By Praphorn Praphornkul

   

PHUKET (NNT) - The government has confirmed its plan to reopen Thailand to foreign tourists, starting with Phuket province as a pilot destination on July 1st, using the Phuket Sandbox model. To help restore the confidence of tourists, COVID-19 vaccines are now being given to the people of Phuket.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has urged the Phuket administration to achieve the vaccination target next month. The provincial administration and the private sector have developed plans to prepare for the reopening in all respects, while creating more awareness and understanding with the local people. Thus, the reopening will be safe and help drive the economy forward.

 

However, the island province is not open to tourists from countries where COVID-19 is widespread, or tourists without a vaccination certificate. However, once the Phuket Sandbox model is operational, more tourist arrivals are expected.

 

Concerning measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Phuket, visitors who travel by air must provide documents to prove that they have received both COVID-19 vaccine doses. They are required to undergo rapid antigen tests, or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) tests, at their place of origin, and to register on www.gophuget.com and the MorChana application.

 

The same regulations apply to visitors who arrive by land transport. People who do not have a certificate of vaccination and have not taken a swab test will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. If they plan to spend only three days in Phuket, they are required to stay in home quarantine for the three days. The measures take effect today.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-05-19

 

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Sorry,  the tourists are not coming. Not this year at the very least.

If i book a flight with Thai Airways, what are the chances they will go  under before the departure?

I really can't see this happening on the stated date. Hope I'm wrong but i doubt it.

It is not because one opens a Ferrari dealership in Isaan that customers will show up...

There seems to be almost daily proclamations that Phuket is going to open up on the 1st July.  Its as if they are not only attempting to bamboozle the public into thinking that is going to happen, but also trying to brainwash themselves into believing it will happen. Lost souls as it may open to some degree "But not as we know it" or more likely as they are planning currently.

Perhaps if they added a caption to the photo:

'Written using a covid vaccine syringe'

 

Well it looks as though it is go, However still a lot of questions unanswered, 

will you still need Coe?, Covid Insurance?, how long must you stay on the island before being able to move to another province, what are the rules if you come from a green zone but transit through an orange zone?, etc.

29 minutes ago, Stephen Palmer said:

I really can't see this happening on the stated date. Hope I'm wrong but i doubt it.

Looks busy already

https://youtu.be/sMkG7_SeuTY

59 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

If i book a flight with Thai Airways, what are the chances they will go  under before the departure?

They already have.

8 minutes ago, Dukeleto said:

They already have.

Not yet.

So, 90% of countries will not be applicable as they have huge Covid numbers, and there are no planes flying. Anything else that could stop a huge influx of tourists ? I hope the authorities will be at the airport to welcome all the new tourists !!

I just hope so  !!  i have not been home to phuket now for 15 month  looking forward to 1st July

30 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

Looks busy already

https://youtu.be/sMkG7_SeuTY

Some area's are busy around Rawai and Nai Harn has had a steady flow, especially Phuket Town on a weekend 

We have tourist in our condo for the next 2 months I know a lot of people wanting to come back, but dont want to do the quarantine 

45 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

Looks busy already

https://youtu.be/sMkG7_SeuTY

Nice vid. Can  easy see tourists drooling over this after a long cold winter. The minute they announce the full plan I'm in but I fear there will be a farang extortion attempt. I just don't see them opening up for 50 k backpackers dining on 7/11 cuisine and staying in 800 baht rooms

Hopefully I'm wrong 

Looks like it will be a couples and singles only destination. Not many kids have been vaccinated in the west and in the flurry of open on 1st July announcements, I’ve never seen anything suggesting kids are exempt from that.

1 minute ago, wensiensheng said:

Looks like it will be a couples and singles only destination. Not many kids have been vaccinated in the west and in the flurry of open on 1st July announcements, I’ve never seen anything suggesting kids are exempt from that.

