Phuket opening: only final Cabinet approval to go

[StevieWonders]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to confirm Thailand’s readiness to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements, starting with the “Phuket Sandbox” model from 1 July, Surat Thani – Samui Plus from 15 July, followed by other destinations, including Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Buri Ram in the following months.

The plan, approved by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) during today’s meeting, will be submitted for final approval from the Cabinet.

The sound you can hear is Dodgems grinding his teeth

https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/thailand-confirms-reopening-plan-from-1-july-2021/

[vnman]

They keep moving the goalpost.

When I come back to Thailand it will be a last-minute booking.

[Brad the Impala]

They keep moving the goalpost.



Like governments all over the world, as circumstances change. We are not in a static situation.

[StevieWonders]

Like governments all over the world, as circumstances change. We are not in a static situation.Correct, and one important point from the CCSA recommendation is that the Phuket Sandbox can be “cancelled”* if the number of new infections surges to 90 in any week - https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2134799/new-conditions-set-for-reopening

* I wonder if they mean “suspended”

[Mancs]

Correct, and one important point from the CCSA recommendation is that the Phuket Sandbox can be “cancelled”* if the number of new infections surges to 90 in any week - https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2134799/new-conditions-set-for-reopening

* I wonder if they mean “suspended”

Which begs the question of what happens to tourists who are there if they 'cancel' it. Confined to hotel? Told to go back to their country?

[cdnmatt]

Which begs the question of what happens to tourists who are there if they 'cancel' it. Confined to hotel? Told to go back to their country?

Well, tourists will be wearing their mandatory GPS enabled wristbands, so should make it fairly easy for Thai police to round them all up and send them packing if and when needed.

[cdnmatt]

This all begs the obvious question. Once governments gain additional power, they generally don't really like giving it up. More often then not, they just infuse it into permanent policy, and life goes on. Prime example is the Patriot Act in the US -- I don't even know, are we all still worried about Mohammed blowing things up while yelling "Allah Ahkbar", or is the war on terror over?

Anyway, so once this whole pandemic is over, which governments will think this additional tracking of foreigners comings and goings is quite nifty to have at their disposal, and decide to make the new measures permanent law in their land?

[StevieWonders]

11165

[wingnut]

Do you think it will be successful?

[StevieWonders]

Do you think it will be successful?As I recall I’ve said on several occasions that “I’m with Chou Enlai on this question” - too early to tell. At a very high level of assessment, fully-vaccinated tourists mixing with mostly vaccinated locals should not pose a high risk. But that’s before you consider that the vaccinated locals have mostly been given a vaccine that seems to have less efficacy against the Delta variant that’s expanding its presence. If I was thinking of making the trip I’d be booking a fully refundable trip for mid-August at the earliest if I were in the UK right now (which thankfully I’m not) or even waiting for Phase 2 in October.

[Brad the Impala]

An interesting article on this today in The Guardian/Observer. Hoping this stepping stone is successful.


More than 60% of Phuket’s population has had at least one vaccine jab – far more than in the rest of Thailand, where the immunisation campaign has been sluggish and hampered by supply problems. Nationally, only 7.5% of the population has received at least one dose.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/20/devastated-phuket-in-race-to-vaccinate-70-of-islanders-in-time-for-holiday-season

[Mancs]

Just cancelled my two night trip to Edinburgh as the Scottish Government has made it illegal to go to Scotland from Manchester for non essential reasons. Sturgeon just let 30,000 Scots football fans go to London to gather in vast crowds and dump rubbish. My point being that it's not just Asia which has politicians who are inconsistent, not congruent, hypocritical and mad as a box of frogs.

[StevieWonders]

My point being that it's not just Asia which has politicians who are inconsistent, not congruent, hypocritical and mad as a box of frogs.Do enlighten us, Mancs. Which countries would you nominate as having politicians who are NOT inconsistent, ARE congruent, NOT hypocritical and mad as a box of frogs?

[arsenal]

Can't stand Sturgeon. She talks small and diminishes Scotland's standing. Liked Salmond. He talked big and reached for the stars. A political giant actually. Not only would he have allowed 30000 marauding clansmen to go to London but he'd probably have joined them wearing a Saltire as a bandana.

[Brad the Impala]

Qatar Airways have announced that they are restarting their London to Phuket route, four flights a week from the 1st July. Clearly expecting an increase in travellers to Phuket from that date. There is of course a stopover in Doha.

Economy from £570 and Business from £2,400. I have found in the past that they are fine for you to fly in to Phuket, but leave from Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

[Mancs]

Do enlighten us, Mancs. Which countries would you nominate as having politicians who are NOT inconsistent, ARE congruent, NOT hypocritical and mad as a box of frogs?

John Magufuli, ex President of Tanzania, was congruent. We can learn from him. He mocked the efficacy of masks, expressed doubts about testing, and teased neighbouring countries which imposed health measures to curb the virus. Then he died of Covid.

[Blueskytoday]

Again all off topic...as usual...

