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:
Do you think Thailand and Pattaya will see a successful quarter four (High Season) this year?
Some context around this question:
After over two years of Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, business closures, tourism barriers, and more…. the Thai government is positive this year’s Quarter 4 (October-December) will be successful and restrictions will be mostly gone.
But, we want to know, what do YOU think? Will this be the case?
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:
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Tim F-not unless they completely drop Test and go and Thai Pass. Is May now and less than 1 million. They are dreaming if they think they will get 10 million this year. No Chinese or Russians and neighboring countries with the same number of Omcron (harmless) infections have opened up 100%. Vietnam will be the choice this year, not Thailand
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Albert Z-NO. There are a few obstacles to eliminate before the arrivals will come back to 2019 figures: 1) No covid test and quarantine in Thailand anymore, accept vaccination. 5 days of quarantine for unvaccinated is ok. 2) Reduce hurdles for long-stayers, which means lower cost of insurance and deposit money for retired people. 3) Lower bureaucracy at immigration and make everything easier, e.g. online, and with lower cost. It is an unnecessary hassle.
Then maybe the figures will come back but the other countries are not sleeping and try to get a piece of Thailand’s cake.
Then maybe the figures will come back but the other countries are not sleeping and try to get a piece of Thailand’s cake.
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Jack N-Thailand needs to do what many countries do… open up a normal way to get into the country… no more tests. Thailand has made people afraid to come…
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Bob W-I have booked up in November because I think it will be another 6 months before Thailand sort itself out
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Al B-I tend to agree with the other commenters who think the answer to this question is no. Thailand will have to compete with its neighboring countries for tourist dollars in the 4th quarter of this year and the 1st quarter of next year. As long as the other countries have fewer restrictions on entry for tourists, they will benefit with the most tourist dollars. Hopefully, economic conditions will force Thailand to drop the ridiculous and ever-changing restrictions they have put in place over the last year and a 1/2 or so. But until They bring things back to close to 90% of normal meaning…no.
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Max I-I spent a few days in udon. Airport was a madhouse. I even missed my flight on the way up because I underestimated the crowds. Things are definitely looking up
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Richard R-There will be no successes until these ridiculous restrictions are totally done away with
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Rexy S-
When was its last successful “high season” Pattaya has been struggling since 2017 for a decent high season?
I can’t see high season being much different than the western world from now on.
Busier over Xmas and New year, Songkran ( when it comes back), and then fairly spread out evenly throughout the year.
People aren’t tied to holiday travel dates like they used to be.
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Flemming R-
Traveling in the whole world will change. No Chinese will come and that was a big group(3 weeks quarantine on return). Now no Russians as well.
They dropped the pre-departure test, but that is the pre I will take anyway. The test upon arrival is the one I’m afraid of, it will land me in “Prison” for 10 days. Every other country will let people self isolate themselves if they have no symptoms or even maybe a false positive test.
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George S-
There will be a sizeable increase in tourists and other visitors only when ALL Covid restrictions are removed.
Even then, numbers will not be at the pre-Covid levels for years.
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James K-Hope so but never know needs it to be
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Michael B-Very much doubt it
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Editor’s note-We had an overwhelming amount of negative responses, nearly all readers feel that until ALL restrictions around Covid are dropped, tourism will continue to struggle, without even accounting for external issues hurting the sector like the Russia-Ukraine War and China’s Covid-Zero policy.
Didn’t get a chance to chime in? Tell us on our social media channels, in the comments below, or if you prefer your comment to be private mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com. Have a safe week and see you soon!
