(Athawit Ketsak / Shutterstock.com)
A majority of the Thai population does not agree with the reopening of the country to foreign tourists. This is due to fears of a second wave of Covid-19, according to a poll by the National Institute of Development Administration or Nida Poll.
The survey was conducted on October 1 and 2 among 1.318 people aged 18 and over from various levels of education and occupations across the country.
They were asked for their opinion on the introduction of the “special tourist visa” that allows long-term stays by foreigners (after 14 days in quarantine), which will be launched on October 8.
A majority of 56,98% of respondents disagreed. At least 40,21% strongly disagreed for fear of a second wave of Covid-19. They want Thailand to prevent more infections. More than 16,77% do not want it either because they have little confidence in the preventive measures taken by the government.
However, 42,26% agreed and said it would help stimulate the economy, revitalize the tourism-related business and put money into circulation, but strict rules must be in place to prevent infections.
The remainder, 0,76%, had no comment or interest.
Source: Bangkok Post
Fear of a second wave – when in fact there has been no first 'wave' if the official figures are to be believed….
Towards a better democracy…?
Hopefully they will also ask the opinion of the people on other matters, but it's a start...?
The survey was conducted on October 1 and 2 among 1.318 people aged 18 and over from different levels of education and occupations across the country.
Perhaps an idea to conduct the same survey among the Thai people who no longer have work in the tourist sector? Think you will see different numbers.
John, some readers of Thailandblog would like to come here SWIMMING if necessary.
Is it out of pure idealism to help the Thai tourism industry economically or is it out of selfishness to get here?
Marc
Marc, no, certainly not selfishness. I am part of the team of Charity Hua Hin Thailand on which 50 families depend. The Thai government is now literally abandoning them.
My flight back to Bangkok was 2!!!! canceled days before departure due to closure of Suvanabumi airport. I really really want to go back but certainly not at any price.
If you want to go somewhere, bring money and help the local economy and of course get something positive in return such as food, shelter and entertainment, then you are suddenly selfish?
And by the way: If the Thai put as much effort into making traffic safer as they do to prevent (or ignore) the virus, we could have saved a lot more people from death.
Moderator: We understand that you are angry, disappointed and sad that you cannot go to Thailand because of the corona crisis. But the same reactions over and over again with frustrations and dissatisfaction solves nothing. That's why we don't post them anymore.
Logical if you hear and see daily that ALL new infections are due to foreigners or were contracted abroad. Then it is “abroad” that causes COVID-19.
But Thailand cannot do without tourists (because 20% of the GNP comes from tourism) and then there is that part of the GNP that is earned through trade with foreign countries, which is also declining. I am very curious how the Thai government intends to deal with this. If they succeed, they will earn the Nobel Prize in Economics for the next 100 years! (hint: they can't!).
The Thai elite again skillfully helps the "common man" to destruction.
During the economic crisis when Thaksin was still in charge, the reflex was also that 'the foreigners' had done it. Even then you felt the animosity towards Westerners growing and the Thai rak Thai dotrine revived. You now see worldwide that it is always the foreigners who bring the mischief. Infections among foreigners entering a country are widely reported in the press. Not only in Thailand. Trump consistently talks about the China virus. The Dutch Marechaussee was stopping Germans in Limburg at the Easter markets. Although Brabant was deep red, you were not allowed to cross the border with Belgium, but you were happy to go to Brabant. Partying young people returning from France have done it. The cunning virus seems to strike mainly at border crossings. Everywhere the population is fed with xenophobia as soon as problems arise. People do not like foreigners, wherever this foreign country is. Unfortunately, nations allow their governments to mold them like putty. In Asia people are sensitive to fear and fate. In the West, fate is replaced by playing on guilt.
Governments do everything they can to prevent people from relying on their common sense and they succeed wonderfully. It will be a long time before Westerners are respected again in Thailand, if that time comes at all. If the West produces a vaccine, that would help, but in Thailand people tend to believe that they invented it themselves. After all, they will be vaccinated in Thailand, so it must be a Thai vaccine.
