Sandbox tourists not scared off, says Phuket official

[snoop1130]

Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong. Photo: PR dept

 

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong has refuted claims that almost a third of tourists who entered the island under the Sandbox scheme decided to return home due to escalating COVID-19 figures.

 

V/Gov Piyapong explained yesterday (July 25) that he saw a news headline from the BTimes website stating 3,000 Sandbox tourists had decided to go home due to a combination of newly infected cases rising and stricter land border entry conditions implemented to contain the virus.

 

“Between the opening of the Sandbox scheme on July 1st through to yesterday (July 22), a total of 10,849 people have arrived,” V/Gov Piyapong said.

 

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[johng]

“Approximately 3,000 have returned to their home countries as they had completed their holidays before or at the 14 day mark.

 

but

"4,568 have already completed their 14 day mandatory stay,"

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

i do not bealive him.

i think phuket is still empty. only few tourists here and there.

place look deserted. ghost town.

the central mall so empty.

80% of the shops are closed.

most open hotels are empty.

and this makes even me thinking about leaving the place.

because, well, it is so empty.

 

[pokerface1]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

tourists had decided to go home due to a combination of newly infected cases rising and stricter land border entry conditions implemented to contain the virus.

Obviously most were not  tourists in the normal sense but were using Phuket as a gateway to other parts of Thailand. They took a big gamble on this and unfortunately paid the price. I think the rest were just pizzed off that so many attractions were closed so very little fun to be had.

[mancub]

15 hours ago, johng said:

“Approximately 3,000 have returned to their home countries as they had completed their holidays before or at the 14 day mark.

 

but

"4,568 have already completed their 14 day mandatory stay,"

14 day mandatory stay only applies if wanting to those planning on extending to other places

 

[IamNoone88]

The Sandbox created a gateway for returning residents who are not tourists. Better to be "free and easy" in Phuket for 2 weeks and head home to Bangkok or elsewhere than do ASQ in Bangkok confined to a hotel room. 

 

There a significant number cannot be tourists but just padding the numbers.

[mancub]

1 hour ago, mancub said:

14 day mandatory stay only applies if wanting to those planning on extending to other places

 

What I meant to say being :  The 14 day rule only applies to those under the Sandbox scheme who subsequently wish to travel to other parts of the Kingdom (except Samui) to continue their "holiday". As in ; not being able to stay less than 14 nts before going to Chiang Mai or elsewhere.

[Stargeezr]

There are many travelers who will not travel anywhere,until they can do it

without all the requirements, and risks involved. Most travelers do not

travel to tropical places in rainy or off season, even before COVID hit.

  To be a dreamer, means you must work for TAT, or the government.

My opinion anyway.

Geezer

[gk10012001]

I was considering doing the sandbox, but that last example of the lady that had to go pay for another quarantine because somebody on her plane allegedly tested positive is just absurd.  I don't sign open ended contracts and I can't accept responsibility for other people's actions

[robertson468]

I have recently read that Tourist recovery will not be significant until 2022 and the expectation of Tourists for the remainder of the year is about one million, but only if Thailand cleans it's act up on the spread of the virus.  This to me sounds much more reasonable than the stats being quoted by TAT!

[Cake Monster]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“Between the opening of the Sandbox scheme on July 1st through to yesterday (July 22), a total of 10,849 people have arrived,” V/Gov Piyapong said.

But the Vice Governor saw a report that 3000 had left already, and thats why he called the press conference.

Well ! How many have actually gone home then ?

With a combination of rising infections that are now close to the 90 per week that they were told was the sandbox shutdown point,

Most Entertainment and Shop closed

Ever increasing restrictions and hoops jump through.

And just plain boredom

There will be many leaving for sure

[Benmart]

Honesty and integrity is in short supply. Honor? That's a rare virtue.

[chilly07]

Not suprised that nos have returned home scared. Kitty Litter residents are also petrified and demanding booster jabs on top of the 2 they already have!

[gk10012001]

Some of this is reminding me of the classic Sci Fi movie Day of the Triffids.  Somehow the COVID 19 just manages to propagate and spread.

[Scrotobike]

Again confused

 

How many tourists

How many other types of visitors (eg returning home to family etc)

 

Counting arrivals is not the same as counting tourists I think...

[gim12]

large numbers didnt return to their home countries because they never came in the first place