Standing Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand Natthriya Thaweevong said that this agency has established a Fund to Support Foreign Tourists stranded in this country due to the impact of the Middle East war.
The regulation on the initial support level is 2,000 baht/person/day (about 1.6 million VND) in force majeure cases such as airspace closure or journey interruption. The total maximum support level according to regulations is 20,000 baht for each tourist (more than 16.6 million VND).
This financial support is considered an emergency relief measure and will be provided to Thai tourism businesses that are directly taking care of tourists stranded at hotels or other accommodations. Every year, the Thai government allocates a budget for this fund.
According to Ms. Natthriya, some international tourists have been stranded in Thailand due to flight cancellations as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. The country's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has worked with relevant organizations to coordinate support for affected tourists, and assess the situation and scope of support that the ministry can implement.
She emphasized that support payments will be activated if the situation becomes serious and prolonged, when hotels and related industries no longer have the ability to pay for accommodation for stranded tourists.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Phuket, in coordination with the Phuket Tourism Association and the Thai Hotel Association - Southern Branch, has called on hotels and travel businesses to support tourists affected by flight disruptions, including both arrivals and departures.
The proposed measures include: free room change for affected tourists; free room cancellation when necessary; applying preferential prices for guests who have to extend their stay; and providing information and updated instructions on travel routes.
The Thai government also implemented visa easing measures after 166 flights were canceled due to the Middle East war, in which the immigration agency exempted overdue fines for stranded tourists.
From February 28 to March 3, a total of 105 departing and 61 arriving flights were canceled at 5 major international airports including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi.
No passengers were recorded stranded in the terminal area. However, flight cancellations have affected the departure stamp process, raising the possibility of congestion at entry and exit checkpoints, especially at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The Director of the Thai Immigration Department has proposed 10 measures to reduce pressure on the system.
According to the Immigration Law, foreign citizens who have exceeded their stay due to airspace being closed will be exempt from fines if they plan to leave Thailand.
For tourists whose visas have not expired but want to stay temporarily, they can be renewed each time for up to 30 days, provided for confirmation from their country's diplomatic missions.
If the crisis lasts and the number of overdue cases increases, this issue may be submitted to the Thai Cabinet for consideration.
Airlines are also required to ensure that passengers complete entry card information through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card system before checking in.
The Immigration agency will arrange sufficient personnel at counters during peak hours, and at the same time mobilize forces to regulate the flow of people at the entrances to the station.
Priority lanes will be reserved for vulnerable passenger groups such as children under 120 cm tall, the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities and families traveling with Thai citizens.
Separate areas are also arranged to handle cases of canceling exit stamps to avoid congestion. In parallel, security checks are also strengthened.
