Thais warned against becoming foreigners' nominees in businesses reserved for Thai nationals
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Thai people who allow their names to be used by foreigners as nominees to open businesses reserved for Thai nationals may face prison terms of three years and/or a fine of between 100,000 baht and a million baht, said Thosapone Dansuputra, director-general of Business Development Department, today.
He said that foreigners are not allowed to open businesses selling food or drinks, as he responded to reports that Chinese businessmen had purchased a number of food shops in the Chinatown area.
He explained that foreigners who want to open a food shop must get a permission from the Business Development Department, adding that Thai people who co-invest with foreign partners in such business must show their bank accounts, to prove that they have the financial resources to invest and are not just acting as a nominee.
To take legal action against foreign businessmen who uses Thais as their nominees, he said that there must be clear evidence that their Thai partners deliberately allowed themselves to be used as nominees and concealed the fact to help the foreigners.
Thosapone said that his department has cooperated with the Labour Ministry in checking businesses which have foreigners as partners or shareholders, to find out if the businesses were properly registered.
Sveriges ambassad i Bangkok stoppar utfärdandet av arbetstillstånd för thailändska bärplockare. Orsaken är flera larm om skuggkontrakt, missförhållanden och exploatering.
Ambassadören Jon Åström Gröndahl säger till SR Ekot att syftet är att stå upp för anständiga villkor och ordning på arbetsmarknaden.
Enligt Bangkok Post skuldsätter sig många för att få ett jobb i Sverige och lånar uppemot 40 000 kr av jobbagenturer.
2022 fick 6 594 thailändare arbetstillstånd för säsongsarbete i Sverige, vilket var rekord.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports Piphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed yesterday today (January 11th) that "In the next five years there will be 80 million foreign tourists visiting Thailand. The number is double that of three years ago before the Covid -19 pandemic."
"On January 24th we will further discuss the longtime proposal of a 300-baht 'land entry' fee. The fee will not be collected from foreigners with Border Passes and work permits. We are also considering not collecting the fee from foreign tourists who are on a ferry or cruise one day trip to Thailand," Mr. Piphat explained.
"This land entry' fee will be suggested to the cabinet next month as we are planning this to take effect on June 1st of this year," Mr. Piphat added.
The proposal has been extremely unpopular with tourists posting on social media, notes TPN. The Tourism Ministry has been pushing for the proposal for over a year, stating that all funds collected would be transparently used and to the benefit of tourists with both insurance for accident coverage and to improve major tourist attractions.
Critics of the proposal, however, have expressed doubt about if the insurance would be offered properly and the transparency of the funds received. The proposal has been continually pushed back after ongoing criticism on social media that it was the wrong time to implement a tourism entry fee. Many ex-pats have also expressed concern, stating that they are not tourists and should be exempt.
A message to foreigners who might be in Thailand for the first time. The roads are deadly. An average of 53 people die every day. 21 foreigners have also died on the roads this year so far. If you insist on driving, wear a helmet, have a driving license & have proper insurance.
🚘 Road accident report 10/1/2023
🪦 57 deaths and 2,174 injuries
🏍 70% of deaths were motorcyclists
👨👩👧👦 3 children died
👨👩👧👦 2 pedestrian died
👨👩👧👦 1 foreigner died
😦 539 deaths in 10 days or 53.9 deaths/day
The US ambassador to Thailand met with Anutin Charnvirakul, Public Health Minister, on Monday, January 9th, to find ways for future cooperation between the two countries.
The picture of the meeting between Anutin and Robert F. Godec was published on Anutin's political party's website "The Bhumjai Thai Party."
Godec met Anutin at 2 PM to introduce himself and discuss several matters. One of them was the way Anutin handled the Covid-19 pandemic, which Godec said was well executed, according to the Bhumjai Thai website.
The two also talked about future cooperation between Thailand and the United States.
Social media, and media in general, in Thailand has been dominated over the past three or four days by one main topic -required documentation of proof of having a Covid-19 vaccine to enter Thailand.
