NO AMAZING THAILAND …until 2021?

Yes, that’s the reality! And, I know the news is going to disappoint many who simply love spending their vacation…in Amazing Thailand.

I’ve had a few readers checking with me about the possibilities of going to Thailand, before the year (2020) is out,

The ladies, in particular, gave me the impression that they would like to do their festive shopping, in Thailand.

Well, that’s what most Sri Lankans do when they travel to Thailand – hit up the night markets of Bangkok, also Pratunum, MBK…the list is endless. And, that’s pretty obvious, since Thailand is a shopper’s paradise!

Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic is being experienced in every part of the globe and, unless there is a significant improvement, in the si

tuation, every one of us will have to forget about trips abroad, especially when it comes to vacations.

I do miss Thailand, myself. In fact, I was to make my 25th trip to the ‘Land of Smiles,’ in March this year, as a VIP guest, courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, for their 60th anniversary celebrations.

The celebrations were ultimately cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor (for international marketing), Tourism Authority of Thailand, ‘there is no signal from the government that the country will open this year,’ he said in a recent webinar. And, that means we will have to wait for 2021 to check whether there are signs of Thailand accepting foreign tourists, later in the new year!

However, Thailand, I’m told, has reopened its borders to foreigners with work permits, residency, or families in the country, but leisure travel will not return, any time soon.

Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Thailand’s Tourism Authority, had earlier mentioned to CNN that when Thailand does reopen, the country, they would only allow travellers from other countries ‘if their situation has truly improved.’ And, that, too, any reopening would be limited to specific locations,

Probably, that’s encouraging news for Sri Lankans as we have been very successful in handling the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, holidaymakers will have to bear in mind that Thailand will not be the Amazing Thailand of the ‘old normal’ where one could have travelled, the length and breath of Thailand, without any restrictions.

Of course, Thailand will continue to be AMAZING, but in the ‘new normal.’

My last visit to Thailand was in June/July last year, with a media colleague.