Thailand eyes tourists from China, New Zealand to fill its ‘travel bubble’

Tourists visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok on June 7, 2020, as it reopened for visitors following restrictions to halt the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

BANGKOK — Thai authorities will discuss the possibility of creating a “travel bubble” in collaboration with countries that have been able to bring Covid-19 infections under control, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday (June 12).

The two countries currently being considered are China and New Zealand.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said that creating this travel bubble was possible if every arrival into Thailand is tested for Covid-19.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said this move was being taken into consideration after CCSA said it may open the country to international flights after June 30.

Tourists using this travel bubble will be required to have “fit to fly” certification and hold a medical certificate that is valid for no more 72 hours.

Phiphat added that the stimulus package for tourism, expected to be implemented from July to October, will be discussed on June 16.

“The tourism and sports minister will discuss details of the package with the Commerce Ministry before it is proposed to the Cabinet,” he said. “The aim will be to provide people a Bt3,000 subsidy encouraging them to travel to other provinces. This is expected to cost about Bt12 billion.”

A similar Bt2.4-billion package had been launched to help 1.2 million people in the tourism industry who were affected by Covid-19 outbreak.