Phuket, Samui and Phi Phi could be first Thai destinations opened to foreign tourists

[webfact]

Phuket, Samui and Phi Phi could be first Thai destinations opened to foreign tourists

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

A high level meeting at Phuket Town Hall heard that pilot schemes to welcome back foreign tourists to Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi are in the offing if the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration gives the green light. 

 

While all three islands have businesses that are desperate to see tourism return there is the question of what the local people think.

 

One of the principal attendees at the meeting, Wanthana Jaengprajak a deputy at the Thai Ministry for tourism and sports, revealed that it was "very important" that the people are asked their opinion before tourists are allowed back in.

 

This could be a stumbling block if recent opinion polls are correct that suggest up to 90% of people want to keep Thailand shut.

 

The meeting headed by deputy Phuket governor Suphot Rotreuang na Nong Khai discussed the readiness of local operators to take part in the pilot scheme.

 

Suphot commented that the pandemic has seen Phuket miss out on 120 billion baht in tourism revenue and needs to reopen. 

 

The three islands have been chosen because they are seen as relatively easy places to control any potential spread of the virus. 

 

Source: Manager Online

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-30

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[mr mr]

please also provide a detailed list of the 19 people that will visit the islands. 

[zzzzz]

its a catch 22

as 75%++  or more hotels/resorts are currently closed on these 3 islands

will they open first in hope of arriving tourists?

or will the tourist arrive to find no place to stay?

[scorecard]

10 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

its a catch 22

as 75%++  or more hotels/resorts are currently closed on these 3 islands

will they open first in hope of arriving tourists?

or will the tourist arrive to find no place to stay?

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

Edited July 30, 2020 by scorecard

[kingofthemountain]

17 minutes ago, mr mr said:

please also provide a detailed list of the 19 people that will visit the islands. 

And the name of the hotel where they will be quarantined for their first 14 days

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

The will have to shut down domestic flights and close the bridge. The locals Thais can then rename Phuket to Prison island. 

[taxin]

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

its a catch 22

as 75%++  or more hotels/resorts are currently closed on these 3 islands

will they open first in hope of arriving tourists?

or will the tourist arrive to find no place to stay?

No, they will stay in one of the 25% that are still open.

 

There are plenty more hotels that can open very quickly. I know of 2 hotels in Phuket that are closed to the public but they are housing it’s staff for free, a free room in return of being available for work at very short notice. For me it’s the smart thing to do.

 

 

[RotBenz8888]

[spiekerjozef]

It will be a parachute landing on those islands.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

living here, i do not feel shunned, ostracized or set upon by any thai, nor do any of my friends here.

 

[DaftToPutRealName]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

*smiling phuket guy brandishing slingshot while mask slips down on face.jpeg*

[DaftToPutRealName]

4 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

living here, i do not feel shunned, ostracized or set upon by any thai, nor do any of my friends here.

 

Where do you live, and how good is your Thai?

[Phuket Stan]

2 hours ago, DaftToPutRealName said:

Where do you live, and how good is your Thai?

Phuket and my Thai is pretty good

I have not seen any aggression by Thai people in fact to the contrary they are tending to take some time out and chat for awhile

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, DaftToPutRealName said:

Where do you live, and how good is your Thai?

kamala phuket and my thai is very good,

why?
 

[mike1967]

11 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

kamala phuket and my thai is very good,

 

 

 

[mike1967]

Can you imagine the price hikes if you are trapped there?

[lujanit]

Another senseless statement by people needing to justify their jobs.  No brains required.

 

The current requirements for entering Thailand will put nearly all people off.  Fourteen days quarantine, 100k USD health policy, covid certificate plus now a TV from the local embassy/consulate is just plain stupid.  No more visa free entry for people that qualified before.

[jlwilliamsjr18]

What happened in Vietnam last week... Stop these fake hopes.  It could be years before the country can open. Time to think and reset the course. 

[naryan]

Every Thai person I meat wants the country to open up, I do not go by these proper gander poles they are as rigid as the last election and as honest as the government! 

[madmen]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

Give it a rest mate 

[Guderian]

5 hours ago, kingofthemountain said:

And the name of the hotel where they will be quarantined for their first 14 days

 

No problem, Professor Doctor Boris Johnson seems to have decided unilaterally that quarantine is no longer needed, a simple test at the airport on arrival will be sufficient. New case numbers in the UK are rising already in anticipation, lol.

[merijn]

20 minutes ago, naryan said:

Every Thai person I meat wants the country to open up, I do not go by these proper gander poles they are as rigid as the last election and as honest as the government! 

Polls means nothing, Last time they asked about 1900 people about their opinion.

Hardly a accurate view of the general population of Thailand.

If you ask 1900 people on Phuket you will get a complete different result.

[holy cow cm]

As long as they keep that 14 day quarantine rule and the $100,000 CV19 insurance policy running then there will not be anyone coming here. Even their repatriation flights seem to have someone on almost every flight that has CV19 and the situation is not going to get better as the year goes by and then turns the weather colder around the world which in turn spreads this virus fast and easier.. I just do not not see a major outbreak not happening here if they open up the borders. It is inevitable once the flood gates are open.

[Emdog]

Maybe they could make theme parks, say based on this fun cartoon

Archer Danger Island

[wensiensheng]

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

He was however right about masks. Have to give him that one. Even if he doesn’t always wear one himself

 

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or will the tourists arrive and experience being shunned by the locals, generating even more damage to tourism.

 

Seems to me that our loud mouth deputy PM is partly responsible given his anti farang/dirty farang comments. Perhaps he should consider a few quick careful statements to try to reduce the damage he has done to tourism, to jobs, to income etc.

 

[Bender Rodriguez]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

One of the principal attendees at the meeting, Wanthana Jaengprajak a deputy at the Thai Ministry for tourism and sports, revealed that it was "very important" that the people are asked their opinion before tourists are allowed back in.

lol

 

government not in charge anymore ...nobody cares except to fill their own pockets

 

[fred110]

3 hours ago, zzzzz said:

living here, i do not feel shunned, ostracized or set upon by any thai, nor do any of my friends here.

 

Difference is, tourists will come from countries with covid, you are living in Thailand. 

[zzzzz]

7 minutes ago, fred110 said:

Difference is, tourists will come from countries with covid, you are living in Thailand. 

true

and looking at me on the beach without a mask on, practicing social distancing, (which is quiet easy on empty beaches ????), or walking thru the malls wearing a mask, can you tell if I live here or if if i just arrived the day before?

Edited July 30, 2020 by zzzzz

[Somtamnication]

The new normal allows the hotels to welcome these tourists, safely. Stay positive; we need them back.

[fred110]

3 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

true

and looking at me on the beach without a mask on, practicing social distancing, (which is quiet easy on empty beaches ????), or walking thru the malls wearing a mask, can you tell if I live here or if if i just arrived the day before?

We're talking about today not the future. Thais are ok with you because you aren't an outsider. If tourists arrive that might change.