The Immediate Implications
The border security around Thailand has been once again boosted with the new Covid-19 variant, dubbed “Omicron”. After it was discovered in nearby countries such as Malaysia, Thailand boosted the border security and began to reestablish its quarantine period which used to be only one day and one test, but now it is seven days with multiple tests on all international flights. As reported by Bangkok Post “Gen. Prayut has instructed the public health, foreign affairs, tourism and interior ministries as well as security agencies to step up border screening, both at airports and border checkpoints.” This is continued by stating that the government and the Prime Minister are going to begin issuing a “tough border measures are in place to repel people trying to slip into the country illegally via the porous border, which poses a critical threat as it could enable the spread of Omicron.” Later the defense minister spokesman said that the crack down on illegal border crossovers will be observed by a joint force of: The armed forces, police and Internal Security Operations Command.
What is Bound to Happen?
Thailand has thrown-out the quarantine free visa program for vaccinated visitors as well as beginning to ban restaurants from serving alcohol in high risk covid infected areas and then in all other areas, with all sales of alcohol being illegal past 9pm. Although Thailand wants to lower its Covid-19 alert level to help out the economy, as a main source of the country’s income comes from tourism. Methods that will be employed to help lower the alert level and increase tourist flow is adding more “Sandbox” areas (Places where tourists can go and stay for seven days until traveling to the place they initially intended to visit) with the tourists only being required to take two PCR tests. However, according to CNA, they reported on what the Health Minister said “Nightclubs, pubs and bars will remain closed for now, however, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that the COVID-19 alert level will be lowered to 3, from 4, on the government's 5-level system.” he continued by stating that “New Sandbox areas could include Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khon Kaen and Samut Prakan provinces”
Work Cited
Jayadevan, Rajeev. “Omicron: Separating the Facts from the Hype.” ORF, 11 Jan. 2022, https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/omicron-separating-the-facts-from-the-hype/.