image source, Getty Images
Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Revealed that measures to cancel document checks for receiving 2 doses of vaccination for foreign tourists have been canceled. After the tourism sector, please review
The order came following 269 passengers from the People’s Republic of China took the first flight. Arrived in Thailand on January 9 following China opened the country on January 8.
This is the latest change in measures to accept foreign tourists at Mr. Anutin. Revealed during a press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the followingnoon. After the new set of measures that came out on Jan. 5 affected foreign tourists from other countries. by foreign tour operators from England Scandinavian groups, Germany, France and Russia have all voiced their concerns via Tourism Business Association in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi Mr. Anutin indicates why the academic committee Under the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. because that There have been many vaccinations both in Thailand and China. Including other countries around the world. As for the first flight that arrives in Thailand It is flight MF833 of Xiamen Airlines. Traveling from Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China Arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:50 p.m., with Mr. Anutin and Minister of Tourism, Minister of Transport welcoming
Mr. Anutin confirmed that Measures to welcome Chinese tourists are appropriate. Emphasis on preventive measures once morest COVID-19 by using the same requirements as tourists of other nationalities with the same principle not discriminate until necessary The Minister of Public Health also stated that today there will be 15 inbound flights from China, including 3,465 tourists, expected throughout the year. 7-10 million Chinese tourists will enter Thailand via airports.
What are the concerns of the tourism sector and foreign tour operators?
The essence of the book that the Phuket Tourism Business Association presented to the government, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, dated January 7, reflected the opinions of foreign travel agencies, especially in Europe. This represents the highest concern regarding the change in Thailand’s foreign tourist acceptance policy.
UK travel agency
- The announcement was made too emergency. There should be a notice period in advance. Since most customers leave to board the plane. and may not be able to bring a vaccination certificate will therefore be denied boarding the plane
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There are concerns that unvaccinated customers will not be able to travel. and the travel agency must make a refund
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There is no official announcement from the government yet.
image source, Archyde.com
companies from Scandinavia
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The travel agency was unable to notify the customer in time for checking the vaccination certificate. Because it was announced over the weekend and took effect immediately on Monday, Dec. 9.
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For customers who have not been vaccinated but have already purchased a tour package From the announcement, the customer had to cancel and refund the money. which causes damage to business
travel agency germany
regarded as issuing such criteria create problems and greatly reduce tourism confidence More than 1,000 room night customers have already been canceled following the change in such measures. The measure caused problems between tour operators and customers. Because the new measures of the Thai government do not qualify for tourists to request refunds from airlines when they are denied travel.
France travel agency
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Tour operators are dissatisfied. because the new regulations are considered not eligible for refunds In the event that the passenger is denied boarding by the airline
- The French travel agency will find a way to do Force Majeure to cancel the trip to Thailand due to the instability of the Thai government.
Travel agencies from Russia and the CIS
Tour Operators from the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) affected business Since most operators have made charter contracts in advance. While in the group of tourists, there are both fully vaccinated and partly unvaccinated. The presence of such measures creates problems for the travel of tourists. At the same time, operators require formally documented requirements and guidelines.
What were the previous measures?
- Travelers must receive at least 2 doses of the COVID vaccine.
- If the country of origin has a negative RT-PCR result before returning Must purchase health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment.
- If there are respiratory symptoms, postpone the trip.
- Travelers are advised to protect themselves throughout their stay in the country, for example by wearing a mask when in public/public transport and washing hands frequently.
- If there are respiratory symptoms To be screened with ATK and if the illness is more severe, to be examined at a medical facility. It is recommended to stay in SHA+ hotels for those who want to do RT-PCR before returning home.
3 ministers welcome tourists from China on the first flight
image source, Ministry of Public Health
“Today we are regarding to open up the country with readiness,” Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health on 5 Jan 2023.
At 12.15 p.m. on January 9, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health together with Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, Minister of Transport, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports will welcome tourists from the People’s Republic of China traveling to Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. After the Chinese authorities gradually opened the country from January 8
For the flight from China that the Deputy Prime Minister and his team will welcome this time is Flight MF833, arriving from Xiamen. There were 269 passengers in total.
Previously, Mr. Anutin said According to estimates, Chinese tourists in the first quarter in January-March 2023 are regarding 300,000 people, accounting for 5% of all national tourists combined.
By forecasting numbers for each month, namely January 60,000 people, February 90,000 people and March 150,000 people, with a gradual increase because there are currently limited flights There is a period of time for applying for a passport and visa. And the Chinese government has yet to allow tour operators to take tour groups out of the country. Travelers are independent travelers and a group of high-end travelers with purchasing power.