Phuket remains open to intl visitors

[webfact]

 

By Tanakorn Sangiam

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has confirmed Phuket remains open to international tourists visiting as part of the Phuket Sandbox campaign for quarantine-free tourism, denying rumors of the campaign’s termination.

 

The government’s COVID-19 economic task force has confirmed Phuket is still open to fully vaccinated tourists joining the Phuket Sandbox campaign, with no changes expected to any of the applicable regulations.

 

The Center for Economic Situation Administration’s (CESA) Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, said today tourists will be accepted on the same terms and conditions as before, while urging the general public not to share or forward rumors claiming the campaign has been suspended due to a COVID-19 case surge.

 

Mr Thanakorn said 4,778 international tourists have so far visited Phuket since the official reopening on 1st July, while the authorities anticipate the cumulative number of international visitors to be some 100,000 in the first three months, generating around 8.9 billion baht in revenue.

 

He said the Phuket Sandbox campaign is important for the local economy which relies heavily on tourism, and serves as a vital pilot campaign for Thailand’s restart of its tourism sector as the country reopens.

 

Visitors traveling to Phuket from abroad are required to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to travel, to have their quarantine requirement waived on arrival. They are still however subject to an arrival test, plus subsequent tests depending on the length of their stay.

 

Since the reopening, some international tourists visiting as part of the campaign have tested positive to COVID-19. All of the infected visitors have been admitted for treatment, while all high-risk people in close contact with them are being isolated according to the regulations.

 

With the escalation of the COVID-19 situation across the country, Phuket has announced new travel requirements for domestic travelers from 10 maximum and strict control provinces, as well as 24 maximum control provinces traveling to the island province by air, land, or water.

 

The new requirements, to be enforced from 15th July to 31st July, now require all inbound travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before arrival, or have received a dose of AstraZeneca vaccine 14 days before arrival, or recovered from COVID-19 no more than 90 days prior.

 

Along with the new vaccination or recovery requirements, inbound domestic travelers must also present a negative COVID-19 test certificate using either an antigen test or the RT-PCR method, issued no more than seven days prior to arrival.

 

All travelers to Phuket must install and activate the Mor Chana tracking application on their mobile devices, with location permission set to ’on’ throughout their stay.

 

All 230 Sandbox Hotels in Phuket - Book Now!

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-07-14

 

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[RichardColeman]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Mr Thanakorn said 4,778 international tourists have so far visited Phuket since the official reopening on 1st July, while the authorities anticipate the cumulative number of international visitors to be some 100,000 in the first three months, generating around 8.9 billion baht in revenue.

Arrivals are 360 odd a day, that's as we all know is about 35-36,000  over 3 months - not 100,000, and arrivals will start dropping off very soon.

 

I would imagine the only way they could now get 35,000 international tourists to stump up 8.9 billion would be to ensure that every plane landing has a person testing positive and going into a second expensive quarantine hotel

 

 

[sammieuk1]

The risk and astronomical costs are firmly with the sandboxers so carry on 

[thai006]

i would like to come in October for sandbox  do you think is possible ? 

[smedly]

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

The government’s COVID-19 economic task force

says it all for me 

 

what I would rather be reading -

 

The Governments Vaccine Procurement Task Force

[smedly]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The new requirements, to be enforced from 15th July to 31st July, now require all inbound travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before arrival, or have received a dose of AstraZeneca vaccine 14 days before arrival, or recovered from COVID-19 no more than 90 days prior.

3 things stand out in that statementment 

 

1. They are fully aware of what Fully Vaccinated means even when they don't use it when referring to their own vaccination program

 

2. No mention of sinovac which I assume is covered in (1.) but only list 1 dose of AZ

 

3. Recovered from CV19 no more than 90 days 

 

It is also worth noting that while they still insist on using sinovac they are going to have to stipulate a time restriction on that as it is becoming evident that what little protection it offeres fades fast

Edited July 13, 2021 by smedly

[ezzra]

Well, they can't very well shut the place down now after all the hoopla and the worldwide exposure can they now? they will die of embarrassment and shame if this to happen...

Edited July 13, 2021 by ezzra

[smedly]

55 minutes ago, thai006 said:

i would like to come in October for sandbox  do you think is possible ? 

if you are using it to get entry for a long stay here then it is a viable option - better than ASQ

 

If you are coming for a 3 week holiday then you would have to decide what you want out of a holiday and the risk of it all going pear shaped if you end up in a hospital or ASQ if either you or someone else tests positive

 

There is also a risk that while you have booked and paid - it could all come tumbling down in an instant 

 

There is also the possibility that covid is on the Island amongst the locals - they will not tell you that so you have to look at what is going on and read between the lines for example - schools closing - fully vaccinated sandbox tourists becoming infected - questions that need answered that will never be answered

Edited July 13, 2021 by smedly

[Karma80]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Arrivals are 360 odd a day, that's as we all know is about 35-36,000  over 3 months - not 100,000, and arrivals will start dropping off very soon.

