Tourism

Chinese official rules out return of China-Thailand tourism anytime soon

Published

8 months ago

Monday, September 7, 2020

Maya Taylor

PHOTO: The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand - Coconuts

China is not yet ready to welcome international tourists, says a senior embassy official in Bangkok. Speaking to Nation Thailand, Yang Xin from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand, says that, while domestic tourism has resumed in China, the country is not yet ready to open its borders to foreign tourists, nor is it encouraging its own citizens to travel abroad. He adds that even if Chinese tourists did want to return to Thailand, the current border closures mean they are unable to do so.

In more normal times, China accounts for around 10 million of the nearly 40 million foreign visitors to the Kingdom each year (2019 figures from TAT). However, despite numerous discussions about a safe re-opening, with various plans being put on the table and taken back off it again, Thailand is also closed to foreign tourists for the foreseeable.

A plan to use Phuket as a pilot programme, allowing limited foreign tourists to return in a strictly controlled manner, actually looked like it might happen – until the discovery of Thailand’s first locally transmitted Covid-19 case in over 3 months. That plan too is also off the table, according to the Governor of the TAT.

Like Thailand, China is re-opening for foreign business travellers and a few other small categories. In China, those approved to travel do not have to carry out a 14 day quarantine, but are limited in where they can travel within the country. Yang says that China has now managed to bring the virus under control and schools have been re-opened after months of closure. He adds that the country has not set a target for economic growth this year, instead concentrating on the labour market and job creation, as well as improving living standards. Like Thailand, various stimulus packages are in place to help small to medium-sized businesses.

Asked about Hong Kong, he says the recent introduction of the national security law has stabilised the volatile political situation, claiming that, while China remains committed to the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, other nations that interfere “are trying to create a two-country system”.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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11 Comments

Pui love Chinese

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 10:35 am

Finally. Welcome back out Chinese brothers and sisters
Thailand is yours!

Reply
patrick

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:15 am

basic sense, if Thai government had any hopes to get back the Chinese, big and deep thinking mistakes as many others. The Chinese will do what ever they can to keep their tourists at home, obvious from any correct professional and politicals without blindness already from the beginning….You may get only democratic countries tourists only if you reopen correctly with obvious and clever security measures of course. Those ones will be few since many are already disgusted the way they have been treated here through the New Normal of Xenophobia and immigration hassles and difficulties, including changes of policies days after days, which bring insecurity for the travelers whom may think once again to be stranded here for political reasons

Reply
Perceville Smithers

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:45 am

I thought the hoops and hurdles to enter Thailand didn’t apply to Chinese Nationals.

Reply
Mike

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:48 am

Poor Thailand – I think they were hoping for a different answer.

On Hong Kong – I live here, the situation as not stabalised. Protests have stopped because of COVID. Small protests are happening all over the city, the Police are brutalising citizens daily.

Reply
Tobias Krantz

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 12:59 pm

I have recently seen a huge influx of Chinese tourists into the province where I live visiting tourist attractions. Where are they coming from? I am sure they don’t have to go through the hoops that westerners have to go through.

Reply
- Max
  
  Monday, September 7, 2020 at 2:12 pm
  
  There are many Chinese nationals living and working in ThaiIand.You do know that the borders are closed for tourists?
  
  Reply
Thomas

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 3:40 pm

Good news. The Chinese probably worked out that if Thailand continues as of now they can buy the whole place for a fraction of what was budgeted. Why spend more if you can get a heavy discount by the beginning of next year.

Reply
Mark

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 3:45 pm

China going through change right now you can’t withdraw your money from banks the government has set limits there is political unrest Hong Kong is finished even the banks are leaving unexpectedly is at a level that is unbearable food prices especially pork are crazy people are finding it hard to live day to day

Reply
Gary

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 4:39 pm

So the plan should be to get the retirees stuck abroad back as soon as possible.

Reply
EdwardV

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 7:52 pm

The idea the Chinese Tourist would return anytime soon was folly. China announced over two months ago they were instituting a so called “internal circulation “ model for the economy. Basically they were suggesting (read demanding) Chinese citizens spend their money in China. Contrary to media fed reports the Chinese economy is not doing well. Add in the demonstrations in Thailand and HK, and its understandable why China isn’t going to allow its tourist to visit Thailand anytime soon.

Reply
Rinky Stingpiece

Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:26 pm

It’s one big game of musical chairs all over the world, what it might look like when the music stops is anyone’s guess, but it may not look like it did before. With HK experiencing indelible changes, Asia may see a new place replace it as a banking and stockmarket centre. Finance likes freedom, and stability, so Tokyo might be the sensible choice to replace Hong Kong.

