News Forum - Songkran a litmus test for Thailand’s economic recovery, tourism industry revival

[Thaiger]

As Thailand’s annual Songkran festival begins this week, all eyes are on the government to see how its strict Covid-prevention measures will affect tourism spending and mitigate new infections, which are expected to spike after the holiday. As the war in Ukraine continues to hike up global oil and food prices, pundits say how Thailand fares during and after the festival will be a litmus test for the health of the nation’s economy for the rest of the year. Kasikorn Research Center expects Omicron variant infections to peak after the holiday. Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has warned of post-Songkran […]

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[ExpatPattaya]

"as the tourism industry looks to the domestic market for profits." 

So nothing has really changed.

The "strict Covid prevention measures" have no effect when large groups are eating in restaurants or on the beach or at their hotel pools without masks or social distancing.     

[Janneman]

15 minutes ago, ExpatPattaya said:

 

15 minutes ago, ExpatPattaya said:

 

The "strict Covid prevention measures" have no effect when large groups are eating in restaurants or on the beach or at their hotel pools without masks or social distancing.     

I guess most tourists do not want to sit on a beach wearing facemasks. Also social distancing might be difficult while enjoying certain tourist attractions. Especially in Pattaya.

Most European countries have zero covid measures now.  No facemasks, no limits on bars or restaurants, no social distancing. If you test positive you are advised to isolate yourself. Advised, not forced. Covid numbers are dropping fast.

[Pompies]

Domestic tourism never produces revenue across the range of the tourism plant because it is essentially VFR tourism. So hoping it will revive the industry is simply not possible at the best of times. A week ago a study showed that the vast majority of domestic tourists had cancelled their plans because of the restrictions on Songkran festivities and the gradual rise of Omicron new cases. So this further adds to the tourism industry remaining starved of revenue earning opportunities. A sad state of affairs in comparison to many competitor countries which are enjoying increasing international and domestic visitor numbers. The Thai decline continues on its inexorable way.

[WilliamG]

35 minutes ago, Janneman said:

Covid numbers are dropping fast.

In which countries please?

[Ramanathan.P]

No point in harping on Ukraine war. Every country has to find a way to resolve their own issues. There are 1001 ways the slugging economy can be revitalized. Thailand has to go for the low lying fruits which is fast and easy to jump start the economy to some extent.......Just scrap the "Test & Go". It is simple as that. Incoming tourists are not going to bring in any infection as they cannot go onboard without a negative PCR test. It is the uncertain post arrival test and mandatory SHA+ hotel payments that is a pain in the butt for travelers. Unless all these restrictions are totally scrapped totally, it is  a golden handshake for the tourism industry in Thailand.

[Poolie]

3 minutes ago, Ramanathan.P said:

No point in harping on Ukraine war.

Well, wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air?

[BBY]

Talking to friends in a village near Sukhothai. The current situation there is, that about a week ago they had a confirmed infection. Today the news is that most if not all of the village has Covid. So yes it spreads like wildfire. But, those that caught it at the beginning of the week are already out of it, stating that they had a headache, fever and felt rough for a couple of days, needing only paracetamol to get them over the fever. Yes there are some left with a mild cough and there was one death of a person with quite severe underlying problems. So it could also have been those problems that took that person.

So absolutely, after Songkran the numbers will likely grow exponentially. But we all know it will be whatever they decide it’s going to be. Because their testing is maxed out now, so theoretically it shouldn’t change much as far as reporting goes. But it will.

[riclag]

It seems to me many govts are using the crisis in Ukraine to deflect from what covid restrictions caused! Imop

Never let a crisis go to waste!

Cost of food and petroleum were increasing steadily here and other lands according to the young lady of the house comments over recent years.