Grand reopening hopes fade. Businesses say restrictions under Phuket's 'sandbox model' will deter foreign tourists. Bangkok Post

Grand reopening hopes fade

Businesses say restrictions under Phuket's 'sandbox model' will deter foreign tourists

PUBLISHED : 7 JUN 2021 AT 05:30

NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS

WRITER: CHAIRITH YONPIAM AND ACHADTHAYA CHUENNIRAN

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Beach chairs are placed on an empty beach in Phuket as the island province gears up for its July 1 reopening to tourists. (Photo by Achadthaya Chuenniran)

Businesses have responded cautiously to the plan to reopen Phuket to vaccinated foreign tourists next month, as operators aren't confident they will be able to draw tourists back to the resort island due to the tough requirements it imposes on incoming tourists.

Starting from July 1, Phuket will waive quarantine requirements for foreign tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 under the "Phuket Tourism Sandbox" model, which is being touted as a model for the reopening of Thailand's tourism industry.

However, as a precaution, tourists will have to remain on the island for 14 days before they are allowed to move on to other destinations in the country -- up from the previously announced seven days.

Wichai Ruangcharuwattana, manager of the Sunshine Tour Phuket Co, told the Bangkok Post that overall the reopening plan will help the resort island's economic recovery.

However, he wanted the 14-day stay requirement taken back to seven, as hotels and ferry operators who take tourists on day trips have pinned their hopes on the reopening.

As his company focuses on tourists from Asian countries, most of whom generally don't plan to stay for more than five days in Phuket, Mr Wichai said he hasn't seen any new bookings.

"Some golfers from Singapore had expressed interest in spending three days in Phuket, but that's it," he added.

"Though Phuket will reopen in July, we don't know how many foreign tourists will return. As for Thai tourists, they may be worried that prices of hotel rooms, food and tour packages in Phuket may increase, so not many will visit," Mr Wichai said.

Sirikorn Bunyasiri, vice-president of the Phuket Travel Agents Association, told the Bangkok Post she expected the Phuket Sandbox programme to get off to a good start.

"Flights to Phuket are expected to increase, though it is not known whether tourists will come in large numbers. Many airlines are trying to increase flights after almost two years, and everyone is looking at Phuket. If it is a success, others will follow suit," she said.

Chalermlak Kepsap, owner of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel on Patong beach, voiced disagreement with the 14-day stay requirement, saying the requirement may dissuade foreign tourists from visiting.

"It will be difficult for them to remain on the island for 14 days. This may be too long, considering the number of tourist spots and activities on the island. It will be more helpful if they adopt a seven-day rule because tourists will have a chance to visit other destinations," Ms Chalermlak said.

She said Patong beach, a popular tourist spot in Phuket, is still quiet with no tourists, as many visitors know the monsoon season will peak next month and last until October.

"As hotel operators are not confident the reopening plan will draw foreign tourists back, several have decided to remain closed," she said, adding many small hotels don't have the budget to restart their businesses, some of which have been shuttered for almost two years.

"If the situation in Patong continues, when tourists come back on July 1, where will they stay?" she said.

Ms Chalermlak also pointed out that many vendors in Patong are from other provinces, and after the Covid-19 hit the area, most decided to go home and many have yet to come back.

"We must also take into account other aspects, not only the vaccination of 70% of local residents. For example, we have to consider which countries the foreign tourists are from. Operators in Patong have not seen a clear government stance on the matter," she said.

Despite the reservations, Sonthaya Khongthip, president of a community enterprise, agro-tourism and conservation group in the Bangthao-Choeng Talay community, said the community is ready to support the reopening.

Locals were working to comply with Safety & Health Administration Plus guidelines, as recommended by the Tourism and Sports Ministry to attract tourists, Mr Sonthaya said.

"Without tourist arrivals, Phuket will become a ghost town. Without [the sandbox scheme], the country cannot move forward.

"The 14-day stay requirement will benefit local producers. We want tourists to spend money in communities selling local products," Mr Sonthaya said.

