Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported what they called "great interest" in foreign tourists coming to Phuket for the continuing Sandbox reopening plan. 

 

Consular department chief Chatchai Wiriyawechkul said that the foreign ministry issued Certificates of Entry for 3rd July numbering 446, for 4th July 462 and for today 127.

 

Embassies and larger consulates around the world have received 7,980 applications for the CoE of which 6,119 have received vaccine approval and 2,802 have got CoE's.

 

439 applications were refused. 

 

2,779 people are waiting for their CoE. 

 

Sanook further reported that 11 flights arrived in Phuket on Saturday, nine commercial and two charter. 

 

The most arrivals were Americans followed by Germans, French, British and Danes. 

 

Consular staff assigned to check on CoE's were increased in the period 3rd to 11th July as a result of the numbers of arrivals. 

 

It was unclear whether the media's claim of "great interest" in coming to Phuket was their own assessment or that of the consular official, notes ASEAN Now. 

 

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-- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-07-05

Lets hope those " would be" tourists get warned of the rip off taxi's in phuket

I think maybe the abacus needs a new battery.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Sanook reported what they called "great interest" in foreign tourists coming to Phuket for the continuing Sandbox reopening plan.

Excellent that tourists are coming back, but is almost 8,000 requests for COE out of expected 120,000 arrivals during three month "great interest"?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Consular department chief Chatchai Wiriyawechkul said that the foreign ministry issued Certificates of Entry for 3rd July numbering 446, for 4th July 462 and for today 127.

 

So the number dropping by 70% in just three days displays "great interest", does it?

Dream on!

I hope they show numbers that how many less "tourist" now enter in ASQ hotels. I think almost all people who already decide to come home only chance route!

4 hours ago, actonion said:

Lets hope those " would be" tourists get warned of the rip off taxi's in phuket

446 442 and 4th July 127,   if those figures continue in the downward trend then tomorrow 0.

maybe they heard about the Taxis.

How many are returning expats and how many are genuine tourists?

At least it offers a means by which people can return if wanted.unlike some countries that have put up an iron curtain. I commend the trial. We have to start somewhere with the inevitable reality of having to live with the virus 

 Britain  and France are now on the red list. So any COE requests from those countries should presumably be declined.

Would probably be more interest in a Mcds promotion in Vanuatu doing buy one get one free !! ????

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The most arrivals were Americans followed by Germans, French, British and Danes. 

The most arrivals were Americans (6) followed by Germans (4) French (2 : a pair of poodles) British (1) and Danes (a shipment of cheese but still Danish).

So if every one of those 8,000 was approved, and each one approved actually came, and there were on average 1.5 people per room that would take up 7% of the hotel space available in Phuket.  I wonder what the hotel operators are going to do with all of those profits - build more rooms? 


According to the Department of Tourism, there were approximately 1,800 hotels with a total of 84,700 hotel rooms in Phuket in 2018.Mar 19, 2563 BE

 

Call me crazy but 8000 is little short of confirmed 130 000 claimed before

In a nutshell, dismal numbers and dropping.  The very scarce vaccines should have been put to better use.

these numbers can be anything up to 3 month in the future.  So a total maybe of 8k for 3 month and the Thai government thought of 1500 new tourists/day is a joke.

I would be curious to see the 1000 's of sand castles. Can somebody living there take a picture before the high tide is coming....

15 minutes ago, BestB said:

Call me crazy but 8000 is little short of confirmed 130 000 claimed before

Not crazy but as you need flights booked for a COE, most people will not request one until they are ready to fly. This is a stupid requirement that puts a lot of us off due to the risk of being knocked back.

2 hours ago, khunPer said:

Excellent that tourists are coming back, but is almost 8,000 requests for COE out of expected 120,000 arrivals during three month "great interest"?

And of those 8000, it would be fortunate to actually have 10 % ( 800 ) as confirmed applications.

35 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

The most arrivals were Americans (6) followed by Germans (4) French (2 : a pair of poodles) British (1) and Danes (a shipment of cheese but still Danish).

American Bulldogs, German Shepherds, French Poodles, and Great Danes...

17 minutes ago, chang1 said:

Not crazy but as you need flights booked for a COE, most people will not request one until they are ready to fly. This is a stupid requirement that puts a lot of us off due to the risk of being knocked back.

TAT stated last week, 130 000 confirmed, so safe to assume 130 000 CEO has been issued or at least applied for, for them to state 130 000 confirmed

 

"Sanook further reported that 11 flights arrived in Phuket on Saturday, nine commercial and two charter." 

How many of the 9 commercial flights were freight only? ????????

3 hours ago, khunPer said:

Excellent that tourists are coming back, but is almost 8,000 requests for COE out of expected 120,000 arrivals during three month "great interest"?

Im taking bets on how many actually arrive!

Could have been one of those 8000 but one to many hoops to jump through. 

What's the old saying "...if it walks like a duck and smells like a fish then it's breaking news on the return of the tourists?"???? ????

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Embassies and larger consulates around the world have received 7,980 applications for the CoE of which 6,119 have received vaccine approval and 2,802 have got CoE's.

Not enough to save Phuket let alone be the salvation of the nation.

46 minutes ago, BestB said:

TAT stated last week, 130 000 confirmed, so safe to assume 130 000 CEO has been issued or at least applied for, for them to state 130 000 confirmed

Maybe they are quoting the application fee in BHAT.

But stupid to have to get a CEO after you book your ticket, you would have to be careful that your ticket was refundable. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

of Entry for 3rd July numbering 446, for 4th July 462 and for today 127.

 

Embassies and larger consulates around the world have received 7,980 ap

 

Better to wait few weeks to see actual number of arrivals. Meanwhile every effort should be made to expedite availability of vaccines over the whole country.

2 hours ago, chang1 said:

Not crazy but as you need flights booked for a COE, most people will not request one until they are ready to fly. This is a stupid requirement that puts a lot of us off due to the risk of being knocked back.

First you apply for COE registration using passport, visa (if any) and insurance letter copies. No need flight or hotel booking at this stage. When pre approval is received you then have 14 days to book your flights and accommodation etc and apply for final COE release.

 

My COE registration online in Dubai was approved within one full working day (29th June). i then confirmed hotel, flights and pre payment for the Covid tests (done by hotel). submitted documents and received my COE within 6 hours. I flew to Phuket on 2nd July.

38 minutes ago, Rhacsyn said:

First you apply for COE registration using passport, visa (if any) and insurance letter copies. No need flight or hotel booking at this stage. When pre approval is received you then have 14 days to book your flights and accommodation etc and apply for final COE release.

 

My COE registration online in Dubai was approved within one full working day (29th June). i then confirmed hotel, flights and pre payment for the Covid tests (done by hotel). submitted documents and received my COE within 6 hours. I flew to Phuket on 2nd July.

How exactly does the Hotel / Covid test happen ? Are the Covid tests prepaid by the hotel and then highlighted in the hotel receipt ?   It would be helpful if you could tell us what the hotel charged for the tests , what hotel and is it any good ?