Thai hotel tycoon wants priority COVID vaccines for tour staff

Minor International chair Heinecke tells govt to rethink shot plan to save industry

20210209 William Heinecke

U.S.-born billionaire William Heinecke asked the Thai prime minister to let hospitality sector workers be among the first to be inoculated. (Source photos by AP)

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer

BANGKOK -- The chairman of Bangkok-based hotel and restaurants empire Minor International has proposed a fast track vaccination program for hotel employees and tourism-related workers in a bid to help revive the industry at a time when Thailand is still struggling to control a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

In an open letter sent to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, William Heinecke, also the group's founder, suggested the government include hospitality staff and hotel employees along with airline operators, pilots and flight attendants as part of the first group to be inoculated.

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