[Sen Yai]

Qatar Airways have announced that they are restarting their London to Phuket route, four flights a week from the 1st July. Clearly expecting an increase in travellers to Phuket from that date. There is of course a stopover in Doha.

Isn't Qatar still on the UK Red list (aka Black list) meaning you should not travel there, but if you do, you must stay in a correctional facility (aka managed hotel) upon return to UK? Even a brief transit stop counts as visiting Doha.

[Brad the Impala]

Isn't Qatar still on the UK Red list (aka Black list) meaning you should not travel there, but if you do, you must stay in a correctional facility (aka managed hotel) upon return to UK? Even a brief transit stop counts as visiting Doha.

You are right, which begs the question, do they know something that we don't about a coming change in UK government policy, otherwise why start up again with four flights per week.

Certainly looking at the covid figures for Qatar, 130 new cases per day, it's hard to make the case for it being on the red list. Although I suppose it's always possible that having Qatar on the red list was a political gesture to please the Saudis.

[StevieWonders]

You are right, which begs the question, do they know something that we don't about a coming change in UK government policy, otherwise why start up again with four flights per week.

Certainly looking at the covid figures for Qatar, 130 new cases per day, it's hard to make the case for it being on the red list. Although I suppose it's always possible that having Qatar on the red list was a political gesture to please the Saudis.
My guess (and that’s all it is) is that there’ll be four flights/week from Qatar to Phuket/Bangkok and they’ll cancel the Qatar/UK flights (or any other European port) based on demand.

[Dodger]

Qatar has announced 4 flights/week from Doha to Phuket (with connectivity in the Middle east, Europe, and USA), but has not mentioned anything about flights originating in the UK. I'm not sure where you guys are getting this.

[goji]

Qatar has announced 4 flights/week from Doha to Phuket (with connectivity in the Middle east, Europe, and USA), but has not mentioned anything about flights originating in the UK. I'm not sure where you guys are getting this.

As Sen Yai has already pointed out, Qatar is on the UK "red list". This means anyone returning to the UK has to do 10 days "porridge" in a quarantine hotel. Costing something like £1750.
So it would be a terrible choice for a return flight to the UK. Possibly OK outbound, assuming you stay in Thailand for more than 14 days. I avoid flying via that region, for various reasons.

[Brad the Impala]

My guess (and that’s all it is) is that there’ll be four flights/week from Qatar to Phuket/Bangkok and they’ll cancel the Qatar/UK flights (or any other European port) based on demand.

That sounds logical..........

[Dodger]

Qatar is on the UK "red list". This means anyone returning to the UK has to do 10 days "porridge" in a quarantine hotel. Costing something like £1750.
So it would be a terrible choice for a return flight to the UK. Possibly OK outbound, assuming you stay in Thailand for more than 14 days. I avoid flying via that region, for various reasons.

That sounds logical.

[goji]

That sounds logical.

The UK has pointless quarantine measures which inconvenience travelers, but have failed to keep out any of the major covid variants. £1750 for 10 days in a basic hotel is also daylight robbery. In the covid era, it's possible to book rooms in a reputable hotel chain for £35 to 45 per night & 3 crap meals per day ought to cost under £30.
Quarantine is pointless when we have to allow free movement of trucker drivers in & out of the country. .

Thailand also has quarantine measures with inconvenience travelers and have only managed do delay the import of covid. Having quarantine for tourists is pointless if the government will not deploy some of the 500,000 army personnel to properly seal land borders and stop illegal immigration, which is another covid transmission route.

[Sen Yai]

Qatar has announced 4 flights/week from Doha to Phuket (with connectivity in the Middle east, Europe, and USA), but has not mentioned anything about flights originating in the UK. I'm not sure where you guys are getting this.

It all depends on which end of the telescope you are viewing this through. Here's some marketing (from QR website) aimed at Brits, travelling from LHR and priced in GBP. For intended readers of these adverts, QR are offering good value high quality flights - opening up Phuket!

Qatar Airways business model (like Emirates and Etihad) is based on the 'hub and spoke' principle whereby they collect passengers from as many destinations west of Qatar (mostly Europe) as possible and feed them into Doha. Given sufficient frequency of daily flights, they can (could?) match transit passengers with flights to destinations east of Doha (mostly Asia) with acceptable connection times of generally only a few hours (sometime only 50 mins!). Consequently, customers (like those in UK) could be enticed by good value fares to a wide range of exotic destinations. Of course all these journeys are really two quite separate fights, but are marketed as flights from 'home' to desirable destinations!


.......begs the question, do they know something that we don't about a coming change in UK government policy, otherwise why start up again with four flights per week.

Certainly looking at the Covid figures for Qatar, 130 new cases per day, it's hard to make the case for it being on the red list.....

Governments (not just UK) need to recognize the fast changing patterns of the pandemic and adjust their travel restriction policies more quickly. Earlier this year Qatar was indeed struggling with high transmission rates but their figures are now insignificant in comparison to the UK's own rates of 7k+. However, unless QR do know of imminent rule changes (dropping Qatar from the UK Red list) then it is rather disingenuous of them to promote flights from/to UK at this time.

