Thailand preparing to welcome a limited number of international visitors

The government is reviewing plans to partially reopen Thailand to international visitors, with a quota of 1,000 per day consisting of business people and those in need of medical treatment.

Thailand is attempting to balance reopening the country and restarting its economy with the need to monitor and prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The country’s economic planners are anxious for business people and investors to begin visiting the Kingdom again.

None of those who gain entry to the Kingdom would need to undergo the 14-day quarantine that has been mandatory for returnees. Should the virus remain under control after those groups are allowed to enter, then the government would consider reopening for international tourists.

Public health officials, however, are insisting upon caution. Thailand has had no cases of local transmission of the coronavirus for three weeks.

The move to admit limited numbers of foreign visitors would be part of the “travel bubble” plan being put forward by the Ministry of Public Health.

The travel bubble plan would allow visitors from select countries that have Covid-19 under control. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said his ministry was engaged in discussions with representatives of nations interested in becoming part of the plan.

“Numerous embassies have submitted documents to Thailand for the purpose, such as Japan and Switzerland, with whom we will hold discussions soon,” Anutin said.

“The topics to be discussed will include screening measures upon arrival, candidate selection criteria, and preventive measures that must be implemented by both the host and visiting countries,” he added.

Photo courtesy of https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/50437