Fury and confusion as Thailand postpones tourism reopening for another month

Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at the last minute delayed reopening from Oct 1 to Nov 1.

Tour operators in Siberia cannot now honour interest from local clients. 

‘We wanted to get our clients back to Thailand and there was interest despite the Covid curbs, which means paying for PCR tests,’ said a Siberian operator. 

Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Chonburi Tourism Council, warned local providers had signed deals with Russian companies.

"Nobody will listen to us again,’ he said. ‘They will wait for an official announcement, which may occur in November at the earliest, too late to capture high-season traffic as international flights often need 2-3 months notice for air traffic permission.

‘It also takes that long to promote those packages.'