Thread: Hotel body demands govt reopen the country to foreigners

The Thai Hotel Association (THA) has demanded that the government reopen the country to foreigners, especially since occupancy in hotels is almost zero, with some small operators being forced to close up.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, THA chairman, said the government should consider specific countries or cities and come up with promotions to bring back tourists.

She added that operators in the tourism sector were also finding it difficult to take loans, and called on the government to set up a fund to help them out.

Separately, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the prime minister has spoken to Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration about allowing foreign tourists to visit specific areas in Phuket.

He said if this scheme proves to be effective, it will be applied to other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani or Chonburi.

Hotel body demands govt reopen the country to foreigners

Is the Hotel body going to pay the costs for covid insurance and quaratine ?

The Hi-So will sort it out.

Let many go bust, then buy them all up cheap, then get the Govt to bring down the Baht,job done.

That seems to be the general consensus, win-win if the economy thrives or dies.

Originally Posted by Chico

Let many go bust, then buy them all up cheap, then get the Govt to bring down the Baht,job done.

Yes, there will be some assets at fire sale prices. Now is a good time to be in cash.

Originally Posted by misskit

Hotel body demands govt reopen the country to foreigners

Official says tourists will have to wait until at least after February 2021 to return to Thailand normally - Thai Examiner

On Wednesday, the Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand also told the media the ban on incoming flights and access to Thailand was now ‘indefinite’ and that the focus for authorities was on upscaling its alternative quarantine scheme supported by government organised repatriation flights where it is reported that the daily processing ability between the state quarantine and commercial operations is limited to only 500 incoming passengers per day.

A key official with Thailand’s Tourism Authority has told his international peers that the kingdom may not open its borders to international tourism until at least after February or even March 2021. This comes as the government has confirmed it is to launch a Covid 19 related economic recovery centre to balance the health protection unit but also chaired by the Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha. On Thursday, the PM identified the loss of export earnings and tourism revenue as the two biggest concerns.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today stressed the need for Thailand to start opening up to limited foreign tourist arrivals “as the country needs oxygen to breathe for survival.”


He said that authorities concerned have been working out appropriate measures to deal with tourist arrivals while, at the same time, ensuring public safety and deciding which provinces will open up first.


He assured that the Government will not open the whole country for unlimited or unrestricted foreign arrivals, as there must be several measures put in place first.


“One important thing is that, if we do not do anything now, the situation will get worse. Many businesses will close down, their employees will be laid off and the Government does not have the money to help. Everyone has a family to take care of and debts to pay. So, what will they do? The Government cannot help everyone because there are so many,” said the Prime Minister.


He maintained that the government has been trying its best to ease the hardships, as he urged the Thai people not to oppose everything that the Government plans to do to ease the economic impacts.


“I ask the people of Phuket whether they want foreign tourists or not. Some say they want them, while others say no. So, what should the country do? How do we help the jobless? We must think about this too and not just say this and that are bad. We cannot sit idly by, because everyone will blame the Government,” said the Prime Minister.


He reiterated that necessary measures must be put in place, to ensure public safety, before the door is opened to foreign tourists. More importantly, he said, local people must help, because they are the ones who will benefit from tourist arrivals.


PM says Thailand must open to limited foreign arrivals – Thai PBS World

Originally Posted by Shutree

Yes, there will be some assets at fire sale prices. Now is a good time to be in cash.

That's one way to look at it, but now is also a good time to buy, esp if you can afford to let your cash snooze for 6-12 months.

Originally Posted by jabir

That's one way to look at it, but now is also a good time to buy, esp if you can afford to let your cash snooze for 6-12 months.

Yes that was my meaning. Be in cash now and wait for the bargains to float by. Then buy.

Unfortunately this virus is going to leave even more assets in the hands of the rich. As if the gap between rich and poor in this society were not already stretched enough.

Originally Posted by Shutree

Unfortunately this virus is going to leave even more assets in the hands of the rich. As if the gap between rich and poor in this society were not already stretched enough.

Small, medium, and large (unconnected) businesses are going to be devastated. People will lose their jobs, homes and probably most importantly, means of independent livelihoods. Worth it.?

Worth what? It's not like the top shelf created the virus to buy up assets on the cheap, but when an opportunity arises it's always those with cash resources and intimate knowledge of the markets that benefit.

Fex, he wealthiest handful of US individuals raked in more than 100bn during the recent scramble.

Originally Posted by OhOh

You think not eh?

One or two alleged "top shelf" persons are milking this one for all it's worth.

Others with similar "events" for decades.

And afaik, no mogul asked the CPC to release it so they could cream a few billion.

Note:

The creation of the current virus has yet to be defined.

It was made in China; there you go, defined.

And afaik, no rich American asked the CPC to release it so they could reap a few billion.

Originally Posted by OhOh

The creation of the current virus has yet to be defined.

The creation of the Wuhan virus has yet to be defined.

Uhuh.

Do you have a link to the WHO enquiry result to share with us, or is your post #14 only your individual opinion?

Love your logic OhOh. Looks like dog shit smells like dog shit, tastes like dog shit. Therefore it must be chocolate.

Originally Posted by kmart

Small, medium, and large (unconnected) businesses are going to be devastated. People will lose their jobs, homes and probably most importantly, means of independent livelihoods. Worth it.?

There seems to be more than a small imbalance in the way these things work. I'd have called myself a straightforward capitalist, but this virus is causing and will continue to cause many people significant hardship. Meanwhile, in recent news, I see that Li Ka-shing's massive investment in Zoom gave him a return of USD 3.2 Billion - in a single day.

Good for Li Ker-ching.

Is the hotel body actually in a position to "demand" anything?

Originally Posted by kmart

Small, medium, and large (unconnected) businesses are going to be devastated.

...I doubt there are any large unconnected businesses...local businesses grow and stay large by investing in local politicians...