PM says restrictions could be lifted next month amid signs of infection slowdown

[gerefan]

16 hours ago, vaughn said:

Tourism Authority of Thailand plans to propose no-quarantine tourism under “One SOP One System” scheme for fully-vaccinated foreigners:

There is also no guarantee that every sector would be allowed to open, such as bars or entertainment, for the proposal. 

 

If that is the case you can forget it.

How many people are going to travel thousands of miles for Christmas and the New Year only to find all entertainment closed???

[Guest]

3 hours ago, PeterRS said:

And what about the risks tourists might pose to the people in your holiday destinations?

After the tourists have passed 2 covid tests, what risks do you think they bring and how does that compare with the local risk levels ?

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, z909 said:

After the tourists have passed 2 covid tests, what risks do you think they bring and how does that compare with the local risk levels......

...... considering that more than half locals are still waiting  to get first jab 

[PeterRS]

10 hours ago, vinapu said:

North Korea and at some point in the past also Albania and China answered that question long ago

I don't recall a previous global pandemic when these countries "answered that question long ago." Please clarify.

[vinapu]

they isolated/ DPRK still does /  their population from sinister influences of foreign arrivals, pandemic or not plus whatever z909 said above - who is higher danger  to average dweller of soi 9, trok 3, you or me already fully vaccinated or their neighbor still waiting for the  first dose ?

[reader]

I'm shocked....shocked!

From Bangkok Post

Bangkok's reopening to be postponed

Bangkok's reopening for inoculated tourists will be delayed by two weeks as most of the city's residents are still waiting for their second jabs, while the tourism ministry has pledged to open the city to bring at least 1 million international tourists this year.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the appropriate timeline for Bangkok should be postponed from Oct 1 to Oct 15 as the capital city is expected to have administered Covid-19 vaccines to 70% of its residents by then.

At present, 37% of population is fully vaccinated, while another 33% are in the 8-12 week interval following their first AstraZeneca shot.

The revised plan came up after a discussion between the minister and Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang yesterday regarding the readiness of the city, which should be the gateway for inbound tourism.

Mr Phiphat said the ministry and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had proposed a plan to open just 21 inner districts, but due to possible inconvenience for tourists who might have to travel across districts, the Bangkok governor said the city should wait until the whole conurbation is ready to take part in the programme.

"The quarantine-free entry via Bangkok will benefit the whole country as tourists usually visit Bangkok as their first destination before travelling to other provinces. With the 7+7 extension plan which will be enabled at the same time, tourists can stay in the capital city for just seven days and choose another 8 provinces in the pilot reopening programme as their second choice," Mr Phiphat said.

Besides Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Cha-am in the pipeline, Thailand already has Phuket and Koh Samui as the first two destinations for its sandbox programme, while Krabi and Phang Nga were added in the extension programme.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2182455/bangkoks-reopening-to-be-postponed

[Guest]

48 minutes ago, reader said:

At present, 37% of population is fully vaccinated, while another 33% are in the 8-12 week interval following their first AstraZeneca shot.

So presumably they will need all of the 33% to show up for the second dose to get to 70% fully vaccinated.  Not much of a safety margin in that.

[Gaybutton]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone really think Thailand is going to open to foreign tourism in October?

Despite all the hype, my prediction is it just isn't going to happen.

 

"Do you know what fat chance means?"

-  Cary Grant (Walter Ekland), 'Father Goose'

[spoon]

6 minutes ago, z909 said:

So presumably they will need all of the 33% to show up for the second dose to get to 70% fully vaccinated.  Not much of a safety margin in that.

I guess u can also add any that get their first dose of other vaccine within this week as they will get their second dose prior to oct 15 too.

[Guest]

19 minutes ago, Gaybutton said:

Just out of curiosity, does anyone really think Thailand is going to open to foreign tourism in October?

I have no idea, but I loosely monitor the situation in case it opens up sufficiently to consider a holiday later in the year.

If there is no sign of progress my mid-November, I'll have to start thinking of alternative destinations.  Also, whatever scheme they come up with, I prefer to watch it in action for a couple of weeks before booking.

 

19 minutes ago, spoon said:

I guess u can also add any that get their first dose of other vaccine within this week as they will get their second dose prior to oct 15 too.

The previous quote implied they are using an 8~12 week interval between doses.    However, of course if anyone is on a shorter interval, then it will help.

[spoon]

1 hour ago, z909 said:

I have no idea, but I loosely monitor the situation in case it opens up sufficiently to consider a holiday later in the year.

If there is no sign of progress my mid-November, I'll have to start thinking of alternative destinations.  Also, whatever scheme they come up with, I prefer to watch it in action for a couple of weeks before booking.

