The upcoming Songkran holiday will usher in a nationwide exodus, with hundreds of thousands of people heading back to their hometowns. This is a golden opportunity for tourism business operators to cash in on the celebrations, which would typically involve water-splashing on the streets.
That said, the government -- still concerned about the possibility of another disruptive Covid-19 outbreak -- recently rejected a petition to allow Songkran celebrations to take place, even under strict disease-control guidelines. As such, the nation is set to miss out on the billions of baht of tourism cash that would have helped accelerate Thailand's post-pandemic recovery.
This year, only traditional celebrations -- such as simple water-pouring ceremonies and merit making -- are allowed. Tourism authorities across the nation, consequently, decided to cancel all Songkran-related events.
In response to calls from business operators to review the restrictions, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thais should wait another year.
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the tourism sector, which is one of the main engines driving Thailand's economy. While Bangkok's Khao San Road welcomed some tourists back this year, their numbers remain low -- about 60% of pre-pandemic numbers. The low figure spells a gloomy outlook for the second quarter of this year, and some experts believe the situation may last until the end of the year.
Business operators in other tourist hot spots are also feeling the pinch. Hotel reservations remain low in Chiang Mai with only about 10% of all available rooms booked, which means other businesses, including hospitality, logistics and car rentals, are still facing tough times.
Instead of maintaining the strict measures, these businesses are calling on the government to meet them halfway, saying the tourism sector is vital to the economy, providing millions with an income that could significantly boost spending at the grassroots level.
As such, the government should pay heed to these businesses' calls, as a blanket ban on celebrations at this point isn't practical. What authorities could do instead is to set up designated areas for water fights, which would make it easier for them to enforce anti-Covid guidelines that may include strict limits on reveller numbers and social distancing.
Authorities should also seriously consider calls to expedite the scrapping of the Thailand Pass system from June 1 to May 1, in an effort to meet this year's target of attracting 12 million tourists. The government should quickly decide on the matter so those involved in tourism promotion can begin their work sooner -- taking into account the fact that plenty of other countries in the region have already reopened.
Anti-coronavirus measures should above all, be proportionate. As the government allows business as usual in almost all other sectors -- including education, labour, transport -- even when infections are detected, it shouldn't be too worried about easing some restrictions during Songkran. Otherwise, it will be too hard for these businesses to bounce back after the pandemic and the economy could remain in trouble.
That said, authorities must remain proactive, making sure that those who need booster shots, particularly the elderly, get the jabs they need. Members of the public should be encouraged to maintain high personal hygiene standards. Only by doing so can Covid-19 be classified as an endemic disease in Thailand.
