The Yala provincial governor said Betong, Thailand’s southernmost town, was ready to reopen to tourists from next month, as its vaccination rate had exceeded 70%.
According to Pirom Nilthaya, the province could resume tourism for New Year’s celebrations. Also, since 90% of Mueang District’s people and 70% of Betong District’s residents had been vaccinated against Covid-19, the city is expected to reopen on December 1.
Several popular tourist sites in the province have prepared to welcome visitors who comply with pandemic security measures, including the Anyorweng skywalk, the historical Malayan Communist Tunnel, Hot Springs and Flower Fields, Pirom stated.
Moreover, Betong Airport has passed operations controls assessments and will be ready to reopen soon, he said, adding that Nok Air and Bangkok Airways had shown interest in flying to the province.
Betong Tourism Association’s deputy president Narin Rueangwongsa said they had spoken to the tourism sector’s members as they wanted the province to reopen in December to rejuvenate their businesses. Local tour operators have agreed to join the government’s tourism stimulus programs in place until January, he revealed.
If the province reopens, more than 500 million baht could circulate in the economy, Mr. Narin explained.
Betong Hotel Club’s president Pruek Wongnamroj said 26 of 28 hotels, totaling 1,773 rooms in Betong district, have been approved by the Amazing Thailand Safety Health Administration (SHA).
100% of executive officers and workers have been double-jabbed against Covid-19 and will be tested every week, he stated. Hotels plan to disinfect their floors and touching points every two hours to boost trust among visitors, Mr. Pruek added.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said he had scheduled a trade attaché at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Also, on Thursday, Thailand’s foreign ministry discussed a possible reopening of Takbai and Bugeta checkpoints in Narathiwat.
According to Mr. Jurin, the Malaysian government told Thai authorities that the checkpoints could reopen on Monday.
In mid-October, the commerce minister met with border officials and the private sector’s members who called on the government to speed up the border checkpoints’ reopening to resume trade in such areas.
