No amazing Thailand for Sri Lankans!

Many of my friends, and also readers, have experienced the beauty and excitement of amazing Thailand, and they keep telling me that they are eagerly looking forward to the day they would be able to check out the ‘Land of Smiles,’ all over again.

Sri Lankans generally pick Thailand as their holiday destination and then revel in a shopping expedition that most other countries find hard to match.

Unfortunately, that is all history now and I can’t see normalcy – the ‘old normal’ – returning to Thailand. In fact, this will be the situation anywhere in the world.

For most Sri Lankans, Thailand has always been their first choice, and my first choice, as well.

I’ve been to Thailand 24 times and quite a few of my trips have been courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

My last trip to Thailand was in June, 2019, and I would long to experience that kind of era, once again, where one could have travelled to any part of Thailand, unhindered.

The bustling city of Bangkok – the in place for shopping, food, sightseeing and fun activities – is still not open to foreign tourists, and so are many other places, in Thailand.

However, I understand that both the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai Sports and Tourism Minister have mentioned that Thailand will re-open – probably sometime in July, or August, this year… specifically Phuket, which is the first pilot location, before they roll out the ‘Sandbox plan’ to other popular tourist zones around the country. They’re even launching a specific tourism campaign, in foreign countries, called ‘Amazing Thailand…even more amazing than before.’

The question remains, however; will anyone come, with the stringent rules laid down for foreign tourists?

I checked out some of the requirements (applicable for international travellers, who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, no less than 14 days, but no later than one year before the travel date) and I’m doubly sure no Sri Lankan would want to venture out, to Amazing Thailand, anytime in the near future, unless it’s a work/business-related trip.

The cost factor would be enormous, too, and, moreover, one would not be able to experience the good ole days of Thailand, before the pandemic made its appearance.

Sri Lankans, who have fond memories of Amazing Thailand, will have to hold on to those unforgettable memories, and hope that those golden days may become a reality, at some point in time, in the future – where all we needed was a valid visa, confirmation of hotel accommodation, and air ticket, and sufficient funds, and then it was ‘Thailand, here we come.’