Tourism
Thailand expects 41m tourists in 2019
For 2019, the country expects 41.1 million tourists to spend 2.21 trillion baht. The number of visitors from China alone is projected to rise 11% to 11.69 million.
Neither the maritime tragedy of Phuket that killed 47 people in the summer, nor the toxic cloud that has stifled Bangkok for a month seems to have an effect on tourism figures in Thailand.
For 2019, the country expects 41.1 million tourists to spend 2.21 trillion baht. The number of visitors from China alone is projected to rise 11% to 11.69 million.
Tourism has now become a key engine of growth for Thailand, but managing the influx is also challenge amid growing environmental pressure and crowded roads and international airports.
“The 41 million is a projection from the current trend, if we actually really reach that level, I’ll have a headache.”
Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat
Arrivals are projected to climb about 8% from last year’s 38.3 million, the Tourism Ministry said in a briefing Monday in Bangkok.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to confirm that Thailand is all set to welcome fully vaccinated foreign visitors, including returning Thais and foreign residents, from the approved countries to enter the Kingdom by air with no quarantine requirements from 1 November, 2021.
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In response to the Royal Thai Government’s announcement to relax more COVID-19 controls in the dark-red zone provinces, which include the Thai capital, the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee has also lifted restrictions effective from 16-31 October, 2021.
Restaurants and eateries, cinemas, theatres, shopping malls, sport stadiums, and public parks can now resume normal opening hours, but no later than 22.00 Hrs.
Convenience stores, fresh markets, and flea markets can open for all types of goods up until 22.00 Hrs. All 24-hour shops must close nightly from 22.00-03.00 Hrs.
Hotels, exhibition halls, convention halls, trade fair centres, or similar types of venues can open for meetings, seminars, or other types of events and ceremonies up until 22.00 Hrs., and under strict safety and health controls. Consumption of alcoholic beverages remain prohibited.
The same goes for shopping malls, shopping centres, community malls, or similar establishments, which can also open for meetings, seminars, or other types of events and ceremonies up until 22.00 Hrs., and under strict safety and health controls. Consumption of alcoholic beverages remain prohibited. Also, any sales promotional activities shall not be organised while the amusement parks, water parks, and gaming centres must remain closed.
Limits for participants in gatherings has been increased to 50, up from 25 in the previous announcement.
The night-time curfew in Bangkok has been reduced from 6 to 4 hours, or between 23.00-03.00 Hrs.
Travel between Bangkok provinces and other areas can resume normal operations but must apply social distancing measures.
All types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops are to remain closed. However, the government mentioned that these businesses may undertake preparation to be ready for reopening.
Self-protective measures and distancing efforts
As usual, people nationwide are asked to continue abiding by the health and safety measures in place; such as, wearing a face mask at all times while outside of their residence, regularly washing hands with soap and water/cleaning alcohol, and avoiding unnecessary close contact with others.
TAT would like to remind all travellers to continue with D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.
The post Bangkok lifts more COVID-19 restrictions from 16 October 2021 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.
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