News Forum - Major tourism operator calls on government to restart Test & Go

[Thaiger]

The board chairman of Minor International has called on the Thai government to reinstate the suspended Test & Go entry scheme. Failing that, William Heinecke says they should expand the number of sandbox destinations, according to a Bangkok Post report. Minor International is based in Bangkok and its businesses include Minor Hotels, which operates 530 properties, including the Anantara, Four Seasons, and Radisson Blu brands. In an open letter to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mr Heinecke says the government needs to acknowledge that the Omicron variant causes milder illness than previous variants and therefore it needs to be handled differently. He […]

The story Major tourism operator calls on government to restart Test & Go as seen on Thaiger News.

Read the full story

[JJJ]

The border “soft” shut down is destroying businesses and the economy. It’s reasonable to ask what is the objective? Let’s wait until it gets better is not a reasonable answer  

To prevent deaths? By all metrics the situation for serious disease is better now than when the openings started. Vaccines are available.  By this measure, we should prevent all people from driving as that would prevent more deaths. 
 

To prevent omicron? Already here and spreading much more locally than any imported case. Remember every tourist gets a pcr test and most local ATK cases never get an “official” pcr confirmation. 
 

Because sick tourists are a burden on Thai health? Show the numbers this is a real concern  

If the objective is to stop all cases, how come no one is out mass testing construction sites? Oh right tourism has a lot of small businesses without billionaire friends compared to the construction industry. 

[Fanta]

14 minutes ago, JJJ said:

The border “soft” shut down is destroying businesses and the economy. It’s reasonable to ask what is the objective?

To minimize exposure to the pandemic and the current approach dictates putting people’s health ahead of money. And what is an acceptable price to pay for economic growth?  1 death, 100 deaths, 10,000 deaths? Globally we’re at 5,000,000+, the meter is running with no end to the suffering or the variants in sight. If you have a better solution than “open the borders and let Covid burn itself out” you’ll win a free  Nobel prize and the adulation of grateful billions. Best of luck! 

[Norpan]

"Foreign tourists should only have to provide proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test in order to enter Thailand."

Couldn't agree more!

[ace035]

Thai government will never listen to Mr. Heinecke's proposal especially that piece of s*** Anutin

[kmc]

Driving is more dangerous in Thailand than omicron.  Perhaps they should ban driving too.

[kmc]

3 hours ago, Fanta said:

To minimize exposure to the pandemic and the current approach dictates putting people’s health ahead of money. And what is an acceptable price to pay for economic growth?  1 death, 100 deaths, 10,000 deaths? Globally we’re at 5,000,000+, the meter is running with no end to the suffering or the variants in sight. If you have a better solution than “open the borders and let Covid burn itself out” you’ll win a free  Nobel prize and the adulation of grateful billions. Best of luck! 

The damage to future generations (i.e those aged 0 to 18) will far exceed omicron damage to current generations (i.e. those aged 70 to 100).  This is age discrimination, pure and simple.  The old people are afraid of dying, and don't give a sh*t about the younger generation.  Sounds like you are a selfish curmudgeon yourself.  Cheer up mate, and live your life.  Or be like the rest of the losers and wear a mask for the rest of your life.  LOL!

[Fanta]

28 minutes ago, kmc said:

…..::  

Summary: it is age discrimination, sacrifice the selfish elderly, the younger generation are the real victims, I’m selfish and losers wear masks. Hmmm…,. have a nice day. 

 

[LoongFred]

4 hours ago, Norpan said:

"Foreign tourists should only have to provide proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test in order to enter Thailand."

Couldn't agree more!

 

But the vaccinated can still be infectious as we have seen. That why there are significant numbers being picked up by entry screening and 5 day follow up. Of course vaccinated people generally are less sick but what about those they infect. Covid is very high in Europe and America and Thailand is fighting to keep things in balance.

It's not what's good for you but what's best for Thailand. 

[Norpan]

8 minutes ago, LoongFred said:

But the vaccinated can still be infectious as we have seen. That why there are significant numbers being picked up by entry screening and 5 day follow up. Of course vaccinated people generally are less sick but what about those they infect. Covid is very high in Europe and America and Thailand is fighting to keep things in balance.

It's not what's good for you but what's best for Thailand. 

The point is that vaccinated aren't getting really sick and are not dying. Make sure people Thai people get enough vaccine and stop destroying their lives and economy. There is no point fighting omicron. Omicron actually helps immunity.