Illustrative image (Photo: PRD) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The Medical Hub Board of Thailand is to proposethat the government allow direct international flights to quarantine spa andresort locations in facilitation of medical tourists, adding to Special TouristVISA (STV) visitors being allowed into the country to stimulate its economy.
The most recent meeting of the board chaired by the Minister of Public Health,Anuthin Chanweerakul, invited Minister of Tourism and Sports PipatRachakijprakarn and other relevant agencies to discuss the proposal. Themeeting agreed to suggest Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai and U-Tapao airports asadditional direct destinations for medical tourists, after Suvarnabhumi and DonMuang airports in Bangkok. They are to present the idea to the Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Alternative state quarantine facilities have so far taken on 1,123 foreigners,including their caretakers, generating some 114 million baht in revenue for thecountry. Another 2,220 such medical tourists are pending approval, with anestimated over 3,000 expected to enter the country in the near future.
An online shopping programme is to be made available, in collaboration with theMinistry of Tourism, targeting the visitors and they will be recommendeddestinations to visit after their 14 day quarantine is complete, to furthertheir economic contribution.
A sub-committee of the CCSA has already green lit principles for the use ofspas, resorts and wellness centres as alternative quarantine locations with theDepartment of Health Service Promotion, drafting guidelines for the practices.Phuket is also to be developed as a medical hub for the south.
Anuthin voiced his belief that such plans will help prop up the economy, sayingmedical tourists and long stay visitors should generate some 360 billion bahtfor the country./.
The most recent meeting of the board chaired by the Minister of Public Health,Anuthin Chanweerakul, invited Minister of Tourism and Sports PipatRachakijprakarn and other relevant agencies to discuss the proposal. Themeeting agreed to suggest Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai and U-Tapao airports asadditional direct destinations for medical tourists, after Suvarnabhumi and DonMuang airports in Bangkok. They are to present the idea to the Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Alternative state quarantine facilities have so far taken on 1,123 foreigners,including their caretakers, generating some 114 million baht in revenue for thecountry. Another 2,220 such medical tourists are pending approval, with anestimated over 3,000 expected to enter the country in the near future.
An online shopping programme is to be made available, in collaboration with theMinistry of Tourism, targeting the visitors and they will be recommendeddestinations to visit after their 14 day quarantine is complete, to furthertheir economic contribution.
A sub-committee of the CCSA has already green lit principles for the use ofspas, resorts and wellness centres as alternative quarantine locations with theDepartment of Health Service Promotion, drafting guidelines for the practices.Phuket is also to be developed as a medical hub for the south.
Anuthin voiced his belief that such plans will help prop up the economy, sayingmedical tourists and long stay visitors should generate some 360 billion bahtfor the country./.
VNA
