Picture: Daily News

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs's IT whiz Thanee Saengrat spoke to Daily News about developments connected to the reopening of Thailand via the much heralded "Phuket Sandbox".

 

The article was accompanied by an infographic that was designed to highlight clearly what the changes all meant.

 

The idea is that since a CCSA decision on Monday tourists can do seven days on Phuket then go to other islands in the south of Thailand and areas in Phangnga.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that the infographic took a little understanding.

 

Phang Nga (sic) was referred to as Prompt, Samui Plus was relatively straightforward and apparently Krabi was "Even More Amazing".

 

Whether this was Thanee's handiwork or not was not explained. The term "Amazing Thailand" featured in one corner.

 

He said that the Sandbox in July welcomed 14,055 tourists who booked 190,843 nights accommodation.

 

Two figures were mentioned in the Daily News story - 872 million baht in direct tourism spending was brought in and 1.9 billion baht when businesses related directly or indirectly to tourism were included in the figure.

 

If this was not totally clear Thanee helpfully explained it was all a great success and a significant boost for the economy.

 

He said that his ministry and embassies around the world and other agencies were all now singing from the same hymn sheet when it came to the issuance of Certificates of Entry for the Sandbox. 

 

You may find a full list of the ASQ/ALQ hotels here

 

 

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MoFA: Hails "Sandbox" success - all systems go

 

WHAT! I thought they needed visitors for it to be a success. Anyway, I am glad they are happy.

Edited August 21, 20214 yr by Gottfrid

Well, MoFA declared expatvac a "Success", so there's that.

 

 

 

 

The entire world should learn from Thailand..Nobody has dealt so effective with corona, such great ideas to promote tourism,  great respect towards the foreigners, perfect mak mak

Maybe places like Aotearoa are doing it wrong, maybe zero infections equals "success" in New Zealand, but mountains of paperwork, and inflight infections all the same (oh my word!) and re-enacting "Escape from Devils Island" is how "success" is measured in other litter boxes, who knows?

20 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

MoFA: Hails "Sandbox" success - all systems go

 

WHAT! I thought they needed visitors for it to be a success. Anyway, I am glad they are happy.

 

 

They had visitors.

 

 

Enough to test the project out and spin it as a success (which it was as a project to dip a toe in the water for opening up the country further).

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

They had visitors.

 

 

Enough to test the project out and spin it as a success (which it was as a project to dip a toe in the water for opening up the country further).

Spinning in a litter box

Messy indeed - you get cat litter everywhere in all 7 places

So if the virus doesn't get you, go to Death Island to chance your arm again.

I read that the greatest success was the transfer from the airport to the hotel. I wonder if the tuk tuk mafia is up for a chalange? ????. 

 

BTW, How many has been transfered to 14 days ASQ due to to a fellow flight passenger tested positive? 

46 minutes ago, webfact said:

Two figures were mentioned in the Daily News story - 872 million baht in direct tourism spending was brought in and 1.9 billion baht when businesses related directly or indirectly to tourism were included in the figure.

How the F they come up with these figures amazes me, then again, this is amazing Thailand isn't it.

 

Edited August 21, 20214 yr by 4MyEgo

13 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

They had visitors.

 

 

Enough to test the project out and spin it as a success (which it was as a project to dip a toe in the water for opening up the country further).

You will soon get a call and an offer as advisor for TAT. ????

But didn't the mayor state to the press that if we hit 90 infected cases I will shut the sandbox down.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs's IT whiz Thanee Saengrat"

 

I wonder what level of competence is an IT Wizz in Thailand. Did this person also help with the wonderfully functioning "hub like" IT systems in Thailand today (eg 90 day reporting, any of the government covid registration sites for foreigners)

22 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

Spinning in a litter box

Messy indeed - you get cat litter everywhere in all 7 places

The sandbox is filled with droppings.  And if you get sick you can go to a hospital that is over-run.

Yeah, what a great idea.  

"MoFA: Hails "Sandbox" success - all systems go for 7+7 and all agencies onboard over CoE".

 

All pigs fed and ready to fly Cap'n!

TAT originally quoted 129,000 travellers would arrive between 1 July and 30 September. So far 22,389 arrived up to 19 Aug (50 days).

 

So if it's a big success, I guess the TAT must still be expecting the other 107,611 to arrive in the next 42 days...

 

Edited August 21, 20214 yr by aussiexpat

6 minutes ago, Blumpie said:

The sandbox is filled with droppings.  And if you get sick you can go to a hospital that is over-run.

Yeah, what a great idea.  

Sooo correct. With all the nonsense spouted about the litter box, it is forgotten that if you are ill you may find little space at the hospitals for that illness.

A big success... But Europe, and GB and the USA are giving Thailand a no travel advice.. and even vaccinated with Sinovac and Astra made in Thailand, will not be accepted as vaccinated and so if people Thailand go to Europe they have to stay in quarantine first.. But a big success   

33 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

How the F they come up with these figures amazes me, then again, this is amazing Thailand isn't it.

 

They're all coming out from the department of "Let's inflate them figures up to the buggery" so we look good, otherwise what the use of our department?...

9 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

Sooo correct. With all the nonsense spouted about the litter box, it is forgotten that if you are ill you may find little space at the hospitals for that illness.

Or any other illness for that matter.  Get hit by a car?  Have an iguana grab onto your member?  

Get hit by a ping-pong ball in the eyeball?  

Look, nobody in the world is going to Thailand for a care-free holiday.  Everyone in this silly little sandbox is just trying to get in and that's it end of story.  

I wouldn't go to Thailand for this silly vacation if it was all free.  

2 minutes ago, ezzra said:

They're all coming out from the department of "Let's inflate them figures up to the buggery" so we look good, otherwise what the use of our department?...

It's literally like Borat.  

And there is the movie - Borat does Thailand COVID.  

all of that while the "safe" sandbox .....

 

More than 12,000 tested by ATKs in Phuket, more than 500 COVID cases identified

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs's IT whiz Thanee Saengrat spoke to Daily News about developments connected to the reopening of Thailand via the much heralded "Phuket Sandbox".

 

The article was accompanied by an infographic that was designed to highlight clearly what the changes all meant.

The Infographic was shown to highlight his IT skills.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

You will soon get a call and an offer as advisor for TAT. ????

 

 

Oh bother!

 

 

You have seen through me......????

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Well, MoFA declared expatvac a "Success", so there's that.

 

 

 

 

What happens after 21 days and no reply?????

6 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Well, MoFA declared expatvac a "Success", so there's that.

 

 

 

 

Yes, it is! They have managed to save a lot of vaccines, by not giving any. Unfortunately they did not think about the best before date. Not easy to remember all, is it? ???? I think the authority should be named MiiFFO instead.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

What happens after 21 days and no reply?????

Wait " you will be contacted soon" hopefully, maybe.

Quote

all systems go for 7+7 and all agencies onboard over CoE

Once all agencies are onboard, that's when the misunderstandings show up.

But, good luck anyway.

Edited August 22, 20214 yr by klauskunkel

"MoFA: Hails "Sandbox" success - all systems go for 7+7 and all agencies onboard over CoE"

1) sandbox is a local idea = Ministry of Interior; so what is the MoFA doing here? 
2) Ministries, agencies and God-only-knows-who-else being "onboard" over the CoE!

All this does not work, as you forgot the culprit, the victim, the beneficiary = the tourist. 

Nothing understood, nothing learnt, too stubborn, ignorant and blowing its own trumpet. My comment to the entire drama "keep up the good work"; the more you do, the more all of you are out on the street and Thailand can start mopping up the mess and plan for a sustainable future for all those who lost out big time during this stint.