1 July, 2021, launch of the programme signals the beginning of Phuket’s and Thailand’s tourism revitalisation.

TAT Newsroom

 

Bangkok, 01 July, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that Phuket’s highly anticipated reopening to tourism is now officially in effect, with the launch today of the Phuket Sandbox programme that welcomes fully vaccinated international visitors to the destination with no need to quarantine.

 

Right from Day one to four, major airlines including Etihad, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International (THAI) are flying direct to Phuket from cities like London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.

 

General information on the Phuket Sandbox programme; such as, entry requirements, on-arrival procedures, hygiene measures, and FAQs can be found here.

 

H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “The reopening of Phuket signifies a crucial step forward in the revitalisation of Thailand’s tourism industry with the island serving as a pilot destination. It is indeed wonderful to be welcoming visitors once again, and they can rest assured that their safety and well-being is of utmost importance to Thailand.”

 

Much has been done safety-wise in the lead-up to the Phuket Sandbox launch. Of particular note is the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration or SHA certification scheme that was introduced in May 2020, and which is itself certified by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

 

There are currently well over 1300 hotels, restaurants, activities, attractions, shops, and other venues and businesses across Phuket that are SHA certified, meaning they have the required safety and hygiene measures to control COVID-19.

 

More and more of these are also becoming SHA Plus certified, meaning that at least 70% of their employees are fully vaccinated.

 

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “It is with great pleasure we can now welcome the world back to Phuket. Fully vaccinated visitors can once again enjoy the famed beaches, warm hospitality, and many other attractions that have made Phuket one of the world’s favourite destinations.”

 

It is this longstanding popularity among travellers the world over that makes Phuket the ideal destination with which to restart Thailand’s tourism industry. The reopening of other places like Samui, Krabi, Phang Nga and Chiang Mai are planned to soon follow.

 

Among Phuket’s commitments to safely reopen to fully vaccinated visitors are the vaccination programme for 70% of the island’s population. To date, 80% of the people have already received their first vaccine dose, while more than 60% had received both doses.

 

Mr. Narong Woonchiew, Governor of Phuket Province, said, “On behalf of the people and the tourism industry of Phuket, I would like to say how great an honour it is for us to be the pilot destination in the much-anticipated revitalisation of Thai tourism. We are extremely excited to again be able to welcome travellers to the famed beaches, legendary accommodation, spectacular attractions, and warm hospitality that makes Phuket one of the world’s favourite tropical island getaways.

 

Phuket awaits in all its exotic glory. Come and see for yourself!

 

Phuket Sandbox hotels to suit all budgets

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/phuket-sandbox-reopening-of-thailands-most-famous-island-now-in-effect/

 

 

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

Phuket Sandbox hotels to suit all budgets

Just be sure it is a large budget as you will need it, never mind what you have planned for ...................LOL

I'm wetting myself with excitement......NOT !

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail ????

8 minutes ago, madmen said:

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail

Are you coming for vacation or returning to family?

17 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

I'm wetting myself with excitement......NOT !

 

Speak for yourself ????

7 minutes ago, madmen said:

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail ????

 

Exactly this... For anyone who would normally be returning to Bangkok 14 days on an island is a far far better option than 14 days stuck in a hotel room. 

 

The tourism aspect depends primarily on the quarantine requirement in the home countries of any potential tourist. I really can’t see many tourists until ‘travel corridors’ have been agreed between various countries and Phuket. 

 

Additionally, one month from now, if the Delta variant has gained a foothold in Phuket I would guess that the Sandbox model is quickly abandoned. 

 

However, if success is observed I wonder if the time limitation is reduced to 7 day in a month or so.

 

 

Much of this depends on how whether or not the Delta variant can evade the existing vaccines. 

1 minute ago, stubuzz said:

Are you coming for vacation or returning to family?

