Covid-19 Thailand – Latest Updates (23rd July, 2020)

Covid-19 Latest Cases – 3,269 (+ 8)  Recovered – 3,105  Hospitalized – 106 (+8)    Died – 58

Tourism Council warns of operators fleeing sector

Tourism-related businesses are at a tipping point after more than 30% of them have exited the market, with many set to follow, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

Chairat Trirattanajarasporn, president of the TCT, said the tourism industry predicts a further deterioration after six months of the Covid-19 crisis, as many related businesses are terminating their operations or selling off assets, choosing not to wait for an uncertain recovery.

He said the main types of businesses affected by the crisis are tour operators, bus services with a small vehicle fleet, restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels that used to focus on foreign tour groups, especially the Chinese market.

Mr Chairat said the TCT is in the process of collecting the exact number of members fleeing the sector, which he believes should amount to more than 30% in the first half of the year, as Thailand continues to seal the borders to international tourists.

Full Story: Bangkok Post

Emergency decree extended until end of August

Thailand will extend a state of emergency until the end of August, a senior official said on Wednesday, maintaining the security measure put in place to contain its coronavirus outbreak.

The announcement comes after nearly two months without local transmission and with many people in Thailand questioning the need for an emergency decree.

The decree, first introduced in late March, will be subject to cabinet approval next week.

“It is still necessary to have the decree because we are opening up the country for more business meetings and tourism to stimulate the economy,” said Somsak Roongsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council, adding that doctors had requested it be maintained.

Full Story: Jakarta Post

TAT to organise Thailand’s first Rural Tourism Awards

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is going to organise the first Rural Tourism Awards to recognise the significant role of the country’s diverse local communities in preserving arts, culture, heritage and cuisine.

Read More: TATNews