To be more accurate, the main issue was the suddenness of the change to many travelers and then constantly changing rules and guidelines over the past weekend that caused widespread confusion and frustration from travelers.
The requirement was originally brought in because Thai government officials, led by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, wanted to "not discriminate" against any one country in terms of introducing Covid restrictions. This was, to be more accurate, not wanting to discriminate against China to avoid possible political issues.
However, with this reopening came concerns of a possible resurgence of Covid-19 due to China currently suffering its first major widespread outbreak after lifting Covid Zero. Many western countries enacted specific restrictions against Chinese tourists as a covid precaution, which caused the Chinese government to respond angrily. Thailand desperately wanted to avoid this issue while still calming down nervous citizens about a possible new wave of Covid.
In the end though, attempting to appease one country with very short notice only ended up irritating and angering nearly everyone else due the sudden implementation of new Covid requirements for everyone with a two-day notice.
Minimizers online in social media comments made statements like "It is only a vaccine proof requirement" or "Just get the shot" but this failed to address that the announcement was only made with a few days warning and only through the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, avoiding official notices from the Royal Gazette or the Tourism Authority of Thailand. If a traveler didn't closely follow Thai media, which the vast majority do not, they would have had no idea about the new requirements. Indeed, reports of many confused travelers rejected to board their flights due to not having or knowing they had to have documentation around Covid emerged. Many were vaccinated but didn't have proof with them.
As the weight of the proof of requirements was put solely on airlines at the last minute, with changing rules and regulations, this only further added to confusion and massive inconsistence with travelers being the victim.
In the end, Thailand made likely the right decision and lifted the vaccine documentation requirements, but nobody won from this debacle. Not Thailand, whose image and reputation from tourists was damaged with the sudden flip flopping and turnaround. Not tourists, many of whom were left with a bitter taste from the situation and many who had their dream trips cancelled either on their own or due to airlines rejecting them from boarding. Not even China, as the entire event cast a dark cloud over what should have been a positive, their return to Thailand after three long years.
Will any lessons be learned from this massive confusion over the past several days? That remains to be seen, but based on past track records, is unlikely.
The reintroduction of a vaccine certificate requirement will be canceled, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters during his visit to the Suvarnabhumi Airport to greet the first group of 269 Chinese tourists from Xiamen today.
However, the requirement for health insurance with a minimum coverage of US$10,000 for travelers that require a negative test result before returning to their country of origin, namely Chinese and Indian travelers, will continue to be intact.
A total of 15 flights with 3,465 passengers are expected to arrive from mainland China to Thailand today.
More than 300,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit the county during the first 3 months of 2023.
The new entry rules for #Thailand start today amid a lot of confusion. All we have is the NOTAM sent out by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to airlines around the world. No official announcement from the Thai government and no guidelines to help tourists sent out by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Not surprisingly both tourists and tour operators are very angry how the Thai government mishandled this. They have done incredible damage not only to the tourism industry but also to the reputation of the country.
First reports from today is that many airlines are not checking documents (too short notice or they don't want to do Thailand's dirty work) and people are not being checked or tested on arrival this morning.
If you are flying in today, please give us firsthand experience in the comments. I'm particularly interested about people crossing land borders.
The attached document is the original and amended notice sent out by CAAT to airlines. Red shows the changes.
🚨 URGENT UPDATE AT 6:10 PM: Unvaccinated tourists can now fly to Thailand without being refused boarding due to a last minute update to the latest Notice to Airmen (Notam).
See Point 5 below for full details.
Please urgently share with your friends. 🙏
[START]
1. Passenger 18 years old or older must provide proof of full vaccination or proof of covid-19 recovery not more than 6 months (180 days) passenger who does not have vaccine must have a letter from doctor providing reason.
2. Passenger from country that has requirements which may prevent passenger to go back due to covid-19 shall be required to have health insurance covering at least usd $10,000 of treatment of covid-19 for the itineraries in Thailand plus 7 days. Those with business arrangement, including flight crew, student, may have a letter from the host or other form of insurance to cover such need.
