News
Sandbox now open to everyone
Fully vaccinated travellers from “any country in the world” can now book holidays in Phuket and other provinces taking part in the sandbox scheme, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says.The change will allow previously excluded Indonesians and Malaysians, among many others, to travel to ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Confidence index in Thai tourism sector drops to lowest point in Q3
The confidence index of tourism businesses hit the lowest point in the third quarter of this year, with more than 3 million people in the industry reportedly unemployed, the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) said.Astudy conducted by the TCT, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ...
The Nation Reporter
Why Thailand’s tourism sandbox programmes failed
Nearly three months ago, Thailand launched its pilot programme to reopen selected destinations to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine.The trial reopening began in Phuket on July 1, followed by three resort islands of Surat Thani on July 15.Under the “Phuket Sandbox” programme, foreigners who can ...
The Nation Reporter
TAT told to propose plan on reopening five provinces to CCSA on Sept 23
The Tourism and Sports Ministry has told the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to propose the plan on reopening five provinces to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on September 23, Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Saturday.Under the plan, five provinces — Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya, ...
The Nation Reporter
Hotel operators consider closing amid weak demand
Amid tepid tourist demand, 52% of hotel operators are considering closing temporarily, while 9% want to shut down permanently if the Covid-19 pandemic lasts longer than expected.A joint survey by the Bank of Thailand and Thai Hotels Association (THA) found that 62% of hotel operators ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Tourism ministry sets January date to reopen
The Tourism and Sports Ministry vows to open the whole country without quarantine by January next year, but such a move largely depends on nationwide herd immunity.Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said Bangkok was scheduled to reopen in October as part of the ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Time for tourism policy rethink
Last Wednesday, residents of dark-red zone provinces made a dash to restaurants and shopping malls after lockdown restrictions were eased. For businesses like hair salons and massage shops, reopening has restored a vital lifeline after they were forced shut for nearly three months.But not everyone ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Tourism authority tests the water with rules for 7 destinations
For the upcoming tourism high season, which usually starts in early October, the country is likely to have five destinations taking part in reopening schemes and another two joining extension programmes.Among those seven destinations, only Phuket has opened entirely to inoculated tourists, while the rest ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
TAT plea to amend sandbox plan
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is asking the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to approve the so-called 7+7 model allowing tourists to stay in Phuket for seven days before visiting other locations.Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a secretary attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, said on ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Sandbox tourism scheme generates over THB1 billion for Phuket economy
The Phuket “sandbox” programme drew over 19,000 foreign tourists and generated over THB1 billion in revenue for the province, Thanusak Pheungdet, president of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, said on Friday.The sandbox scheme, which kicked off on July 1, aims to reopen Phuket to foreign ...
The Nation Reporter