Some have attempted to focus on domestic tourism instead but the struggling economy has meant that local purchasing power has weakened substantially, said Mr Damrong. Chairat Trirattanajarasporn, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the country must strike bilateral agreements to allow quarantine-free travel between nations. RELUCTANT TO REOPENPhumkit Raktae-ngam, president of tourism business association of Phuket, said most hotels have not reopened despite the lockdown easing. Mr Raj suggested that the government could also implement tourism zoning for foreign tourists to limit their travels inside the country. Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday the ministry has prepared three stimulus packages valued at 20 billion baht to kick start the tourism sector from next month until October.

Source: Bangkok Post June 13, 2020 22:30 UTC