Thailand's travel bubbles plan to exclude tourists

Thailand plans to reopen its door under its travel bubbles proposal to business travellers and professional workers but foreign tourists remain excluded.

As Thailand continues to record zero local transmission in 23 consecutive days, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul said he will propose the travel bubbles plan to Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha next week.

"The plan will apply to countries that managed to curb COVID-19," he said, quoting Bangkok Post yesterday.

At the initial stage, Anutin said Thailand plans to reopen its door to business travellers and professional workers including engineers and foreign teachers to enter the kingdom.

Travel bubble or travel corridor refers to an agreement where countries that have successfully curbed the COVID-19 outbreak reopen its borders to allow free movement.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of National Security Council Gen Somsak Roongsita said many countries have approached Thailand for travel pairing.

As public health is the government's top priority, he said relevant authorities will study the plan from all aspects.

"There must be thorough discussions, which may continue until next month," he said.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) director-general Chula Sukmanop said Thailand may extend the ban on all international passenger flights which is set to run until June 30.

He said the Public Health Ministry will evaluate the situation while relevant ministries and agencies are looking into the travel bubbles plan.

"Thai business travellers and investors could be the first group allowed to book air tickets on international routes," he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand recorded zero new COVID-19 cases and fatalities for three consecutive days. The COVID-19 tally stand at 3,135 cases and 58 deaths. A total of 2,996 patients have recovered and discharged.

-- BERNAMA