Governor confirms Phuket Sandbox will continue

[webfact]

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has assured that the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue, despite the rising number of infections on the island. Photo: PR Phuket

 

By The Phuket News

 

PHUKET: As the number of local infections of COVID-19 continue to rise across the island, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed that the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue.

 

The assurance comes as the island yesterday marked 114 local infections in the past seven days ‒ easily exceeding the “90 infections in one week” limit set by the the Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Bangkok late last month as reason enough to start reviewing whether or not the Phuket Sandbox scheme should be halted.

 

“The Phuket Sandbox scheme is still continuing. The situation right now has not disturbed the opening [of Phuket to receiving fully vaccinated tourists without quarantine],” Governor Narong said during a live broadcast this morning (July 27).

 

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Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/governor-confirms-phuket-sandbox-will-continue-80838.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-07-28

 

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[Olivie]

Who was the stupid one who decided that 90 cases number? And why 90 and not 100 or 50 or 200 ?
They probably think "90" will look like a calculated number, not a random "100" so they look smart...but in fact they REALLY dont know what they are doing.

[ChC1]

1 hour ago, Olivie said:

Who was the stupid one who decided that 90 cases number? And why 90 and not 100 or 50 or 200 ?
They probably think "90" will look like a calculated number, not a random "100" so they look smart...but in fact they REALLY dont know what they are doing.

Based on current weekly arrivals of 2,000,-3,000 foreign tourist, 90 is somewhere between 3%-4% expected to be infected. Consider major vaccine effective rate is 95-96%. That is why I think the number was set at 90 initially. Anticipated Sandbox arrivals X expected 4-5% vaccine failure rate = 90 (more of less).

 

What they did not anticipate is that the local infections and infections from domestic travels...Oh well. 

[Thailand]

Why not, it has been a huge success and a role model for the rest of the country.

[mancub]

1 hour ago, ChC1 said:

Based on current weekly arrivals of 2,000,-3,000 foreign tourist, 90 is somewhere between 3%-4% expected to be infected. Consider major vaccine effective rate is 95-96%. That is why I think the number was set at 90 initially. Anticipated Sandbox arrivals X expected 4-5% vaccine failure rate = 90 (more of less).

 

What they did not anticipate is that the local infections and infections from domestic travels...Oh well. 

Except that their figures were based on far higher weekly arrivals than 2-3000 .

[10baht]

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

Why not, it has been a huge success and a role model for the rest of the country.

Fine, IF the rest of the country was 70+ vaccinated( fully and not just with Chinovac). So no way for the near term.

[Muhendis]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed that the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue.

In saying that he has sown the seeds of doubt.

[zzzzz]

16 hours ago, ChC1 said:

Based on current weekly arrivals of 2,000,-3,000 foreign tourist, 90 is somewhere between 3%-4% expected to be infected. Consider major vaccine effective rate is 95-96%. That is why I think the number was set at 90 initially. Anticipated Sandbox arrivals X expected 4-5% vaccine failure rate = 90 (more of less).

 

What they did not anticipate is that the local infections and infections from domestic travels...Oh well. 

this is totally irrelevant, international arrivals are NOT driving rising cases, its thai's returning to the island and the police NOT doing their job at the bridge!!

surely they took into account when they set 90, that it would be local cases that would make problems>

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed that the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue.

Why not, they allowed Songkran to continue, no harm there.

[Chosenfew]

Well 9 is a lucky number don’t you know…

Anyway I hope it’s successful and maybe Pattaya can be next to open.

[sucit]

Should rename to kitty litter box

[Pedrogaz]

In my experience statements like these are rarely, if ever true. They are usually lies made up to buy time. I wonder what all the tourists who have flocked to Phuket are going to do when it does get cancelled.

[ThailandRyan]

Is the Governor 100% sure, I just saw an article that indicates something different may happen, but then TIT

 

Phuket Tourism Experiment Risks Suspension as Covid Cases Surge

 

A flareup in coronavirus cases in Phuket, Thailand’s first tourism hotspot to waive quarantine for vaccinated foreign visitors, is threatening to scuttle the experiment seen as a model for other tourism-reliant nations to reopen borders.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-27/phuket-tourism-experiment-risks-suspension-as-covid-cases-surge

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

PHUKET: As the number of local infections of COVID-19 continue to rise across the island, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed that the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue.

Of course it will, they could not conceivably stop it has that would bring such shame on them.

Nationwide millions [not thousands] are waiting to be vaccinated, the infection rates are escalating weekly but all the resources were prioritised to open the Sandbox scam which was doomed to failure from day one.

The scheme may well stay open but with global news of Thailands infection rate climbing out of control, the lack of a nationwide vaccination programme and now infections in Phuket itself who in gods name is going to come here for a holiday?

A handful of people with an interest here that necessitates a visit.

Tourists... no way. 

 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The assurance comes as the island yesterday marked 114 local infections in the past seven days ‒ easily exceeding the “90 infections in one week” limit set by the the Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) in Bangkok late last month as reason enough to start reviewing whether or not the Phuket Sandbox scheme should be halted.

Goal posts are never set in concrete.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, ChC1 said:

What they did not anticipate is that the local infections and infections from domestic travels...Oh well. 

