A business sign on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong tells customers that they’re open. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

 

By The Phuket News

 

PHUKET: Following the proclamation by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday that Thailand will reopen to vaccinated tourists from some countries the Thai government defines as “low risk”, it has been full steam ahead with easing the COVID restrictions within the country, opening the door for domestic tourism to resume.

 

We’ll soon know how ready tourists are to come to Phuket on holiday, but the real question is, how ready is Phuket to receive them?

 

If the traffic at the Phuket Check Point onto the island yesterday (Oct 16) – the first day of the eased restrictions allowing vaccinated domestic arrivals into Phuket without having to undergo a COVID test – is any indication, domestic tourism is already on the rise. It’s as if Thais and other local residents living in other provinces were just waiting for the green light.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-are-we-ready-81725.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-10-18

 

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Domestic tourists have long been the potential savior for tourism. Just look at other countries where staycations have been popular due to the uncertainty of international travel. 
 

it’s just that Thailand mistakenly opted for a Phuket sandbox for international travelers, thereby hitting every imaginable headwind, and at the same time killed domestic travel by cutting the island off from the rest of the country.

 

it seems obvious to me that domestic tourism recovers before international tourism. Thailand missed out that step.

Thai's are tough and resilient people. They will flood back to open businesses sure as God made apples, and the place will be chocked once again with uncouth, annoying, and hardly bearable cash heavy falang tourists lol ????