Phuket announces ‘5T’ model for receiving tourists, includes mandatory US$100k health insurance

By The Phuket News

 

The 5T policy announced yesterday (Aug 26). Image: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Phuket officials have announced their ‘5T’ model in order to safely allow foreign tourists into Phuket from Oct 1, which includes mandatory US$100,000 health insurance coverage.

 

Phuket Vice Governor Phichet Panaphong announced the 5T model yesterday (Aug 26). The measures to be implemented in Phuket are under great scrutiny, as they are to be rolled out elsewhere in the country, if they prove successful.

 

Vice Governor Phichet explained that tourists wanting to come to Phuket must be approved by a Royal Thai Embassy and have evidence of COVID-19 test proving they are COVID-free within 72 hours before departing. Alternatively, they must present a ‘Fit to Fly’ or other documents proving they are free of infection.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-announces-5t-model-for-receiving-tourists-includes-mandatory-us-100k-health-insurance-77126.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-08-27

 

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Wasn't this model named 5R like a week ago and now it's 5T?

 

Other countries offer free covid treatment to tourists in case they fall ill. Guess were they will go for holiday.   

I had to laugh at Trust. 

Thai locals have to learn to trust foreigners again? 

This is laughable. It's the other way around. 

Clueless.

I can see a million arrivals in October, two million in November and three in December... at least... 

 

Seriously, this is an opportunity that is going to be used by two groups of foreigners, and only them:

 

- those who have been waiting to come back to Thailand, where they usually reside

 

- retirees and other non working people with time and money on their hands, looking to escape from the winter and a possible second wave of the virus in their own countries

 

Altogether, we are talking about a few thousands people. 

 

Bonkers

So, basically anyone wishing to vacation in Thailand must be first be approved by a Royal Thai Embassy and have evidence of COVID-19 test proving they are COVID-free within 72 hours before departing. Alternatively, they must present a ‘Fit to Fly’ or other documents proving they are free of infection. Additionally the tourists must have health insurance coverage of US $100,000 in case they need to have medical treatment for whatever reason.

With that being said they must also acknowledge that after arriving, they will remain at an ASQ hotel venue for 14 days, during which they will be tested two times during their stay at the hotel. The first test to be conducted sometime between the 3rd and 5th day of there lovely vacation, with the second test conducted between the 11th and 13th day of there by now wonderfully enjoyed quarantine, after which they can then be free to enjoy whatever remaining time they may have.

 

However, if they test positive then there time now is spent at a glorious beach front hospital where there 100K US policy will pay for there remaining vacation time in a luxuriosly appointed hospital suite.

 

No flickking way will anyone, except those expats who have family come and subject themselves to an out of pocket cost nearing the 300,00 baht range, before they can even began to enjoy there time here.  Plus jumping through the hoops just to get approved.  God forbid you take time off from work to go to through the initial testing but then to be denied or accepted at the discretion of the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country is Ludicrous.

 

Additionally, what airlines are they going to be allowed to travel on or just specific chartered flights which will only fly on certain timeframes guaranteed by the Thai Government.  I personally do not know anyone who has all the free time in the world just to sit on there <deleted> and wait for a vacation that may or may not ever come.  Additionally, whose job will allow them to just take off whenever.

 

This appears to be aimed at those with unlimited funds and High Flyers who will just unfortunately go elsewhere to avoid the three ring Thai circus that this is becoming.

 

Ok Flame and Rant over.

Never understood why folks put 'Rant over' at the end of a rant.....myself included in the past!

16 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

..............Additionally the tourists must have health insurance coverage of US $100,000 in case they need to have medical treatment for whatever reason.......................

 

So a COVID-specific insurance for up to US$ 100'000.-- is not enough as it used to be before ?

Quoting from Phuket News:

"Of note, the 5T policy and its measures must be submitted to the CCSA in Bangkok for approval, before they can be put into effect." 

In other words "hogwash". 

1 hour ago, Pottinger said:

Clueless.

Hummm.  Although correct, that doesn't start with a "T". 

40 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

So, basically anyone wishing to vacation in Thailand must be first be approved by a Royal Thai Embassy and have evidence of COVID-19 test proving they are COVID-free within 72 hours before departing. Alternatively, they must present a ‘Fit to Fly’ or other documents proving they are free of infection. Additionally the tourists must have health insurance coverage of US $100,000 in case they need to have medical treatment for whatever reason.

With that being said they must also acknowledge that after arriving, they will remain at an ASQ hotel venue for 14 days, during which they will be tested two times during their stay at the hotel. The first test to be conducted sometime between the 3rd and 5th day of there lovely vacation, with the second test conducted between the 11th and 13th day of there by now wonderfully enjoyed quarantine, after which they can then be free to enjoy whatever remaining time they may have.

 

However, if they test positive then there time now is spent at a glorious beach front hospital where there 100K US policy will pay for there remaining vacation time in a luxuriosly appointed hospital suite.

