Q&A. Phuket reopening July 1st. Richard Barrow

The following are my notes from my private meeting with the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and senior executives on Friday afternoon about the Phuket re-opening. Starting on 1st July, vaccinated tourists will be able to fly to Phuket without having to do quarantine.

Q. Is it just for tourists or does it include expats and Thais?
A. Anyone can take advantage of Phuket Sandbox as long as they are fully vaccinated and they fly in from a country on the list.

Q. When will it be confirmed?
It has already been agreed in principle by CESA. It then goes in front of CCSA on Monday and the Cabinet on Tuesday. The PM chairs all of these meetings and so it is almost certain it will pass. It will then be published in the Royal Gazette a few days later.

Q. Can you transit in Bangkok?
A. Yes, they have just received approval for this and the final details will be worked out soon. Basically there will be a dedicated terminal at Suvarnabhumi and a dedicated flight to Phuket.

Q. What is the situation with domestic tourists going to Phuket during July? Particularly if they haven't been vaccinated yet.
A. Local tourists face similar restrictions. You either need to be fully vaccinated (or one jab of AstraZeneca) or get a rapid test on arrival.

Q. What about children?
A. Children under six who are accompanied by their parents can enter without any restrictions. For children 6-18, if they are not vaccinated, they must do a rapid test on arrival in Phuket.

Q. Do I have to book expensive hotels and tours?
A. Not at all. There are already a wide range of hotels that have signed up for SHA+ and more will be doing so in the coming weeks. It is up to you if you want to book a tour or not. You can just spend all the time by the swimming pool or on the beach. Or even explore the island by yourself.

Q. Am I allowed to stay in different hotels during my stay?
A. Yes, you are allowed to mix and match your hotels as long as they are SHA+ hotels and you book in advance for the length of your stay (up to 14 days).

Q. Do I have to stay in Phuket for 14 days?
A. The average length of holiday to Phuket in the past was five nights. You are welcome to do that again in July and then fly home from Phuket. But, if you want to go elsewhere in Thailand, you must stay at least 14 days and pass the covid free tests.

Q. What happens after 14 days?
A. As long as you have passed your 2-3 covid-free tests (which days and number of times to be determined) you are then free to go anywhere you like in Thailand. However, it should be noted that some provinces may have their own restrictions still in place in July.

Q. What happens if I test positive for Covid-19?
A. I am afraid that will mean the end of your holiday. It is the procedure for anyone who tests positive to be taken to hospital. If you have no symptoms you may be taken to a field hospital instead. It is important that you have covid insurance to cover the cost of this.

Q. Is it possible that the 14-day stay will be reduced in the future?
A. Yes, if there are no outbreaks in Phuket during July, they will seek permission to reduce the stay to 7-days before you are allowed to travel around Thailand.

Q. Is there a list of SHA+ approved hotels?
A. The list will be released very soon. So far over 400 have signed up. Basically, any SHA hotel will now apply to be SHA+ including new ones. The plus sign means that at least 70% of the workforce at the hotel has been vaccinated.

Q. Which vaccines are approved and how to prove you are vaccinated?
A. The final details on this will be released next week. But I was told either vaccines approved by the Thai FDA, WHO or your own government. So, basically all of the major vaccines.

Q. Some countries only give one jab if you have had Covid. Is that recognised in Thailand?
A. No, they said they have to be strict on this matter. If the manufacture says two jabs then you must have two jabs. And the second jab must be more than 14 days before you arrive and less than one year.

Q. Can vaccines be mixed?
A. No, again, they are being strict about this. For the time being, it has to be the same vaccine.

Q. Which countries are you allowed to fly in from?
A. The full list will be released next week and will be updated every few weeks. At the moment, all they are saying is that it will be as many countries as possible on the low and medium risk countries.

Q. What happens if 70% of the Phuket population aren't vaccinated on time?
A. They told me that they are confident that this will be done on time. This is based on the number of people who have registered for the jab.

Q. Will they count one jab of AstraZeneca as part of the 70%?
A. Yes, I am told they will be doing this because the manufacture says you can now have a longer period of time between jabs.

Q. What can we expect to see open when we arrive?
A. There are still restrictions in place but as the number of new infections are single digits on Phuket island it is expected more and more places will be allowed to open before 1st July. No guarantee of course.

Q. Will Phuket have special rules to reopen pubs and bars?
A. No, this is a national ban and bars cannot open until further notice across the country.

Q. Will restaurants on Phuket be allowed to sell alcohol?
A. It is possible that they will be allowed to serve alcohol in restaurants and hotels in July, but there is obviously no guarantee.

Q. Will tourists still be scammed by the local taxi mafia and others?
A. The TAT governor told me they are using this opportunity to address problems like these from the past. Phuket will be safer and more tourist friendly in the future.

Q. Will the two-tier pricing remain?
A. The TAT Governor made it clear to me he doesn't approve of the two-tier pricing policy and whenever he can, he has asked decision makers not to charge foreigners more. He did exactly this to the mayor of one seaside resort in Phuket during his visit this week.

Q. What is next for the country?
A. If the Phuket Sandbox goes well, then they will start talking about opening up more tourist destinations around the country such as Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai etc. More details soon.

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