image source, Getty Images
Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Unveiled that the measures to cancel the documentary checks for the receipt of 2 doses of vaccination for foreign tourists have been canceled. After the tourism industry, please review
The order came after 269 passengers from the People’s Republic of China boarded the first flight. He arrived in Thailand on January 9 after China opened the country on January 8.
This is the latest change in the measures to accept foreign tourists to Mr. Anutin. Unveiled during a press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the afternoon. After the new set of measures that emerged on January 5 hit foreign tourists from other countries. from foreign tour operators from England Scandinavian groups, Germany, France and Russia have all expressed their concerns via Tourism Business Association in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi Mr. Anutin indicates why the academic committee Under the Communicable Diseases Act BE why that There have been many vaccinations in both Thailand and China. Including other countries around the world. Regarding the first flight that arrives in Thailand It is Xiamen Airlines flight MF833. Traveling from Xiamen, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China Arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:50, with Mr. Anutin and the Minister of Tourism, the Minister of Transport welcomed
Mr. Anutin confirmed that The measures to welcome Chinese tourists are appropriate. Emphasis on preventive measures against COVID-19 using the same requirements as tourists of other nationalities with the same principle do not discriminate until necessary The Minister of Public Health also said that there will be 15 inbound flights from China today, of which 3,465 are tourists expected throughout the year. 7-10 million Chinese tourists will enter Thailand through the 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 Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, dated January 7, reflected the views of foreign travel agencies, especially in Europe. This represents the greatest concern with the change in the policy of accepting foreign tourists in Thailand.
Travel agency in the UK
- The announcement was made too urgent. There should be a notice period in advance. As most customers leave to board the plane. and may not be able to carry a vaccination certificate will therefore be denied boarding on the aircraft
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There are fears 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, Reuters
Scandinavian companies
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The travel agency was unable to notify the client in time to check the vaccination certificate. Because it was announced over the weekend and went into effect immediately on Monday 9 December.
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For customers who have not been vaccinated but have already purchased a package tour. Since the announcement, the customer has had to cancel and refund the money. causing damage to businesses
travel agency germany
considered as the enactment of these criteria create problems and significantly reduce the confidence of tourism More than 1,000 overnight stays customers have already been canceled after the modification of these measures. The measure has caused problems between tour operators and customers. Because the Thai government’s new measures don’t allow tourists to claim refunds from airlines when they are denied travel.
Travel agency in France
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Tour operators are dissatisfied. why the new regulations are considered ineligible for refunds In case the passenger is denied boarding by the airline
- The French travel agency will find a way by force majeure to cancel the trip to Thailand due to the instability of the Thai government.
Travel agencies from Russia and the CIS
Tour Operator from the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) has affected business Since most of the operators have entered into rental agreements in advance. While in the group of tourists there are both fully vaccinated and partially unvaccinated. The presence of such measures creates problems for the travel of tourists and, 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 home country has a negative RT-PCR result before return You must purchase health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment.
- If there are respiratory symptoms, postpone the trip.
- Travelers are advised to protect themselves during their stay in the country, for example by wearing a face mask when on public/public transport and washing their hands frequently.
- If there are respiratory symptoms. Screen ATK and if symptoms worsen, go to a medical facility for treatment. Staying in SHA+ hotels is recommended for those who wish to perform RT-PCR before returning home.
3 ministers welcome tourists from China on first flight
image source, Ministry of Public Health
“Today we are going to open up the country with readiness,” Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, on 5 January 2023.
At 12:15 on January 9, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health together with Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, Minister of Transportation, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports will welcome tourists from People’s Republic of China en route to Thailand at Suvarnabhumi airport. After the Chinese authorities have gradually opened up the country since 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.
Earlier, Mr. Anutin said. According to estimates, Chinese tourists in the first quarter of January-March 2023 are about 300,000 people, which is 5% of all domestic tourists combined.
Predicting the numbers for each month, that is, January 60,000 people, February 90,000 people, and March 150,000 people, gradually increasing because there are currently limited flights There is a time frame for applying for a passport and visa. And the Chinese government has not yet allowed tour operators to take tour groups out of the country. Travelers are independent travelers and a group of high-end travelers with purchasing power.