 

You're assuming the target demographic is from the west.  I'm thinking they're from the north.

 

A friend who is still in Thailand since over 1 year now said to me today that he will go back to Europe and told me not to come in July as I was thinking because everything is closed, people have to wear the mask even in their car, and on motorbike or face heavy fines,  and Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, everywhere it's like ghost cities, nobody in the streets... Nothing to do....Unlike Europe where everything is reopening now.

Also, when I look at all the formalities, certificates, bank statetements (no printing), expensive insurance etc etc to finally obtain  a visa and "sesame" to enter in Thailand, I start to think to go somewhere else either in Europe or to Domenican Republic on holiday ....

Oh wait i can’t go cause i have not been vaccinated yet as an expat living in Thailand, hope we get vaccinated soon so we can go to Phuket without being quarantine . 

 

Too bad. Miss Phuket 

 

1 hour ago, Don Chance said:

Looks busy already

https://youtu.be/sMkG7_SeuTY

Did you take that video ? otherwise, who knows when it was filmed.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The provincial administration and the private sector have developed plans to prepare for the reopening in all respects

I think that means that the newly printed quadruple price menus are ready to pick up.

5 minutes ago, cedel said:

A friend who is still in Thailand since over 1 year now said to me today that he will go back to Europe and told me not to come in July as I was thinking because everything is closed, people have to wear the mask even in their car, and on motorbike or face heavy fines,  and Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, everywhere it's like ghost cities, nobody in the streets... Nothing to do....Unlike Europe where everything is reopening now.

Also, when I look at all the formalities, certificates, bank statetements (no printing), expensive insurance etc etc to finally obtain  a visa and "sesame" to enter in Thailand, I start to think to go somewhere else either in Europe or to Domenican Republic on holiday ....

Tourists that stay in the tourist areas of Phuket will be OK it makes no sense to shut everything down . Let's not forget that when the vaccination of the island is complete their is no need for masks or lockdowns and this is the theory behind sandbox. However nothing is official so punters should not book anything yet. 

 

If you are planning to leave Phuket and go to Bangkok then your friend is correct, DO NOT come to Thailand 

 

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

Sorry,  the tourists are not coming. Not this year at the very least.

Tourists are ready to visit Thailand.  There's a huge demand.  But they don't want to do the 14 day quarantine.  Can't blame them.

 

Right now though, the West coast cities are ghost towns.  Tumbleweeds are rolling down the streets.  It's really depressing.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has urged the Phuket administration to achieve the vaccination target next month. The provincial administration and the private sector have developed plans to prepare for the reopening in all respects, while creating more awareness and understanding with the local people. Thus, the reopening will be safe and help drive the economy forward

Sounds like this is being railroaded through no matter the safety.

1 hour ago, Polaky said:

Well it looks as though it is go, However still a lot of questions unanswered, 

will you still need Coe?, Covid Insurance?, how long must you stay on the island before being able to move to another province, what are the rules if you come from a green zone but transit through an orange zone?, etc.

This is what I'm dying to hear. Also, most  international flights have a transfer in Bangkok, often through the domestic terminal...

2 hours ago, Don Chance said:

If i book a flight with Thai Airways, what are the chances they will go  under before the departure?

Of going under no chance, of you getting your flight 50/50

33 minutes ago, madmen said:

 backpackers dining on 7/11 cuisine and staying in 800 baht rooms

Hopefully I'm wrong 

We are running out of 7/11's in my area 4 have closed down 

More chance it will snow !! ????

55 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

So, 90% of countries will not be applicable as they have huge Covid numbers, and there are no planes flying. Anything else that could stop a huge influx of tourists ? I hope the authorities will be at the airport to welcome all the new tourists !!

Your assumption that 90% of countries don't have a vaccine available is incorrect.  Tourists that can prove they've been vaccinated will be allowed entry into Thailand. As for flights, many are available today via a number of connecting airports in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, with more expected starting in July.