TDRI QUARTERLY REVIEW

Volume 37, No. 02, Month JUNE, Year 2022, Pages 1 - 22

The implementation and phase-out of travel bans a case study of thailand

Saliltorn Thongmeensuk, Titaporn Rojsirikulchai, Atcharaporn Ariyasunthorn

Abstract Download PDF

Many countries have implemented strict travel bans to contain the COVID-19 pandemic at the international level. In Thailand, these COVID-19 containment measures have proven to be challenging to maintain over time as the pandemic has seriously damaged the Thai economy, particularly the tourism industry, due to the dramatic decrease in the number of international visitors. This situation has led to the related establishments’ suspension or permanent closure in some service sectors. As a result, Thailand is about to revoke these measures. The Phuket Sandbox, which was launched on July 1, 2021, was a significant step toward recovery from the pandemic and a measure that other countries in the Asia-Pacific region may wish to imitate. This article discusses the compatibility of the pandemic containment measures imposed by the Thai government with the World Health Organization International Health Regulations, which were established to balance public health protection and international mobility. Moreover, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden suspension in tourism flows and a severe contraction in the Thai economy, this article is focused on the impacts of the various COVID-19 containment measures on Thailand’s tourism industry. It discusses the effectiveness of the Phuket Sandbox as a means to drive the economic recovery after approximately two years of contraction due to the pandemic.

Keywords

COVID-19, Phuket Sandbox, International Health Regulations, economic impacts

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