Koh Samui: Island is more beautiful than ever and ready for foreign tourists to return

 

 

An upbeat Surat Thani governor has said that Koh Samui has passed it's Covid-19 exam with flying colors and is now more beautiful than ever and ready to welcome foreign tourists once again. 

 

Wichawuth Jinto said that the island has gone through a terrible time during the pandemic over the last seven or eight months but there has been a benefit in the shape of nature returning to its former glories. 

 

The governor was speaking after Thai PM Prayut Chan-ocha visited earlier in the week to inspect places like the airport, ferry terminal and quarantine facilities where CCTV was a feature that was widely praised. 

 

He said that there were now ten hotels offering 1,000 quarantine rooms ready for foreigners to do their 14 day stint. 

 

Nature has returned, he said. Coral had improved and the sandy beaches were beautiful. There are dolphins and whales in great numbers, he claimed. 

 

Not just that. There were 20 nests featuring egg laying sea turtles and the turtle population was 1,000 more than before. 

 

The island was completely ready for foreign tourists and Thai tourists by whatever means they decide to travel to the island. 

 

He urged everyone to come midweek or weekends, reported Manager.

 

Source: Manager Online

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-11-06

 

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Cleaned up the garbage piles? which were in the news a year or so ago ...

Why the photo of eggs in baskets (never put all your eggs in one basket)

and not of the "beautiful" island scenery ?

Where are  the corals around Samui?

Say it ain't so. Was in Samui recently. It is absolutely devastated. Granted, it is cleaner. And the beaches are deserted. But, so many restaurants, hotels, bars and shops have closed, it is rather depressing an environment for the average tourist now. 

 

Will take some time to see how this all shakes out, but it is my opinion that the economic fallout from the inane economic shutdown, is going to be 200 times worse than Covid itself, and the recovery "ramp up" will be long and excruciating. Far longer than they say. It will not just bounce back. In the history of the world, as far as we know, there has never been a deliberate worldwide economic shutdown. It is light years beyond dumb. The "slowdown" will last well into 2021, for certain. And some industries may never come back, or will be a pale shadow of their former selves. No doubt homelessness will skyrocket in the US. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work.

 

Tourism is not returning to Thailand anytime soon. If you think about it, the group that comprised perhaps 60% of all arrivals (lower to middle income Chinese and Indians) are the ones who have been hardest hit by this idiotic worldwide economic shutdown. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work. Most countries will still be required to have Covid letters, as the virus is still raging in many countries. And some countries will not issue that letter (impossible to get in the US). Plus, will the mandatory health insurance still be required? Will it be even stricter than before? And just what are people returning to, or coming to? Will restaurants be open? How about nightlife?

 

There are so many unanswered questions, it boggles the mind. Thailand will be feeling the effects of this for a very, very long time. So will the rest of the world. But, one thing is for certain. If they want to put the millions of unemployed back to work, they are going to somehow find some creative juice somewhere, and start implementing some effective plans. No plan involving any sort of quarantine will work at all. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century Japan. Not even close.

 

 

 

Dead LOS governor and things will never change with the never ending list of requirements to enter  ????

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Wichawuth Jinto said that the island has gone through a terrible time during the pandemic over the last seven or eight months but there has been a benefit in the shape of nature returning to its former glories. 

Therein lays a lesson,it was a hell hole before being over exploited.

Going to be a long wait ! 

Don't worry. No one will come to becoming ghost town and with quarantine.

6 hours ago, Henk Langeweg said:

Cleaned up the garbage piles? which were in the news a year or so ago ...

Do you mean the the garbage incinerator in Lamai that has not been fixed in the fives years since I left. The governor of Surat Thani lives a long way from Samui.

2 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Do you mean the the garbage incinerator in Lamai that has not been fixed in the fives years since I left. The governor of Surat Thani lives a long way from Samui.

Could be, found a link

https://thethaiger.com/news/samui/minister-says-samui-waste-problem-a-priority

14 hours ago, phetphet said:

Where are  the corals around Samui?

right under all the whales

Personal inflammatory comment removed.

its because there isn't a million  plastic bags floating in the water and on the beaches and no speed boats water sports happening, Thais and falangs should learn from this.

15 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Say it ain't so. Was in Samui recently. It is absolutely devastated. Granted, it is cleaner. And the beaches are deserted. But, so many restaurants, hotels, bars and shops have closed, it is rather depressing an environment for the average tourist now. 

