Thailand has been remarkably successful in controlling SARS-Cov-2 infections thanks in large part to consistent government messaging about public health and shutting its borders to foreigners. Last week I published a post about Thailand’s decision to reignite its Covid-19-crippled tourist industry with a program based on new long-stay tourist visas that require quarantines, testing and proof of health insurance.
The first group with Special Tourist Visas (STVs) was set to arrive on October 8. Two days before their scheduled arrival, Thai authorities announced that unspecified preparations were incomplete and the program was being delayed indefinitely.
Adding a bit of insult to injury, the Thai government will not offer the 300 Chinese tourists refunds for flights, accommodations, insurance, and other fees they prepaid in order to secure their STVs because an indefinite delay is not considered to be a cancellation of the policy.
Thai authorities expect that the Chinese tourists will be able to enter the country sometime later in October. Meanwhile, the second group, 300 tourists from Scandinavian countries is scheduled to arrive on October 21. But their arrival is contingent upon a successful experience with the first group.
Thailand envisions that if the STV program demonstrates the ability to handle up to 300 tourist entries per week, the program will eventually be expanded to include as many 10,000, arrivals per month.
Final Thoughts
I love Thailand but it continues to be ruled by the same generals and elites who orchestrated the 2014 military coup. Administering the STV program and safely admitting foreign tourists in significant numbers during a global pandemic will be a huge challenge for the Thai bureaucracy. For the sake of Thais who are enduring prolonged economic hardship and people longing for a vacation in the Land of Smiles, I hope they figure it out.
Salsaworldtraveler'sblog 
Several days ago there were news about riots in Thailand. Perhaps, beside the pandemic, it has something to do with it.
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I saw something about that. Dissent over the political system I think.
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Transparency seems not to be a strength of the current government. I hope Thailand is successful though.
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Covid-19 opens up a lot of opportunities to scam people. I love how transparent they are about what went wrong.
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What in the world?
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Opening to tourists will be a lot harder than the Thai authorities think. I wish I could go. I would apply as a medical refugee. It will be much safer In Thailand (for those who can enter) than being in the U.S..
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FOR SURE!
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a sad and disappointing turn of events. there has been talk of thailand being part of a travel bubble which would include australia, new zealand and presumably places like singapore, japan and taiwan. that wouldnt be until next year though probably not until after march. Who knows when this will all get resolved though. thanks for keeping us updated
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Thailand has so many plans about opening it is hard to keep up. The travel bubble idea is one being talked about. Thailand had wanted to concentrate on getting tourists from the more wealthy Asian countries so what you referenced sounds like the Thais would like those travel bubbles if they can be worked out. Thanks for the info!
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that’s a shame to hear about the change in plans, and crazy that they won’t offer refunds.
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The Thai government will have its hands full trying to manage a program like STV and convincing the population that admitting tourists is safe. Hot spots keep popping up even in places where the virus had been controlled to a large extent.
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If I were the Thais, I would want to wait until there is a vaccine…
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And perhaps even longer depending on the effectiveness of the vaccine.
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indeed!
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Unfortunately, as you say the Thailand government does not liVe up to one’s expectations in various respects. Wild animal welfare being but one of them. Instead of looking after the animals that tourists go to see, they don’t seem to care about their welfare. A good example being the Tiger Temple that was allowed to run for years and after it was eventually shut down no one was prosecuted. This is not justice and no doubt due to corruption.
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I believe there is a Tiger attraction in Phuket (and maybe other places in Thailand) that is still operating. Tourists need to research them and think hard before going to attractions like that.
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Terrible where people cannot enter and not get a refund.
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Right. A delay can be the same as a cancellation because it messes up people’s plans.
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