A recent opinion poll shows 60.1% of Thai people surveyed do not agree with the November 1st reopening of Thailand to vaccinated foreign travels without quarantine, saying that the country is not yet ready because less than 70% of the population have been vaccinated.
The survey also shows, however, that 39.9% of those surveyed agree that the November 1st target is timely.
The Suan Dusit Poll, by Suan Dusit University, gauged the opinions of 1,392 people from various groups across the country between October 11th and 14th, after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced, on October 11th, the decision by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration to open Thai borders to fully-inoculated foreign tourists who pass COVID tests before boarding their flights, initially from 10 low-risk countries, without the need to be quarantined.
On the question of five necessary elements required for the opening of borders, which are the vaccination rate, the readiness of the health system, pro-active screening and confidence in the safety of tourist attractions, public transport and eateries and effectiveness in curbing the spread of the virus, the survey results show:
- 78% of respondents agree that 70% of the Thai population must be vaccinated before the opening of the borders to foreign arrivals
- 31% agree the health care system must be ready
- 03% stressed the importance of pro-active screening
- 65% say safety of tourist attractions and public venues must be ensured to build confidence
- 29% say the opening of the borders will help the economy
- 74% believe more people will be employed
- 07% believe tourism revenue will increase
- 43% believe COVID infections will surge
- 60% expect lockdown restrictions to be re-imposed
- 55% believe the health system will be overwhelmed