 

Will take some time to see how this all shakes out, but it is my opinion that the economic fallout from the inane economic shutdown, is going to be 200 times worse than Covid itself, and the recovery "ramp up" will be long and excruciating. Far longer than they say. It will not just bounce back. In the history of the world, as far as we know, there has never been a deliberate worldwide economic shutdown. It is light years beyond dumb. The "slowdown" will last well into 2021, for certain. And some industries may never come back, or will be a pale shadow of their former selves. No doubt homelessness will skyrocket in the US. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work.

 

Tourism is not returning to Thailand anytime soon. If you think about it, the group that comprised perhaps 60% of all arrivals (lower to middle income Chinese and Indians) are the ones who have been hardest hit by this idiotic worldwide economic shutdown. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work. Most countries will still be required to have Covid letters, as the virus is still raging in many countries. And some countries will not issue that letter (impossible to get in the US). Plus, will the mandatory health insurance still be required? Will it be even stricter than before? And just what are people returning to, or coming to? Will restaurants be open? How about nightlife?

 

There are so many unanswered questions, it boggles the mind. Thailand will be feeling the effects of this for a very, very long time. So will the rest of the world. But, one thing is for certain. If they want to put the millions of unemployed back to work, they are going to somehow find some creative juice somewhere, and start implementing some effective plans. No plan involving any sort of quarantine will work at all. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century Japan. Not even close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've not been to Samui for about 10 years the place looks a dump like some shanty town in Bombay, they have had ample time to re tarmac the roads and re paint the kerb stones depressing place that looks

Strange to compare tourist destinations to rural locations. Where we are things are 99% back to normal and the night market is bustling and getting busier. I can even get a kebab now for 29 baht as vendor quit Pattaya to return home. Only one eatery closed down as a result of the virus but apart from that..........normal with most people not wearing masks except for Big C and Tesco

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Koh Samui: Island is more beautiful than ever and ready for foreign tourists to return

More beautiful than ever because there are no masses of tourists .

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I've not been to Samui for about 10 years the place looks a dump like some shanty town in Bombay, they have had ample time to re tarmac the roads and re paint the kerb stones depressing place that looks

 

The primary issue there, has always been a mayor that is so corrupt, it boggles the mind. He stole hundreds of millions of baht, earmarked for the Ring Road projects many years ago, and went on a buying spree, acquiring many small hotels around the island. Finally, the pressure got to the boiling point, and he started spending some money on the roads, the sidewalks, and the sewers. 

 

I moved to Samui over 15 years ago. It was still fairly close to paradise. Over the years it became more and more developed, the construction never stopped, the hillsides became inundated with villas, that could not be sold, nor rented out too easily, due to over development, and too much competition, and now it feels like one of those diners, where the dishrags have not been replaced for years. Wrung out. 

 

The other issue I realized, is that there is very little local pride. Most of the locals (people born in that area) left a long time ago, with their cash. So, nearly everyone living and working there, are from other areas, and there is very, very little pride in the island. Unfortunately, it really shows. 

 

The reality is, that if you get away from the Ring Road, or are sitting on some of the hillsides and some of the beaches, it is a very beautiful island. As shown here. But, it is shame it is not better maintained. 

 

 

 

BS like this makes me laugh !!!

Samui is quiet and dark ... none of the real problems are solved.

Winter is here and it's going to be a long and cold one !

 

19 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Say it ain't so. Was in Samui recently. It is absolutely devastated. Granted, it is cleaner. And the beaches are deserted. But, so many restaurants, hotels, bars and shops have closed, it is rather depressing an environment for the average tourist now. 

 

Will take some time to see how this all shakes out, but it is my opinion that the economic fallout from the inane economic shutdown, is going to be 200 times worse than Covid itself, and the recovery "ramp up" will be long and excruciating. Far longer than they say. It will not just bounce back. In the history of the world, as far as we know, there has never been a deliberate worldwide economic shutdown. It is light years beyond dumb. The "slowdown" will last well into 2021, for certain. And some industries may never come back, or will be a pale shadow of their former selves. No doubt homelessness will skyrocket in the US. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work.

 

Tourism is not returning to Thailand anytime soon. If you think about it, the group that comprised perhaps 60% of all arrivals (lower to middle income Chinese and Indians) are the ones who have been hardest hit by this idiotic worldwide economic shutdown. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work. Most countries will still be required to have Covid letters, as the virus is still raging in many countries. And some countries will not issue that letter (impossible to get in the US). Plus, will the mandatory health insurance still be required? Will it be even stricter than before? And just what are people returning to, or coming to? Will restaurants be open? How about nightlife?