You mean the didn't anticipate the squeaky clean locals spreading the infection... only the incoming fully inoculated multiple tested dirty farangs could bring it in to the island...

Well that's another lesson learned then.

 

[hotchilli]

14 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

In my experience statements like these are rarely, if ever true. They are usually lies made up to buy time. I wonder what all the tourists who have flocked to Phuket are going to do when it does get cancelled.

The promise of another 10 destination nationwide has already been cancelled... not it's down to island hopping down south only. 

[hotchilli]

41 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

this is totally irrelevant, international arrivals are NOT driving rising cases, its thai's returning to the island and the police NOT doing their job at the bridge!!

surely they took into account when they set 90, that it would be local cases that would make problems>

You know this is Thailand right ?  ????

[Sharp]

Looks like the uptick in cases are more to do with Thais arriving on the Island looking for employment rather than foreign arrivals 

[Mickeymaus]

I see in the original article that there are many criteria.

 

“If there were 90 persons infected per week in Phuket, that would be a criteria for reconsideration of the scheme once it has started, or for any adjustments,” Mr Natapanu said last month.

 

“Also if all three districts in Phuket are affected, and in that more than six villages are affected, that would be another criteria,” he added.

 

“If there are COVID cases and there are no linkages found and no contact tracing is possible, that would be another criteria,” Mr Natapanu continued.

 

“Also, if the hospital bed capacity exceeds 80%, that would be another criteria,” he added.

 

“If the situation becomes worse in Phuket after the opening of the province on the 1st of July with these particular criteria, then it [the box scheme] would be reconsidered,” Mr Natapanu warned.

[bolt]

I arrived from overseas on July 4th, I had completed all requirements.

my wife flew in from BKK domestic she only had to produce a 7 day negative test, she also didn’t have to do any tests whilst on the island, where as I had to make test day 1-6-12.

the domestic traveler has done this, not the international arrivals.

[ThailandRyan]

Reality sometimes no matter how much you stare at it when it goes against what one has stated will never be enough of a reason for some to admit to a plan not working out,  Is it a failure so far, well only if you think about those that have been disenfranchised by the promised freedom that has been removed from them as they have been moved to an ASQ/ALQ because they tested positive after having been double vaccinated.  The question is, what are they doing with the public who tests positive and are found asymptomatic after also being vaccinated.  We have yet to hear how many of those residents that have been double vaccinated are testing positive and for that matter what variant is now spreading on Phuket.  Of course there will be those who call me a doomsayer, or Doom Monger along I am sure to tell me that the reality we are all seeing is our wish and hope this whole Sandbox fails.  Nothing more than reality as I have pointed out.  My Ex and Daughter decided that they would stay in the US instead of risking being stuck in an ASQ/ALQ if they tested positive, as they only had 3 weeks to fly in, stay in the Sandbox, fly north to the home province to see family and then fly back to the US before school starts there.  Family from the north (Mom and Dad) could also not go to Phuket unless they met the domestic qualifications to be let onto the Island, plus now with the Domestic Flight cancelations it would make it tenuous at best.  Sad truths, but reality.

Edited July 28, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[ThailandRyan]

6 minutes ago, Sharp said:

Looks like the uptick in cases are more to do with Thais arriving on the Island looking for employment rather than foreign arrivals 

Can you show me where it says that these infections are not from residents but from people arriving and looking for jobs who have to meet regulations to arrive on the island as well.

[dave moir]

5 hours ago, Olivie said:

Who was the stupid one who decided that 90 cases number? And why 90 and not 100 or 50 or 200 ?
They probably think "90" will look like a calculated number, not a random "100" so they look smart...but in fact they REALLY dont know what they are doing.

Have they ever?????

[poskat]

the baht must flow....

[thurien]

1 hour ago, Pedrogaz said:

I wonder what all the tourists who have flocked to Phuket are going to do when it does get cancelled.

they will go home, what else?

[shackleton]

They are not going to lose face on this one and start back tracking 

They are committed to carrying on no matter what the consequences are

Interesting times ahead ????

[Derek B]

Variant D has changed the ball game across the country & region.

We are pretty much right back to March 2020 except more gel & masks to hand.

 

[dougiemac52]

4 hours ago, ChC1 said:

Based on current weekly arrivals of 2,000,-3,000 foreign tourist, 90 is somewhere between 3%-4% expected to be infected. Consider major vaccine effective rate is 95-96%. That is why I think the number was set at 90 initially. Anticipated Sandbox arrivals X expected 4-5% vaccine failure rate = 90 (more of less).

 

What they did not anticipate is that the local infections and infections from domestic travels...Oh well. 

So you obviously not too bright are you as the efficacy of Sinovac is less than 60%

[Guderian]

2 hours ago, Chosenfew said:

Well 9 is a lucky number don’t you know…

Anyway I hope it’s successful and maybe Pattaya can be next to open.

That's right, if they'd chosen 99 then everything would have been fine, but this is what hapens when you try and run a country without first consulting the astrologers and amulets. Clearly, ignoring the fates and fortunes and not leaving enough red Fanta and bananas outside Government House every day are resulting in poorly designed government policy.