Record Cases Risk Thailand's Reopening Of Phuket

Record Cases Risk Thailand’s Reopening Of Phuket

Thailand’s imminent plans to reopen their country and kickstart tourism once again, have taken a major blow as the nation has announced a new record number of daily cases.

The increased number of cases have been identified as coming from Bangkok, which had experienced several entertainment events last month. The outbreak has led to a total number of 967 new cases.

With the cases unlikely to slow down anytime soon, it has threatened the country’s proposed plans to get Phuket open for the tourist season. Restrictions had already been waived for this coming July, which would have allowed vaccinated travellers to enter.

The news comes as a blow to the nationals too, as the upcoming Songkran holidays have been cancelled. The day, that is notoriously known for massive water fights, has been called off for the second consecutive year due to the pandemic.

With no end in sight, the news has caused huge public alarm. Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, who is the deputy general of the Department of Disease Control, was quoted as saying: “Right now, the situation is worrying. But we can manage it if everyone helps.”

And in keeping with that, Dr Iamsirithaworn has called for more restrictions to be put in place. There are reportedly plans underway for the introduction of some curfews. The measures intend to be aimed at those seeking to flout the rules.

Dr Iamsirithaworn continued: “These groups [20-39-year-olds] have active lifestyles. Therefore they can spread the virus to larger numbers of people.” The travel industry is a huge part of Thailand’s GDP, just as it is for many other countries.

And yet, the country is going through one of its worst economic projections. The World Bank has declared that Thailand’s economy shrunk by 6.1 percent in 2020, whereas the projected growth has only amassed to 3.4 percent in 2021.

Things will continue to look bleak. Dusida Worrachaddejchai told the Bangkok Post: “The week before last, businesses – particularly those in the tourism sector – held out hope the country could reopen to foreign travellers in coming months, with an economic recovery to follow.

But the fresh outbreak dimmed their hopes with fears the whole process will return to square one.” With the country struggling to get a grapple on the increasing number of cases, Thailand’s plans to return back to normal have taken a severe blow.

The country, no doubt, will be taking extra steps to minimise the damage that has been done.