Phuket to reopen to international visitors on July 1

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

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

On the Thai news they seem adamant about sticking to that date

[ChipButty]

4 minutes ago, troubletribbles said:

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

Quite a lot didn't transfer through BKK the middle east airlines didn't and the flight from Moscow was direct to Phuket 

[Peterw42]

6 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

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.

Where do you get this huge demand statistic from ? Given the state of world economies, recovery from shutdowns, loss of jobs etc, I think most of the world are not in a position to pop off for a 2 week Thai holiday.

 

[AnnieSeek]

Irresponsible beyond belief. 

 

If the newer varients spread this is going to be dangerous. The vaccine DOES NOT stop you catching the virus and spreading it. Even if people in Phuket are vaccinated - won't there be arrivals from Bangkok and other provinces who will be taking it back? Surely they should just wait till the country has a high vaccination point. 

Edited May 19, 2021 by AnnieSeek

[DFPhuket]

9 minutes ago, troubletribbles said:

Also, most  international flights have a transfer in Bangkok, often through the domestic terminal...

Right now, direct flights to Phuket are being sold on Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian and Singapore Air beginning July 1 (SQ flies twice per week already). They will certainly be cancelled if the opening date isn't met. 

[Jeffr2]

5 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Where do you get this huge demand statistic from ? Given the state of world economies, recovery from shutdowns, loss of jobs etc, I think most of the world are not in a position to pop off for a 2 week Thai holiday.

 

It's all over the travel news.  Huge pent up demand to travel.  Yes, some are in dire economic straits, but many are not.  And they're ready to travel internationally, just like they did before the pandemic.

[stuarty]

37 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

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

First, it's not Kamala Beach, It's Patong and presumably taken in High season pre-covid

[Cadan]

Desperation and wishful thinking. It’s so Crystal clear now right ? Foreigners from abroad can fly in while the locals need PCR Test to go ??? Definitely staying away from the famous P island 

[Zack61]

17 minutes ago, AnnieSeek said:

Irresponsible beyond belief. 

 

If the newer varients spread this is going to be dangerous. The vaccine DOES NOT stop you catching the virus and spreading it. Even if people in Phuket are vaccinated - won't there be arrivals from Bangkok and other provinces who will be taking it back? Surely they should just wait till the country has a high vaccination point. 

I’m just waiting for Anutin to reassure me that everything is under control and I’ll be there as quick as a fish. 2 weeks should be enough to bring it under control. I’m sure he has a sound, sane plan. 

 

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555..

 

5. 

 

There’s Nothing like a good belly laugh. 

[Scott]

Profane, troll post reported and removed.  

 

[SoilSpoil]

Beaches will be closed in July. Especially Karon is known for its rip currents. Dint ignore those red flags during the monsoon season. Also, can Thai get in and out of the island?  Most hotel staff has left a long time ago.

[Chicken George]

If the only thing you needed was a flight ,holiday insurance giving visitors a 6 month Visa waiver stamp in entry which could be extended easily then people would come. Plus the proof of vacination. Too many its and buts. Like if there are flights? Can children come who are unvacinated? Will your country of original allow you to come without quarantine on return? Can you stay anywhere on Phuket or has it got to be the package tour?

Can you travel around Thailand after a set period? If/when there is outbreak of Covid on Phuket will there be a lockdown or then will you be stopped from travel around Thailand.. Will normal travel insurance be OK?  Will places be staffed on Phuket?

The main question though if you manage to book a flight and fulfill Thailand's requirements for entry will it all be changed the day before you come?  

[zzzzz]

seldom in 35 years here have i seen beaches Closed. ( pre covid) for more than a day or 2
Only during the worst storms,

as far as red flags go, here in Kamala, the put them up in June and take them down in Nov. ????

 

Thais can come and go same as a Farang IF they have had both shots or a negative covid test within 72 hours.

Plenty of hotels open on the island an plenty or workers have stayed on.

Quote

 

 Can you stay anywhere on Phuket or has it got to be the package tour?

Can you travel around Thailand after a set period? If/when there is outbreak of Covid on Phuket will there be a lockdown or then will you be stopped from travel around Thailand.. Will normal travel insurance be OK?  Will places be staffed on Phuket?

 

you can stay anywhere you wish to , only requirement is you must remain on the island for 7 days and than ur free to travel elsewhere<

 

BOLD::: Nobody knows, things change daily here
They are really set on opening july 1st.,  Its about Face and $$$$$

Edited May 19, 2021 by zzzzz

[Falcon]

I think that Thailand is in for a rude awakening as the govt seems to think that they can snap their fingers and say the country is tropening and “hey presto”, people arrive. Thailand is not at all what it was 10/15 years ago and has lost its ability to rely on tourists waiting for it to open and all flood in. People started seeing Thailand for exactly what it is years before covid started, this was just another mail in Thailand’s coffin.

