Tourism minister pressing ahead with "Step by Step" reopening of Thailand

[webfact]

File photo: National News Bureau of Thailand

 

Thailand's minister for tourism and sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan is pressing ahead with PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's 120 day reopening masterplan.

 

It's up on October 15th but that won't stop the reopening juggernaut that is now being called "Step by Step" according to Thai business media.

 

Step One is over and done with - the pilot to open Phuket Kof Samui and other southern island areas and resorts.

 

Step Two is the opening of the Thai capital Bangkok on October 1st along with Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Cha-Am and Hua Hin. 

 

Phuket was "Sandbox" Pattaya is "Move On", Hua Hin is "Recharge" and Chiang Mai is "Charming". 

 

Cha-Am appears to be, well Cha-Am.

 

Step Three is the opening of 21 more provinces on October 15th.

 

Step Four is the creation of travel bubbles with Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia between January 1st and 15th 2022.

 

This will see a return to cross border trade in places like Ranong, Betong, Satun, Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Panom, Surin, Trat and Sa Kaeo. 

 

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[Mr Meeseeks]

Another major mismanagement decision that will ultimately make things a lot worse when they looked to be getting better.

[mtls2005]

"Move on"?

 

Certainly a welcoming tag-line.

 

Honestly who comes up with this idiocy?

[Will B Good]

Step 5

 

Mass panic as new infections spiral out of control and restauranteurs are blamed for letting people eat.

[Mr Meeseeks]

Meanwhile back to reality on Phuket: 

 

Phuket’s health officials are sounding the alarm, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic on the island is approaching a critical level, with all the hospitals beds now 80% occupied and those remaining likely to be filled soon

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/phuket-hospitals-are-nearing-full-capacity-as-new-infections-surge/

 

????

[GStewart70]

Phuket expected 100,000 mugs got 25,000 only.

Watched a video of a motorbike ride around Phuket last week.

Zombie apocalypse.

Rows and rows of shuttered shops and bars.

No tourists are coming to Thailand under their stupid named little schemes.

[ThailandRyan]

Step by Step, doing the two step boot scooting boogie Pipat is.  He can attempt to take the steps, but he is not the one n control.  The man is just trying to justify his lofty position I do believe.  Not much for the Tourism minister to do with no tourism and the borders still sealed.....

[petermik]

Be happier if they forecast when the final step will be made and folk can walk in show there passport and vac certificate and be on their way without any more BS.....

[FritsSikkink]

Start with getting rid of the curfew.

[AwwYesNice1]

4 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Beats the passport chucked at me as soon as I land after a 24 hr trip and 6 airports from the lovely folks at BKK immig....oh and the hand gesture of <deleted> off...

 

I've gotten that also, imagine the pain being stuck in that booth all day stamping in Hansum Man 

to go bang his sister?

Edited September 6, 2021 by AwwYesNice1
edit

[smedly]

If I was a genuine tourist in Phuket right now I would not be leaving my hotel and staying away from people as much as possible, for the simple reason vaxed or not if you return a positive covid test you life turns to into a living hell - I hope potential future foreign tourists understand that before they set foot in this covid ridden country - the risks costs and penalties are high. 

[Kadilo]

11 minutes ago, smedly said:

I hope potential future foreign tourists understand that before they set foot in this covid ridden country - the risks costs and penalties are high. 

Just a slight exaggeration 
 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by Kadilo

[ThailandRyan]

22 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Just a slight exaggeration 
 

 

Obviously not if the UK, the EU, and the US have placed it as a no go area, but then maybe it is just a misunderstanding between governments and the allowance of their citizens to travel.  Seems to me they are a tad bit worried.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

Obviously not if the UK, the EU, and the US have placed it as a no go area, but then maybe it is just a misunderstanding between governments and the allowance of their citizens to travel.  Seems to me they are a tad bit worried.

Read an article that explained the UK's biggest concern is the lack of/frequency of genome sequencing in Thailand coupled with opening up too soon, both of which the risk a new variant making its way to the UK unannounced.

 

??

[Mr Meeseeks]

32 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Just a slight exaggeration 

How so? Approximately 50,000 tests per day and official and ATK numbers over 20,000 yesterday. 

[uli65]

it's not covid ridden, it's only government ridden, morons in uniform are destroying this nice country with all these useless restrictions

[John Drake]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Step Four is the creation of travel bubbles with Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Cambodia between January 1st and 15th 2022.

