The country must ensure tourists do not have to worry about Covid-19 infections while visiting Thailand for its reopening plan to work, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
One-night, one-dollar plan proposed to lure tourists back to Phuket ttgasia.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ttgasia.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Suicides rise in Thailand as Covid decimates its tourism industry
Health officials compare the country’s current economic situation to the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when suicide increased by over 20pc
14 May 2021 • 12:00pm
Thailand beat the first wave of coronavirus with strict lockdowns - but, as this empty beach in Phuket shows, there have been far-reaching consequences
Credit: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images
The last time 23-year-old Buddhist monk Phongphichet Pittayaseehanat spoke to his parents was over the phone on May 4.
They told him where to find their belongings. A mobile phone, a power bank, and 200 baht (almost £5.00), all in a drawer in their home.
6
The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is calling for a direct financial support package geared towards the tourism sector to save 2-2.5 million jobs as the third wave shows no signs of abating.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the TCT, said council members want more relaxation on soft loans and is asking the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to help because most operators do not have land or assets to use as collateral.
The monthly salary co-payment scheme is another urgent financial aid that could prevent mass layoffs.
If the government fails to take this proposal into consideration, the hospitality sector will risk losing skilled workers and competitiveness in the global arena when international tourism resumes.