Phuket Sandbox: Few visitors says bank's research team

[webfact]

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Krungsri Ayudhya bank's research arm has suggested that few foreign visitors will come to Thailand in the third quarter.

 

That's July 1st - when the much heralded Phuket Sandbox kicks off - to the end of September. 

 

Their assessment as reported by Thai Rath was that 129,000 foreign tourists will come to Thailand, well short of government targets. 

 

Tourists will be able to visit Phuket from next month though they must have tests prior and during their time on the island, be double dosed vaccinated abroad and are required to stay on Phuket for 14 days - up from the previously suggested 7 - before they can move on elsewhere in Thailand. 

 

Other islands in the south are expected to join the "sealed route" limited options plan in August such as Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao.

 

Before the end of the year foreign tourism will be rolled out to ten pain provinces including Bangkok that previously accounted for 95% of all foreign tourists.  

 

Krungsri suggested that concern about continuing Covid-19 infection in Thailand as well as ongoing problems in places that supply many tourists such as India and Malaysia would limit numbers of visitors. 

 

The bank said that the vaccine rollout remains a key factor in general confidence with both consumer confidence and business confidence in May registering yearly lows. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-06-18

 

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[JCP108]

No. Concern about low vaccination rates in Thailand does not have anything to do with my delaying my coming to the Kingdom. I'm vaccinated and not too worried about the risk of getting seriously ill from Covid. My not coming now has to do with so many required PCR tests (at my cost and each one risking me of getting a false positive and ending up with a useless 14-day hospital stay), possibly having to wear a gps wrist bracelet, and being tracked by an app that also could be hacked and expose my personal data. If you want me, and other tourists, to come, just let vaccinated people come there with little hassles. 

[BobinBKK]

Here is yet another deterrent to traveling to Phuket. It appears that tar balls are covering many of the beaches on the island as reported the the "Thaiger" media outlet.

 

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/environment/tar-balls-wash-ashore-on-several-phuket-beaches 

[inThailand]

129,000 tourists coming or 43,000 a month for the three months. 

 

Even this low number seems high. Hehe! 

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Krungsri Ayudhya bank's research arm has suggested that few foreign visitors will come to Thailand in the third quarter.

Their assessment as reported by Thai Rath was that 129,000 foreign tourists will come to Thailand, well short of government targets. 

Think the research team is reaching round the u-bend !

 

I hope they all get fired when the number is a 20th of that at most

[Destiny1990]

Another miscalculation.

[faranghh]

Personally my reason for a recent cancelation is due to the fact I am unable to complete the COE in time with the SHA plus accomodation, also making. It very frightening to book a flight as reimbursement from airlines can take a long time. 

[cardinalblue]

What’s most discerning is being a fully vaccinated foreigner counts for nothing...yet, all these requirements in place as they cite their own low vaccination rates....

 

As they say, speaking out of both sides of their mouth....can’t have both ways....

[sammieuk1]

How's  the lunar landing going don't here much about it anymore ????

[bermondburi]

I would have done it if it was only seven days, but if it's 14, it's not worth it for me. Money isn't an issue for me and I don't care about all the tests etc, wristband. I'd do all that rather than do ASQ in Bangkok again. For me it was just a better way of coming into the country before going to HH to visit family. But at 14 days in term time it's not viable. So I'll wait a few months till things have calmed down a bit. 

 

I do see it as it a start though, and hopefully as time goes by and the people of Phuket don't all drop dead after a few tourists visit things will improve.

[Dialemco]

Must realise cost and resrictions are a big factor the sandbox is really  14 days quarantine and very expensive. Thailand is not really an attractive destination for holidays in the monsoon season when for Europeans there are good destinations much closer to home. Let's also see what happens in Bali when reopened.

[Cranky]

Covid or not. Who wants to go to Phuket in rainy season. 

[dave moir]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

How's  the lunar landing going don't here much about it anymore ????

Don't worry it's on schedule!????

[sambum]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

How's  the lunar landing going don't here much about it anymore ????

Or the submarines!

[Excel]

19 minutes ago, Cranky said:

Covid or not. Who wants to go to Phuket in rainy season. 

Well to be serious I can think of a few

1) People who have families living there

2) People who have, or thought they had, a business there

3) People who bought property there many of whom at grossly inflated prices there

4) Drug dealers as it is  renowned location for freely available drugs

 

[polpott]

8 minutes ago, Excel said:

Well to be serious I can think of a few

1) People who have families living there

2) People who have, or thought they had, a business there

3) People who bought property there many of whom at grossly inflated prices there

4) Drug dealers as it is  renowned location for freely available drugs

 

The scheme is now being restricted to tourists only. Not available to expats.

[Excel]

2 minutes ago, polpott said:

The scheme is now being restricted to tourists only. Not available to expats.

Well those in category 4) are hardly going to declare there main purpose and those in cat 1) will no doubt wherever possible come in as  tourist if it is the only way of seeing their families. Even with visa exempt on a 30 day at least half that time they will see their family, better than nothing maybe ?

[polpott]

1 minute ago, Excel said:

Well those in category 4) are hardly going to declare there main purpose and those in cat 1) will no doubt wherever possible come in as  tourist if it is the only way of seeing their families. Even with visa exempt on a 30 day at least half that time they will see their family, better than nothing maybe ?

