Covid-19: Three quarters of Thais want to keep foreigners out, many cite fear of virus, says poll
Image: Siam Rath
More than 75% of Thais polled last week do not want foreign tourists to be allowed back into Thailand just yet.
In a Suan Dusit survey 54.39% said they wanted Thai tourism to resume first. A total of 21.33% said no to foreign tourists, they were just too scared about catching Covid-19.
Only 24.28% said open up Thailand and get tourists back now.
The survey also revealed current attitudes to when tourism will recover in the country with many predicting a long road ahead.
Some 41.4% reckoned it would take a year. A quarter were optimistic at six months but 20.52% thought two years and 12.18% thought even longer than that.
Top of the list where people wanted to go after lockdowns were eased was Chiang Mai, 31%, Prajuab Khiri Khan (that includes Hua Hin) with 28.14% and Bangkok with 19.35%.
Chonburi that includes Pattaya polled only 18.55% ahead of Kanchanaburi with 11.92%.
With regards to feeling safe when travelling the highest concern was limiting tourist numbers followed by cleanliness , temperature checks, gels and mask wearing by tourist business personnel as well as the need for social distancing.
The poll asked 1,116 people their opinions from June 9-12th.
Source: Siam Rath