3. Holder of official and diplomat passport, United Nations Laissez-passer are exempted health insurance requirements.
4. Holder of Thai passport and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from vaccination check and health insurance requirements.
5. The airlines must check the documents as required. If passenger fails to produce document proving these requirements are met, the passenger is subjected to be tested at the port of arrival.
6. The airlines must adhere to related regulation and comply with the guidance as appropriate such as asking passenger to wear mask at all time except during meal or emergency situation.
7. Any passenger having symptoms of covid-19 during travel shall be recommended to test at arrival.
[FINISH]
Thailand has released new entry requirements this weekend to airlines, as originally stated as being proposed by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this week.
It was originally believed that the Thai Cabinet would debate the proposals next week, however, it now appears the new entry requirements have gone directly through the Ministry of Transport and CAAT, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to be sent to airlines, to take effect as soon as possible. Multiple foreign airlines have reportedly already confirmed the new order. TPN is also reaching out to the Tourism Authority of Thailand for further clarification.
The CAAT issued the statements to all airlines flying to Thailand and the Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, confirmed the order. TPN media notes that there are many, many questions at this time but they should be directed to your airline or embassy according to Saksayam. It is not completely clear as of press time what procedures would be in place for land and sea borders nor were they addressed immediately.
Maya Bay in Krabi
Here is, as of press time, the new regulations keeping in mind this is a developing story. The order is in effect from January 9, 2023 at 1:00 a.m. to January 31, 2023 at 4:59 p.m. Keep in mind, Thai authorities could also extend the order at their discretionor even suspend it early.
1. All passengers over the age of 18 must show proof to their air carrier of at least two Covid-19 vaccines, list released by CAAT below. They could also bring a letter from a doctor certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19 from the past seven days to no more than 6 months (180 days) or have a medical certificate from a doctor stating they are unable to get a vaccine. Those under 18 were not mentioned and appear to be exempt. Vaccines must have been at least fourteen days before departure, but no end limit which means even those vaccinated two years ago could travel.
2. If the country you are returning to after traveling to Thailand requires a Covid-19 test, like India or China, you must have medical insurance that covers Covid for the duration of your stay. Specific dollar amounts were not given. Flight crews can use their company insurance as proof. Ex-pats with Thai social security are exempt.
3. Thai Citizens with a Thai passport are exempt from all vaccination and insurance requirements.
4. Transit only passengers are exempt.
5. It is the airline's responsibility to check these requirements at check-in. It is unknown if it will be random screening or if everyone will be required to show their proof of documentation.
6. Airlines should ask passengers to Thailand to mask during their journey except during meal time or an emergency.
7. If a passenger shows signs of having Covid they be asked to take a Covid test at their expense upon arrival in Thailand.
This is a developing story and may be updated at any time while information continues to come in. Information is subject to change.
On top of daily scheduled flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, Air Azov and Red Wings are delivering almost daily more than 2,000 passengers on six charter flights from various Russian cities.
The demand for Russian flights to U-tapao airport, neighboring Pattaya, is being described as insatiable. Almost daily, Air Azov and Red Wings are now delivering 2,000-plus passengers on six charter flights from various Russian cities including Moscow, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and even Kazan which is the country's fifth largest urban complex and situated by the Volga. These arrivals are on top of daily, multiple scheduled flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport.
Most Russians will return after their vacation, but a sizeable minority is here to stay as long as possible as retirees or entrepreneurs. Some younger men and those with families are evading conscription to fight in the Ukraine war, or seeking to settle as global expats. Pattaya immigration is deluged with requests from Russians for certificates of address to open bank accounts and apply for driving licences. Indeed, there is a standing half-joke that, within a few years, more Russians than Thais will own healthy Thai bank balances or own plush vehicles.
The Russian love affair with Pattaya goes back decades and annual arrivals almost touched 2 million before the pandemic struck in early 2020. Some believe that this figure has already been exceeded in the last twelve months. Welcome signs beckon in Russian in convenience stores in "Little Moscow", a Naklua suburb near Pattaya: davai (take it) and deshyovyi (cheap). Thai tailors report a booming business in made-to-order clothes whilst the tills ring merrily in retail outlets from stylish malls to corner jewelry stores. Closed parties with champagne freely flowing are reported in several of the resort's five star hotels.