 

The previous quote implied they are using an 8~12 week interval between doses.    However, of course if anyone is on a shorter interval, then it will help.

8-12 weeks is for astrazeneca. Pfizer, moderna, even sinovac is 3 weeks. If they took the 1 dose Johnson, then it counts directly. 

Quote from above said ;

At present, 37% of population is fully vaccinated, while another 33% are in the 8-12 week interval following their first AstraZeneca shot.

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, Gaybutton said:

Just out of curiosity, does anyone really think Thailand is going to open to foreign tourism in October?

Despite all the hype, my prediction is it just isn't going to happen.

 

 

actually I do

 

in the same breath I agree with your prediction that nobody ion power will be brave  enough. But at the same point they need to be and again , I think it will be at some point next month.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Gaybutton said:

Just out of curiosity, does anyone really think Thailand is going to open to foreign tourism in October?

Despite all the hype, my prediction is it just isn't going to happen.

Remember this time last year, we were all criticizing the STV (Special Tourist Visa).   Most of us thought it was about as welcome as an STD.

Then around October/November 2020, they started issuing ordinary tourist visas, which was something of a surprise.  I don't think any of us predicted that.  From what I recall, by the time we found out, there were already people going to Thailand.   Obviously with quarantine & so on, but far easier than the useless STV.

 

This year we are all discussing the sandbox & lockdowns in similar terms.  Who knows what they might do in a couple of months time ?

 

[gerefan]

On 9/15/2021 at 1:27 AM, vaughn said:

 

Bearing in mind most Europeans probably don’t travel until late November or December then any delay in October doesnt really matter 

 

[reader]

It was 29 years ago when James Carville, Bill Clinton's campaign manager, posted a sign in campaign headquarters in Little Rock. Those four words became the mantra that propelled the governor of Arkansas to the White House.

Somehow I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Thai PM doesn't have an aide whisper those words in his ear just before he makes a speech. It's not because he learned this in university or through vast business experience. But the people he does listen most carefully to are Thailand's movers and shakers who put him where he is today.

They are all too aware that how much is at stake for the economy if it fails to open its doors to the world--the world that had delivered the country from the depths of the '97 banking and real estate crisis.

That's why I believe that the decision has been made to move forward despite the Covid situation. I'm not predicting that it will necessarily be a smooth transition. However, it can no longer be resisted.

 

[vaughn]

13 hours ago, Gaybutton said:

Just out of curiosity, does anyone really think Thailand is going to open to foreign tourism in October?

Will there be the ability to travel to Thailand.. Yes

Will it be quarantine free, easy, worthwhile (subjective) or taken up by tourists immediately.. No

We're in uncharted territory with a government that makes snap decisions then poorly communicates them and then wraps it up in a nice bundle of bureaucracy, red tape and paperwork. I think giving them some more time to work it out would be wise, but there are some brave souls out there who might want to take a chance.

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Bangkok hurries for more jabs

Bangkok residents queue at food stalls on Yaowarat Road after the CCSA relaxed dine-in restrictions on Sept 1.

A political tug of war may be the key factor determining when Bangkok is allowed to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists.

Bangkok is scheduled to reopen on Oct 15, while Chon Buri (Pattaya), Phetchaburi (Cha-am), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao) are slated for Oct 1. The proposal is expected to be submitted at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Sept 24, followed by the Center for Economic Situation Administration on Sept 29.

On Wednesday, the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a meeting with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang. Directly after this meeting Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn insisted the Bangkok reopening date be set for Oct 15.

However, on Friday the Bangkok governor asserted the city should not be reopened until residents have a 70% vaccination rate in order to ensure sufficient immunity.

According to a source who requested anonymity, during the meeting on Wednesday Pol Gen Aswin said both he and Bangkok residents agree with the reopening plan, but the city might have to wait until Oct 22-24 for 70% of residents receive their second jabs.

Pol Gen Aswin raised the possibility of accelerating the interval for the second shot to open the city earlier than Oct 22, which the BMA's health authority representative said was possible if the BMA can procure more vaccines through the support of the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

The reopening proposal requires approval from the CCSA to obtain more vaccines to reach the 70% threshold for the metropolitan area, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

Mr Yuthasak said the TAT will have a discussion with tourism-related operators on Sept 22 to prepare for Bangkok's reopening.

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, said Bangkok's reopening could support tourism in Pattaya through more direct flights. Most tourists enter the country via Suvarnabhumi airport. Asian tourists normally combine visits to Bangkok and nearby areas such as Pattaya, so reopening the capital could be a complement for other destinations, he said.

