Thread: Majority disagree with government plan to reopen for vaccinated foreign tourists

The majority of Thai people do not agree with the government’s country reopening plan of letting in vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine from November 1st as it is not the right time for the country to welcome foreign tourists, according to results of a recent public opinion poll called the “Suan Dusit Poll” conducted by Suan Dusit University.


The survey was conducted online from October 11th – the 14th with a total of 1,329 people throughout the country regarding Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s recent announcement to reopen the country and welcome fully vaccinated foreigners without mandatory quarantine from November 1st onwards. According to Suan Dusit University, those partaking in the poll came from all around the country and from all walks of life.

According to the reports shown above, when being asked if it was now the right time for the country to welcome tourists without mandatory quarantine, the majority, accountable for 60.10 percent, said “no” while the other 39.90 percent said “yes”.


When asked about “factors” that would potentially help proceed with the country reopening plan as scheduled, 74.78 percent agreed on inoculation with effective vaccines of more than 70 percent of the population; 69.04 percent on the ability to control the pandemic; 68.31 percent on the readiness of health services including hospitals and medical personnel; 66.03 percent on mandatory proactive approaches and testing of people before entering places; and 65.00 percent on building tourist confidence in terms of safety in tourists facilities such as airports, public transport, restaurants, and hotels.


When mentioning “conditions” for the reopening, 71.60 percent said people in Thailand have not yet been fully vaccinated; 70.45 percent said the possibility for the disease to spread further across the country may occur; 66.11 percent said the possibility for the virus to be transmitted by incoming tourists my occur; 61.05 percent said they had concerns over foreigners bringing new Covid-19 variants; and 55.92 percent said there was a lack of objective plans to deal with the disease.

When mentioning “advantages” of the reopening, 77.29 percent cited the revival of the domestic economy; 74.74 percent cited that people would have more jobs and earn money for their families; 68.07 percent cited the positive generation of income from tourism areas in the country; 64.17 percent cited the revival of tourism-related businesses and devastated sectors like entertainment and hospitality, and 57.80 percent cited the regaining of confidence towards investors and business operators.


On the contrary, when mentioning “disadvantages” of the reopening, 83.43 percent said Covid-19 daily infection rates might rise again; 74.60 percent said the reopening may lead to the possibility of yet another country lockdown and causing many more people to be out of work once again; 59.55 percent said the readiness of health services including hospitals and medical personnel might be affected; 54.85 percent said cases of illegal border crossings might increase as people flock to Thailand for work, and 48.19 percent said that people’s daily lives might be affected by having many foreigners back in the country.

Lastly, when being asked if they agreed with the reopening plan which was scheduled on November 1st, 59.86 percent, the majority, said “no” and 40.14 percent said “yes.”


Suan Dusit also polled people’s backgrounds and although did not reveal the specific results they did state that nearly all of those in the business, tourism, hospitality, and similar industries who took the poll were universally supportive of reopening. Those not in the industry or not affected financially by tourism were not as positive.

Majority disagree with Thai government's plan to reopen for vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine, set for November, according to Suan Dusit Poll - The Pattaya News

Well, the majority don't know what side their bread is buttered on then. Nothing new there I suppose.

The main ongoing 'foreign' threat to Thailand will be migrant labour- both legal and illegal, from neighbouring countries, as well as the substantial commerce and trade that takes place around Thailands porous borders.

Originally Posted by sabang

Well, the majority don't know what side their bread is buttered on then. Nothing new there I suppose.

If there is a correlation between the percent of the tourism economy and the percent of the population then surprised only 60% said no to opening the country.

The majority of the country is in dire straits and it has fuck all to do with tourism.

Accept fully vaccinated and documented tourists from affluent, low risk countries? Surely it's a doddle, and Thailand does need the money and employment.

Wherever you are living, we're just gonna have to live with this thing. Get the jabs out, that's all I can say. Worldwide.

Originally Posted by sabang

Accept fully vaccinated and documented tourists from affluent, low risk countries?

Thais like most folks look at what's in it for me. Not to mention they have lost complete trust in the gov being able to control the virus so why take the risk of another outbreak and shutdown. Btw, I agree with the majority.

what's in it for me

Heh, well in this case I'm itching to get over there and sort out my bluddy villa! That's what's in it for me, plus a holiday somewhere abnormal (ie anywhere, compared to Adelaide) is not unwelcome.

I'm hoping December/ January might be achievable. Maybe.

What percentage of Thai are vaxxed, fully or partially? That's what they need to work on. I'm AZ dosed.

Originally Posted by sabang

I'm hoping December/ January might be achievable. Maybe.

If you have your jabs and are willing to jump through whatever hoops are imposed should be doable. My brother figures May/June before he can come with jab cert via a visa on entry.

Originally Posted by sabang

What percentage of Thai are vaxxed, fully or partially?

About 45%

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

sk "Is it the right time" I am surprised that 100% didn't say No.

Possibly because of the lost of tourism dollars and the shit economy, but yes I agree with you.
It is so unbelievably sad that Thailand is opening with no quarantine. Get more people vaccinated first before you do this. What absolute absurdity. Who is really going to want to go there though? Until more people are fully vaccinated and the daily cases drop, I sure won't be thinking about it sadly.

<1400 people is not a very representative sample.

Plus you have the same virus/vaccine scare stories being pushed around the "netizen" community by arseholes.

Major tourism operators such as hotel chains, at minimum, should insist their staff are fully vaxxed- as is happening here. But yer struggling beer bar & small restaurant operator ain't gonna be so picky. And BG's will tell you anything.

Originally Posted by sabang

Major tourism operators such as hotel chains, at minimum, should insist their staff are fully vaxxed- as is happening here. But yer struggling beer bar & small restaurant operator ain't gonna be so picky. And BG's will tell you anything.

My prediction:

November: Thailand launches an app that can double up as a vaccine passport for farang (they already have one for Thais).

December: Thailand allows alcohol in bars and entertainment venues for people with a vaccine passport.

Originally Posted by sabang

What percentage of Thai are vaxxed, fully or partially? That's what they need to work on. I'm AZ dosed.

Dont sell yourself short. you are a lot more than that.

The majority would disagree on most things proposed or instituted by the current government.

Opinion polls make a whooshing sound to the current PM, as the opinion of Thai people means so little to him.

Im still shooting for fall 2022. Even if things are open or opening soon there's too much bullshit and uncertainty.