Thailand Privilege, the owner of the Elite visa, reports intense interest amongst Russians for longstay visas from 5-20 years. The less affluent are renewing their immigration entry stamps by crowding the organized minibus trips to the Cambodian border where a further 45 days visa exempt is available the same day. "Russians don't want temples and culture, they want sun and fun," according to a Moscow tours representative. "Pattaya is our main business now," she adds, "and we have clients who light their cigars with a 1,000 baht (US$30) note."
Lining up next are the Chinese who are expected to pour into Pattaya once more flights are available and pending the opening of Chinese passport issuing offices, a service cancelled for almost three years of coronavirus. But the market is much bigger than short-visit tourists. Xiaohongshu, China's answer to Instagram, is awash with the benefits of emigrating to Thailand where international schools are cheap and the latest generation longstay Thai visas, notably the 10-year Long Term Residence with its inbuilt work permit, is attracting lots of attention.
Some Chinese investors want the freedom to travel in and out of China at their discretion. They are already the biggest group of foreign buyers of property in Thailand, according to the Real Estate Information Center, with 3,500 units snapped up last year at an average price of US$150,000. In Pattaya, Chinese investors own at least half of all foreign-owned condominium flats. They don't necessarily intend to live here: the idea is to rent them out. Almost 30 percent of all near-40 million foreign tourists in Thailand were Chinese nationals in 2019.
There has long been a debate about how Pattaya is changing and the prospects for neo (new) Pattaya in the post-pandemic world. The unprecedented surge in Russian and Chinese immigration – not simply tourism – will likely have titanic consequences not yet unfolded. They likely involve a continuing rise in the general cost of living as demand begins to exceed supply against a rapidly shrinking Thai workforce owing to a falling birthrate. Even more significantly, it is an open question whether Pattaya's infrastructure, traffic routes and local government services can handle a surge of this proportion. The jury will be out a long time.
An influential Thai virologist said new Covid-19 strains from tourists traveling from the West are more worrisome than older strains from tourists traveling from China.
Dr. Yong Poovorawan came out today, January 6th, to allay Thai people's concerns over a surge in Covid-19 infections in light of China's upcoming easing of travel restrictions from January 8th onwards.
Dr. Yong, who is the chief of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine, posted on his Facebook wall that, "The ongoing outbreak in China is primarily caused by the Omicron subvariant of Covid-19, known as BA.5, which has already spread in Thailand."
He went on to say that, "We should be more concerned about the strains that have not spread in Thailand, especially the BQ variant from Western countries which is more alarming." The doctor also commented on certain tourists that, "We do not check and cannot force (them) to wear face masks."
Covid-19 cases in Thailand are declining in Thailand due to seasonal transition, according to Dr. Yong. 70% of Thai people (around 50 million) have been infected with the coronavirus, and 90% already have antibodies from vaccination or infection.
He said, "The mutation of the virus can occur anywhere in the world…It is pointless to block tourists from a particular country from entering the kingdom."
Thai health minister Anutin Charnvirakul did not give a definite date for the latest procedure to be checked on individuals, but advised foreigners to bring paper documentation or online verification on their next journey to Thailand. (File photo: Anutin shows a sample of a Thai vaccine passport.)
All travellers, irrespective of passport nationality, must show proof of at least two covid vaccinations according to the "final" committee meeting chaired on January 5 by Thai health minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He did not give a definite date for the latest procedure to be checked on individuals, but travel agents are advising all foreigners – including those from UK, EU, America and Australia – to bring the paper documentation or online verification on their next journey to Thailand.