We live in times of brainwashing, as such a survey shows. Fear of a second wave in a country where there has not been a first wave, but no compassion for the victims of the collapsing economy.
Everyone can understand that if you quarantine arrivals for two weeks, there is no risk of importing the virus. There are plenty of people, e.g. with relationships in Thailand, who would be willing to do this, but the virus seems to be less active among people with money who can afford the current approach. Maybe a people gets the government it deserves, but in my opinion the Thais deserve better.
Just a comment about the china virus: Due to crazy political correctness, we do not name the virus by its origin as usual (Spanish flu, you remember) but unfortunately by a meaningless number 19.
The virus simply comes from China just like SARS and then also through human action, it always comes from one of the so-called "wet markets" again exotic animal species are stacked on top of each other in terrible conditions.
So yes China is responsible for the current conditions and it would be better if we hold China responsible for that too, otherwise they will never learn there and soon Covid-23 will come again due to the same total incompetence of the regime there.
Moderator: Please stick to the topic of the post.
This is how you create/maintain fear for foreigners: the first arrival of tourists in Phuket, which was supposed to take place on October 8, has now been postponed until after October 25 'to create confidence among local tourists'..,,,
https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-556731
I get it. If 20% is dependent on tourism, this means that 80% is NOT dependent on tourism and Asia is simply better in terms of Covid19 than here, whatever the reasons. Those people don't want Covid in the country, whether or not there was a first wave.
The economy is also collapsing in NL, ask the same questions in NL and you will also receive different answers depending on the respondents. (People in care vs People in hospitality? VVD people vs SP people. The contrasts will be great.)
Readers here generally like to go to Thailand (again) ...... so there is a good chance that they will denounce this policy of TH as nonsense. But then complain about the Belgians and Germans that they come shopping here and go all out because a face mask is not mandatory here...... And then say that face masks are "proven" to be of no use. Referring to a study that supports this, and contrary studies are ignored.
Me and my wife would also rather go to TH again yesterday than today, but it is not possible due to Covid19 policy. Learn to live with it. Every country has its own policy, and none of them are perfect. Sweden, Thailand, USA, Netherlands… But there is still no perfect solution. To save both the health of the people and the economy. They all do their best.
Quite rightly just keep Thailand closed until there is a vaccine or medicine
Why take a risk ?? Health is more important than money.
Well, health is more important than money, but if you have no income for maintenance, your health will not improve either.
Then please remove all motorcycles from the road because they cause a factor of 400 more deaths than the virus. Think.
A majority of the Thai population? A majority of the respondents… And will they have an idea of what requirements tourists must meet? In short, which 'opinion' do you want to have confirmed!
Yes, don't think that people know what requirements they have to meet. But can it be understood that people are afraid to open the borders. The same is happening here in New Zealand, but people are happy to be able to travel in the country again and live "normally".
I was working on an STV, but I received the requirements from the Thai embassy in Wellington via email and I can't find the part of the baking guarantee anywhere. They demand even more than a married person and an “OA” visa. Now that is 800.000 baht 2 months in the bank. For the application for an STV tourist visa, this would be 500.000 baht and should have been in the bank account for 6 months at the time of application.
