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Bangkok, 29 July, 2020 – Thailand has ranked number one in the world out of 184 countries for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort, according to the Global COVID-19 Index (GCI).

Published on 28 July, Thailand received an index score of 82.06, putting it on top of the global chart as an example of best practices in tackling the ongoing global pandemic.

As of today, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand stood at 3,298, with 129 currently being treated, while 3,111 have recovered and 58 have died. South Korea ranked second with a recovery index of 81.09, followed by Latvia (80.81), Malaysia (79.37), Taiwan (78.94) and New Zealand (78.55). Australia, which used to be number one in previous months, fell to sixth, with a recovery index of 77.18.

In the previous GCI ranking published on 14 June, Thailand came in second for its COVID-19 recovery work among 184 nations across the globe. The GCI bases 70 per cent of its calculation on big data and daily analysis from 184 countries, while the other 30 per cent comes from the Global Health Security Index, an assessment of global health security in 195 countries prepared by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security in the United States.

The one-week online contest, initiated by the TAT New Delhi and Mumbai Offices, represented a token of gratitude that TAT wanted to convey to Indian social media influencers. In a normal situation, they would usually travel to various parts of Thailand and share their experiences during the year. But this year, making trips to Thailand has not been possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Vachirachai Sirisumpan, Director of the TAT New Delhi Office, said the activity was conceptualised with the Millennials in mind, considering that they would be the early travellers once the situation returned to normal. 

“We would like to thank all participants for joining this online event and keeping the spirit of travel and tourism moving during this challenging period,” Mr. Vachirachai said.

Taking place during the last week of May 2020, the online contest attracted over 100 high-quality unique entries, including many top award-winning ones. The contest was a huge success in terms of reaching out to the public through India’s social media influencer community, achieving more than 2.4 million impressions across the country.

After a very careful selection process considering both quality and engagement, the winners were picked by the appointed committee. Out of the hundreds of participants, five were selected as Grand Winners and each received a GoPro Hero 8 Sports and Action Camera while 10 were chosen runner-up winners who also received gifts.

Ms. Cholada Siddhivarn, Director of the TAT Mumbai Office, extended her warmest congratulations and appreciation to all social media influencers who participated in the activity and shared their memorable experiences of Thailand.  

“Although the world has experienced several pandemics, life in Thailand has never gone out of style. We are very adept at taking our daily life to the next level of the new normal. Thus, whenever travel resumes, Thailand will be waiting to welcome all tourists and social media influencers to enjoy the nature, culture, food, shopping and more”, Ms. Cholada said.

TAT’s pan-India contest saw winners from all over the country. The top five Grand Winners shared their experiences on the excitement of participating in the contest and how they see post-pandemic travel and Amazing Thailand as a preferred destination.

The presentation of the Amazing Thailand SHA logo was held as part of a meeting to discuss tourism promotions of Chon Buri in the ‘new normal’ reality, following the effective nationwide effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

Attending the meeting were officials and figures from TAT, Pattaya City, Chon Buri Public Health Office, Chon Buri Tourism Council, and many other tourism-related associations and entrepreneurs.

The Amazing Thailand SHA certification is a unique certification scheme aimed to prepare the Thai tourism industry for the recovery period post-COVID-19 pandemic and enhance confidence among international and domestic tourists.

Being awarded with the Amazing Thailand SHA certificate means that the tourism businesses or services have undergone a strict inspection and passed the SHA’s basic standards of hygiene, health and cleanliness in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Royal Thai Navy, as well as Sattahip as a destination, has played a pivotal role in the nationwide effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

From the early days of COVID-19, the Navy was assigned by the Royal Thai Government to establish a state quarantine facility and perform surveillance duties, as well as take care of Thai returnees from high-risk countries before allowing them to return home to their relatives.

The Navy’s state quarantine facility is considered the first of such establishments in Thailand that has also acted as a model project for other areas to follow the management guidelines.

Leveraging on Sattahip’s readiness and capability to provide safe and healthy travel, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy and Chon Buri Province have jointly launched a project to promote Sattahip as a model city to travel during the “New Normal” and invite people to return and travel in the area again.

As part of the collaborative effort between the three partners, four natural attractions and conservation projects in Sattahip have undergone a strict inspection and passed the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration’s (SHA) basic standards of hygiene, health and cleanliness, as part of the nationwide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The four tourist attractions are the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre, Thai Island and Sea Nature History Museum, Sai Kaeo Beach, and Nang Ram – Nang Rong Beaches; all of which are located in the naval base area. The Sea Turtle Conservation Centre is located within the compound of the Air and Coastal Defence Command. The Centre provides biological knowledge on the life cycle of sea turtles, as well as encourages the conservation of sea turtles. It also serves as a nursery with correct academic practices and is able to return raised sea turtles back to the sea.

Thai Island and Sea Nature History Museum comprises five exhibition halls: The Great Honour; The Philosophers’ Collaboration; Always Learn, Be smart; The Building of Destroying Bad Things; and To Protect the Thai Sea’s Potential. The Museum is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Fleet.

The Sai Kaeo Beach Service Centre is under the supervision of the Naval School. The Nang Ram – Nang Rong Beaches are located in the Royal Navy Base, Sattahip.