 

I would imagine the only way they could now get 35,000 international tourists to stump up 8.9 billion would be to ensure that every plane landing has a person testing positive and going into a second expensive quarantine hotel

 

 

And probably 360 people not arriving into Bangkok ASQ hotels. Just robbed the business out of there. Might continue for a while longer I would think. Who wants to be locked up in a room and then released to a covid hot spot that's locked down.

 

No legit short term tourist in their right mind should be thinking about travelling here now, but Phuket is a much cheaper alternative for the longer term traveller or returnee. 

[utalkin2me]

People want to go on vacation right now where there is low infection rates. Not where infection rates are going vertical.

[irishman25]

4 hours ago, thai006 said:

i would like to come in October for sandbox  do you think is possible ? 

do you have lots of money IE CASH and 15 days for lockup and don't mind bad food the lock up will cost 55k.b and NO visit then ware a tag welcome to our sand-pit

[KarenBravo]

Makes one glad that one is already here........

[stevenl]

4 hours ago, utalkin2me said:

People want to go on vacation right now where there is low infection rates. Not where infection rates are going vertical.

"People want to go on vacation right now where there is low infection rates." Exactly, like Phuket.

[Iamemjay]

Thai006 - Don't be fooled into giving much regard to the rubbish that is constantly being spewed out by the deskbound pontificating "experts" on this site.

 

I'm one of those "poor unfortunates" already in Phuket. Very little that I read on this forum comes anywhere describing my experience, which discussion with others here in my SHA hotel is largely shared. I don't hear too many complaints at all.

 

Yes, there is the risk of being unfortunate enough to be on a flight with someone who subsequently PCR tests positive. The result of this is identical to what happens in many other countries - I saw it first hand whilst in quarantine in Australia. In that case the hotel etc costs already paid are refunded and yes, you have to pay for ASQ - and this is the only other alternative anyway.

 

The sandbox in my experience has been remarkably well organised - a VERY pleasant surprise at the airport - where clearly the authorities had pulled out all stops to make arrival etc as good an experience as possible. It took me just 20 minutes to clear the airport and be in my already waiting transport. Even the Imm officers were friendly!!

 

The daily "checkin" to my (very good and reasonably priced - 650B pn incl, full buffet breakfast) 4 star hotel is no big deal at all. I am free to do what I want beyond that. Many of the restaurants etc that are open have special sandbox deals. (Most businesses, it needs to be said however, are still closed).

 

It doesn't have to be an expensive exercise at all.

 

Unlike what is being stated by the ignorant (or those deliberately misleading in this forum) my total package, including THEM doing ALL THE PAPERWORK (CofE etc) hotel, airport transfers, all PCR tests, cost less than 27000B. far less than the cheapest ASQ package. People in this forum seem to be selectively choosing very expensive options - not the more common reasonably priced ones.

 

So in conclusion, my experience-based response to your question is "GO FOR IT"!

[tlandtday]

13 minutes ago, Iamemjay said:

Thai006 - Don't be fooled into giving much regard to the rubbish that is constantly being spewed out by the deskbound pontificating "experts" on this site.

 

I'm one of those "poor unfortunates" already in Phuket. Very little that I read on this forum comes anywhere describing my experience, which discussion with others here in my SHA hotel is largely shared. I don't hear too many complaints at all.

 

Yes, there is the risk of being unfortunate enough to be on a flight with someone who subsequently PCR tests positive. The result of this is identical to what happens in many other countries - I saw it first hand whilst in quarantine in Australia. In that case the hotel etc costs already paid are refunded and yes, you have to pay for ASQ - and this is the only other alternative anyway.

 

The sandbox in my experience has been remarkably well organised - a VERY pleasant surprise at the airport - where clearly the authorities had pulled out all stops to make arrival etc as good an experience as possible. It took me just 20 minutes to clear the airport and be in my already waiting transport. Even the Imm officers were friendly!!

 

The daily "checkin" to my (very good and reasonably priced - 650B pn incl, full buffet breakfast) 4 star hotel is no big deal at all. I am free to do what I want beyond that. Many of the restaurants etc that are open have special sandbox deals. (Most businesses, it needs to be said however, are still closed).

 

It doesn't have to be an expensive exercise at all.

 

Unlike what is being stated by the ignorant (or those deliberately misleading in this forum) my total package, including THEM doing ALL THE PAPERWORK (CofE etc) hotel, airport transfers, all PCR tests, cost less than 27000B. far less than the cheapest ASQ package. People in this forum seem to be selectively choosing very expensive options - not the more common reasonably priced ones.