Myanmar???

[RichardColeman]

Unless those steps to reopen are :

1. Drop COE

2. Drop Quarantine.

3. Drop Insurance demands.

4. Drop PCR tests.

 

Then they aint coming !

 

[Kadilo]

8 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Obviously not if the UK, the EU, and the US have placed it as a no go area, but then maybe it is just a misunderstanding between governments and the allowance of their citizens to travel.  Seems to me they are a tad bit worried.

Another review in the UK in 10 days so let’s see if there’s a change then. Don’t know how often the US/EU review their guidelines. 

There is also a few months and a review every 3 weeks in between now and when most will want to travel so a lot can change either way in that time as we all know. 

[wensiensheng]

I think it all depends on your definition of “open”. Phuket can receive international arrivals. But with the number of restrictions currently in place it can hardly be described as “open”. Certainly not so far as my daughters school is concerned!  and with record numbers of Covid cases over the last few days, it doesn’t seem that the island will be more “open” in the near future.

 

but yes, it’s “open” and so press on to other provinces so that they can similarly “open”.

[Mr Meeseeks]

15 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Unless those steps to reopen are :

1. Drop COE

2. Drop Quarantine.

3. Drop Insurance demands.

4. Drop PCR tests.

 

Then they aint coming !

 

All of which would be a burden on local health services if dropped at this time. 

[RichardColeman]

1 minute ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

All of which would be a burden on local health services if dropped at this time. 

Really ? Why ?  If you've been jabbed and can prove it your more at danger of the Thai populace than a danger to the Thai healthcare system. Anything more than jab information is nuts as its excess to requirements. Its like wearing two condoms for sex but having all the same covid regulations stopping you from doing the act !

[mikosan]

3 hours ago, GStewart70 said:

Phuket expected 100,000 mugs got 25,000 only.

Watched a video of a motorbike ride around Phuket last week.

Zombie apocalypse.

Rows and rows of shuttered shops and bars.

No tourists are coming to Thailand under their stupid named little schemes.

And I suspect that most of them were returning residents, who chose the relative freedom of Phuket to an ASQ prison.

[Mr Meeseeks]

22 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Really ? Why ?  If you've been jabbed and can prove it your more at danger of the Thai populace than a danger to the Thai healthcare system. Anything more than jab information is nuts as its excess to requirements. Its like wearing two condoms for sex but having all the same covid regulations stopping you from doing the act !

The jab does not prevent you arriving with COVID then spreading it to locals, nor does it prevent you being sick nor pay for your hospital bill!

 

Phuket hospitals are at 80% capacity already, and allowing untested and uninsured foreign arrivals are an unnecessary risk that would be unacceptable to take at this time.

 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by Mr Meeseeks

[Mr Meeseeks]

23 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Anything more than jab information is nuts as its excess to requirements

Having health insurance is nuts? 

[Anton9]

3 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The jab does not prevent you arriving with COVID then spreading it to locals, nor does it prevent you being sick nor pay for your hospital bill!

 

Phuket hospitals are at 80% capacity already, and allowing untested and uninsured foreign arrivals are an unnecessary risk that would be unacceptable to take at this time.

 

 

How can Phuket hospital be at 80% capacity with 100/200 cases/day and the majority of the population being fully vaccinated?

Isn't it because they put in hospitals everyone testing positive to the PCR test?

[Boedog]

Expected nothing else, Grandmaster Prayut,s 120 day re opening plan was always going to happen regardless of what was happening, the brown envelopes have been a bit light in recent times, I think in the race to be the most inept leader of a country and not including Biden who is in a race of his own, Grandmaster Prayut is l think 2nd on his own

[Bkk Brian]

49 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Unless those steps to reopen are :

1. Drop COE

2. Drop Quarantine.

3. Drop Insurance demands.

4. Drop PCR tests.

 

Then they aint coming !

 

Exactly and before you do that make sure Thailand is safe enough to open entirely including all businesses and the schools where children and young people are missing their education

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Step Two is the opening of the Thai capital Bangkok on October 1st along with Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Cha-Am and Hua Hin. 

All having infection levels that are far from over and locals who are still un-vaccinated.

What's wrong with this man?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

"Move on"?

 

Certainly a welcoming tag-line.

 

Honestly who comes up with this idiocy?

Phipat does, almost daily.