Tourism minister: Phuket unlikely to be ready for "sandbox" opening - "sealed route" share with Samui proposed

[wensiensheng]

I think this delay is down to the fact that the country has run out of vaccine for a while.

 

even Thailand isn’t brazen enough to claim Phuket is “vaccinated”, when everyone knows there is no vaccine. Only having had one jab, yep, that can be called vaccinated. But having had no jabs, that’s a bit tricky.

[Pib]

The article didn't say "why" Phuket would not be ready. 

 

I expect that Phuket is indeed ready but there are so few bookings to arrive in July it would be a huge loss of face to have a grand opening but practically no one showed-up except maybe the CNN new crew to televise worldwide a failed grand opening.   

 

Therefore, better to just delay the grand opening to a future date (subject to constant change).

[zaZa9]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

I would say No you will be forced to go as it is all about the money being distributed.

That is all part of this scheme Koh Samui has been aggressively vaccinating and are 50% fully vaccinated already claiming to reach herd immunity and ready by July 1.  So, they want a piece of the tourist dollar pie.

 

No they wont make you go there. BUT , you will have to book and pay 7 nights in advance at a Samui hotel , regardless of whether you have already done that in Phuket , or you own a condo or luxury villa in either destination. Because the reason you can come is to save Thai tourism and we really dont give a damn if you have a good holiday or not.

[spidermike007]

We are ready. No we are not ready. They were ready, but we were not. We were ready, but they were not. We are going to open July 1st. No August 1st. Maybe October 1st. Not sure. Maybe we will never open. Maybe we should just give up on tourism. After all, it is only 20% of our economy. We can always make up for it somewhere else. We are a giant, and one of the world's leading nations. 

 

Huh? You guys are the shame of the planet. Some of the most timid and cowardly people anywhere. Over 60 nations have fully opened for tourism already. Thailand as usual, is behind the curve. Shame on your guys. Livelihoods are a stake, and you act like it means nothing. How can one still be a rank amateur after how many years at the job? Your behavior has sabotaged a once lively industry. You goons are turning the nation from the tiger of SE Asia, into a tiny little, whiny, timid, traumatized, crying pussycat.

 

Let the islands decide, or the islands should act in total defiance of the administration and create their own plans. This is so far past ridiculous, it boggles the mind. 

 

Thailand is one of the countries open for tourism, but it has some of the strictest regulations. First, travelers must have a valid visa unless they qualify for the Visa Exemption Scheme. Once they have the approved visa, they must apply for a Certificate of Entry.

 

Additionally, tourists must present a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure, proof of COVID-19 travel insurance coverage of over USD 100,000, as well as a reservation number for certified accommodation, such as an Alternative State Quarantine facility. This is where they’ll stay for the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

 

https://capturetheatlas.com/countries-open-for-tourism/#thailand

Edited June 12, 2021 by spidermike007

[wensiensheng]

1 minute ago, Pib said:

The article didn't say "why" Phuket would not be ready. 

 

I expect that Phuket is indeed ready but there are so few bookings to arrive in July it would be a huge loss of face to have a grand opening but practically no one showed-up except maybe the CNN new crew to televise worldwide a failed grand opening.   

 

Therefore, better to just delay the grand opening to a future date (subject to constant change).

Sure, that’s certainly possible, or a realization that a lack vaccine means the targets wouldn’t be met.

 

either or both odds on favorite I think.

[ThaiFelix]

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

man I picked the wrong day to give up sniffing glue. 

Aaghh!  Another day wont hurt but you are gunna have to say it again tomorrow....and the next day, and the next day, and the...

[taxin]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Next, and I have said it already, the airlines will just pull the plug as they aren't about to lose a load more money on top of the colossal amounts already only for the Thais to change their minds at the last minute or bowing to the flip flopping of an Incompetent government.

 

Exactly, something I’ve also said myself before. To all the people who think the final say will come from the Thai government you are all wrong, the airlines will have the final say.
 

Whatever decision will been made by the Thai government, whatever is eventually confirmed on the Royal Gazette, if the airlines don’t like what they see they will not be putting flights on for you. 
 

Anyone who has a flight booked start praying now your airline doesn’t pull the rug, instead of worrying about getting a beer on Bangla Road.

[Desmondo69]

28 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Not only that, I understand their tickets are non-refundable.

Som nom na

0

[wensiensheng]

The concept that tourists would want to stay 7 nights in Phuket, then catch a plane to spend 7 nights in Samui, is one that I really don’t understand. 
 

7 nights beach, followed by 7 nights city, or something along those lines is a well used and pretty popular formula, but 7 nights beach. followed by 7 nights beach, with all the hassle of transfers, sounds like it’s been devised for the benefit of the island resorts and airline, rather than the tourist. Particularly when entertainment and tourist attractions are pretty much closed in both places.

 

sorry, I could think of many reasons why tourists wouldn’t come to Phuket currently, I can think of many more why they wouldn’t do this two centre nonsense.

[mickyr55]

6 hours ago, Caldera said:

While not surprising, such a last-minute flip-flop is obviously very bad, as it alienates those who have already booked flights and accommodation.

 

Here's a new slogan for TAT: Amazing Thailand never fails to disappoint. Guaranteed. 

