The economies of countries dependent on tourism are clearly hurting, with visitor numbers plummeting as a result of the pandemic.
The Thai government estimates a loss of 100 billion Thai baht (over US$3 billion) in the first quarter of 2020 and a loss of about 1.45 million jobs as a result of this slump in tourism.
However, the actual loss cannot be captured in these numbers alone. Many cross-cultural exchange opportunities have been lost as well.
I spent much of the previous decade living in Chiang Mai, a medium-sized city in northern Thailand, which relies heavily on tourism. As a scholar who was studying the relationship between tourism and Buddhist temples in the region before the pandemic started, I am able to assess the impact of COVID-19 on these sites of religious importance.
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Category - Thailand travel news
Thailand travel & tourism news for travelers and travel professionals. Latest travel and tourism news on Thailand. Latest news on safety, hotels, resorts, attractions, tours and transportation in Thailand. Bangkok Travel information. Thailand is a Southeast Asian country. It’s known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises next to quiet canalside communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin.
Grand Palace, 5 other locations reopen Thursday
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published : 4 Mar 2021 at 16:56
2 The Grand Palace is now open and people can pay respects to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside it. The Royal Household Bureau on Thursday announces the reopening of the Grand Palace and five other tourist sites from March 4 onwards. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Visitors are allowed to pay respects to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as the Grand Palace and five other popular sites are open to the public on Thursday.
The Royal Household Bureau announced on its website the reopening of the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew, and the other locations Bang Pa-in Palace in Ayutthaya province, Bhubing Palace (Chiang Mai), Chang Hua Man Project (Phetchaburi), Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles (Bangkok) and Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (Bangkok) from March 4.