By Praphorn Praphornkul

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A spokesperson for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) economic body, has defended the Phuket Sandbox project as thoroughly thought out and proceeding as planned to stimulate the economy.

 

Secretary-General to the Prime Minister’s Office and CCSA economic body spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, today responded to accusations made by former Minister of Finance Sommai Pasi, that the Phuket Sandbox project has been a failure, claiming everything has gone according to plan with tourists arriving on the island and adhering to stringent health measures.

 

He further asserted that similar preparations have been underway for Koh Samui and Phang Ngan for months now so that they may also welcome travelers safely.

 

On the cost of COVID-19 testing for Sandbox travelers, he indicated local agencies are working to reduce prices within the month.

 

The spokesperson underlined that the projects are being conducted with cooperation from all sides within each area and should not be judged solely on the return on state investment.

 

Rather, he said they should be evaluated in terms of economic stimulus, public health implementation and sustainable support for local businesses and communities.

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Secretary-General to the Prime Minister’s Office and CCSA economic body spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, today responded to accusations made by former Minister of Finance Sommai Pasi, that the Phuket Sandbox project has been a failure

I think many of us that have worked for companies would have had bosses that would have regarded less than 25% delivery on what you promised as complete and utter abject failure

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

he indicated local agencies are working to reduce prices within the month.

Why now they don’t want to attract millibillionaires ? ????

When this incompetent Government thinks (incorrectly) that nearly everything it has done during it's tenure has been a success, it's never going to admit failure to anything.

"the Phuket Sandbox project as thoroughly thought out and proceeding as planned"

 

There seems to be one element missing from the plan though, where are all the guests?

Chuck e cheese ochan and his oompa loompas.

New shows daily

More juntajoy.

Given how much the Thai talking heads love a photo opportunity, I have noticed how very few happy snaps of holidaying tourists have actually surfaced from this "successful" model.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - A spokesperson for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) economic body, has defended the Phuket Sandbox project as thoroughly thought out and proceeding as planned to stimulate the economy.

This roughly translates into Fleece the tourists ................LOL

No body thought that this sandbox will be perfect, (ok, some did) but the sandbox could serve as a learning curve for future destinations, the question is would nay one out there to learn, rectify and implement what have learned from mistakes and do things right... 

Too early to pass judgement.

 

Huge start-up costs, so unreasonable to expect profits until the scheme lures more real high-quality tourists.

 

I'm actually surprised the airlines are sticking with this given loads of 20 on a wide-body. Sucks for them,

 

Plus it's summer in many places from which tourists would arrive, and it's rainy season here.

 

At this point might as well ride it out until you hit the case thresholds, was that 90 per day? And maybe get 70% FULLY vaccinated in the meantime.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 A spokesperson for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) economic body, has defended the Phuket Sandbox project as thoroughly thought out and proceeding as planned to stimulate the economy.

Yes .and they also keep prattling on about having covid under control, that was also BS

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

I think many of us that have worked for companies would have had bosses that would have regarded less than 25% delivery on what you promised as complete and utter abject failure

Many companies that would not be making a 2 to 4 percent profit in this world would be closing up and going into bankruptcy protection to keep from loosing it all, but hey not here where FACE is still important and if it looks like a duck it definitely is not as it is just a pig wearing lipstick.  These Government officials will never admit defeat or say it was not going as expected. The view of something working is obviously different in their eyes and they see the sandbox as workable.  I finally understand why those few posters who could not wait for the sandbox to open said it would bring them happiness, happiness that the island is now even more sealed and with less domestic tourism and they can enjoy it all to themselves as some of the closed businesses would be opening up and they could enjoy eating out and having a drink.  The light switch finally went on, yep those folks were and still are self centered........just like building a bigger wall around yourself to not let others in. 

What could possibly have gone wrong? Announcements in the morning and then contradictions in the afternoon. Everything last minute. Thousands of cancellations. This government is the gang that couldn't shoot straight, lol

Going as expected!  When has the leaders of this government ever been wrong even if they were they look you straight in the eye and double down.

3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

When this incompetent Government thinks (incorrectly) that nearly everything it has done during it's tenure has been a success, it's never going to admit failure to anything.

Well, they are not accountable to anyone. 

 

That's the trouble with coups and leaders with arbitrary powers you see. 

Fifteen days, 5,710 Sandboxers-----of which some are returning Thais, some are part of the Thai diaspora coming to visit family, some are foreigners getting back to family/girlfriends, some are retirees setting up their Golden Years.----and the rest actual tourists.

