Ep 130: Talking All Things Travel & Tourism in Thailand in 2022, with Vincent Vichit-Vadakan

Time flies. It’s 10 months since we were debating the merits (or otherwise) of the proposed Phuket Sandbox. But that was then - the Phuket Sandbox started on 1 July 2021 - and this is now. A great deal has occurred in Thailand’s travel sphere since then. And more changes await up ahead - including the likely removal of a PCR test on arrival. But what is the outlook for Thai tourism in 2022?

This week, Gary and Hannah welcome back Bangkok-based travel journalist Vincent Vichit-Vadakan to talk all things travel and tourism in Thailand. Vincent has been travelling domestically in recent weeks and reports back on what he has observed. He also updates us on Thailand’s latest arrivals figures and the timeline for easing the Test & Go entry rules.

We also discuss the key takeaways from a recent seminar Vincent hosted in Bangkok featuring Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Plus, we talk mask mandates, Songkran, airport protocols, new hotel openings and Thailand’s domestic travel stimulus.

And, we look back over a truly dramatic year in South East Asia’s most visited country.