Thai Tourism Minister maximises his 14 days in “Phuket Sandbox”

[webfact]

 

TAT Newsroom

 

Bangkok, 05 August, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to report that H.E. Mr Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, has been maximising his 14-day stay under the “Phuket Sandbox” programme with a number of public and private activities that reiterate the island’s health and safety in place to ensure the measures for both tourists and the local people.

 

Mr. Phiphat arrived in Phuket on 26 July, 2021, along with a high-level entourage of sports officials who accompanied Thailand’s first Olympic Games 2020 taekwondo gold medallist, Ms. Panipak Wongpattanakit, and the rest of the Thai taekwondo team, back to Thailand from Japan via Singapore.

 

The group returned to Thailand via Phuket because the island’s Sandbox programme allows fully vaccinated international arrivals to experience its world-famous tourism appeal without the need to quarantine.

 

Available to Thais and non-Thai nationals coming from the approved list of countries/territories, the Phuket Sandbox programme has been structured to ensure health and safety protocols are observed, while at the same time allowing tourists to enjoy themselves amid the world-famous appeal of the destination.

 

Japan and Singapore are both on the approved list of countries/territories from where fully vaccinated travellers can travel to Phuket, stay there for 14 days, before being allowed to continue the journey to other Thai destinations provided that they test negative for COVID-19.

 

Mr. Phiphat and his entourage arrived in Phuket from Singapore aboard Singapore Airlines, one of a number of international airlines that have been flying direct to Phuket on a weekly basis since the Phuket Sandbox programme was launched on 1 July, 2021. Their stay in Phuket has marked the importance of the destination in the gradual reopening of Thailand to tourism.

 

During his stay, Mr. Phiphat who tested negative on both Day 0 and Day 6-7 has been taking part in a number of activities to show the world that Phuket’s famed beaches, sporting activities, the Old Town, cuisine, and many more memorable experiences await all visitors.

 

He also chaired a meeting with Phuket’s public and private sectors to discuss how to ensure continuity of the Phuket Sandbox programme, while applying stricter health and safety protocols.

 

In addition, during his participation in the ‘Big Cleaning Day’ activity on Patong Beach, Mr. Phiphat noted the observance of health and safety measures by both tourists and the locals, and the acceptance by all of how important it is to create a balance between this and the gradual revitalisation of tourism in Phuket.

 

As per the ‘Sandbox’ requirements for entering Phuket, Mr. Phiphat and his entourage are staying at Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra Hotel for their mandatory 14-night stay on the island. If tested negative in their third COVID-19 testing, they will be allowed to continue their journey to other Thai destinations. Albeit Thailand’s heightened measures, including a lockdown in 29 dark-red zone provinces, domestic transportation out of Phuket can be arranged via SHA+ certified hotels and local tour companies.

 

Phuket is designated as a Controlled Area with less restrictions as in the dark-red and red zones. There is no curfew in Phuket. Malls, restaurants, convenience marts, markets and sports venues are open with integrated COVID-19 control measures in place. See: Phuket updates COVID-19 control measures during 3-16 August 2021

 

All 230 Sandbox Hotels in Phuket - Book Now!

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/08/thai-tourism-minister-maximises-his-14-days-in-phuket-sandbox/

 

[Thailand]

My old granny used to say " it won't hurt when the pain has gone"!

[poskat]

Awww...look at you, doing your job, just like a big boy....

[Gold Star]

Perhaps bikers wouldn't mind if sandbox tourists were each awarded a free patch and a T-shirt:  'I'm a 1% er'.

 

[Phuketshrew]

So, as there should be no domestic flights, will he have to take the sandbox bus back to Bangkok? 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Phuketshrew

[Pedrogaz]

'His Excellency' ??????? H.E. Mr Phipat?

[Cake Monster]

46 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

'His Excellency' ??????? H.E. Mr Phipat?

I spotted that remark in the report also.

Phiphat and his goons will swell the sandbox numbers quite a bit, but  I doubt they will part with much cash outside of their 5 Star Hotel they are probably getting FOC..

 

[Iamemjay]

Ha! I hardly saw a bicycle in Patong and no-one hired them out!

 

Here's MY pic of the same spot a couple of weeks ago (in Sandbox fever!)

 

[spidermike007]

Please do the nation a favor and stay in Phuket permanently. The tourism industry has a slight 10% chance of recovery without you in charge. With you? Closer to 2%. 

[Karma80]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Japan and Singapore are both on the approved list of countries/territories from where fully vaccinated travellers can travel to Phuket, stay there for 14 days, before being allowed to continue the journey to other Thai destinations provided that they test negative for COVID-19.

Provided you can find a way to leave Phuket, feel like travelling around when cases are soaring nationwide and every day bringing new restrictions.  

[kimamey]

3 hours ago, Thailand said:

My old granny used to say " it won't hurt when the pain has gone"!

And did it?

[kimamey]

3 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

So, as there should be no domestic flights, will he have to take the sandbox bus back to Bangkok? 

That's what I thought but I saw this.

 

'domestic transportation out of Phuket can be arranged via SHA+ certified hotels and local tour companies.'

 

Does anyone know what this is apart from possibly being very expensive.

 

Maybe they are going to ride their bikes out of Phuket.

[Thailand]

31 minutes ago, kimamey said:

And did it?

Bit too subtle for you was it?

[Scott Tracy]

For sandbox substitute 14 days quarantine.

[Bluespunk]

Ah, that was a good read, made me laugh out loud several times. 
 

Thanks TAT News department 

[skytrooper70]

Phuket may be "without the need to quarantine," but why is there a "curfew" that requires all arrivals to report in and stay overnight at their SHA PLUS hotels? Even arriving home owners are prevented from staying overnight in their own homes, despite being willing to pay for a 14 day SHA PLUS hotel stay. Surely, it is safer to stay isolated in one's home than to share a hotel with unknown numbers of guests and hotel staff.

[stevenl]

27 minutes ago, skytrooper70 said:

Phuket may be "without the need to quarantine," but why is there a "curfew" that requires all arrivals to report in and stay overnight at their SHA PLUS hotels? Even arriving home owners are prevented from staying overnight in their own homes, despite being willing to pay for a 14 day SHA PLUS hotel stay. Surely, it is safer to stay isolated in one's home than to share a hotel with unknown numbers of guests and hotel staff.

There is no requirement to stay overnight in an SHA+ hotel. Requirement is for daily morchana scan an temperature check, which can be done any time.