NOTE: This is a statement from the Tourism Minister, not a declaration of government policy. Thailand wants the revenue from tourism, and powerful people have vested interests in this sector. If you are considering travel to Thailand for any reason, it's on YOU to perform due diligence and be aware of what to expect when you arrive at the border. Don't assume you can just diddy-bop in as you please (and as we all used to do on the regular!).

Thailand plans to allow foreign tourists to quarantine in resorts
By Reuters Staff
https://www.reuters.com/article/ ... sorts-idUSL3N2L21NF

BANGKOK, March 4 (Reuters) - Thailand’s tourism minister said on Thursday he will propose a plan for foreigners to undertake COVID-19 quarantine in popular tourist areas, including beach resorts, in a bid to help revive the country’s struggling tourism sector.

The economy suffered its biggest contraction in over two decades last year as tourism slumped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The hotel quarantine plan is expected to start in April or May in the provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Chonburi and Chiang Mai, Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told reporters after meeting with tourism operators and health officials.

“Why these provinces? They are popular among tourists who usually stay for quite a long time, for one to three months,” he said.

Tourists would be quarantined for two weeks but if they test negative after three days they will be allowed out of their rooms in the hotel area, before travelling to other parts of the country, Phiphat said.

Other provinces would be able to request to join the programme, which still needs government approval, he said.

Last month, the country welcomed golfers from South Korea for its new golf quarantine programme.

The ministry also expects a travel bubble plan with countries that have similar vaccine distribution in the third or fourth quarter of the year, Phiphat said.

On Tuesday, Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha commissioned a study to look into “vaccine passports”, after Thailand started its vaccination campaign on Sunday.

Last year, Thailand’s tourism revenue tumbled to 332 billion baht ($10.94 billion) from 1.91 trillion baht in 2019, as visitor numbers plunged by 83% to 6.7 million.

This year, the state planning agency expects only 3.2 million foreign visitors.

###

(Reporting by Satawasin Staporncharnchai
Writing by Orathai Sriring
Editing by Ed Davies)

This gives you an idea how desperate people to even get the option to travel.



https://www.travelandleisure.com ... ve-up-sex-to-travel


38% of Americans Say They Would Give Up Sex to Travel Right Now

How badly do you want to travel?
By Stacey Leasca
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What would you be willing to give up to get on a plane and travel right now? If you're anything like the 2,000 people who took part in a new Trivago survey, you'd likely be willing to give up some other earthly pleasures to see the world again.

According to the new survey by Trivago, a whopping 38% of Americans say they'd give up sex for an entire year to go on a trip right now.

"After a year that changed everything, it's clear that modern travel has been profoundly altered, perhaps forever. As the vaccine rollout continues and restrictions begin to lift in parts of the globe, eager travelers everywhere wait patiently for the clear signal to be able to get away and adventure once again," Trivago shared in a statement alongside its survey results. "The results reveal significant desires to travel, including what consumers would give up, what they'd like to do and where they'd like to go, as well as why they'd like to get back on the road."
Person laying in beach hammock
Credit: © Marco Bottigelli/Getty

Beyond finding out that more than one-third of Americans would give up sex for a year, Trivago also found that one in five people would give up their partner to travel now, and one in four said they'd give up all their savings. Additionally, nearly 50% of respondents in the U.S. said they'd happily give up their job to hit the road again.

Why are people so willing to give it all up for a few vacations?

"More than 80% of those surveyed somewhat or strongly agree that travel is a part of a well-rounded life," Trivago added. "The concept of travel as a form of self-care/wellness and to expand one's perspective is one that continues to grow."

It noted, in both the U.S. and the UK, a substantial majority of respondents said that being prevented from traveling freely is one of the worst aspects of the pandemic and that because of the pandemic this is the most they've ever felt like traveling.

Though traveling internationally right now may be nearly impossible (and against CDC and WHO guidelines), there are still ways to feel like you're getting away from it all. Things like staycations, domestic trips, and even taking a virtual vacation. While it may not be entirely the same thing, at least you won't have to give up all the good parts of life to get it.

Yes. Save up those funds and visit Thailand in 2022!


This is why I post about Thai tourist "plans" often: no, that's not going to happen. Thailand likes tourist revenue but Thais don't particularly like being seen as a paid-sex destination.

Is that a double-standard? Sure. There's plenty of pay-for-play here and wealthy men are known to have a concubine or two. You can joke about it with taxi drivers (although don't take them up on any unsolicited offers).

But that doesn't mean it's appreciated at a public level. Thailand has a conservative culture and what's visible in public is important--what takes place behind closed doors is a different matter.

COVID drove a bulldozer into Thailand's tourist industry and they're desperate to regain it. The tourist authorities have a habit of ignoring the competition, and this has returned to bite them--for example, right now Greece and Spain are scrambling to implement schemes that will allow vaccinated UK citizens to visit during the lucrative summer months. As the article anabikumi posted mentions, people are desperate to travel. For Brits, Ibiza or Athens are a short plane ride, as opposed to the long-haul needed to reach Asia. Assuming summer travel to Europe can resume, will those tourists make another trip when Thailand gets its act together? Much politicking ongoing now...the "high season" here which just ended did nothing but twist the knife further.

It's important to realize that NO, a villa quarantine will not include sex workers provided locally. Search for "ASQ experience" on the Internet--you are essentially sealed in a hotel room for two weeks. You can get delivery from 7-11, and maybe sit by the pool after the first week. That's the reality. No picking cuties from your preferred Line group--they're not getting in. Discard the notion.

The villa quarantine will be a lot better mentally as you have the run of the villa. I don't know the specifics, it's a new scheme. The game-changer will be when they let in people without quarantine, and no one knows when that will happen. Oh, there are plenty of guesses. Certainly high season 2021-22 looks attractive to parties with vested interests. Whenever quarantine-free arrival becomes reality, you can expect plenty of paperwork at border checkpoints. Do your due diligence and research before making reservations.

The good news is that once you're allowed into Thailand without undergoing quarantine, you'll be able to grab a taxi straight to your hotel, and from there you can organize your holiday as you see fit. Be sure to bring plenty of cash.

Keep the faith, my brothers!

JtB