Reader Talkback results: Is November “too soon” for Thailand to open to wider vaccinated foreign tourism without quarantine?

The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…

Last week, we asked you the following:

Is November “too soon” for Thailand to open to wider vaccinated foreign tourism without quarantine?

The context around the proposal was the following:

For reference, here is the poll conducted nationally by Suan Dusit to about 1,329 people and the prior coverage we had that inspired this question.

So, we want to hear from you. Is it too soon? Should the requirements be strict? Should, on the other hand, everything just be open, including nightlife and bars?  What do you think? Is it time for tourism to return, or should Thailand wait a few more months for higher vaccination levels?
Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. Obviously, we can’t post everyone’s opinion here so selected a variety of the most diverse opinions. As always, the opinions and statements below are the reader’s own and may not reflect those of TPN media. There have been minor edits for spelling and grammar only:
-=-==-=-=-=-
JMJ-The weekly-case number falling below 1 infection for 100 000 persons,
COVID-19 enters its no-propagation phase.
Thus no quarantine for vaccinated foreign tourists is acceptable
providing these tourists follow the other rules, especially mask-wearing.

The number of not-wearing-mask, AND not respecting the legal distance,
persons along Jomtien beach is extremely important.
I would define them as dangerously-arrogant tourists.
OK. It’s not new behavior. But circumstances are somewhat different,
aren’t they?

-=–=-=-=-=-=
Gazza-
I think Pattaya & the other main tourist areas in Thailand should reopen to foreign tourists from a limited amount of countries from the 1st November.
Double vaccinated of course and the RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival. On arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, they should be doing a lateral flow test on exiting the plane so as to avoid the senseless process of another PCR test & the possibility of at least 1 night in an SHA hotel before heading off to your destination in Thailand.
Regarding the reopening of bars/clubs & serving alcohol then I think they should proceed with caution from the 15th November with a 02.00 am closing time & 50% capacity for indoor spaces. This could be monitored over the next few weeks before any more amendments are made to times & capacity.
Hope to be there soon.
Gazza.
-==-=-=-=-=-=-
Henry-
There is a reason why the Western countries want to
open up as quickly as they can.
That reason is called “business”!
For the survival of hotels, airlines, restaurants, and bars
open-up is the best way to handle this.
Of course, two doses of vaccine is a priority as well.
-=-=-=-==-=–=-
Dennis-I think November is NOT too soon to open Thailand. Although the final details have not been published yet, it appears that entry will still be too difficult, expensive, and offputting to most visitors. The government will need at least 2-3 more months of very low tourist arrivals to realize that they must eliminate COE/Thai Pass, Covid Insurance, ASQ/SHA hotels, PRE flight Covid tests. Only then will people want to come again in significant numbers. OK, if they must charge 500baht to fill some brown envelopes and maybe one covid test on arrival, say 1000 baht, then this will not discourage people, but get rid of the crazy stuff. I think they could come to their senses by February, but probably not until April.
Christmas and New Year are already blown, don’t mess up Songkran too.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-
Somchai C-Thailand has one of the highest numbers of new cases in the world recently, so it sounds really funny when Thai people worry about foreigners bringing in the virus.
-=-=-=-=-===–
Thomas J-Tomorrow is not soon enough 🙂 Particularly for alcohol (under sensible restrictions like “no jab no job”.) The place is fucking devastated.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Alan M-Fully vaccinated visitors who are tested are the safest possible group. As Phuket amply demonstrated, you only get Covid spikes when you allow local workers to mill around uncontrolled. Covid-19 long since ceased to be a foreign problem. The problem is the local transmission that is stopped by distancing, mask-wearing, and above all, vaccinating. Foreign tourist arrivals are not the problem, they are the solution.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Stephen C-Yes it’s time to reopen Thailand to vaccinated tourists. The daily infections here appear to mostly be in factory and work camp clusters. The hospitality industry has suffered for far too long and needs the financial boost that only foreign tourists can bring. It’s time, please don’t stall it any further.
-=-=-=–=-=-=-
Keith E-Open everything, drop the stupid curfew, drop the stupid alcohol ban, covid cannot tell the time, cannot differentiate from tea or beer, it’s no more safe in a packed 7/11 than in an open-air bar seating 20 or so. These “laws” are to suppress the population and cling to power.
=–=-=-=-=-=-=
Joseph G-No but with the current situation in Thailand (entertainment closures etc) then what’s the point anyways?

If it does open in November then it’ll still basically be closed…

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Noonid-I want to return however I do believe that is too early given the current no’s in Thailand.
My thoughts need to reduce by 1/2 & get local Vax levels above 70%.
I do see this being achievable well before the end of the year.
-==–=-=-=-=–=
Chris I-Unpopular answer, but yes. As a country, they are too far behind on vaccination rates for double vaxxed. Yes, I know the tourist areas are pretty solid, but opening up to tourism will cause massive movement (including of illegal migrants, already happening) and cases will rise, as they did in Phuket, as people move around looking for work and jobs. They would have been better off waiting until December and giving vaccination rates another month to improve. It has nothing to do with the “risk” of foreign tourists and has EVERYTHING to do with movement.
-=–=-=-=-==-=-=-
Hart C-There are still bars that have not permanently shut, need a few more months to starve them out of business IMO and get rid of the sleaze once and for all.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
June B-We have been going to Thailand for 2 months every winter for 12 years. We are both fully vaccinated (both of us in our seventies) and absolutely love it there. For me, the biggest worry is catching it from the Thais, not most of the foreigners, Plus the fact that we cannot afford the extra ones being put on us – covid cover, quarantine, etc etc. We booked our flight for last year & have been able to rebook for this December, but I doubt we can carry through it any longer.
It’s the fact that the Thai Government is leaving all the decisions until the very last minute, with no regard to how it affects the tourists they, allegedly, need. Even then
-=-=-=-=-=-==-==-=-
That is all for this week, as usual, we will have another Reader Talkback question early this week. Thank you as always for your insight, it helps us communicate with local authorities and create editorials and opinions. If you didn’t get the chance to chime in e-mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com or post your thoughts in the comments below!
Subscribe
Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Co-owner of TPN Media since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America, but has also lived in Dallas, Sarasota, and Portsmouth. His background is in retail sales, HR, and operations management, and has written about news and Thailand for many years. He has lived in Pattaya for over nine years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over a decade. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thepattayanews.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thepattayanews.com/contact-us/