Tourism operators in Chiang Mai are calling for the revision of laws and regulations to maintain fair competition and protect local businesses from Chinese merchants using Thai nominees.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Tourism and Sports Ministry to map out measures to handle the return of Chinese tourists as about 300,000 of them are expected to arrive in the first quarter of next year.
After high season last year became a missed opportunity because of border closures, tourism businesses began to push the Phuket sandbox and Samui Plus pilot programmes in July this year, starting a long path to recovery.
Insufficient vehicles and more expensive transportation costs at the airport on the first day of reopening prompted tourism operators to urge further relaxation of transport permits.