Travellers will not be compelled to purchase pre-flight covid or travel insurance, even though that is recommended for all, unless such cover is specifically required as part of their visa (O/A retirement visa or 10 year residence permission) or if their next destination after Thailand requires a pre-flight RT-PCR Covid test. Journeys affected that that would include post-Thailand flights to China or India where entry for all passengers depends on having such a clinical test 48 hours in advance of the journey. That rule is to show that anyone testing positive for the virus will have medical insurance to cover the costs of any required treatment in recovery. The latest rules, technically from the Department of Disease Control, allow Thai authorities to say they are not introducing any regulations which target only Chinese tourists. It is unclear where, how and what cost Chinese nationals will be able to take a RT-PCR test in Thailand 48 hours or less before returning home. Although there is substantial concern worldwide about many Chinese vacationers having the virus and spreading it internationally – amid growing disbelief about Beijing's official statistics – the Thai government is nervous of incurring the wrath of a major trading partner. Cash is king for the time being.
Greg Watkins, a UK-based travel agent, said, "Thailand-bound British tourists will soon need once again to prove their minimum two-shot vaccination to both airline checkin staff and Thai immigration. There is no sign that they will be required to be medically insured, but should bear in mind the high costs of hospital care in the kingdom." The Thai health minister said last night there were no new screening measures yet in place for any nationality pending the formal announcement. However, a monitoring committee would keep a close eye on arrivals at airports, land borders and ports.
No firm details yet as to what date the new regime comes into force nor how it will be administered. Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said it was necessitated by a need for a non-discriminatory response to the return of potentially large numbers of Chinese tourists from next week with a ramp-up of flight connections expected over the coming months. The kingdom suffered another blow after New Delhi imposed testing requirements on all Indians returning from Thailand.
Thailand's foreign tourism industry was thrown a curveball on Thursday when a conference of officials from three ministries met in Bangkok and decided to introduce a Covid vaccine requirement for all incoming travellers in light of the return of Chinese tourists next week. The announcement was made by Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul after the decision was made. Full details Of the new regime have yet to be released.
After last Thursday's high-level meeting of officials from three ministries the Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul confirm that a 'non-discriminatory' approach was decided upon in response to the pending arrival of Chinese tourists to Thailand in larger numbers. Officials will now require proof of vaccination from all incoming travellers. Full details of the new regime are expected to be clarified shortly.
Thailand's public health authorities have reintroduced a requirement demanding that all incoming travellers to the country have proof of being fully vaccinated.
In the past, this has been taken to mean the administration of two approved vaccines.
The move comes in response to the impending reopening of China on Sunday next January 8th which, it is anticipated, will lead to increased foreign tourist traffic into Thailand from the communist country currently in the grips of its largest outbreak of Covid since the crisis began there in late 2018 when the threat first emerged in Wuhan.
Reports suggest high levels of rampant infection in China which has prompted caution and this blanket response from Thai officials to all travellers
There appears to be no data available from authorities in Beijing to offer guidance on the scale of what is thought to be a massive outbreak but there have been unconfirmed reports of 1 million infections per day while a report from medical officials in China's commercial centre, Shanghai, suggested that as much as 70% of the huge city's population of 26.32 million have become infected.
The threat has seen many countries such as the United States, France and Italy impose specific test requirements on all travellers originating in China, an approach which has been rejected by Thailand.
Today's announcement by Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, which still has to be clarified with more detailed information as to its implementation is certain to cause disruption to Thailand's rising tide of foreign tourism in the short term as the market has shown consistently that such requirements are unpopular among potential tourists to the country and are resisted by the travel market.
Uncertainty and red tape quickly put off potential tourists or visitors to Thailand, experience shows
The uncertainty caused by them and the red tape involved in compliance is not conducive to a carefree holiday excursion which is what Thailand was seen as offering tens of millions of visitors up to 2020.
The news is coming amid another blow to the kingdom with a requirement from Indian authorities in New Delhi that all arrivals from Thailand will now be subjected to RT-PCR testing on arrival.
This new requirement is a response by nervous Indian officials to the news from China which has lifted its quarantine for arrivals requirement as part of scrapping its deeply unpopular zero covid policy which has led to the current outbreak.