Returning to Condo. I wouldn't go as a tourist. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

There are currently well over 1300 hotels, restaurants, activities, attractions, shops, and other venues and businesses across Phuket that are SHA certified, meaning they have the required safety and hygiene measures to control COVID-19.

Didn't they say they had 1101 tourists coming ? That's less than 1 tourist each. 

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

Just be sure it is a large budget as you will need it, never mind what you have planned for ...................LOL

Well knowing the Thai mentality they sure have to markup the prices in order to make up for lost sales. The fewer the customers the higher the prices  will jump that's for dam sure.  It will be open season for tourists the eyes will be watching every move they make.

Oh and don't trust the hotel safe for protecting your valuables 

I imagine the island is slowly sinking into the sea given the weight of all the tourists who have arrived.

Quote

Phuket Sandbox reopening of Thailand’s most famous island now in effect

 

STAMPEDE!

30 minutes ago, madmen said:

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail ????

Hope it all go well for you.. some feedback would be appreciated

24 minutes ago, pokerface1 said:

Oh and don't trust the hotel safe for protecting your valuables 

 

I have been coming to Thailand for over 40 years and never had my valuables compromised in a hotel safe.

 

Maybe you have been unlucky with the type of hotel you stay at.

3 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

 

I have been coming to Thailand for over 40 years and never had my valuables compromised in a hotel safe.

 

Maybe you have been unlucky with the type of hotel you stay at.

Don't assume things mate. It didn't happen to me fortunately but I've warned by others who have had things stolen from there hotel safe.

5 minutes ago, pokerface1 said:

Don't assume things mate. It didn't happen to me fortunately but I've warned by others who have had things stolen from there hotel safe.

I don't assume anything and I don't know you so you're not my mate.

 

Must be doggy hotels then, you know the ones who operate without a licence

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket Sandbox programme that welcomes fully vaccinated international visitors to the destination with no need to quarantine.

but you can't take a dump without putting your hand up then cops and army watching to make sure you don't flee out the window

2 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

I imagine the island is slowly sinking into the sea given the weight of all the tourists who have arrived.

No ! Its sinking due to the weight of all the BS

3 hours ago, madmen said:

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail ????

 

Indeed It offers a much better alternative to people in urgent need to travel to Thailand than ASQ hotels in BKK. But not mi idea of a holidays.

 

Most expats and Thais returning to Thailand will choose this better option, indeed, but I don't think that tourist are now in line to go trough all that expensive and dalily changing mess, when they can travel with no requirements at all to Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain or Greece. Unless they really need to go to Thailand for some reason.

Where are the CNN film crews and the videos of the thousands of tourist disembarking their planes and heading to the tarball strewn beaches, closed bars, and closed entertainment venues as well as eating at closed restaurants and shopping as closed businesses. 

5 hours ago, madmen said:

I fly in tomorrow. Applying for COE went super smooth and 14 days on a tropical island beats the <deleted> out of 4 walls Bangkok jail ????

 

 

Good luck madmen - hope it all goes well for you ????

Are the public web cams in places like Patong still working and online? Would be interesting to watch the masses in places like Patong Beach.

But with daily estimations like this: "The country reported a record 57 deaths on Thursday and 5,553 cases." Phuket might be in for a very long wait, but as the saying goes : Foreigners have expensive watches and Thais have time.????

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Exactly this... For anyone who would normally be returning to Bangkok 14 days on an island is a far far better option than 14 days stuck in a hotel room. 

 

The tourism aspect depends primarily on the quarantine requirement in the home countries of any potential tourist. I really can’t see many tourists until ‘travel corridors’ have been agreed between various countries and Phuket. 

 

Additionally, one month from now, if the Delta variant has gained a foothold in Phuket I would guess that the Sandbox model is quickly abandoned. 

 

However, if success is observed I wonder if the time limitation is reduced to 7 day in a month or so.

 

 

Much of this depends on how whether or not the Delta variant can evade the existing vaccines. 

Thats is why its better to get in now than maybe not getting in next month. Out is never a problem.