 

Thailand bought expensive TV time in the US and Europe to promote the "Sandbox", and maybe bought ad time in other markets, too. A person could be forgiven for thinking the Thais who set up the Sandbox and bought that expensive TV time expected more than a total of 5,710 Sandboxers in the first 15 days.

 

If there is a greater lesson in the Sandbox numbers it is that it is likely to take a looooong time for Thai tourism to even begin to approach the numbers the country enjoyed up until 2019.

 

One has to feel for all the workers, country wide, whose livelihood comes from the 18-20% of Thai GDP that used to be tourism.

According to the dictionary:  refute:  to prove wrong by argument or evidence

 

"Government refutes claim Sandbox project a failure"

 

No, it doesn't.

Government refutes claim Sandbox project a failure. 

 

They also say they were elected. 

It's not a failure. But that is more a product of convenient timing of the terrible situation in Bangkok diverting even more ASQ business to Phuket rather than by design for short term travellers.

 

The Phuket sandbox will never be allowed to fail. Too much face to loose and a lot of people are angry that Phuket is getting such special treatment. It must be heralded a success at all costs, be that with just conveniently stopping testing, or half truths.

It's over Thailand. Open the borders fully or simply do nothing. No more half measures and nonsense schemes.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A spokesperson for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) economic body, has defended the Phuket Sandbox project as thoroughly thought out and proceeding as planned to stimulate the economy.

And they say the vaccine programme is on target, preceding  as planned to protect the population..

Why would I disbelieve what they say

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries, special administrative regions and other entities and territorial authorities for which travel restrictions should be lifted. In particular, Rwanda and Thailand were removed from the list and Ukraine was added to the list.

 

 

 

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/07/15/covid-19-council-adds-ukraine-and-removes-two-countries-from-the-list-of-countries-for-which-travel-restrictions-should-be-lifted/

 

So now if you are a EU tourist you cannot return home? 

4 hours ago, dyertribe said:

Given how much the Thai talking heads love a photo opportunity, I have noticed how very few happy snaps of holidaying tourists have actually surfaced from this "successful" model.

We did have one pic of the lady in quarantine after sitting near an infected air passenger. She seemed happy

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Many companies that would not be making a 2 to 4 percent profit in this world would be closing up and going into bankruptcy protection to keep from loosing it all, but hey not here where FACE is still important and if it looks like a duck it definitely is not as it is just a pig wearing lipstick.  These Government officials will never admit defeat or say it was not going as expected. The view of something working is obviously different in their eyes and they see the sandbox as workable.  I finally understand why those few posters who could not wait for the sandbox to open said it would bring them happiness, happiness that the island is now even more sealed and with less domestic tourism and they can enjoy it all to themselves as some of the closed businesses would be opening up and they could enjoy eating out and having a drink.  The light switch finally went on, yep those folks were and still are self centered........just like building a bigger wall around yourself to not let others in. 

Phipat is off to Samui to welcome the tourists [dressed as reporters/journalists] for the opening ceremony.

No doubt that will be hailed as a success story... and the saviour of the nation.

Phuket/Samui Phipat bask in your full glory as the rest of the nation suffers... thousands daily testing positive, a hundred a day dying, hospitals stretched to the limits... curfews and lock-downs hurting peoples livelyhoods

while you stole much needed vaccines for your "project" sleep well in your beds tonight and ponder your actions.

"he said they should be evaluated in terms of economic stimulus, public health implementation and sustainable support for local businesses and communities"

 

based on these parameters, the number of tourists and money spent being so much less than was predicted means it is a failure

 

In my experience with working with thais, done fast so they can claim it is done is more important than done right

14 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

So now if you are a UK tourist you cannot return home? 

I heard a rumour that the UK left the European Union a few months ago.  Something called ... was it ... "Brexit"? If true, the news would be irrelevant to the UK tourist.

1 minute ago, Oxx said:

I heard a rumour that the UK left the European Union a few months ago.  Something called ... was it ... "Brexit"? If true, the news would be irrelevant to the UK tourist.

thanks i meant to say EU. 

Its not a lie if you believe it (George costanza)

14 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

thanks i meant to say EU. 

You can go back home but certain measures might apply such as quarantine. As far as I know no EU country is like Australia denying access to even its own citizens.

 

Travel restrictions apply to foreign citizens travelling from those countries on the list.