 

So in conclusion, my experience-based response to your question is "GO FOR IT"!

good to hear a first hand report although tat data is questionable someone on the ground has relevance

[sammieuk1]

32 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"People want to go on vacation right now where there is low infection rates." Exactly, like Phuket.

You Should surely add so we are told to that statement 

 

[ThailandRyan]

47 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"People want to go on vacation right now where there is low infection rates." Exactly, like Phuket.

Yet, cases are rising, schools have been closed and the PHP has set up 23 investigation teams to track down cases.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-health-chief-details-latest-covid-deaths-on-the-island-80677.php

“Since the opening [of the Phuket sandbox scheme] on July 1 through to July 13, we have had 61 cases of infection, 54 Thais and seven Sandbox arrivals,” he continued.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/ppho-braces-for-infections-delta-beta-variants-confirmed-in-phuket-80636.php

Phuket officials are drawing up battle plans in anticipation of a spike in infections on the island after Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon confirmed that both the Delta and Beta variants of COVID-19 have now been found among infected people in Phuket.

 

You really are living in your own world.

 

[stevenl]

25 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Yet, cases are rising, schools have been closed and the PHP has set up 23 investigation teams to track down cases.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-health-chief-details-latest-covid-deaths-on-the-island-80677.php

“Since the opening [of the Phuket sandbox scheme] on July 1 through to July 13, we have had 61 cases of infection, 54 Thais and seven Sandbox arrivals,” he continued.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/ppho-braces-for-infections-delta-beta-variants-confirmed-in-phuket-80636.php

Phuket officials are drawing up battle plans in anticipation of a spike in infections on the island after Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon confirmed that both the Delta and Beta variants of COVID-19 have now been found among infected people in Phuket.

 

You really are living in your own world.

 

I am living in a happy world without your black glasses. Try it, you might have some fun and see the good side of things for a change.

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, stevenl said:

I am living in a happy world without your black glasses. Try it, you might have some fun and see the good side of things for a change.

I unfortunately look at the world through the right lenses that are not rose colored and do not ignore the shortcomings of folks that seem to live in glass houses.  You might need to look outside the box and view things from the other side once in awhile, but then we can always agree to disagree without seeing it the same.  The sky may be blue but what hue of blue, Covid has created a very big gray area.  Enjoy and have fun, I know I am, life is good.  

[wensiensheng]

8 hours ago, ezzra said:

Well, they can't very well shut the place down now after all the hoopla and the worldwide exposure can they now? they will die of embarrassment and shame if this to happen...

They’ve survived so far and there has been quite a lot of embarrassment to share around, not quite so much shame. The government doesn’t really do shame.

[wensiensheng]

1 hour ago, Iamemjay said:

Thai006 - Don't be fooled into giving much regard to the rubbish that is constantly being spewed out by the deskbound pontificating "experts" on this site.

 

I'm one of those "poor unfortunates" already in Phuket. Very little that I read on this forum comes anywhere describing my experience, which discussion with others here in my SHA hotel is largely shared. I don't hear too many complaints at all.

 

Yes, there is the risk of being unfortunate enough to be on a flight with someone who subsequently PCR tests positive. The result of this is identical to what happens in many other countries - I saw it first hand whilst in quarantine in Australia. In that case the hotel etc costs already paid are refunded and yes, you have to pay for ASQ - and this is the only other alternative anyway.

 

The sandbox in my experience has been remarkably well organised - a VERY pleasant surprise at the airport - where clearly the authorities had pulled out all stops to make arrival etc as good an experience as possible. It took me just 20 minutes to clear the airport and be in my already waiting transport. Even the Imm officers were friendly!!

 

The daily "checkin" to my (very good and reasonably priced - 650B pn incl, full buffet breakfast) 4 star hotel is no big deal at all. I am free to do what I want beyond that. Many of the restaurants etc that are open have special sandbox deals. (Most businesses, it needs to be said however, are still closed).

 

It doesn't have to be an expensive exercise at all.

 

Unlike what is being stated by the ignorant (or those deliberately misleading in this forum) my total package, including THEM doing ALL THE PAPERWORK (CofE etc) hotel, airport transfers, all PCR tests, cost less than 27000B. far less than the cheapest ASQ package. People in this forum seem to be selectively choosing very expensive options - not the more common reasonably priced ones.

 

So in conclusion, my experience-based response to your question is "GO FOR IT"!

Are you a single person, may I ask?

[mancub]

8 hours ago, ezzra said:

Well, they can't very well shut the place down now after all the hoopla and the worldwide exposure can they now? they will die of embarrassment and shame if this to happen...

Not forgetting that the previously mentioned "steaming sandbox turd" can't be permitted to derail the Grand Opening Scheme. Full "steam" ahead chaps.

[connda]

I've never heard that Phuket is closed.
So how about the government sourcing those comments? 
Where did they come from?  <silence>