Thailand doesn’t expect UK tourists to return until October
Thailand isn’t expecting overseas tourists to return until October at the earliest, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
TAT governor Yutasak Supasorn told CNN Travel that even then there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go.
A spokeman for the TAT in London said the governor was expecting a positive return to tourism from the fourth quarter of the year, but he told CNN: "It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year.
"We are not going to open all at once. We are still on high alert, we just can’t let our guards down yet. We have to look at the country of origin [of the travellers] to see if their situation has truly improved.
"And lastly, we have to see whether our own business operators are ready to receive tourists under the ‘new normal’."
Thailand attracted over one million tourists from Britain and Ireland last year. Once it does re-open to international tourists, they’ll probably only be able to visit certain spots, added Yutasak.
"We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled – for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui.
"This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, since this is almost a kind of quarantine," he added.
Thailand has a temporary ban on all international commercial flights into the country until June 30.
The country is currently focused on reopening to domestic tourism in June, added Yutasak. The TAT has been developing a new health and safety certification to reassure tourists once they do return.
Resorts and hotels in some tourism hotspots, including Hua Hin, have been given the go ahead to reopen and shopping malls, markets, museums and some tourist attractions are expected to follow. Bangkok’s Grand Palace will open on June 4.
National parks, theme parks, spas and massage shops remain closed but restaurants have re-opened with social distancing measures in place and a ban on alcohol. Pubs and night clubs remain closed and there’s a curfew is from 11pm to 4am.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026