FitnessHealthTravel

It is in the best interests of Thailand that they sort this out once and for all. Tourism will not be the easy 'walk up start' as it has been in the past. All tourists are required to have at least 100k USD in Travel insurance these days so this will be interesting.

A new Aussie trade deal will be announced in the next few days...

Poor people will always remain poor. It's education and influence, they can't see what is happening, and that's okay. It's outside their brain capacity. Every single person who arrives spends. They might spend in a Resort, but that resort has employees who spend their wages in the community. Everyone gets paid, maybe not directly, but they get something. They get nothing if the borders are closed. I know these people now want the country open, and I get it, but I also get that if they throw open the country's doors, the virus will spread, and Thailand will remain on the 'red lists.' That's the catch. Opening with more controlled Sandbox programmes will most likely be the best way forward. Not what I want, and I say 'OPEN THE DOORS' and let the strong survive. A great way to cull the population.

Such a shame there are so many haters, angry old foreigners and outdated information. This is positive news for the people of Koh Samui, many are on the bones of their <deleted> from the pandemic effects on tourism. Most with little or no Government handouts like most other countries. Thai's don't get 'paid to stay home'. Attached are two shots I took at 8.30 am yesterday September 14, 2021 on Chaweng beach. It is beautiful, the water is crystal clear and the beach is clean and inviting. All the powerlines have been removed and are now underground and the roads will be finished along the main strip in the next 12 months. The main ring road of samui has been resurfaced and widened, soon to be marked with lines and bike lane. The locals, including myself who have lived here over 10 years spend their money supporting the local businesses. Resorts that haven't focused on locals and kids are suffering. Those that have are doing as well as can be expected. TOMORROW September 16 there will be an announcement. Tomorrow we will find out when Koh Samui becomes a full Sandbox. If it isn't October 1, it will most likely be October 8, 2021 when the Samui Plus+ Travel Model ends and the new Samui Sandbox begins. Great news for Samui businesses. A visitor will still have to do 3x PCR tests but they won't have to quarantine. Haters will always hate which is a shame as Thailand has suffered and this is good news.