About 300,000 foreign tourists are expected to visit Bangkok in each of the next two months after the capital reopens, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
At a meeting, TAT officials stressed that foreign visitors must book hotels that are collaborating with hospitals which provide Covid-19 testing so they can be admitted immediately in the event of a positive result.
In case tourists arrive in large numbers, "swab hubs" will be set up near airports to carry out tests upon their arrival in the capital. This will help reduce their travelling time and overcrowding at airports, said TAT.
Officials from City Hall's health department also told the meeting that everyone who is registered as living in Bangkok has now received their first shot of Covid-19 vaccine while 75.5% have been given two shots. This is expected to climb to 80% in the coming days.
During the meeting a plan was also approved to handle and provide treatment to foreign visitors who become infected with Covid-19 during their trip, as well as another plan to set up a command centre to oversee the capital's reopening.
However, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) is concerned about the risk of a new surge if the consumption of alcoholic drinks widely resumes on Dec 1.