 

No flickking way will anyone, except those expats who have family come and subject themselves to an out of pocket cost nearing the 300,00 baht range, before they can even began to enjoy there time here.  Plus jumping through the hoops just to get approved.  God forbid you take time off from work to go to through the initial testing but then to be denied or accepted at the discretion of the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country is Ludicrous.

 

Additionally, what airlines are they going to be allowed to travel on or just specific chartered flights which will only fly on certain timeframes guaranteed by the Thai Government.  I personally do not know anyone who has all the free time in the world just to sit on there <deleted> and wait for a vacation that may or may not ever come.  Additionally, whose job will allow them to just take off whenever.

 

This appears to be aimed at those with unlimited funds and High Flyers who will just unfortunately go elsewhere to avoid the three ring Thai circus that this is becoming.

 

Ok Flame and Rant over.

Nice, concise summary though! ????

43 minutes ago, moogradod said:

So a COVID-specific insurance for up to US$ 100'000.-- is not enough as it used to be before ?

According to what the article said it was similar to this statement "tourists must have health insurance coverage of US $100,000 in case medical treatment is required, at least that was the quote attributed to V/Gov Phichet. So its why I put it in.

24 minutes ago, connda said:

Nice, concise summary though! ????

I tried but it just seemed to keep expanding as my thoughts hit my fingers on the keyboard and the post was written.

There seem to be so many obstacles and restrictions, I'm sure a lot of potential visitors will feel the fifth 'T' is a spelling mistake. Instead of 'Trust' it should be 'Trussed'.

Watch this go down like a Lead Balloon with Tourists !

21 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

There seem to be so many obstacles and restrictions, I'm sure a lot of potential visitors will feel the fifth 'T' is a spelling mistake. Instead of 'Trust' it should be 'Trussed'.

After R last week they could have done S that would've have been a hit I'm sure ..

7 minutes ago, Justgrazing said:

After R last week they could have done S that would've have been a hit I'm sure ..

5Fs would be popular with many.

While a step in the right direction to allow expats to return, this will do next to nothing to attract legitimate tourists.

 

What Thailand really needs from an economic standpoint, is the return of "2 week millionaires". Those that come to Thailand for a 2 week holiday and support local business by spending considerable amounts of money in a relatively short period of time. Most of these tourists are employed, and can't spare more than 2 weeks in one go from their jobs.

 

While Thailand has a lot to offer tourists during normal times, who in their right mind would want to spend their entire 2 week holiday basically locked in a hotel? This, especially when there are several other destinations which offer better amenities at a lower cost compared to the ASQ hotels, probably closer to home, and with no lock downs or restrictions of any kind.

 

The tourists that Thailand desperately needs right now will most likely put off visiting Thailand until such time that they can enjoy an unrestricted holiday. Maybe sometime next year.

phuket regulars i know are all skint and out of work so they wont be on the plane ..

they have been going for many xmas trips in the past but not any more

And in the meantime Phuket hotels report cancellations from domestic tourists... Well done.

I would go for a 6th T "Tragic" waste of time never going to be anything any different with these circus clowns anyone waiting for any sensible solutions is well going to have to wait a long time by the look of this cluster ????

when the f is this world and thailand going to wake up. there will be no high season. there will be no mass tourism. they will be lucky to open the borders by the end of the year. they will be even more lucky to have a few thousand to 10's of thousands of tourists.

 

no real end in sight for the current situation mixed with closed borders spells doom for thailand. there is no fixing this. there is no going back to the good ol days. change and make due or go down in a burning wreck.

 

as they say here ......up to you........ right thailand ? 

It seems more and more evident to me that Thailand, and this Military government in particular, have a long term plan to destroy, or at least severely limit the tourist industry and reduce it to a minor role in the economy.  Tourism is around  some 18% of GDP, so not a huge hit if they eliminate most of it.  They probably see this as a way to shut out foreigners altogether as a first step, then eventually refuse retiring expats as step 2. Covid has provided the excuse and the means to achieve a much longer aim. 

Good luck with that...

Covid insurance: $350 year

Fit-to-fly certificate: $100

Pre-flight Covid test: $80

Consulate entry permit: $0

Flight: $900

ASQ: $1,290

 

 

Surely it is the 5F’s ?

 

1) You have to “F”ing kidding.

2) Who the “F” made this up ?

3) For “F”’s sake.

4) I don’t “F”ing believe it !!

5) “F” off !!

12 minutes ago, mogandave said:

Covid insurance: $350 year

Fit-to-fly certificate: $100

Pre-flight Covid test: $80

Consulate entry permit: $0

Flight: $900

ASQ: $1,290

 

 

its different for old farts--

covid insurance 350$ a month

business class from US 3000$

specialty hotel at least 100$ a night

and if government tells me where to stay I will stay home.

Just Sayin...