[gerefan2]

Changing in the Middle East:

Last time I changed at Dubai the aircraft landed and took 45 minutes the reach the gate. We had to cross the runway which was in constant use. There then followed a 30 minute bus journey half way round the airport at no more than 10-15 miles per hour.

Once inside he terminal it was a 2 MILE trip via subway, escalator and on foot to the next gate.Another 40 minutes with stops...see next para.

Whilst doing all this I was subjected to THREE security checks, one leaving the first gate, one random one en route and a final one on reboarding.

I now leave the Middle East to the Arabs.

Sorry about the thread drift but I’m still fuming over it!

[Mancs]

From the uk I would look at Thai Air (might go very bankrupt, nobody gets a refund and no alcohol?) or Singapore Air (stuck in transit lounge at Changi?). BA is using Qatar I think so red list. Has Eva started flying LHR - BKK again?

[goji]

From the uk I would look at Thai Air (might go very bankrupt, nobody gets a refund and no alcohol?) or Singapore Air (stuck in transit lounge at Changi?). BA is using Qatar I think so red list. Has Eva started flying LHR - BKK again?

I would look at a booking site like Skyscanner, reject any option via the middle East, or via any red list country, then look at what's left.

Then check if the flight I want has actually been running via a site such as Flightradar24. Skyscanner shows some EVA flights, but FlightRadar shows nothing from EVA has run in the last week. A similar story to when I was booking for last winter.
I'm sure there will be other suitable options to Bangkok. If you still need to arrive in Thiland at Phuket airport, that might be more difficult.

[StevieWonders]

For those planning to go and interested in finding out what will be open or/and available, here’s the latest announcement from the TAT - https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/phuket-relaxes-more-covid-19-restrictions-from-21-june-2021/


Remain closed: Pubs, bars, karaoke, entertainment venues, and establishments that resemble service places, as well as the operation of cockfighting, fish fighting, bird racing, chicken racing, boxing stadium, and all types of competition venues.

The mask mandate requiring everyone in Phuket to ‘always correctly and properly wear sanitary or fabric face masks outside their residence or accommodation remains in place until further notice.

Bear in mind that the Sandpit can be suspended if new COVID infections exceed 70 in any 7-day period.

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?22184-Phuket-opening-only-final-Cabinet-approval-to-go

[Brad the Impala]

For those planning to go and interested in finding out what will be open or/and available, here’s the latest announcement from the TAT - https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/phuket-relaxes-more-covid-19-restrictions-from-21-june-2021/



Bear in mind that the Sandpit can be suspended if new COVID infections exceed 70 in any 7-day period.

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?22184-Phuket-opening-only-final-Cabinet-approval-to-go

Damn, I was only going for the chicken racing!

[Patanawet]

This morning in Bangkok Post--
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Phuket sandbox tourism scheme that sees the island reopen on July 1, followed by a trio of destinations in the Gulf of Thailand -- Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao -- on July 15, allowing in fully vaccinated tourists from some countries.

[StevieWonders]

One site with comprehensive information is the travel agent Royal Vacation - https://royalvacationdmc.com/phuket-sandbox/

They mention (inevitably) there’s also a FakeBook Group “Phuket Sandbox”

[StevieWonders]

The Phuket governor has made a further statement on “track and trace” of foreign tourists from 1 July - https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-governor-outlines-plans-to-track-and-trace-foreign-arrivals

The governor of Phuket says the authorities and provincial officials are creating a command centre for the purpose of tracking and tracing foreign tourists under the Sandbox model.

[Kenny]

The authorities seem to be going out of their way to turn the Phuket sandbox into the most unattractive holiday idea ever.

[Brad the Impala]

The authorities seem to be going out of their way to turn the Phuket sandbox into the most unattractive holiday idea ever.

I only wish my own country, UK, had been as cautious with international visitors.

[Patanawet]

Just for 'fun' I checked the price on Air Asia for a return ticket, mid September --Bangkok Phuket -- 641.88 Baht despite advertising 'from' 299.

[cdnmatt]

$25 instead of $10 for a flight? Out of my price range, obviously only for wealthy ballers.

[StevieWonders]

With final Cabinet approval now given, new COVID cases down to a handful a day and a vaccinated population greater than 70% (now 80%) everything is ready for the tourists to start dribbling in come Thursday.
https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-notches-14th-infection-since-last-week

TAT has a big announcement in store and you’ll read it here exclusively.

[StevieWonders]

The Royal Gazette has now published the details of the Phuket Sandbox that starts tomorrow: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/travelling-to-phuket-for-the-sandbox-starting-tomorrow-july-1

[cdnmatt]

I sure love infographics.

[gerefan2]

I sure love infographics.

Glad you can see them .....proof positive at last?

[StevieWonders]

Glad you can see them .....proof positive at last?As you said yourself, recognising irony is your greatest strength.