‘Bangkok is ready’: Thai capital gears up to welcome international tourists without quarantine in November

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'Bangkok is ready': Thai capital gears up to welcome international tourists without quarantine in November

Countries in the region are taking conscientious steps to reopen borders for both inbound and outbound tourism. In the second part of a series, CNA reports on Bangkok's preparations to accept in visitors next week.

BANGKOK: The well-trodden streets of Bangkok accept been empty of strange tourists.

Their absenteeism paints a stark contrast for the residents to what their city used to be like before the pandemic. The difference is especially noticeable for those whose livelihoods rely on tourism.

"Terminal year, I barely had any customers," said Peerasith Seemoolsathien in an old shophouse dating dorsum a century.

Located in Bangkok's old quarter, the building has withstood the exam of time, providing a unique space of relaxation and comfort to global travellers who were drawn by its history and vintage charm.

In 2018, Peerasith named it Kanvela House when he started his guesthouse business. Foreigners used to make up 90 per cent of his customers but considering of COVID-19, "that dropped to 2 per cent," he said.

For virtually two years, the guest rooms take been left vacant, save for a few foreigners who stayed in that location earlier moving back to their abode countries.

"Our employees have gone down from 15 to five," Peerasith told CNA. "We barely had any customers. Information technology's and then lonely."

Kanvela Business firm opened its doors to tourists in Bangkok in tardily 2022 before information technology was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic the following twelvemonth. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

But change may be coming next calendar week, when Thailand reopens its borders to fully vaccinated travellers without quarantine on Nov 1.

In Bangkok, preparations are underway for what is hoped to exist a new beginning for international tourism, heady opportunities for locals and economic recovery.

Co-ordinate to its deputy governor Sophon Phisutthiwong, the Bangkok Metropolitan Assistants (BMA) is gearing up to welcome back tourists from abroad. Detailed plans have been laid out and apposite to ensure the reopening of the metropolis takes place smoothly and safely, both for visitors and local residents.

"The vaccination of Bangkokians is an important gene hither," he said when interviewed by CNA.

"Nosotros have already inoculated 75 per cent of the residents with the 2nd dose. This means v.8 one thousand thousand people of the 7 million or and so population are fully vaccinated. So, in terms of the vaccination, Bangkok is prepare."

BMA has also formulated operating procedures to ensure tourists would bask a prophylactic and comfortable stay in the uppercase amongst the new normal. They cover a broad range of activities - from bundled transport on a sealed road between the drome and hotels to guided tours, boat rides, massages and healthcare services in case of infection.

"Nosotros want tourists to have a memorable and impressive experience," Sophon said.

"The more tourists visit Bangkok, the more income is generated. Correct now, we want our economy to improve, especially for Bangkokians in the service sector. They don't have income because many businesses take been airtight for a long fourth dimension."

A passenger boat moves forth the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

According to the deputy governor, BMA has also adult "an exit plan", which will kick in if quarantine-free travel is terminated under the scenario of COVID-xix transmission reaching a critical level. The indicators for such a scenario are daily case numbers, casualties and hospital bed occupancy rates.

"For case, if the average number of daily infections in a week's time exceeds 2,300, nosotros may need to end the programme as it ways there is a new outbreak. Nosotros have it all planned out," Sophon stated.

WHO CAN TRAVEL TO THAILAND WITHOUT QUARANTINE?

From Nov i, international travellers from 46 depression-take chances countries and territories will be able to enter Thailand past air without quarantine.

This includes people from Singapore, Communist china, the United States and Australia.

To enjoy the exemption, they must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for at to the lowest degree 14 days and resided in the eligible countries and territories for at to the lowest degree 21 consecutive days.

Travellers are also required to present a negative contrary transcription-polymerase concatenation reaction ( RT-PCR) exam issue issued within 72 hours prior to travel. For non-Thais, medical insurance with a minimum coverage of United states of america$50,000 is compulsory.

Once they arrive in Thailand, another RT-PCR test will exist performed. Travellers must so wait for the result at an approved hotel for i night and can only travel freely afterwards if they exam negative.

"As for children, whether they have been vaccinated or not, they will need to accept an RT-PCR exam when entering with their parents considering data has shown that some children tested positive," Deputy Health Minister Satit Pitutecha said in a printing briefing on Tuesday (Oct 26).

Schemes for inbound Thailand by air travel. (Infographic: Kenneth Choy)

As well the 46 depression-gamble countries and territories, Thailand will also welcome travellers from elsewhere with relaxed requirements as function of its Sandbox tourism programme. Information technology was piloted in Phuket in July and will extend to include several tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya on November ane.