Do that and you will automatically lose your right to renew your annual extension of stay and would have to start the whole non-O process again.

[CANSIAM]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

How's  the lunar landing going don't here much about it anymore ????

3 Submarines arriving Sattahip next week..........

[Excel]

Just now, polpott said:

Do that and you will automatically lose your right to renew your annual extension of stay and would have to start the whole non-O process again.

Not the case always. I know somebody who lives in Phuket with his family and have done so for some time.  He does not have an extension of stay as he has not needed it for some time due to the fact he works overseas on a 6 on/2 off routine so only enters(did) on visa free status and had been doing so for sometime. He has not been back for a very long time due to these restrictions but is hoping, despite all the ridiculous hoops he will have to go thro' to at least see them for the first time in over 18 months, albeit for a short time till his return to work.

[zzzzz]

23 minutes ago, Excel said:

Well to be serious I can think of a few

1) People who have families living there

2) People who have, or thought they had, a business there

3) People who bought property there many of whom at grossly inflated prices there

4) Drug dealers as it is  renowned location for freely available drugs

 

5. SURFERS

6. Those that wish to see phuket's green season san tourists<
wont happen again

[polpott]

3 minutes ago, Excel said:

Not the case always. I know somebody who lives in Phuket with his family and have done so for some time.  He does not have an extension of stay as he has not needed it for some time due to the fact he works overseas on a 6 on/2 off routine so only enters(did) on visa free status and had been doing so for sometime. He has not been back for a very long time due to these restrictions but is hoping, despite all the ridiculous hoops he will have to go thro' to at least see them for the first time in over 18 months, albeit for a short time till his return to work.

Doesn't apply to me. I live full time in Thailand with my Thai family.

[CANSIAM]

7 minutes ago, Excel said:

Not the case always. I know somebody who lives in Phuket with his family and have done so for some time.  He does not have an extension of stay as he has not needed it for some time due to the fact he works overseas on a 6 on/2 off routine so only enters(did) on visa free status and had been doing so for sometime. He has not been back for a very long time due to these restrictions but is hoping, despite all the ridiculous hoops he will have to go thro' to at least see them for the first time in over 18 months, albeit for a short time till his return to work.

I was doing that for years as well on a  28/28 rotation, visa exempt status, until finally at one point on arrival an IO flipping through all my visa exempt stamps politely suggested I should get a Non O, which I did........... wasn't sure if I was headed for problems continuing. 

Edited June 18, 2021 by CANSIAM

[ChipButty]

10 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

I was doing that for years as well on a  28/28 rotation, visa exempt status, until finally at one point on arrival an IO flipping through all my visa exempt stamps politely suggested I should get a Non O, which I did........... wasn't sure if I was headed for problems continuing. 

You was lucky they wasn't going to let a mate of mine in one night, I think only because his wife and kids were waiting for him at the airport, 

[Millcx]

5 hours ago, JCP108 said:

No. Concern about low vaccination rates in Thailand does not have anything to do with my delaying my coming to the Kingdom. I'm vaccinated and not too worried about the risk of getting seriously ill from Covid. My not coming now has to do with so many required PCR tests (at my cost and each one risking me of getting a false positive and ending up with a useless 14-day hospital stay), possibly having to wear a gps wrist bracelet, and being tracked by an app that also could be hacked and expose my personal data. If you want me, and other tourists, to come, just let vaccinated people come there with little hassles. 

And added to that no bars or entertainment and all the girls working the buffaloes up home … Well 14 days of Temples should cover it then “;0)

[TigerandDog]

129000. Ha, ha, will be lucky if they get 29.

[ChipButty]

The bank didnt get the memo? 50% already cancelled 

[Justgrazing]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Before the end of the year foreign tourism will be rolled out to ten pain

 

bowling alleys .? ????

[mogandave]

6 hours ago, JCP108 said:

No. Concern about low vaccination rates in Thailand does not have anything to do with my delaying my coming to the Kingdom. I'm vaccinated and not too worried about the risk of getting seriously ill from Covid. My not coming now has to do with so many required PCR tests (at my cost and each one risking me of getting a false positive and ending up with a useless 14-day hospital stay), possibly having to wear a gps wrist bracelet, and being tracked by an app that also could be hacked and expose my personal data. If you want me, and other tourists, to come, just let vaccinated people come there with little hassles. 

 

The tests are pretty cheap and if you get a false positive you would just re-test. 

[RR2020]

6 hours ago, JCP108 said:

No. Concern about low vaccination rates in Thailand does not have anything to do with my delaying my coming to the Kingdom. I'm vaccinated and not too worried about the risk of getting seriously ill from Covid. My not coming now has to do with so many required PCR tests (at my cost and each one risking me of getting a false positive and ending up with a useless 14-day hospital stay), possibly having to wear a gps wrist bracelet, and being tracked by an app that also could be hacked and expose my personal data. If you want me, and other tourists, to come, just let vaccinated people come there with little hassles. 

 

And there is the trouble with Vaccinated people.

 

Vaccinated people can get the virus, can be sick with the virus, can spread the virus, and can die from the virus.

 

They should be treated no differently to non vaccinated.

 

If you dont want PCR tests, dont travel.  Simple as that. 

 

Vaccinated and non-Vaccinated should all be tested by PCR the same - to stop the spread of Covid in its many variant forms.