Special Tourist Visa (STV)
– A new type of Tourist visa for non-Thai national from COVID -19 low risk countries (New Zealand is included) *who wish to enter Thailand as “Long Stay” tourist
– A single entry visa validity for 90 days after date of issuance
– Permit to stay in Thailand for 90 days, and can be extended no more than twice (90 days each time)
– Require 14 days quarantine in Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) or Alternative Hospital Quarantine (AHQ)
Required documents for applying for Special Tourist Visa (STV)
– Original passport (validity more than 12 months from the date of expecting to enter the country)
– 2 visa application forms (Please find attached) and 2 passport sized photos (not more than 6 months)
– Visa fee for STV 2,000 baht (NZ$120)
– ASQ or AHQ booking confirmation for at least 14 days
– Health insurance covering the entire stay in Thailand from a Thai insurance company, with medical and accident expense coverage of at least 40,000 Thai Baht for outpatient and at least 400,000 Thai baht for inpatient**
– Proof of marriage certificate and birth certificate are required when traveling with your spouse and children under 20 years old
– Proof of accommodation in Thailand after quarantine:
(a) proof of payment for a hotel or other type of accommodation for the whole period of your stay in Thailand and a bank statement over the last 6 months with a balance of not less than 500,000 baht; or
(b) a copy of certificate of ownership of a condominium unit in Thailand under your name or a member of your family; or
(c) proof of payments for purchase or lease of a condominium unit, with at least 2 installations paid (otherwise, bank statement over the last 6 months with a balance not less than 500,000 baht or equivalent is required)
* List of countries is to be revised on the 15th and 30th of every month.
**For more information on health insurance, please visit https://longstay.tgia.org/
Please Note: Applicants of STV visa still need to apply for Certificate of Entry (COE) from the Royal Thai Embassy to complete the requirement to enter Thailand
Now I have a room in Pattaya (3000 Baht p/month) and normally stay with my girlfriend in Kantharalak. So I am not the owner of the house, although I have ensured that it could be built.
The house is on the part of the land that Pa gave to the daughters, but I don't think he owns it, because he can't sell it. Every month I deposit more than enough about 70.000 baht into my Thai account, so enough for my visa "O" extension. However, this has expired because I could not enter the country.
Yes I agree 100 percent keeping the country closed,
understand that many people depend on tourists
but when you open up the country and infections come everywhere
and you have a lot of dead and sick and everything has to be locked then shoot
you don't care either.
Actually, all countries should have closed the borders in the world then
maybe it would have been under control sooner and we might have been there already
from look at Thailand it also has it under control anyway.
But do not see any improvement in the first 6 months as it is now.
Distrust a survey of only 1318 respondents out of a population of 70 million.
Many surveys only serve to provide governments with a quasi 'scientific' foundation for their policy. It is always interesting to know which authorities support or finance the research agency and who commissioned the research, how the questions in the survey were asked and from whom and where the sample was drawn.
The results of the Nida Poll can be found here in detail.
https://nidapoll.nida.ac.th/survey_detail?survey_id=170
A number of respondents of 1.318 is always sufficient, provided that it is representative, ie a good distribution in terms of age, gender, income and place of residence. The questions were clear and not suggestive. I read the results and the further data and think it is a reasonably good study.
The PDF in question is in Thai; I can't find an English translation.
Incidentally, you cannot simply say that the number of 1318 respondents is sufficient for each survey, which also depends on your research objective.
Moreover, it is totally impossible to make statements about the views of the Thai population in a sample of 1318 respondents and also split by income, age, gender, income and place of residence.
For example, estimate how many lower-income young women in Chiangmai alone would be in the sample; maybe 5 ?
Moreover, the results of this research cannot provide any indications for a tourism policy in times of Corona; for that you would have to do a research specifically in that tourism sector.
Totally agree with Gerald.
Why take risks that cost human lives for economic reasons?
On the Belgian radio today I heard a report about the corona-free situation in New Zealand. This was described as admirable, even if it was the result of a lock down, with no one entering the country without quarantine. Obviously at the expense of tourism and other economic sectors.
Or like the Thai average man with the cap: Better healthy and poor than dying rich.
Something we apparently find difficult to accept.
Should we applaud the current situation in Belgium (Europe)? What sane country would even think of letting us in?
Let's take a look at ourselves before pointing the finger at the Thai government about Covid policy.
I understand people who are already visiting Thailand, because they have a relationship with a Thai and thus want to visit family or even their own children.