The development has seen governments across the world place restrictions on arrivals from China and, in this case, countries such as Thailand which is associated with China in terms of travel and tourism.
India was a mainstay of inbound tourism to Thailand in 2022, now that is put in jeopardy by New Delhi
India, in 2022, became a mainstay of foreign tourism to Thailand with 9% of the 7.36 million visitors arriving in the country from January to October 26th, second only to Malaysia with 17%.
The country's estimated arrivals in 2022 are 11.5 million visitors with an uptick in more long-haul visitors from western countries reported after all entry requirements were cancelled in October.
The Indian market, assisted by special Thai Airways flights between the subcontinent and the kingdom, saved the country's foreign tourism industry which has singularly failed to recover its former markets in the same fashion as other countries in the aftermath of the global emergency that today's development shows is still not yet over.
Up to October 26th 2022, the top five markets for tourists to Thailand, which made up 44% of arrivals between them, were Malaysia with 1,246,242 arrivals, India with 661,751 arrivals, Laos with 538,789, Cambodia with 373,811 and Singapore with 365,593 arrivals.
This saw the average expenditure per tourist decrease from approximately ฿50,000 in 2019 to between ฿40,000 and ฿43,000 for this period.
No mention of free vaccines on arrival offer for tourists, the idea proposed by Minister of Tourism and Sports last week to be discussed at the meeting
Today's announcement that Thailand is reimposing the need for proof of vaccination to enter the country made no mention of a proposal from Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn who last week proposed offering free vaccines to incoming tourists at Thai international airports on arrival.
The statement by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin also made clear that passengers transiting through Thai airports to a destination where a RT-PCR test will be required will also have to have travel insurance.
This may have extended ramifications as many countries worldwide have now imposed a test requirement on passengers of any nationality whose flights originate in China, a move which has been harshly criticised by Beijing as discriminatory but which was surprisingly defended by a World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman on Thursday who said that in the absence of proper data and guidance from authorities in China particularly as to the sequencing of detected strains of the virus, such moves were understandable.
Thai medical officials deem the Covid threat as the same in China as it is in Thailand based on data they have seen while other countries criticise China
Thai medical officials are reportedly satisfied that the strains of Covid in China and Thailand are the same based on data they have received.
The reason for the health insurance requirement according to Minister Anutin was to ensure that those who test positive for the disease in Thailand can pay for their treatment in the country.
In October, Thailand cancelled all tests and requirements concerning Covid when the disease was declared endemic and reverted to entry requirements as they existed in 2019.
Today's announcement will be a bombshell not only to visitors already on the way to the kingdom but also to those planning to visit in the coming months.
There are already reports of some prospective tourists changing plans or cancelling their trips.
While the vast majority of the population of western countries are fully vaccinated, the uncertainty created by Thursday's decision will cause a loss of impetus to the trade.
Only a small minority of western travellers remain unvaccinated according to data from key countries
Data in the United States shows a sizable minority of the population (21%) do not qualify as fully vaccinated although the country strictly enforces a requirement for all non-residents to be fully vaccinated against Covid just as Thailand now proposes to do.
The latest data from the US government shows that 79% have received at least one vaccine dose with 21% fully unvaccinated.
This figure is 17% in Canada and is even lower in the United Kingdom where 94% of people have had a vaccine and 89% have received the required two vaccine doses leaving just 11% unvaccinated.
It is reported that many of those who are not fully vaccinated are men under 30 years of age with up to 25% of his group falling into the category.
The figures are even stronger in Australia where 96% of the population is fully vaccinated.
The problems for Thailand's foreign tourism industry after these developments are the likelihood of a sharp downturn in Indian arrivals and a slowdown in bookings from western countries, particularly because of the uncertainty caused by the renewed requirements.
Thursday's decision according to Minister Anutin was about not discriminating against Chinese tourists to Thailand, the kingdom's main market in the past
Mr Anutin emphasised on Thursday the determination of the Thai government to be non-discriminatory as he acknowledged that the kingdom attracted visitors from across the world but most particularly from China.
