operations costs in line with a more compact aircraft fleet.
Mr Puttipong, also a president at Bangkok Airways, said it slashed 20% of 3,000 employees over a year, flying only 30% of its 38 aircraft.
The worst was in January as the airline carried only 300 passengers per day, a sharp drop compared with the peak of 5,000 per day, he said.
He said aviation in Thailand might take four years to fully get back the 40 million international arrivals seen in 2019. A cost-saving strategy will be the main target for airlines in terms of long-term plans.
The 14 billion baht soft loan AAT requested from the government would help them maintain employment and prepare for future growth once international markets were back on track.
"We suffer a tremendous domestic impact during the second wave and it will take months to climb back to its peak again. While reopening for international markets will likely occur with few countries that have bilateral agreements with Thailand first as health safety is a big issue for local communities," said Mr Puttipong.
He said the AAT will submit three urgent proposals this week to state agencies, all aimed at gaining tourism confidence.
They will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to prioritize vaccination programme to airline's workforces, working with Tourism and Sports Ministry to accelerate vaccine passports and urge the Transport Ministry to prepare for international flights regulations.
Mr Puttipong said the decision to reduce quarantine period from 14 days is a good sign for the travel industry as the mandatory quarantine has been the largest negative factor for international market during the past year.
"It's quite impossible for tourists and business travellers to take 14-day quarantines before and after trips. They might have money to spend, but they don't have the luxury of time to be kept in isolation for almost a month," he said.
The National Committee on Communicable Diseases has approved the use of vaccine passports in Thailand, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Monday.
Under the measure, travellers with vaccination certificates will have their Covid-19 quarantine reduced from 14 days to seven days.
However, travellers from South Africa, where a highly contagious coronavirus variant is rife, will still have to undergo the full 14-day quarantine.
In Thailand, Covid-19 vaccination certificates will be issued for a fee of Bt100 by hospitals administering second doses of the vaccine from March 21. The certificates can be used for international travel once the World Health Organisation (WHO) has finalised criteria for vaccine passports.
The Thai vaccine-passport certificate will be valid for one year.
Anutin revealed the reduced quarantine applied to three categories of traveller:
First, foreign travellers who have a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry. Travellers from South Africa still face 14 days of quarantine.
Second, Thai nationals returning to Thailand with a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry.
Third, foreigners who have a Covid-free certificate but not a vaccination certificate will have their quarantine cut to 10 days. The measure is due to launch in April, said Anutin.
Meanwhile, the communicable diseases committee expects Covid-19 restrictions to be lifted once 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. It also announced plans to procure another 10 million doses of vaccine.
The Thai government marked International Women's Day on Monday (March 8) by honouring 42 outstanding individuals, organisations and projects that have advanced the cause of women and equality.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairirk presided over the awards ceremony, under the theme "Empower women and girls for equality, without violence".
Among those awarded with International Women's Day plaques were beauty queen-turned doctor Lalana Kongtoranin, Ramathibodi Hospital director Dr Renu Pookboonmee, and the ThaiPBS TV drama "Plai Cha Wa", which focuses on women in the early Rattanakosin period.
The ministry also joined with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) to push more television programmes that promote the rights of children, youth, LGBT people, women and families.