But to now open the borders only to normal holidaymakers, who for the most part only go for their own pleasure, and pretend that they want to grab the Thai economy under their arms, is as hypocritical as it is incomprehensible to me.
The large masses on which an economy can really live will remain a relatively small group, which will remain a drop in the ocean at most, and will often consist of party seekers from countries where the infections are already rising daily.
Count out your profit, an economy that will not really take off either because of these people, and the risk that the infections will increase drastically, so that the Thai health system may reach its limits, and everything will have to be closed again immediately.
Many people, especially the older risk groups who think, are already returning to their own country with all kinds of entertainment, and will certainly not take a flight of 11 hours, and then take a so-called holiday in a country, where nothing will happen as long as this pandemic prevails. more memories of the foregoing.
As bad as it is for the economy, which is not only affecting Thailand, we just have to be patient and wait for a conclusive vaccine or medicine.
I think you should call it "It's your own fault, you big bump, because now I'm not spending my money with you" syndrome.
You read it often.
I think it is caused by disappointment and powerlessness.
It probably makes you feel like you're giving back to that boogeyman who won't let you into the country.
It makes no sense, because the bogeyman knows very well that he is missing out on income.
Sure, disappointment and powerlessness. But it doesn't stop there. Many here have a relationship or property in Thailand and are financially and socially involved. They lose a lot more than a vacation under the palm trees.
And of course Thailand has the full right to close its borders, just like all neighboring countries.
The frustration mainly lies in the fact that the Junta behaves like a typical bargirl: promises a lot, collects money and does not deliver. With every day a new extremely expensive plan that is unworkable at best and pure scam at worst (STV, pay everything in advance, no refund)
Incidentally, the boogeyman himself does not miss out on any income.
This only applies to nationals.
I am considering wintering in Dubai and then bringing my girlfriend over from Thailand. That also costs a lot of money, but then at least I get something in return.
Maybe someone has a better idea?
I've been living there since 2014, got my retirement visa every year without any problem. rent a house there, pay taxes there, have my insurance with AA there, pay road tax there, travel a lot through the country and spend quite a few Baht every month of my retirement.
But they don't want me back. Fine. Let's go look somewhere else. On various FB forums there are many, really many with me.
It is a good idea to ban tourism for a while, if there is an outbreak in Thailand, the Thai health system can never handle this outbreak of a pandemic, think of ICU units, ventilators, etc., so it is best to wait a while with the big gate to open.
No matter how well this NIDA poll was conducted in a research-technical sense, I would still like the result
take with a grain of salt. The average rice farmer in Si Sa Ket, or even the
average student in Loei have no idea how much foreign tourism
for Thailand in an economic sense. It's about the same as asking someone in
Laag-Keppel what Amsterdam should do about the tourist nuisance (from before Covid-19
of course). In addition: I live in both the countryside of Buriram and Pattaya (alternately), travel
very much through Thailand, and until now I have not noticed any aversion or mistrust at all
against foreigners! I think many expats living here share the same experience!
Based on tourist admission, I agree with the majority of Thais not to allow this for the time being. Health cannot be bought. I would like to make an exception for family reunification and a quarantine period is not the biggest problem for that group, I imagine. However, that period should be arranged differently, so that this does not entail too much more costs. Not all of us have the overflowing pouch. My wife is also in favor of not admitting tourists for health reasons, despite the fact that she recognizes that some of them are struggling financially. Incidentally, this pain is felt by a considerable group of the lowest paid, who have to find a way in this. This group is quite flexible in their doings and they do scrape together a bit. They are actually used to this, because society in Thailand is set up that way. Many small self-employed people who have been messing around like this all their lives. People move all over the country and to a lesser extent abroad in search of work, etc. Have never been able to hang the flowers outside, unless they hit the jackpot and there are very few of them. A large part of the Thai population is also not happy with sex tourism, so they don't shed a tear about that group. However, I do think that the government in Thailand should do more to develop new activities because the old thing has to be done away with.