Reply

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Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

UPDATE: Covid-19 around the world

Published

3 mins ago

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Ann Carter

The Covid-19 situation around the world is seeing some nations attempt to return to a new normal as vaccines are rolled out, but some countries, notably India, are seeing the worst of the virus. As India’s death toll reached over 200,000 yesterday, hospitals are running out of oxygen and basic medical equipment. A Covid virus variant has hit the South Asian nation, which appears to be fuelling the recent wave and spreading across more than 12 other countries. India has now reported 18,376,524 infections since the pandemic began.

The World Health Organisation has stopped short of saying the Indian variant is more transmissible, deadly or resistant to current vaccines. And, the co-founder of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin, which teamed with Pfizer to develop a vaccine, says the jab works against the Indian variant.

“We are still testing the Indian variant, but the Indian variant has mutations that we have already tested for and which our vaccine works against, so I am confident.”

But limited supplies has pushed India to the forefront of the Covid fight, with 360,000 new infections reported yesterday, breaking the global record and more than 3,000 deaths.

In contrast the US, which has a total of 32,983,695 infections, and the UK (4,411,797) are slowly loosening up on restrictions with hopes of life getting back to somewhat normal. The Dutch recently celebrated the end of curfews and the reopening of cafe terraces. Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal have also rolled back regulations, despite their governments rushing to roll out much-needed vaccines. France is hoping to follow the recent trends by easing restrictions this month, but it is still battling those who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals. France has reported a total of 5,565,852 infections since the pandemic began.

Europe has been the worst-hit region with a total of 50,021,615 infections. Overall, the virus has killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide, but Summer Olympics organisers are still making plans to hold the events in Japan. They say athletes and close contacts will have daily virus tests, with Australian officials saying around 2,000 athletes and staff won’t arrive for the Games unless they are vaccinated.

The Games are scheduled to start on July 23, but organisers say they won’t decide until June, how many spectators, if any at all, would be allowed to attend the Games. The chief recently stated that having venues full of fans, right now, would be very difficult.

The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide with Europe being affected the most.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones

Published

25 mins ago

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Tanutam Thawan

Disease control restrictions are tightening nationwide. Bangkok and 5 other provinces with a high number of Covid-19 infections are now classified as “dark red” zones under the highest control to combat the spread of the coronavirus, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

Under the new zoning measures, the dark red provinces include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan. Those provinces have reported more than 100 Covid-19 cases per day. Regulations in those areas include:

Events or gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited.
Dine-in services at restaurants and cafes are prohibited, but takeaway services until 9pm are allowed.
Stadiums, gyms, fitness centres are closed except for sports facilities that are in open areas. Those facilities must close by 9pm.
Shopping centres can stay open until 9pm. Arcades and entertainment activities must close until the Covid-19 situation improves.

45 provinces are classified as “red” zones,” or maximum control areas. Regulations in those areas include:

Events and gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
Restaurants can offer dine-in services until 9pm and takeaway services are allowed until 11pm. Alcohol sales are prohibited.
Shopping malls can stay open until 11pm.

26 provinces are classified as “orange” zone, or controlled areas. Regulations in those areas include:

Restaurants can offer dine-in services until 11pm. Alcohol sales are prohibited.
Shopping malls can stay open until 11pm.

Alcohol is not allowed to be sold at restaurants nationwide. There is now a nationwide order requiring face masks to be worn in public places. Most provinces have already set local orders requiring masks to be worn.

The new zoning goes into effect at midnight Saturday.

Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now "dark red" zones | News by Thaiger

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Coronavirus (Covid-19)

YouTubers in Bali may be kicked out of Indonesia after face mask prank

Published

32 mins ago

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Ann Carter

PHOTO via CNN

2 YouTubers in Bali, Indonesia may be getting kicked out of the country after posting a video of one of them breaking local mask-wearing regulations. The local government has seized Josh Paler Lin and Leia Se’s passports and are facing deportation as a result of posting the video, which shows them entering a grocery store with Se being turned away for not wearing a mask. Lin then attempts to paint a face mask on her and she is then admitted into the shop.

The video went viral when it was posted on April 22 with Lin having 3.4 million subscribers on YouTube. The move was clearly not the smartest idea as police in Indonesia are issuing fines for first-time mask offenders, with the second time being deportation. Although it was their first offense, the video’s publicity drew so much attention that Balinese officials took their passports. Lin is from Taiwan, but lives in the US, while Se is a Russian citizen. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesman from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali, said they will be examined together.

“They will be examined together with Immigration to take the decision on whether or not to deport them.”

Lin removed the video from his channel and 2 days later, he posted an apology, along with Se and his attorney appearing. They were all wearing masks in the apology video.

“The intention to make this video was not at all to disrespect or invite everyone to not wear mask. I make this video to entertain people because I am a content creator and it is my job to entertain people. We promise not to do it again.”

Indonesia has had 1,651,794 Covid infections with 45,000 deaths. Bali, which relies heavily on tourists, had planned to begin allowing foreign visitors by September 2020, but the ongoing virus situation has delayed the process.

SOURCE: CNN