I don't think there will be many disappointed because I don't think that there's much chance that anybody apart from the foolhardy or downright stupid had booked ????????

[mrfill]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

So, the sandbox plan has become a ," basket case "

 

Bound to happen.

 

No word from our glorious leader the "vaccine Czar? "..????????

 

and the sand is leaking out the basket faster that the beach in Pattaya after a bit of rain...

[Desire2016]

Does the Thai government really know what they are doing?????, I lived in Phuket for 17 years I have never known of a government that can move the goal posts so often 

[polpott]

6 minutes ago, mickyr55 said:

I don't think there will be many disappointed because I don't think that there's much chance that anybody apart from the foolhardy or downright stupid had booked ????????

I need to return to Thailand in July. Phuket sandbox would have been my go to route. However I was never confident that it would go ahead so didn't intend to book until the scheme was up and running. I know of others in the same frame of mind.

 

Oh well, back to 15 nights in an ASQ hotel in Pattaya.

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, malibukid said:

you mean like the Chinese tourist?

But the Chinese sign up for that,

[dogfish180]

????????

[ChipButty]

Im thinking it's more about TAT know how many tourist are coming or not coming and it's a complete failure, when normally this is low season get everybody jabbed and ready to open November 1st which used to be the start of high season then they could have the lady boy carnival in Patong beach 

[Mike k]

6 hours ago, SEAsia Traveler said:

No one is coming so they postpone again.

Helps them save face ????

[Mike k]

18 minutes ago, Desire2016 said:

Does the Thai government really know what they are doing?????, I lived in Phuket for 17 years I have never known of a government that can move the goal posts so often 

Do you really need to ask this question ????

[palm]

6 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

Thailand

The Fuster Cluck center of the Universe.

 

Tweet of the Week™

[Tich]

Reading between the lines..

 

Nobody has booked so tell them its not ready yet, face saving !

[Xonax]

7 hours ago, Caldera said:

While not surprising, such a last-minute flip-flop is obviously very bad, as it alienates those who have already booked flights and accommodation.

 

Here's a new slogan for TAT: Amazing Thailand never fails to disappoint. Guaranteed. 

I strongly doubt that anyone have booked flights and accomodation. The first tourists to arrive in the sandbox, will most likely be freebies invited by TAT, in order to promote the opening, hence the plan to fly them to Samui for days 8-14.

[Geordieabroad]

????????????????

[Boedog]

What a surprise, just let it go no one is coming JULY or AUGUST or SEPTEMBER and so on

[BernieOnTour]

It’s unbelievable!

 

Any project manager with a record like this would join the rows of those unemployed, not getting any contract anymore.

They had months!

 

Even worse: they seem to think, there aren’t any touristic alternatives in world...

Most potential tourists will try to base their vacation planning on more reliable announcements.

 

“Amazing Thailand“  

Yes !   ...  However: said in a total different meaning, than you guys are intended it to be. 

 

[BarraMarra]

7 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

No surprise.  But, most with common sense knew it was a failed "scheme" from the beginning.

Hope all those folks got refundable flights, etc.  The plan now fly people to Samui from Phuket?

What a cluster... Unbelievable.  

Sorry and sadly cannot see any of these plans working until the vaccination process is complete here, bars and all businesses are fully prepared to open which my guess unfortunately will be sometime next year. 

As we all know Bankok Airways own the Airport thats why Fligts triple from Swampy so i will give you 1 guess how much it will cost to fly to Samui to get to phuket.

[Zack61]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The start will be August 1st instead

Next year

[Bobydog]

7 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

No surprise.  But, most with common sense knew it was a failed "scheme" from the beginning.

Hope all those folks got refundable flights, etc.  The plan now fly people to Samui from Phuket?

What a cluster... Unbelievable.  

Sorry and sadly cannot see any of these plans working until the vaccination process is complete here, bars and all businesses are fully prepared to open which my guess unfortunately will be sometime next year. 

Spot on!.  No one should be surprised with this decision, the only people who are TOTALLY out of step with everyone else are the current Government. I only have one question, when are they going to be held accountable for undermining Thailand's future or are we gonna wake up one morning to find they have all shot through to South America LOL

[connda]

Hate to say it, but................"Told ya so."

Perhaps these people in high offices should hire some Westerners with the ability to 1) make realistic plans, and 2) schedule plans.  I.e., They need some farang project managers.

We'll all be here to laugh at you in August as well as you folks simply have neither a clue or a grip on reality.

[Kleepanna]

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Well done lads, get the hopes up of 100's of hotels, get them to sign up to SHA, employ and get their staff ready, get the tour operators geared up. Then pull the rug from under them again...............

 

Now do the right thing with no delusional targets, wait until Phuket is really ready, that will probably be a few months yet.

Just like the folks that booked flights into BKK having already been vaccinated and expecting a 7 day quarantine ASH hotel paid in advance then yank the rug out before they arrive and push it back to 14 days. and the massage and tattoo can open up that one lasted a few hours dont see that record getting broken anytime soon 

[BarraMarra]

6 hours ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

Switch to  Coke  it  numbs  the pain. not  "diet" though.

Plenty of YABBA knocking about cheap as well now lol.