WELCOME BACK
TOURISM IN THAILAND MADE A ROARING RETURN IN 2022
As the world has recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic’s three-year assault, the Tiger will hand the baton off to the Rabbit. The 2022 countdown celebration was ultimately toned down when Omicron infections quickly spread and the number of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand exceeded 20,000 in February.
The nightmare didn’t last long since things seemed to be getting better a few months later. The virus infections dropped and the government relaxed restrictions so that people could enjoy the much-loved Songkran festival in public places. Although water fights, powder smearing, foam parties and the sale of alcohol were still prohibited, this opened the door for tourism to rebound i n the second half of the year.
Life looks at what transpired in Thailand’s tourism industry this year.
REOPENING AND RELAXATION
As of May 1, the Test & Go travel scheme for foreign arrivals and RT-PCR testing upon arrival were discontinued as vaccinated travellers were only required to take self-antigen tests during their stay.
One month later, pubs, clubs, karaoke bars, massage parlours and other entertainment venues in the designated green zones and blue zones were allowed to resume business, but close by midnight. In an effort to boost tourism, many countries reopened their borders and simplified entry requirements. As a result, people started to travel again to ease their itchy feet.
From July 1, visitors no longer registered for Thailand Pass or Covid-19 insurance. They just showed their vaccination certificates or Covid-19 test results, while those without such proof were subjected to random antigen tests upon arrival at airports.
According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, all 77 provinces declared green zones where business and other activities could restart. Thailand shifted to a post-pandemic state and locals were allowed to cease donning masks outside. Face masks are still important in modern times when inside, or in environments with poor ventilation.
By Oct 1, the virus was downgraded to a communicable disease under surveillance and the National Covid-19 Emergency Decree was lifted. Foreign visitors to Thailand were no longer required to show documentation of their Covid-19 vaccination or the result of an ATK test, and individuals who were infected but only had mild symptoms were no longer obliged to be isolated.
Thailand welcomed 9.78 million foreign visitors between Jan 1 and Dec 5, according to the Immigration Bureau, before the Tourism Authority of Thailand organised the “Amazing Thailand 10 Million Celebration” on Dec 10 at seven international and regional airports to mark the arrival of the 10 millionth traveller.
Emirates recently announced adding a fourth flight between Bangkok and Dubai from Jan 1, boosting connectivity between the two gateways and providing more options for travellers.
The additional frequency will help serve the increased demand for international travel toand from Bangkok, asThailand’s travel and tourism sector experience a steep revival. It also builds on the success of Emirates’ existing operations, as the airline reaffirms its recent Memorandum ofCo-operation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to leverage Emirates’ vast global network to boost inbound traffic.
The additional Emirates flight will be operated by the airline’s flagship Airbus A380. Emirates’ flight EK374 — operated by a three-class configuration — willdepart Dubai at 10.35pm, arriving in Bangkok at 7.35am the followingday. Emirates’ return flight EK377 — operated by a two-class configuration — will leave Bangkok at 2am, arriving in Dubai at 6am.
With 28 weekly flights to Bangkok and 14 weekly flights to Phuket, Emirates offers travellers flexible and enhanced connections between Thailand and Dubai, as well as onwards to 130 destinations across 6 continents. Emirates also operates a daily direct flight to Hong Kong from Bangkok.
Visit emirates.com.