"We are like small fish in a big pond -- larger operators who do their marketing internationally should also think of local tourism enterprises," he added.

Don Limnanthapisit, president of a committee on Phuket old town community, said he agrees with the 14-day requirement, though he warned that the reopening may lead to a new surge of infections if tourists fail to follow health safety protocols.

"Though incoming foreign tourists will be required to show proof of vaccination, this does not mean they are totally free of the virus," he said. "Foreign tourists may not want to wear their masks in public. When they arrive in Phuket, they want to enjoy themselves drinking. If we cannot control them, this may lead to a new wave of infections."

Phuket curbs welcome. The government has made the right decision in imposing tough conditions for reopening Phuket to foreign visitors from July 1. Bangkok Post

Phuket curbs welcome

The government has made the right decision in imposing tough conditions for reopening Phuket to foreign visitors from July 1.

The Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, on Friday endorsed what has come to be known as the Phuket Sandbox.

The plan, proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Sport and Tourism Ministry, will allow vaccinated foreign tourists to enter Phuket in a bid to revitalise businesses and the economy.

Still, the CESA decided to change the criteria for those visiting the resort island.

Under the original plan, Sport and Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn proposed that vaccinated visitors should have to wait seven days before being allowed to travel outside the island.

Under the change, the tourists must remain on the island a full 14 days before being allowed to carry on to other destinations.

Some business operators in Phuket had demanded scrapping quarantine and other measures to confine tourists to designated areas.

But in the end, the CESA has erred on the side of caution and approved a plan which retains a 14-day isolation protocol, albeit one that will still afford visitors the freedom to enjoy the island during this time.

Foreign tourists also must have certificates proving they have received one of the vaccines accepted by Thai authorities or endorsed by the World Health Organization at least two weeks in advance of travel.

As an extra precaution, the Public Health Ministry initially will only allow arrivals from a list of low-to-moderate risk countries.

Only hotels that have been awarded certificates will be allowed to host foreign tourists. Visitors will be asked to download a special contact tracing app on their phones for the duration of their stay.

They will also be expected to abide by Covid-19 safety procedures such as mask-wearing, frequent handwashing and temperature taking.

Whilst these criteria might seem excessive and risk stunting Phuket's recovery, the CESA has made the right call.

Only 3.5% of Thais have been vaccinated, compared to between 40 and 60% of citizens in the United States and Europe, so further outbreaks remain a risk.

And while many worry about the risk that tourists pose to Thailand, the converse is that shutting them out for too long could also be a hinderance to the country's re-emergence as a premier global travel destination.

The challenge is to get the balance right -- and the stakes are high. Few holidaymakers would be eager to risk their health by travelling to a location with a reputation as a hotbed for Covid-19 infections.

Reopening to tourists is necessary to boost the economy, but it must be done prudently to avoid a repeat of draconian measures imposed earlier. CESA will see how the Phuket model goes before deciding whether also to reopen Krabi and Koh Samui off Surat Thani to foreign tourists.

The prime minister's caution is to be welcomed at a time when he is under pressure to kick-start the economy again. His decision last week to put the breaks on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's haphazard decision to let five types of businesses, including massage and tattoo parlours, reopen despite cases continuing to rise, is also the right one.

As the clamour grows for the kingdom to open again, it is essential that the safety of visitors and the public remains the top priority.



Bangkok Post highlights 7/6



Lååååååång väg till flockimmunitet.......NBT



Thailand puts a lot of faith in tourist Sandboxes, but who will actually arrive? The European Union leaves the detail of travel restrictions to individual members, but the Sandbox prospects don’t look good. Angela Merkel has said Germans should holiday domestically this year (as last) and advocated a trip to “the North Sea rather than to the South Seas.” The French government has said something similar with one minister recently stating, “Distant foreign trips should not be on the cards for the French this year.” Pattaya Mail



Thailand puts a lot of faith in tourist Sandboxes, but who will actually arrive?