'The principle is there will not be any discrimination against a particular country because Covid-19 is spreading in all countries and the strains are similar. So, Covid-19 should not be an issue of discriminating against any country,' he told journalists after the meeting of key ministries and officials.
It is understood that today's conference involved representatives from the ministries of Transport, Tourism and Public Health as well as the Office of the Insurance Commission and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
There was no indication as to when the new regime would take effect but officials indicated that it would coincide with the arrival of Chinese travellers.
It is thought that next week after the restrictions on China are lifted, it will take some time for a volume of tourists to arrive due to sky-high ticket prices, limited flight services and the current turmoil in the communist country.
Increased flight frequency from China to Thailand is ready to commence from next week right up to a possible 400 flights a week if the market normalises
The Director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) Suttipong Kongpool said the first newly scheduled flights will land on Thursday, January 12th but that within 3 months, there will be 15 flights a day between Suvarnabhumi Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport and Phuket International Airport.
The relaunch of the Chinese market however is expected to ramp up considerably after this with up to 400 flights a week expected if the situation reverts to normal.
China was Thailand's largest tourist point of origin and all indications are that it will account for between 5 to 10 million projected visitors in 2023.
This will again make it the main driver of the tourism industry and perhaps even on a more dominant scale as the country's efforts to revive its traditional markets have met with quite disappointing results in 2022 with increased numbers of visitors from Southeast Asia covering up what would otherwise have been a disastrous recovery and one which, even as things stand, is well behind the performance of its international peers.
Lack of flight connectivity was the bugbear for Thailand in 2022 and was caused by an unpredictable entry environment such as we have seen this week
One of the key reasons given for the disappointing performance of the foreign tourism sector last year was a lack of flight connectivity with sources within the airline industry pointing to the unpredictable nature of entry conditions to Thailand which has now again changed and resulted in confusion at this time due to the country's proximity to China and its reliance this year on Indian tourists.
The Ministry of Public Health, on Thursday, said it would continue to monitor the situation and adjust its measures in line with updated risk assessments.
It is understood that Chinese tourists who do manage to visit Thailand at this time will still face an RT-PCR test on arrival back in the communist country, something which may act as a further impediment to an immediate surge in arrivals from China.
Ahead of Thursday's meeting, Minister Anutin described his goal as balancing out the needs of the economy with protecting public health, a similar refrain to other crises and volte-faces which we have seen in 2020, 2021 and 2022 in line with external developments.
He said that his ministry and officials had a duty of care to the Thai public who he enjoined to avail of free booster shots against the virus at this time.
Prime Minister Prayut described Thailand's measures against Covid and its management as 'Grade A'
Earlier in the week, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan ocha described Thailand's measures against the virus as 'Grade A' and said that the country was admired for its ability to manage the situation.
He said it is important that everything at this time was approached with care and caution.
There had been hopes within the travel industry that the government would not impose new entry criteria across the board and avoid interfering with the recovering industry with many respected doctors such as Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, the chief of the Red Cross's Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, over the last few days coming forward to explain that now was the time to live with Covid and not to be afraid of the infection which was already declared endemic in Thailand when all restrictions were lifted in October resulting in a boost to foreign tourist arrivals which surged to over 1.5 million a month.
Today's announcement will inevitably damage confidence among foreign tourists planning to visit over the coming months while there is growing concern that this pandemic and the 'new normal' it has ushered in, impacting the international travel industry, has caused significant changes which have particularly had an adverse impact on foreign travel to Thailand.
Thailand's population, as of December 31st, 2022, was 66,090,475, according to the latest census data provided by the Central Domicile Registration Office.
The population was made up of 65,106,481 Thai nationals and 983,994 who are yet to receive Thai citizenship.
Of the Thai nationals, there were 31,755,032 males and 33,351,449 females.
Of the 983,994 who were yet to receive Thai citizenship, there were 515,583 males and 468,411 females.
The population of Bangkok was 5,494,936.
Thailand's official population the previous year was 66,171,439, consisting of 65,197,783 Thai nationals and 973,656 non-Thais.