[mjakob007]

2 hours ago, Brunolem said:

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

And to visit the dealership, one has to produce pit bull's marriage certificate!

[Pattaya Spotter]

3 hours ago, Don Chance said:

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

They are already under.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, Alotoftravel said:

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 

 

You can...just get a neg covid test within 72 hours of arriving.

[hioctane]

59 minutes ago, AnnieSeek said:

Irresponsible beyond belief. 

 

If the newer varients spread this is going to be dangerous. The vaccine DOES NOT stop you catching the virus and spreading it. Even if people in Phuket are vaccinated - won't there be arrivals from Bangkok and other provinces who will be taking it back? Surely they should just wait till the country has a high vaccination point. 

That is the whole point of a Phuket sandbox test. They want to see if there are less cases with vaccinated tourists and 70% vaccinated locals. If it works, they will feel confident in ramping up vaccinations. If it doesn’t work, the spread will be contained to the island.

Edited May 19, 2021 by hioctane

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, troubletribbles said:

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

From what I have heard, all international transfers to Phuket will have to be on designated airlines/flights thru Swampy and there will be a controlled access corridor to the gate for the connecting flight to Phuket.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Quite a lot didn't transfer through BKK the middle east airlines didn't and the flight from Moscow was direct to Phuket 

The "Sandbox" model calls for direct flights to Phuket or Swampy and controlled access to a designated gate for transfers to Phuket.

[Bkk Brian]

44 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

I’m just waiting for Anutin to reassure me that everything is under control and I’ll be there as quick as a fish. 2 weeks should be enough to bring it under control. I’m sure he has a sound, sane plan. 

 

5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555........

 

555555555555555555.......

 

555..

 

5. 

 

There’s Nothing like a good belly laugh. 

Your wish is his command....................555

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has discussed the government’s progress in containing COVID-19 transmission, especially in major clusters, saying that the situation is under control.

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1217594-health-minister-confident-key-clusters-under-control/?fbclid=IwAR0YsXBzYFWhfBbUZNRW0KvPGb1H8BaNxh2YGuqg9fOypw_ZZD0nDywuJ7M

 

[ncc1701d]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

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 

I would be there in a heart beat - but it’s not just quarantine in Phuket I don’t have the time to do, but the quarantine I will also have to do on return to my home country. Governments need to be establishing more “travel bubbles”.

[Pattaya Spotter]

I haven't seen this mentioned in press reports, but I have heard that the whole "Sandbox" model is based on the TAT organizing said tourist entries into Thailand and essentially these will be package tours of 7 days sold by certain designated travel agencies. Depending on the hotel selected, the price will range from 100-200k baht for the seven day stay. I don't know all what's included for this price other than the hotel room. Also, there will be designated airlines/flights used for the program. This travel industry person is saying that the plan isn't to open on July 1 for anyone vaccinated to arrange their own travel to Phuket but for these package tours for vaccinated people to be available. 

[AnnieSeek]

16 minutes ago, hioctane said:

That is the whole point of a Phuket sandbox test. They want to see if there are less cases with vaccinated tourists and 70% vaccinated locals. If it works, they will feel confident in ramping up vaccinations. If it doesn’t work, the spread will be contained to the island.

 

Ah so they want to try an experiment with human beings? And perhaps let in a varient that could reek havoc. 

 

Surely they should just follow the science and see the levels of transmissions with vaccines they are reporting. 

 

How would they even know if things were going bad anyways? They could never actually go back and say 'it came from the tourists who arrived in Phuket'. The same way they can never be sure where this new variant that is surging through Thailand now has come from. 

[crazykopite]

There’s more chance of pigs flying ????????????????????????????

[ChipButty]

Hope they stop all these road blocks everyday around Rawai

[Olad Mate]

But up until then, we will just keep arresting and fining them for being here..

Idiots.....

[Rhacsyn]

2 hours ago, ChipButty said:

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

Patong beach pretty busy too especially just before sunset

[crazykopite]

2 hours ago, graham Stuart said:

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

Sorry to hear your stuck away from home but I fear 1st July. Is pie in the sky what they failed to say is what year it will be more like July 2022 it certainly won’t be this July it has just been announced anyone entering Phuket from other provinces will have to go into quarantine for 14 days unless they can show they have had the vaccine 

[ChipButty]

14 minutes ago, Bronder said:

Yesterday Nakhon Phanom University vaccinated part of the faculty--only Thai teachers.  The foreign teachers have to wait.

 

I should have chosen to work in Phuket.

I wouldn't expect any difference