Leading doctors in Thailand have published social media posts this weekend, saying that they are firmly opposed to opening up Thailand to tourism at this time or during the near future.
The concern follows the government announcement on Friday about a plan to reopen Phuket in October to a limited number of foreign tourists while following caution measures.
It is stated that the plan is approved in principle but still needs final approval from the CCSA and Thailand Ministry of Public Health.
Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Siriraj Hospital's Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, consistently alerts about reopening borders and allowing tourists to return before the virus spreading status ease first.
Dr. Thira Woratanarat, who is an advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, calls for borders to be closed for six months or more.
Both doctors have popular Twitter accounts, sharing with their follower's regular updates, photos, and posts sharing their point of view.
Their latest concerns involve the Tourism Ministry finding a way to bring back international visitors for the fourth quarter of 2020, customarily called high season in Thailand's tourist areas, and vital to the tourism industry.
December to January can be critical in Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui for the businesses that succeed in surviving so far.
Dr. Thira Woratanarat said the government should cease all preparations for at least six months and concentrate on self-sufficiency.
He also repeatedly cautioned that safety measures have to remain tight. He referred to cases such as New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong, among others, that regulated the virus and saw second outbreaks, leading to stricter lockdowns and more economic damage.
Dr. Prasit Watanapa also alerted that the current show of the virus is more transmissible and that no plan to sustain it spread is foolproof so far.
All, along with other prominent CCSA doctors like Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, have asked for caution.
The majority seem to feel that the government should wait for a vaccine before attempting to relaunch tourism, despite the devastating effect that the measures have on tourist destinations all around the country.
The doctors agreed that the nation could contain an extended closure with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, but say it could not possibly endure a second lengthy lockout closing down almost all.
However, for the most part, the CCSA said they are equipped for a second epidemic and would focus on localized controls, testing, tracing, and other interventions to avoid a country-wide lockdown or curfew that can negatively affect the economy.
Source: The Pattaya News
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