Thailand must welcome back Chinese tourists now says leading tourism chief

[webfact]

Thailand must welcome back Chinese tourists now says leading tourism chief

 

Picture: The Bangkok Insight

 

A leading tourism chief has said that it is time Thailand opens up again to foreign tourists and Chinese tourists in particular. 

 

The pandemic has left the Chinese largely friendless around the world and it's time that Thailand's "special relationship" with the Chinese was resumed. 

 

But it is also time that the Thais get more of their hands on the tourism dollar and not let cash seep out of the country.

 

Surawat Akaraworamat, the secretary general of the Tourism Council of Thailand and vice president of ATTA was speaking at a seminar about Thai tourism and the economy. 

 

"China is in trouble," he said. "No one wants Chinese tourists but we (in Thailand) should welcome them back. We have always had a special relationship with the Chinese". 

 

Picture: The Bangkok Insight

 

He said that if Thailand opened up its airspace the Chinese would come in good numbers. There was no need for a high level of marketing. They know very well about Thailand and would flood back in. 

 

Surawat said it was time for those in tourism areas to be asked their opinions about reopening the country.

 

And time for the state and business operators to work more closely together.

 

Foreign tourists in general - who spend an average of 50,000 baht each - must be encouraged to return. They spend 2 trillion baht a year.

 

But Surawat said it was time for the Thais to review how to ensure that more tourism revenue stays in the country and does not flow abroad. 

 

He was referring to companies - many of them Chinese owned or owned in Thailand through proxies - who are involved in organising group tours. 

 

Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais. 

 

This needs to be addressed, he said at the seminar, particularly in the booking of accommodation. 

 

Source: The Bangkok Insight

 

 

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[CelticBhoy]

"Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais."

 

Greed in full view here. Unbelievable comment .... ????

 

[anchadian]

If and when the Chinese do come flooding back, will they be required to undergo a 14 day quarantine at their own expense?

 

No, I didn't think so.

Edited August 3, 2020 by anchadian

[AndrewMciver]

CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA 

 

The countries obsession with China is horrendous. This economic disaster Thailand is facing is because of China. Yet there they begging them to give them more. 

[madmitch]

10 minutes ago, CelticBhoy said:

"Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais."

 

Greed in full view here. Unbelievable comment .... ????

 

Totally disagree with you.

 

Foreign tourism is necessary to boost the economy. What's tthe point if most of the money is going elsewhere?

[trainman34014]

Will they be subject to $100,000 insurance policy's and Quarantine in the same way as all others ?   This Twit is more interested in saving his own job than saving the country !

[Matzzon]

27 minutes ago, CelticBhoy said:

"Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais."

 

Greed in full view here. Unbelievable comment .... ????

 

What is greedy with a comment like that. His meaning is that if other countries accepts tourists then Thailand are losing economically on the situation. Same as all countries look at the tourism and the economy that follows it.

That I do not agree to a quick and irresponsible opening just for that reason is a totally different thing.

[Samui Bodoh]

I posted this in another thread, but i think it is relevant to this discussion as well. BTW, a better statement from the tourism guy is to let long-term people in rather than a country-specific group.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by Jai Dee
Oversized text formatting removed.

[xtof2]

One day, it's yes. The next day, no. And on...and on...and on. They're never able to make up their mind on this.

 

My only issue with the Chinese is that they're always the first ones on prawns and lobster's tails at my hotel's brunch????.

I would love either some hotels for Chinese only (and some with no Chinese) or 1 week in, 1 week off.

Call it segregation, I am fine with that !

 

[RotBenz8888]

They want best of both worlds. Tourist money is welcome but not the tourists themselves. A tricky one. 

[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He said that if Thailand opened up its airspace the Chinese would come in good numbers. There was no need for a high level of marketing. They know very well about Thailand and would flood back in. 

But keep in mind there has to be a level playing ground, if you allow Chinese to flood into the country without applying the current restrictions across the board then you will certainly be opening yourselves up honest criticism and have to face the wrath of your own people, possibly not a good idea given the current feelings regarding the government ...............!!!! 

[J Town]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"No one wants Chinese tourists"

Perhaps there is a valid reason?

[Eindhoven]

34 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

What is greedy with a comment like that. His meaning is that if other countries accepts tourists then Thailand are losing economically on the situation. Same as all countries look at the tourism and the economy that follows it.

That I do not agree to a quick and irresponsible opening just for that reason is a totally different thing.

 

Nope.

 

Quote

But Surawat said it was time for the Thais to review how to ensure that more tourism revenue stays in the country and does not flow abroad. 

 

He was referring to companies - many of them Chinese owned or owned in Thailand through proxies - who are involved in organising group tours. 

