COVID 19 vaccine is our last chance, say Phuket business leader - Thai Visa

COVID 19 vaccine is our last chance, say Phuket business leader

 

Image: PPTV36

 

A Phuket tourism leader has told the government that local organisations need to be able to procure vaccines against Covid themselves. 

 

Without this measure Phuket tourism is dead for ever. 

 

Phoomkit Raktaengam's comments come after earlier in the week local authorities were told that they could not sort out and pay for their own vaccine programs.

 

It would all be done centrally by the state. Many have criticized what they see as the slow rollout while tourism businesses are on their very last legs.

 

Phoomkit's letter on behalf of 14 organistaions in Phuket was sent to the provincial governor Narong Wunsew via the Ombudsman and copied to the prime minister. 

 

He said that drastic action was needed urgently or Phuket won't have a tourism industry to save come October 1st.

 

This has been a date put forward for a realistic return of foreign tourism. 

 

Talking to PPTV36 he likened the pandemic to a marathon with the finishing tape in sight saying he was prepared to do anything to get to the wire.

 

Admitting that tourism businesses are strapped for cash he didn't doubt that they would be prepared to come up with money for vaccines saying it was the only hope.

 

The tourism industry could bounce back, he said, with vaccination and an end to quarantine for tourists from abroad. 

 

"It's not too late, but it's the last chance for Phuket," he warned.

 

Source: PPTV36