Pattaya MailJune 6, 2021

Phuket hopes to welcome vaccinated Europeans again from next month.

It's now virtually certain that the Phuket Sandbox will commence on July 1.Thus international vacationers won't have to suffer the dreaded hotel quarantine, provided they are fully vaccinated. All being well, Pattaya and several other tourist hotspots can become Sandboxes starting October 1.



The obvious question is who exactly will be the customer base for Sandboxes over the next six months. Of course, travel advice and immigration rules can change overnight these days. But we can assume that neither China nor India – Thailand's biggest leisure customers in recent history – will be sending over their people in droves any time soon. The Chinese government has banned most international travel and all charter flights, whilst India is fighting a huge pandemic outbreak within its own borders.

Not since 2019 have Thai beaches been crowded with sun worshippers.

Thai tourist authorities have stated in recent days that early Sandboxers will be American or European. But the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently advising citizens "to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand as even vaccinated travellers are at risk because of virus variants." Thailand is listed as a level 3 danger zone, next to the highest category because of coronavirus intensity, although Cambodia and the Philippines are both in the worst category 4 list.

The UK meanwhile has a strange traffic lights colour system for all countries in which Thailand is listed as amber. But this means that the government "strongly discourages" vacations in Thailand and requires several Covid tests before and after the return journey, as well as up to 10 days' voluntary quarantine at home. The British are well-known for yawning when being told what to do by their government, but the consequences if amber turns to red might be serious. Brits might lose their holiday insurance for ignoring official advice and have to undergo compulsory hotel quarantine on return at a cost of around two thousand pounds.

It's not obvious who the first Sandbox clients will be.

The European Union leaves the detail of travel restrictions to individual members, but the Sandbox prospects don't look good. Angela Merkel has said Germans should holiday domestically this year (as last) and advocated a trip to "the North Sea rather than to the South Seas." The French government has said something similar with one minister recently stating, "Distant foreign trips should not be on the cards for the French this year."



Some sources have suggested Israel might be a better bet. Hardly. A government website describes Thailand as "a destination with increasing infection rates and, without a significant reversal, this destination will be categorized as hazardous." Russia, a country of last resort in this context, hasn't said much about Thailand in particular. But all flights from Bangkok to Moscow will be banned from June 10 whilst Thai nationals are not allowed to enter Russia by land, sea or air. Such a policy doesn't sound like a Sandbox panacea.

With no Sandbox customers lined up, Phuket beaches may remain empty.

Thailand has been very bold in its policies to restart international tourism. Neighbors such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines have banned all leisure visitors outright. It's certainly possible that Thai government sources know something we don't about the international market out there. One rumour is that Scandinavians from the frozen north are particularly keen to kiss Thai beaches, that is assuming the bars are open.

But many Europeans and Americans are surely wondering whether the veiled threats from their governments and the bureaucracy of satisfying the certificate of entry requirements from the local Thai embassy make a costly trip worth the effort in 2021. It was the hero in Voltaire's novella Candide who said he had travelled the whole world but found his own back garden the best place to relax. Let's hope he doesn't speak for everyone.



80 percent of Pattaya massage shops will never re-open The Eastern Spa and Wellness Associations says 80% of massage shops in Pattaya have closed forever, with fewer than 100 still able to operate. June 6, 2021. Bangkok Jack / The Thaiger



Speaking to the Pattaya News, the association's president, Chairat Ratananophas, says the remaining businesses need financial support and clarity on when they can re-open.

Currently, Covid-19 restrictions in the eastern province of Chon Buri mean massage shops, spas, saunas, and all other wellness venues have been closed for nearly 2 months.

Chairat says that prior to the pandemic, there were around 400 licenced massage shops and spas in Pattaya.

There are now fewer than 100, but he says some of the ones considered permanently shut could still return – if the tourists do. Until then, the association considers them permanently closed.

In late 2020, many of Pattaya's massage shops were getting some business from domestic tourists and local expats.