 

Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais. 

 

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The pandemic has left the Chinese largely friendless around the world

Oh really, you don't say! I wonder why?

[Chivas]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

If and when the Chinese do come flooding back, will they be required to undergo a 14 day quarantine at their own expense?

 

No, I didn't think so.

Why wouldnt they be ?? Not even Thailand would be stupid enough to blanket quarantine Euro nations USA Australia etc etc but say to the Chinese come on down

[RotBenz8888]

26 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I posted this in another thread, but i think it is relevant to this discussion as well. BTW, a better statement from the tourism guy is to let long-term people in rather than a country-specific group.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

Perhaps they'll start with "quarantene islands" at some point, Samui, Phuket? Obviously not as safe as SQ/ASQ, but with strict social distancing, test before departure and on arrival etc, it could be the next step. 

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"China is in trouble,"

Awwww gee! My heart bleeds!

 

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by PatOngo

[phetchy]

13 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

They want best of both worlds. Tourist money is welcome but not the tourists themselves. A tricky one. 

True.  A very thin line between the "Come on down, the price is right" attitude and "Emergency Ward 10" (only over 60's will understand).  I think that the middle road in this case solves nothing.  Shirt or bust. 

[Saint Nick]

I have problems, believing what I just read!

????

[KhunKenAP]

I will add this guys name to Prayut's "Ministry of Deadheads".

[PatOngo]

25 minutes ago, xtof2 said:

I would love either some hotels for Chinese only

China would be a great location!

[Surelynot]

In a sense he has a point............no other nationalities are going to be coming here for a long time.

 

People are now more aware than ever of the politics and corruption in Thailand, they hear and read about all the safety 'mishaps' and they know a country flooded with Chinese tourists is not an attractive proposition.

Edited August 3, 2020 by Surelynot

[thequietman]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Foreign tourists in general - who spend an average of 50,000 baht each - must be encouraged to return. They spend 2 trillion baht a year.

and yet, you continue to make it more difficult for expats to stay here, who typically spend this amount of money Every Month of the year. Throw in the purchase of a house, a truck and tuition for kids and that all mounts up.

 

Look closer to home yeh f#@%*ng barstweards. ????

[thequietman]

6 minutes ago, KhunKenAP said:

I will add this guys name to Prayut's "Ministry of Deadheads".

Don't ask me why, but when I read your post, I seen 'Dick' and even though I knew it wasn't on closer inspection. I actually have to make myself say 'Dead'  ????

[ChouDoufu]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He was referring to companies - many of them Chinese owned or owned in Thailand through proxies - who are involved in organising group tours. 

 

what's stopping tat or some thai tourism companies/groups/organizations from developing their own package tours to compete with the chinese-owned/operated tours?  surely the government through tat could develop thailand as a hub of indigenous tourism.  it takes more than just buying commercial time on cgtn to promote amazing thailand.

 

open a travel hubble-bubble between china and a restricted tourism zone on the islands - once quarantine procedures have been agreed upon.  have the bankrupt thai airlines begin selling package tours to the chinese that patronize thai owned/operated hotels and restaurants.  and of course include insurance cover and covid19 testing in the package.

[Surelynot]

19 minutes ago, Chivas said:

Why wouldnt they be ?? Not even Thailand would be stupid enough to blanket quarantine Euro nations USA Australia etc etc but say to the Chinese come on down

Because they simply would not come if there are quarantine restrictions in place. Thailand seems to have little or no concerns over loosing its European tourists......so they will make an exception, somehow, for the Chinese.

 

But why, oh why are you selling your souls to the Chinese....Who, in power, is receiving what for this never ending love affair?

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

1 hour ago, CelticBhoy said:

"Much of the money ends up abroad and not in the hands of Thais."

 

Greed in full view here. Unbelievable comment .... ????

 

What is greedy with a comment like that. His meaning is that if other countries accepts tourists then Thailand are losing economically on the situation. Same as all countries look at the tourism and the economy that follows it.
 

What he meant is that the Chinese toursists are coming to Thailand and using companies (tours and accommodation) owned by foreign proxies from which the money is being sent abroad i.e. back to Chinese bosses. Therefore the money doesn't stay in Thailand although they are employing some Thai staff.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The pandemic has left the Chinese largely friendless around the world

The pandemic is only one of MANY reasons!

[GigsGigs]

1 minute ago, Surelynot said:

But why, oh why are you selling your souls to the Chinese....Who, in power, is receiving what for this never ending love affair?

In one word: Xenophobia.

[Surelynot]

Just now, GigsGigs said:

In one word: Xenophobia.

Xenophiles?