Pirom Nilthaya said the province is expected to resume tourism by the New Year while Betong can reopen even sooner next month, as 90% of locals in Mueang district and 70% in Betong district have already been vaccinated against Covid-19. Narin Rueangwongsa, deputy president of the Betong Tourism Association, said the association has spoken with members of the tourism sector, noting they wanted the province to reopen next month to rejuvenate their businesses. Mr Narin said Betong tourism operators have agreed to join the government's tourism stimulus programmes, which will last until January. Pruek Wongnamroj, president of the Betong Hotel Club, said 26 of 28 hotels, with a total of 1,773 rooms in Betong district, have been approved under the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) standards and two other lodgings are undergoing the process. On Oct 15, he held a meeting with border officials and private sector members who urged the government to speed up the reopening of border checkpoints to resume border trade.