However, this year's resurgence of Covid-19 and the forced closures that followed, was the final nail in the coffin for many owners, who've had no choice but to give up and return to their home provinces.

According to Chairat, many in the business do have faith that once tourists return, this will improve significantly, particularly once vaccinated foreign tourists can enter without quarantine.

However, he says that until then, businesses need urgent help to ensure they're still around to serve visiting tourists.

He is calling on the government to provide clarity on how long the current closures might last, and a roadmap out of the restrictions.

In addition, wellness businesses and their workers need financial support, which Chairat says has been insufficient to date.

Finally, he wants a clear timetable for the return of foreign tourists to Pattaya, including prioritising wellness employees for vaccination against Covid-19. – The Thaiger 

Why is it still so hot in Thailand? Thais are finding another reason apart from the pandemic to lock themselves inside their homes this summer: the excessive, excruciating heat. June 6, 2021. Bangkok Jack / The Enquirer



Heatwave

With temperatures rising even after the supposed end of the hot season, experts on Friday expressed concerned about water reserves and this year's crops.

April, famously known as Thailand's hottest month of the year, is long over. But why has the heat this year continued to rise? A statement by the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII) on Friday explained.

Suthat Veesakul, the director of HII told local media on Friday that the heat accumulated in May because forecast rains did not materialize.

"Despite the announcement that the rainy season will commence in the beginning of May, it was merely a forecast based on the wind and meteorological conditions, and we found that it rained far less [than predicted] in May and now June," Suthat told reporters on Friday.

When it rains less, there are less clouds, and more sunlight will seep through, said Suthat. The sunlight then shines through the surface of the soil and gets absorbed into the roads and skyscrapers, causing a build up of the heat.

"This is especially true in cities with tall buildings, such as Bangkok, which has received full exposure to the sunlight," said Suthat.

Thailand's hottest season usually runs from March to May, with an average high temperature of 32.2 to 36.1 degrees celsius. However, the average daytime temperature during the first week of June has been 39 to 41 degrees celsius, according to the institute.

The temperature measured in the sun outdoors may even be higher, said Suthat.

The most worrying implications of this dry and hot season, according to Suthat, is that farmers are going to struggle to grow their crops to make a living.

The director said only 1.6 billion cubic meters of water remain in the country's main four dams, a critical low. The Bhumibol Dam in Tak, the country's largest, has a minimum reserve requirement of 3.9 billion cubic metres of water, and was reportedly holding less than 20 per cent of usable water left at the end of 2020.

When asked by reporters if this weather condition and heat was normal in this season, the director said it was not.

However, the director also mentioned that the change of climate is felt everywhere in the world, and not just Thailand. – Thai Enquirer 

Chonburi Covid-19 numbers drop again to 25 new and confirmed cases Sunday, 6 June 2021, 10:58. Pattaya News

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 25 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, June 6^th, the lowest number of cases since April 7th.

This makes a total of 4,957 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 933 still in medical care, and with a total of 30 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. 

Additionally, 3,994 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 42 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 4, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 19, and Pan Thong 2.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Joined a private party 2 people
2. Close contacts of previous cases
   2.1 1 family member
   2.2 from 7 workplace co-workers
3. Close contacts of previous cases (under investigation) 9 cases
4. Currently under investigation 6 cases

In the last day, a total of 83 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 755 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results.

Public health officials continue to urge people to not socialize outside of their direct household until the situation improves. Many cases have come from small social gatherings according to authorities.

Come July 1 Phuket will become a testbed for international tourism not just for Thailand, but for the whole world – and everyone will learn some home truths about COVID-19 and its variants, and how effective baseline vaccination really is. Phuket News . INTRESSANT......!!!



PHUKET: Come July 1 Phuket will become a testbed for international tourism not just for Thailand, but for the whole world – and everyone will learn some home truths about COVID-19 and its variants, and how effective baseline vaccination really is.

