Much more help is needed. Photo: Living Waters Phuket

 

With Thailand effectively in Omicron deterrent mode, the tourism and hospitality industry has all but said goodbye to what was known as “High Season.”

 

Although the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town has just confirmed that proof of vaccination is not required in order to be approved for an extension to stay, it is seen as a gesture rather than an aid to boost tourism.

 

The current decline in tourism added by the rapid increase in Omicron cases across the country is hurting everyone.

 

In Phuket, there is an immediate urgency to support the community where many are now facing an extended period of unemployment.

 

Much more help is needed. Photo: Living Waters Phuket

 

Local charity the Living Waters Phuket Foundation, together with 5 Star Marine, are trying to manage a steep increase in demand for their ‘Life Bags’ from local communities in need, as the situation on and around the island worsens,” the foundation said in a recent press release.

 

In a recent press release, they stated that “The Foundation has escalated its efforts and has been supplying around 1,000+ bags every day since the start of January (filled with food and household products to feed a family of 5 for up to 4 days). These are being individually packed and delivered to help COVID-19 quarantined communities and those in need, all over Phuket and the surrounding islands.”

 

“At this critical time, communities and villagers are being forced into quarantine and losing their jobs once again, in the face of the rapid spread of the newer Omicron COVID-19 variant, the premature ending of Phuket’s high season plus a sharp decline in tourism largely due to the changing entry criteria and the abolishment of the Test & Go entry scheme.”

 

Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5 Star Marine commented, “We wanted to extend our thanks at this challenging time to Phuket Boat Lagoon for providing us with ample office space for this sharp increase in demand for help from the community.

 

“The rising need for Life Bags is unmistakable evidence of the difficult situation we are facing, but we have committed to continue supporting the community as we have done for almost two years, helping those who need us now sadly more than ever, and we are able to do this through the Living Waters Phuket Foundation.” 

 

Although it is commendable that these local charities are there helping today, however eventually donations will dry up, therefore the local authority and the Government will need to produce a contingency plan to support the community over the next few months, until some tourists are able to return.

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-01-13

 

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Here we go again, it is not just Phuket that is feeling the pinch ........................

Sure someone on the 'I'm alright Jack' flagship will be along to say close the borders and not worry about these people being unemployed and potless

6 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Here we go again, it is not just Phuket that is feeling the pinch ........................

With the health ministry kissing goodbye to the first half of this year, it's going to be tough for many.

7 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Here we go again, it is not just Phuket that is feeling the pinch ........................

True, but this is the Phuket forum.

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Sure someone on the 'I'm alright Jack' flagship will be along to say close the borders and not worry about these people being unemployed and potless

Yes one of the pearl clutchers will shout " there's plenty of other work about "

2020, bad year, 2021 bad year, 2022 stay tuned.

Get everyone vaccinated, require proof of vaccination before anyone enters the country, and get back to normality.

 

At some point this will become endemic, meaning, it'll be the flu, or a cold and the sooner we get to that point the better.

 

Here in the U.S., 90% of the people in the hospitals are dumbs**t Trump antivaxers (everything is a big conspiracy), and people clogging up ERs to get a covid test when THEY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, while complaining that there are not enough tests.

 

Time for a new path forward because this living in crises is dogs**t.

i guess they like it that way. this really came to my mind after my 2 failed attempts

to apply for the THAILAND PASS and pay for pcr IN PSAS .

I DID NOT EVEN GET A REJECTION reply, they just ignored me, even that i booked a flight

and a hotel with that PASS application.

so if they truly cared about tourism and jobs- they would propably imporve it, since they

did not do anything to improve despite the many complaints, and even made it worst by

adding that stupid PSAS site - than they propably do not care about their own people and economy.