Thailand tourism responds to the Omicron variant.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Ministry of Public Health estimates that the new SARS-CoV-2 variant could average 10,000 infections in Thailand by mid-February 2022. Given the complex and evolving nature of the epidemic, the number of cases could triple daily. This has created pressure on tour operators and travel companies as the 2022 New Year's festival season approaches.

Previously, on December 21, the Thai Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) temporarily suspended the program."Test and Go".

Specifically, travelers with negative test results from certain countries are no longer exempt from quarantine as before. This program is expected to be suspended until after January 4th of next year.

Mr. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said that the industry is unlikely to profit from the New Year and Lunar New Year period because of this.

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"Regardless of the government's decisions on pandemic control, we have no choice but to comply with the strict regulations from health experts."

Mr. Sisdivachr added that the Omicron variant is becoming a nightmare for many countries around the world. Therefore, the situation for the tourism industry is "unpredictable".

However, tourism activities could pick up again if the majority of patients infected with the new strain experience milder symptoms than expected. In that case, they could still participate in trips after recovering from the illness.

Mr. Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), said that the tourism situation in December remained stable because tourists who had been approved under the "Test and Go" program were continuing with their travel plans.

However, January and February 2022 are predicted to be "gloomy" for both domestic and international tourism due to numerous flight cancellations. Mr. Suthiphong added that while international visitors can still enter Thailand via the "Phuket Sandbox," not everyone needs to visit and stay in the province for the mandatory 7 days.