Dozens of South Koreans have been attracted by a Thailand scheme to spend two weeks in coronavirus quarantine, playing golf at a resort an hour north of Bangkok.
41 Korean travellers have entered Thailand under a 'golf quarantine' program devised by the Thai government to boost its ailing tourism sector during the pandemic.
At the Artitaya Country Club, the visitors were tested three days after arrival last week, and face at least two more tests before they can exit quarantine. With bars and other resort facilities closed, there's no prospect of a gathering for the visiting golf fans to thrash out the missed birdies, bogeys and shanks of the day, but spirits remain high.
"It's a huge golf course here," said 66 year old businessman Heo Kwang-eum, speaking in his room on a lunch break before heading out for his second round of the day.
Heo said other countries should also adopt the Thai campaign and boost tourism by cutting days of confinement and allowing people to take walks or jog within a boundary.
"It's extremely hard to go golfing in Korea these days because of COVID," said Heo, due to spend another month in Thailand on business after completing quarantine. "Here it's a golf paradise."
The 2.49 million won ($A2,815) price of the package is reasonable compared with the cost of a 14-day isolation period spent cooped up in a regular hotel room, Ku Jung-keun, general manager of the Artitaya Country Club, told Reuters.
"The golf quarantine offers three safe (coronavirus) tests and time to enjoy golfing. Doctors provide daily health check-ups for the guests, too," said Ku.
Australian Associated Press
