7+7 plan gets CCSA greenlight: Sandbox tourists free to travel to other southern Thai islands

[webfact]

File photo: Manager

 

Manager reported that the plan to allow foreign tourists to stay seven days on Phuket under the Sandbox scheme then have another week on various other Thai islands and in other areas was approved by the CCSA and started yesterday.

 

Under the scheme known as "7+7" foreign tourists will be able to take boats to Krabi islands and beach areas (Phi Phi and Railey) and boats to Phangnga (Khao Lak, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai).

 

They will also be able to fly to Koh Samui in Surat Thani then travel onward to nearby Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.

 

Following seven days in both areas tourists are free to travel to other parts of Thailand after strict protocols are observed through their first two weeks, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

Manager further reported that the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) also agreed to let foreign boats transport foreigners through the islands subject to protocols and rules. 

 

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[gk10012001]

So irrationale.  The plan still herds tourists into just a few places.  Just a plan to give some money to some places and does not answer the needs or desires of most tourists.  After 7 days which is enough of a money grab, and if one is vaccinated they should be allowed to go anywhere. 

[petermik]

Nowt like a load of nonsense to try and cloud the issue...

[Scrotobike]

Insane

[Thailand]

Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?

[smedly]

can someone please explain the logical thought process behind this, consider a few things when trying to work it out.

 

- Thais are free to leave these islands at any time vaccinated or not

- Foreigners on these islands are the most tested people for covid on the planet

- 90% are all fully vaccinated with an effective vaccine

 

Maybe it is for their own protection, maybe they are not adults and cannot think for themselves, maybe certain mafia elements want to gouge them for as much money as possible.

 

If you are a returning long term foreigner with a house and family on Phucket - you can now travel to other islands but cannot go and live in your own house with your family  until the 14 days are up

 

######## 

[hotchilli]

It's all about revenue... be seen to be doing something.

No-way is it going to stop.

[Bkktodd]

If Thailand is so concerned about vaccinated its citizens and feel they will be safer from covid….why are already vaccinated inbound “tourists (or expats)  still subject to a full 14 days and not just 7 day quarantine plus covid tests?  More chances  to get covid than to  bring it in.   Heads up in may the 7 day quarantine was dropped because of fear tourists will bring in the delta variant.  5555 its here already. Crossed over by foot   

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

can someone please explain the logical thought process behind this, consider a few things when trying to work it out.

 

- Thais are free to leave these islands at any time vaccinated or not

- Foreigners on these islands are the most tested people for covid on the planet

- 90% are all fully vaccinated with an effective vaccine

 

Maybe it is for their own protection, maybe they are not adults and cannot think for themselves, maybe certain mafia elements want to gouge them for as much money as possible.

 

If you are a returning long term foreigner with a house and family on Phucket - you can now travel to other islands but cannot go and live in your own house with your family  until the 14 days are up

 

######## 

 

There is definitely a logic disconnect. 

 

The issue is, the smarter younger people are unable to sit in meetings and speak up due to ‘Krieng-jai’ 

 

.....”Boss, really, that is utter bo!!ox” just doesn’t go down well here !!! 

[stevenl]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

can someone please explain the logical thought process behind this, consider a few things when trying to work it out.

 

- Thais are free to leave these islands at any time vaccinated or not

- Foreigners on these islands are the most tested people for covid on the planet

- 90% are all fully vaccinated with an effective vaccine

 

Maybe it is for their own protection, maybe they are not adults and cannot think for themselves, maybe certain mafia elements want to gouge them for as much money as possible.

 

If you are a returning long term foreigner with a house and family on Phucket - you can now travel to other islands but cannot go and live in your own house with your family  until the 14 days are up

 

######## 

Yes, Thai are free to leave, but they may not be able to enter their destination.

Sandboxers are the most tested, nothing to do with foreigner or Thai.

Also your last line, not related to being a foreigner or Thai. Also sandbox Thais can not go to their own house.

[DrDave]

8 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Yes, Thai are free to leave, but they may not be able to enter their destination.

Sandboxers are the most tested, nothing to do with foreigner or Thai.

Also your last line, not related to being a foreigner or Thai. Also sandbox Thais can not go to their own house.

Yes, this is correct for returning Thais under the sandbox program. They are not treated any differently than foreigners.

 

However, I think smedly was referring to non-sandbox Thais who don't undergo the 3 tests required of sandboxers and if vaccinated, most likely with a vaccine most consider inferior. I think his point was that non-sandbox Thais are free to leave at any time, while the more-tested, better vaccinated sandboxers (both foreign and Thai) are not, which seems to be illogical.

[stevenl]

Those non vaccinated can leave Phuket but not enter, and will be limited where they can go. So yes, leaving is easy, getting somewhere will be more difficult.

 

So you may be right, I don't know, but I do know he has on a continuous basis problems understanding the sandbox is not about nationality.

[drenddy]

8 hours ago, smedly said:

can someone please explain the logical thought process behind this, consider a few things when trying to work it out.

 

- Thais are free to leave these islands at any time vaccinated or not

- Foreigners on these islands are the most tested people for covid on the planet

- 90% are all fully vaccinated with an effective vaccine

 

Maybe it is for their own protection, maybe they are not adults and cannot think for themselves, maybe certain mafia elements want to gouge them for as much money as possible.

 

If you are a returning long term foreigner with a house and family on Phucket - you can now travel to other islands but cannot go and live in your own house with your family  until the 14 days are up

 

######## 

It's pure greed...Keeping the tourists in one place.

[drenddy]

An old russian saying : I pretend to work, and they pretend to pay me....Same here, thai authorities pretend to do something, thais pretend to believe them.

[biervoormij]

Will these 7 new places be closed off to domestic travelers the way Phuket currently is? 

[Nanaplaza666]

When they predict tourist nr's and money spend they like to keep the nr's high . But to lure tourists in, they think that changing the being locked up nr from 14 days to 7+7 days will make a difference . You won't be locked up for 14 days in one place but 7 here and 7 there so it sounds like less . 

[Crisu]

So if i stay 7 days in Phuket and travel to another province i still have to stay 7 days in a special "Sandbox" hotel there?