HEALTH officials in Thailand have approved proposals from TCEB to reopen the kingdom for fully vaccinated international business events from regions considered low risk.
Quarantine-free travel into Thailand for fully vaccinated visitors from designated countries is already set to go ahead on November 1, and TCEB is hoping its proposals to revive the MICE industry will also get the go ahead.
The November scheme will begin with a list of countries that the Thai government’s body overseeing pandemic control – the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CSSA) – considers low risk, such as the US, UK, China, Germany and Singapore.
Shortened curfew hours and an easing of stringent controls on gatherings have also been announced for some provinces. Domestic flights are also being allowed to resume at full capacity.
The CSSA has approved Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s proposals for business events to go ahead under “Covid Free Setting” protocols.
HOW TCEB WANTS TO DO IT…
COVID FREE CUSTOMER – This requires an examination of an attendee’s risk profile and proof of full vaccination. The attendee must strictly follow “DMHTA” – distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, temperature testing, download of Thai Chana application. Attendees must keep watch of any possible Covid-19 symptoms during attendance and post-event for at least 14 days.
COVID FREE SETTING – To organise an event, AN organiser must first develop a plan that includes emergency procedures and select a venue certified with SHA+ and TMVS Plus 2HY. The plan must then be submitted for review by the communicable disease committee of the city where the event will be held. If the committee requires any adjustments, the organiser must comply.
RANDOM INSPECTIONS – The “Covid Free Setting” will be randomly inspected by officers from the city’s public health authorities. After event, the organiser must submit a report to the city’s communicable disease committee and safekeep the record of attendees for at least 14 days.
“TCEB’s proposal incorporating Covid Free Setting is the first step towards reviving MICE in Thailand. The next step would be for TCEB and its partners to push for further easing, especially for larger size events,” said TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
The approval of TCEB’s proposals to reopen international business events resulted from collaboration government health officials and 23 partner organisations such as Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Exhibition Association, Business Creative and Event Management Association, and Thai Hotels Association.
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Organisers of meetings, trade fairs, and festivals can now proceed to plan events with more attendees that will stimulate the broader economy, TCEB announced on Wednesday.
Under TCEB’s proposal, limits on a venue’s operating hours and number of attendees will be relaxed. Event venues including spaces in hotels and department stores will be allowed to operate until 10pm in all cities and provinces.
The number of attendees permitted will depend on any of the five risk levels given to the event site with organisers having to follow a set of three “Covid Free Setting” protocols covering environment, personnel, and customers.
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TCEB president Chiruit added that venues, hotels, transport operators, restaurants and other related businesses to kick-start their operations, which will in turn stimulate the local economy and facilitate income distribution throughout the country.
The success of the proposals are subject to Covid situation and TCEB and its partners are prepared to make changes to stay on course to re-open Thailand for MICE.
