Thai government expects 1 million tourists per month by the end of the year
The Thai government has refuted the opposition’s claim that it is ignoring the plight of the country’s tourism sector. According to a Nation Thailand report, spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the government’s decision to cancel Test & Go has revived the tourism industry, with around 20,000 foreign arrivals now entering the kingdom each day.
Thanakorn adds that if this trend continues, Thailand should see around 500,000 arrivals a month during the low season of May – September, with most expected to come from the short-haul market. This figure is expected to double during the high season period between October and December, as travellers from Europe and the US flee winter.
He adds that once Chinese tourists start travelling again, the number of foreign arrivals in Thailand should climb to around 50% of pre-pandemic levels. Based on this, Thailand should see around 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue this year.
The now-cancelled Test & Go entry scheme required foreign travellers to take a PCR test on arrival and remain in quarantine at a pre-booked hotel until they received a negative result. Thanakorn points out that even though the entry scheme has been cancelled, foreign arrivals are still required to register through the Thailand Pass system, providing proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure from the home country. A requirement for Covid-19 insurance coverage of US$10,000 also remains in place.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration recently decided to cancel the Thailand Pass registration from June 1 for returning Thai citizens. However, it remains a requirement for foreign nationals travelling to the kingdom. Thanakorn has also confirmed that all border checkpoints will re-open from next month.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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If you want to travel to Thailand, apply for the Thailand Pass with the 24-hour service and obtain Covid Insurance (including free SIM cards).
Note: Unvaccinated travellers require a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before travelling.
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