Thailand, "COVID-19 Quarantine-Free Entry Plan Delayed More Than Initially Expected"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As global concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19 grow, Thailand's government is expected to delay its 'Travel Bubble' plan, which aimed to allow tourists from countries with well-managed COVID-19 situations, including South Korea, to enter without quarantine. The Thai government has stated that, due to significant concerns about the spread of COVID-19 from foreign arrivals, it is also considering an indefinite postponement.

According to local Thai media such as the Bangkok Post on the 14th, Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said at a recent press conference, "The Travel Bubble plan, which was scheduled to start in the fourth quarter, may be postponed," adding, "The emergence of new COVID-19 cases is creating uncertainty." The Travel Bubble is a system that allows foreigners from countries where COVID-19 is under control to enter Thailand immediately without the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Previously, the Thai government announced that the Travel Bubble policy would be implemented from the 1st of next month, targeting countries including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Saksayam Chidchob, Minister of Transport, also stated, "As there is still no COVID-19 vaccine and no method to delay the spread of the epidemic, it is clear that the government will continue to prohibit foreign arrivals." Chula Sukmanop, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said, "The second wave of COVID-19 cases in many countries has halted plans to resume international flights in August," adding, "With recent increases in COVID-19 cases in the three countries?South Korea, China, and Japan?that were previously discussed as Travel Bubble partners, the Travel Bubble plans with these countries may also need to be postponed indefinitely."

Thai health experts are also urging the government to proceed cautiously with the Travel Bubble policy, given the ongoing strong spread of COVID-19. Tira Watanarat, an epidemiologist at Chulalongkorn University, pointed out, "As the damage from the resurgence of COVID-19 is appearing worldwide, special caution is needed for Thailand's tourism reopening," adding, "Although no local transmission has been reported in Thailand for over 40 days, it is not yet a stage to be complacent."