How COVID-19 Has Wrecked Thailand's Tourism

Though Thailand has fared well in containing the Coronavirus pandemic, its economy has taken a beating. It may as well be going through one of the worst crises as the tourism industry now battles to keep going. In 2019, Thailand recorded 39.8 million foreign visitors whose spending accounted to 11.4% of gross domestic product. Thailand had looked to welcome more than 40 million tourists in 2020 but with COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, flight bans and quarantines, it made it all the more difficult. The effect is being keenly felt in Thai’s capital city Bangkok, where most tourists spend a night or two before heading to sandy beaches. From dusty, cobweb ridden "tuk tuks" or motorised rickshaws to empty tour buses and boats, Bangkok’s tourism industry is dwindling.