Survey: locals want borders reopened
published : 28 Jan 2021 at 09:43
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Dusida Worrachaddejchai
Several local residents and tourism operators surveyed want Thailand to reopen borders to international tourists with a 14-day quarantine still in place, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).
A survey conducted by TCT found 60% of locals and 50% of tourism operators agree with the idea.
Quarantine was considered necessary, with 60% of operators only agreeing if tourists use the special tourist visa and have a 14-day quarantine.
On lifting the quarantine for travellers from low-risk countries, only 39% of locals polled approved, while half of operators agree.
The TCT surveyed 785 tourism-related operators and 1,444 Thais from Nov 11-Dec 10.
According to the survey, travel firms topped the business closures rate in the fourth quarter last year, with 2% of companies permanently closed, 17% temporarily closed and 4% shifting to other businesses.
Even though 77% of tour companies surveyed are still operating, most of them reported little to no demand.
The survey showed 45% of Thais consider the virus situation their greatest concern for their travel decisions, followed by financial status (38%), time to travel (28%) and political unrest (13%).
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Vocabulary
- approve: to think that somebody/something is good, acceptable or suitable - พอใจ
- closure (noun): the shutting down of a school, factory or other business or service - การปิด
- concern: a worry - ความกังวล
- demand: the amount of a product or service that people want - ความต้องการ
- necessary (adj.): essential, needful, something that you must do or have - จำเป็น, ซึ่งเลี่ยงไม่ได้, ซึ่งเป็นที่ต้องการ, สำคัญ
- operator (noun): a person or company that runs a business - ผู้ดำเนินกิจการทางธุรกิจ, ผู้ประกอบธุรกิจ
- permanently: for all time in the future - อย่างเป็นการถาวร
- risk: the possibility that something dangerous or unpleasant might happen - ความเสี่ยง
- survey: the act of asking for and recording information - การสำรวจ, การหาข้อมูล
- unrest: angry or violent behaviour by people who are protesting or fighting against something - สถานการณ์ที่ไม่สงบ