 

There are so many unanswered questions, it boggles the mind. Thailand will be feeling the effects of this for a very, very long time. So will the rest of the world. But, one thing is for certain. If they want to put the millions of unemployed back to work, they are going to somehow find some creative juice somewhere, and start implementing some effective plans. No plan involving any sort of quarantine will work at all. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century Japan. Not even close.

 

 

 

One thing to remember, what's happening is no accident...Its exactly as some wish things to happen....

14 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

One thing to remember, what's happening is no accident...Its exactly as some wish things to happen....

 

And that might very well be a stunning indictment, considering millions are out of work, the trillions of dollars that have been spent on hotels, and tourism infrastructure may never be recovered, and Thailand may be finished as a tourism destination, long into the future. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not re-opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century feudal Japan. Not even close.

23 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

And that might very well be a stunning indictment, considering millions are out of work, the trillions of dollars that have been spent on hotels, and tourism infrastructure may never be recovered, and Thailand may be finished as a tourism destination, long into the future. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not re-opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century feudal Japan. Not even close.

We have to find a way to live with it, I dont know about Samui but here in Phuket 1 in 2 people are effected by tourism it was said 50.000 workers left Phuket to go back to where? all that money that filtered back to Issan has now stopped right down the chain is being effected, must be some sick buffaloes in Nakorn Nowhere

2 hours ago, brain150 said:

Winter is here and it's going to be a long and cold one !

 

33 C in the shade here today.   ????  ????

 

But seriously - the poor are going to be more poor for quite a long time. They need help and the government is not helping the really poor ones.

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that leaves millions out of work.

Think back to when Thailand was a delight to visit in the 90s and remember how relatively few  ( compared to last year ) tourists came. Too many tourists have, IMO been the ruination of Thailand as a desirable tourist destination. So, IMO it would be a good thing if the tourist levels never rise above those of the 90s again.

Relax the immigration requirements to those of the 90s and farangs will return, IMO. Don't, and few will want to pay the significantly higher costs of visiting.

 

5* establishments employ few, so they need to get low level/ backpackers through the airport.

 

IMO they think the Chinese are going to save them 55555555555555555555555555.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

 

And that might very well be a stunning indictment, considering millions are out of work, the trillions of dollars that have been spent on hotels, and tourism infrastructure may never be recovered, and Thailand may be finished as a tourism destination, long into the future. 

 

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to restore the industry. People have short memories. Thailand was already being forgotten by millions, before Covid, due to a dozen reasons. Now? Too many alternatives. This administration continues to see Thailand as the COTU (center of the universe). Say it ain't so! No humility seem to be getting learned as of now. The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not re-opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century feudal Japan. Not even close.

Look closer. It's going to all about the Chinese IMO. However I also think that will be a big fail for the majority that used to work in tourism.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

The army needs to figure out a way to muster up some courage, and re-open the nation to tourism. There are many ways it can be done safely, and there will be some risk, but nothing like the risk of not re-opening, and remaining sealed off from the world, like early 19th century feudal Japan. Not even close.

LOL.  They can open up as much as they like, but who is going to come, apart from the chinese?

The baht is too high, insurance is going to be exorbitant, IMO, flights will cost way more, IMO, immigration is a huge stumbling block, IMO, and Thailand was just not worth it as of 2019, judging by the lack of farangs last year.

Even had corona not happened they'd still be in the brown stuff IMO.

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

One thing to remember, what's happening is no accident...Its exactly as some wish things to happen....

Yes, some posters on TVF that think lockdowns are a good idea, IMO.

From headline

 

Island is more beautiful than ever

 

Have they bulldozed all those illegal houses off the hills then?

 

5555555555555555555555

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The other issue I realized, is that there is very little local pride. Most of the locals (people born in that area) left a long time ago, with their cash. So, nearly everyone living and working there, are from other areas, and there is very, very little pride in the island. Unfortunately, it really shows. 

Same as in Pattaya, and IMO Chiang Mai.

Assuming the photo is recent, they've had months to sort it and can't even remove the pavers blocking the pavement. What a useless shower ( IMO ).

 

If any are to blame for the downturn in tourism pre corona, Thai authorities should look in the mirror.