Kent Holmgren runs the Karlssons restaurant in Patong, Phuket.
Photo: Leo Pettersson

 

by Gregers Møller

 

Almost two years ago the pandemic shut down the world and Thailand was no exception as the country quickly closed its borders. Tourists went home and for the longest time, the island of Phuket was almost completely deserted. But now tourists have started to find their way back to the holiday paradise – and Swedish business owners in the area hope and believe that the worst is behind them, Aftonbladet writes.

 

The numbers speak for themselves and according to the Bangkok Post, 39.6 million tourists visited Thailand in 2018 while only 106,117 tourists visited the country between January and October this year.  

 

To Aftonbladet, restaurant owner Kent Holmgren says it has been a disaster for the tourism industry. “It was like going from 100 to zero. It was a full stop,” he says.

 

Kent Holmgren has run the Karlssons restaurant in Patong, Phuket for many years and says that many people lost their jobs when Thailand shut its borders and several locals left the tourist industry and went back to their hometowns. Even foreign business owners were no exception and many closed their businesses. 

 

Full story: https://scandasia.com/swedish-restaurant-owners-in-thailand-hopes-the-worst-is-behind-them/

 

-- © Copyright ScandAsia 2022-01-04

 

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' Kent Holmgren hopes that the tourists will continue to come even though they have to stay 7 days in Phuket before being allowed to travel to other parts of the country.'

 

Delusional 

Canada just announced back to lock down today!

I am surprised that after 3 year and multiple waves of this pandemic why its difficult for us to learn? Save the vulnerable, use masks/ booster/ and let the world open to new normal. We cant close economy/life multiple times a year. Unless you are China or North Korea, closeout is not effective.

Thailand could allow Russia's vaccinated people to have only 1 PCR test on arrival free of charge with 1 day carantine till the test results  - and would get much more tourists from Russia. 

9 hours ago, RandiRona said:

I am surprised that after 3 year and multiple waves of this pandemic why its difficult for us to learn? Save the vulnerable, use masks/ booster/ and let the world open to new normal. We cant close economy/life multiple times a year. Unless you are China or North Korea, closeout is not effective.

Given the knowledge that the Omicron variant is less severe than Delta and will soon become the prevalent variant I would tend to agreed. 

 

However, Delta can still be severe and our guard should not be dropped. 

 

After nearly two years of pandemic I suspect that this is the only way forward while ensuring ALL those in high risk groups are frequently boosted and intelligent yet practical measures are put in place to allow society to self police. 

 

Provide FREE antigen test kids and encourage their use - ask those who tested positive to remain isolated for at least a week. Advise those developing serious symptoms to seek hospital treatment.  

 

Continue the vaccination programs, ensure everyone (who wants to be) vaccinated is vaccinated. 

 

Continue with the Test & Go for vaccinated arrivals who are PCR tested. 

Ensure insurance covers ‘isolation’ (in hotel or hospital) for those who test positive (the government needs to go hardball with the insurance companies).

 

Offer transparency to all potential tourists, clear concise information.

 

 

 

 

 

They should have remained in Sweden.  They would have never had to shut their doors.