The Sandbox programme allows fully vaccinated travellers to visit any of the so-called "blue zone" destinations without hotel quarantine, regardless of where they travel from. Still, travel is restricted to the called area for the offset 7 days. Travellers can subsequently visit other parts of the country if they test negative to COVID-19.

The quarantine period remains seven days for fully vaccinated travellers who are non from the low-risk countries and choose to visit non-blue zones.

For unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers, the quarantine menstruation is 10 days if they enter by air and 14 days by country.

Areas in Thailand's Sandbox tourism plan. (Infographic Kenneth Choy)

SPIKE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS' Interest: TRIPADVISOR

As Thailand gears up to reopen its borders, international travellers' interest in the land has grown significantly this month.

According to online travel platform Tripadvisor, Thailand is currently a popular destination among travellers from the United kingdom, Germany, the United states of america, French republic and Australia.

"We're already seeing an increase in searches and bookings to various destinations in Thailand and as traveller conviction grows, nosotros're expecting to see a connected increase in the coming months," said Sarah Mathews, head of media partnerships in Asia Pacific at Tripadvisor in response to CNA's queries.

The platform currently focuses on increasing sensation among global travellers effectually Thailand's reopening and the various guidelines in place.

Its search information shows that the nigh popular tourist destinations in Thailand include Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and the seaside city of Pattaya in Chon Buri.

"Thailand has always been a huge tourist destination in Asia Pacific and information technology's clear that there is a pent-upwards demand for travellers wanting to go back to exploring the beautiful country," Mathews added.

BUSINESS OPERATORS Look FORWARD TO WELCOMING TOURISTS

With just a few days left until November 1, tourism and hospitality operators are getting ready to welcome dorsum international tourists. Merely given the many outbreaks and lockdowns over the past 2 years, many of them are adopting a cautious approach.

For Oasis Spa, the reopening of borders may come with risks but information technology also means an opportunity to recover. Since the pandemic hit Thailand terminal twelvemonth, its branches in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket take diameter the brunt of disrupted international travel and diverse restrictions.

Oasis Spa in Thailand. (Photo: Oasis Spa)

Its CEO Pakin Ploypicha told CNA that ninety per cent of revenue has been lost. The spa as well had to adjust itself constantly to the e'er changing situation with COVID-nineteen.

"Every gamble comes with an opportunity. Nosotros have to see how that gamble can be managed," he said. "We see an opportunity for things to get ameliorate and totally agree with the reopening of borders."

Citing the Phuket Sandbox program, Pakin said he could see a clear improvement in the number of customers, which has gone up by about 30 per cent since July. Although the business has yet to interruption even with its current revenue, the spa's CEO believes it is better than sustaining losses.

"This is a minor beginning that would help rebuild the force of entrepreneurs," Pakin said.

Currently, Oasis Spa does not operate all of its branches due to a lack of customers. Its staff has shrunk from more than 600 people to about 200. Many employees decided to leave for their hometowns considering the lockdowns, business concern restrictions and limited compensation from the regime made it hard to keep their jobs.

Notwithstanding, the business concern is getting ready for a full functioning. Most 100 per cent of its employees take been fully vaccinated and new procedures have been established for welcoming international tourists. According to Pakin, advance reservation will be required, along with proof of the COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result.

"We'll need to communicate with our customers more closely," Pakin said, calculation that promotions volition exist offered to tourists who will wing in.

Besides guest rooms, Kanvela House also operates a cafe and a jazz bar. (Photograph: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Like many business operators, Peerasith from Kanvela Firm is optimistic the tourism sector will start to recover from side by side month and has begun to recruit more employees.

Besides the guesthouse, his business besides includes a cafe and a jazz bar on the ground floor. They accept managed to attract local customers during the long tourism hiatus and the owner has been preparing them for when tourists finally render.

Yet, he expects it to exist deadening-going at outset, given that a ban on alcohol consumption at eateries and various COVID-19 restrictions are still in place in several provinces including Bangkok.

"I don't think there will be a lot of tourists in November," he told CNA. "If nothing serious happens, these measures should exist relaxed in Dec and the situation should be amend in January."

According to the deputy governor, "there is a high possibility" for the alcohol ban to be eased in certain venues.

On Thursday, the Illness Control Department of Thailand reported ix,658 new infections and 84 deaths. Bangkok accounted for at least 894 of the total cases, followed by Songkhla (678), Nakhon Sri Thammarat (614), Yala (534) and Chon Buri (375).

Since April, when the latest moving ridge of COVID-19 broke out, the country has recorded i.86 million cases and 18,912 casualties. As of Thursday, 40.86 per cent of the population have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

‘Bangkok is ready’: Thai capital gears up to welcome international tourists without quarantine in November

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