Thailand’s Lawmakers Bet Heavily on Domestic Tourism for Economy

Thailand’s lawmakers on Tuesday approved two stimulus packages worth 22.4 billion baht to revitalize domestic tourism which has been left reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic. The packages will start today and run until Oct 31.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul, said that originally there were three domestic tourism packages known as “Happiness-sharing trips”; “Let’s travel”; and “Moral Support,” — proposed by Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry.

But two of them — “Happiness-sharing trips” ;and “Let’s travel” have now been merged and are known as “We travel together”, she said.

The “Happiness-sharing trips” package worth 2 billion baht is to subsidies domestic flights in Thailand. Also inter-provincial bus fares and car rental fees for a total of 2 million people.

Domestic tourism flights and hotels subsidized

The government will subsidies 2 million domestic flights tickets, with the subsidy limited to 2,000 baht per person. Eligible people must pay for their tickets first and the government will pay them back 40% of ticket prices. For round-trip tickets, the subsidy is limited to no more than 1,000 baht per seat.

The “Let’s travel” package worth 18 billion baht. Will fund subsidies for accommodation, food and other services provided at tourist destinations.

The government will subsidize 5 million nights of hotel accommodation at 40% of normal room rates. With the subsidy limited to 3,000 baht per night for up to five nights. Tourists will be responsible for the other 60%.

Subsidies for other services, including food, are capped at 600 baht per room per night. The subsidized tourist facilities must be outside the tourists’ home provinces to qualify. The subsidies are limited to 40% of actual expenses, with tourists paying the rest.

Public must register for domestic tourism kickbacks

Hotels and eateries can register to join the package today and they must have a certificates issued by the Department of Tourism. The public can register on July 15 on www.เราเที่ยวด้วยกัน.com or We travel together, Ms Traisuree said.

As for the “Moral Support” package worth 2.4 billion baht, it will fund holiday travel for 1.2 million health volunteers and officials of sub-district hospitals. The package is also expected to help more than 13,000 tour companies.

The subsidy is limited to 2,000 baht per tourist for a trip of at least two days and one night. The domestic tourism scheme is expected to help 13,000 tour firms.

Speaking after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said he has instructed state agencies to hold meetings and seminars in the provinces in a bid to promote the hotel industry. Agencies must report their spending of the budgets, the prime minister said. He also stressed the need for all hotels to take precautions to prevent Covid-19.

Gen Prayut also floated an idea to promote domestic tourism on weekdays to ease overcrowding on Saturdays and Sundays. Employees who take days off for holiday travel on weekdays under the campaign would have to work other days instead, he said.

Extension of the state of emergency for Thailand

Meanwhile, Lawmakers on Tuesday also formally approved the extension of the state of emergency decree nationwide until July 31. Proposed by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said.

The cabinet also endorsed the fifth phase of the easing of restrictions on the remaining businesses and premises as proposed by the CCSA.

They include pubs and bars, karaoke bars, and bath-sauna-massage establishments, which will reopen today.

From today, shopping malls, department stores and community malls will be allowed to open until 10pm from the current 9pm.

Other premises allowed to reopen will include schools and educational institutes, while night entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke joints, beer halls and beer gardens will be allowed to open until midnight, with the enforcement of social-distancing rules. Customers must use the “Thai Chana” app to check in and out.

Ms Narumon said the CCSA proposed the extension of the decree because the Covid-19 pandemic was still at serious levels in many parts of the world.

With the fifth phase of the relaxing of restrictions in Thailand beginning today. Powers under the executive decree for administration in emergency situations were still needed to control travel in and out of the country and support the tracking and quarantine of people suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, she said.

Gen Prayut reiterated that the extension was for the sake of public health, not for his power. He also warned against the sex trade at bath-sauna-massage establishments. Those involved will face legal punishment, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post