"Reopening more areas definitely benefits the tourism industry as it shows the readiness of the country to welcome back tourists," Mr Thanet said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2183739/bangkok-hurries-for-more-jabs

[Gaybutton]

Unfortunately, if you live in the UK you won't be going to Thailand any time soon whether Thailand reopens or not.  In a surprise decision the UK has not removed Thailand from its list of banned countries.

See:  https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/uk-continues-to-suppress-visits-to-thailand-372364

[vinapu]

15 minutes ago, Gaybutton said:

Unfortunately, if you live in the UK you won't be going to Thailand any time soon whether Thailand reopens or not.  In a surprise decision the UK has not removed Thailand from its list of banned countries.

See:  https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/uk-continues-to-suppress-visits-to-thailand-372364

next re-valuation in October, month from now so just enough time to start packing

[spoon]

50 minutes ago, Gaybutton said:

Unfortunately, if you live in the UK you won't be going to Thailand any time soon whether Thailand reopens or not.  In a surprise decision the UK has not removed Thailand from its list of banned countries.

See:  https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/uk-continues-to-suppress-visits-to-thailand-372364

In a suprise decision as well, Malaysia are amongst the list of countries that will not have to quarantine in UK as long as we are fully vaccinated by either AZ, Pfizer, Moderna or J&J. Not that it matters much to most of us here as our border is still closed.

[Gaybutton]

39 minutes ago, vinapu said:

next re-valuation in October, month from now so just enough time to start packing

Based on the reasons for keeping Thailand on the banned list and what apparently it will take to remove Thailand from the list, I am guessing you can start packing, but I wouldn't start making airline and hotel bookings just yet.

One thing is for sure, Thailand definitely wants and desperately needs a high season.  I imagine the Thai powers-that-be will be exerting as much pressure on the UK powers-that-be as they can.  Whether that would help anything remains to be seen.

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, Gaybutton said:

Based on the reasons for keeping Thailand on the banned list and what apparently it will take to remove Thailand from the list, I am guessing you can start packing, but I wouldn't start making airline and hotel bookings just yet.

One thing is for sure, Thailand definitely wants and desperately needs a high season.  

My problem is actually in reverse, I'm still nursing my last years ticket which I re-booked to mid-Oct along with making some hotel reservations just to take advantage of incredibly low price  offers.  I cancelled that reservation  but still have an option to exercise it with no expiry date ( so a far). Going somewhere else instead but keeping my eyes opened. Hotel bookings will be cancelled as well this week or rebooked for later date  if they will allow it. 

No doubt Thailand must be desperate and even more Thai people  employed in tourist dependent sectors which are not only what we typically think of like hotels , restaurants , bars , massages etc but those millions arrivals eat, buy t-shits and fridge magnets and use millions of kilometers of toilet paper etc.

I think governments  everywhere are realizing only now extend of economical devastation covid  and related politics* brought. It's why , among other things , USA is considering vaccine mandates, France lost its patience few months ago etc.

* talking about politics I'm not criticizing as obviously nobody knew what to do for reason you noticed somewhere else while ago - there are no real experts as world never had pandemic while being so mobile and interdependent. So powers were and are prone to make wrong decisions and the same is with us , ordinary folks. We have still covid deniers and anti-vaxers, some people are acting like it's  all over , others are still so scared they avoid any contact with outside world as much as possible and everything in between. 

 

[Gaybutton]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

but those millions arrivals eat, buy t-shits and fridge magnets and use millions of kilometers of toilet paper etc

 

Maybe not.  See:  https://tpnnational.com/2021/09/17/the-phuket-sandbox-does-not-help-most-small-business-owners-says-local-entrepreneurs/

[vinapu]

3 hours ago, Gaybutton said:

Maybe not.  See:  https://tpnnational.com/2021/09/17/the-phuket-sandbox-does-not-help-most-small-business-owners-says-local-entrepreneurs/

very few people would consider sandbox model viable to bring mass tourism, by millions I meant literally millions not few thousands.

article you linked us to actually points all ills of such model and it's truly worth reading , not only for us but for decision makers in the first place. Hope they  will do instead of dreaming nonsensical rules will work.

I like that quote : "“Some big and powerful businesses and resorts may get some benefits from the sandbox, but not us. "

[PeterRS]

On 9/16/2021 at 8:48 PM, spoon said:

8-12 weeks is for astrazeneca. Pfizer, moderna, even sinovac is 3 weeks. If they took the 1 dose Johnson, then it counts directly. 

Sorry this is a bit late. Those receiving the AstraZeneca vaccines in Bangkok hospitals are given a 12 week period between the two vaccinations.