The Tourism Ministry has pledged to bring the first batch of international tourists to Thailand by October. Hence, it wants tourism operators to immediately start marketing and promoting the destination. 

Tour operators can start promoting long-stay packages via the special tourist visa

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Tourism and Sports Minister, Thailand said, “Tour operators can start promoting long-stay packages via the special tourist visa (STV) to potential customers now, while tourists can contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s overseas office for more information about travel plans using the services of tour operators or Thailand Longstay Company.”

Tourists visiting the country have to provide all required documents regarding their itinerary to Thai consular officials. This also includes payments for alternative state quarantine (ASQ) or alternative local state quarantine (ALSQ) facility, COVID-free certificate, post-quarantine accommodation, and travel and health insurance and chartered flights or private jet bookings.

After the Foreign Ministry approves these documents, it will issue a certificate of eligibility (COE) and STV to the tourists.

“If the visa process can be completed in time, tourists can visit the country by Oct 1. The number of tourists could reach full capacity in the first month of reopening, as many travellers have already showed intention to re-enter Thailand. If operations in the first month run smoothly, we aim to increase carrying capacity in the next phase,” added Phiphat.

During the first stage of reopening, international flights will be restricted to three flights a week

As Bangkok provides sufficient ASQ facilities, it will be the first city where the visitors will undergo a 14-day quarantine. According to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, during the first stage of reopening, international flights will be restricted to three flights a week. This means each flight will have 100 tourists or 1,200 tourists per month.

Phiphat further said, “A new stimulus plan aimed at supporting tour packages from tour operators will also be issued. However, the delayed fiscal budget will not affect operations at the Ministry.”

In terms of domestic tourism, the timeline could be extended for two stimulus campaigns and increasing privileges. Apart from this, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration has developed 81 communities to promote new community-based tourism packages. This is in tandem with various tourism associations including the Association of Domestic Travel and the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

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