Phuket eyed for return of foreign tourists
Government ministries are studying guidelines to open areas of Thailand to foreign tourists, a source at Government House said on Thursday.
Representatives of the Tourism and Sports Ministry met with their counterparts at the Interior and Transport ministries to discuss the topic “Safe & Sealed Areas for Tourism”, said the source, adding that Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will lead a visit by ministers to Phuket on September 2-4.
The ministers will survey opinions of local people and businesses on Phuket reopening for foreign tourists, before sharing the findings with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
Thai Airways International (THAI) announced on Thursday it plans to launch charter flights to Phuket from six international destinations in late November this year.
The six destinations are Denmark, Germany, Britain, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.
THAI is also expected to fly charter flight tourists from China to Phuket.
The airline’s acting president, Chansin Treenuchagron, said the airline would operate flights twice a month or more on each route based on demand.
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Meanwhile, another Government House source said executives of seven local airlines will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (August 28) to ask for government assistance amid the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The move comes after representatives of several airlines met with Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob to ask for relief measures.
Among their proposals were provision of soft loans, and extending the period of reduced jet fuel tax, which is set to expire next month. Jet fuel tax has been cut to Bt0.20 per litre from the normal Bt4.726 per litre.