Phuket is about to be able to prove firsthand just how effective vaccinations are at preventing transmissions by vaccinated people, just how effective testing is, and just how seriously people will suffer if they become infected after being vaccinated with Sinovac, which according to even the World Health Organization is the worst vaccine in the world at preventing infections, though much better at preventing serious illness and has a very high rate of preventing death.

Looking to the Maldives and Seychelles, both of which Phuket officials have previously held high as examples to follow, both island tourism nations suffered skyrocketing rates of new infections only last month despite being among the highest ranking countries in the world for mass vaccination of their populations at the time.

Both countries used Sinopharm and AstraZeneca for their mass vaccination campaigns.

At the height of the outbreak in the Seychelles, where at the time 57% of the population had been fully vaccinated with Sinopharm – again, which has a better track record of preventing infections than Sinovac – of 2,486 people recorded as infected on one day, 37% had received two doses of vaccine.

In the Maldives, late last month infections surged despite 42% of the population having received two doses of vaccine.

Those examples together do not bode well for Phuket.

That said, infection rates in both countries have already fallen dramatically, and the spike in the number of deaths, while most respectfully not token, was certainly shortlived.

Also on the plus side, it was reported the tourism areas in the Maldives were largely unaffected, though that was mostly attributed yo 97% of hotel and resort staffers having received their first vaccine dose and 56% being fully vaccinated.

As for the testing, it was reported that of all tourism arrivals to the Maldives at the time less than 0.2% tested positive.

Tourism workers in Phuket are obviously on the frontline when it comes to international tourists arriving on the island, and they were amongst the first to start receiving vaccinations after medical workers and other emergency staff, but Phuket officials have not delivered any industry-segment breakdowns when reporting the ongoing mass vaccination campaign on the island. Now might be a good time to do so.

Among the other ominous silences from officials, while all the trumpeting of vaccinations continues the gaping chasm remains in the so-called vaccination policy as to why people in the highest risk age ranges are still unable to choose to be vaccinated at a private medical facility with a vaccine of their choice – paid for out of their own pocket – using a vaccine that has no long been approved by Thai Food & Drug Administration.

Not one person in any official capacity has even recognised this debacle. The situation is so appalling that even Bhummikitti Raktaengam, Phuket's strongest proponent for getting the island vaccinated, seems to have given up the ghost on the idea.

Perhaps it is simply too embarrassing to admit that people over 60 were always the segment of our community that we were supposed to be protecting from infection, well at least that is what state public awareness campaigns kept repeating all last year.

Now the Thai elderly will have the choice of AstraZeneca or AstraZeneca, as Thai officials trust Sinovac that much. Non-working expats, and especially foreign retirees, still have yet to learn what their options are, while the Tourism Authority of Thailand countdown clock marks 24 days to go.

Intentionally withholding these approved vaccines from the people no longer smells like a commercial decision, it stinks of it.

Homeless situation in Pattaya worsening according to local officials, some residents worried about Covid-19 in homeless population. Pattaya News



Pattaya, Thailand –

Local residents in Pattaya have expressed concern to Pattaya press about both an increase in homeless in the local area as well as concerns around Covid-19 in the homeless population.

First, a video look at the issue:

Pattaya is approaching two months as of June 10th, 2021, in which all entertainment venues and many other venues, like gyms, massage shops, and beauty clinics, have been ordered closed to help prevent Covid-19.  Pattaya City relies on tourism, including domestic, for about 80% of their GDP, and entertainment-related venues, as well as tourist attractions, are the big economic driver for the local area. With these force closed, many other businesses are also struggling, such as hotels that have laid off staff due to the current situation causing the homeless situation in Pattaya to increase. Additionally, borders still remain closed to foreign tourists without quarantine on top of most domestic visitors not coming due to both concerns about Covid-19 and lack of entertainment venues currently open.

The Pattaya News has regularly covered the homeless situation in Pattaya, including in an article here from late April.

The homeless population has always been around in Pattaya but has risen exponentially (along with the homeless animal population which has seen estimated rising numbers of hundreds of strays, especially dogs, around Pattaya, but that is a different story) and has especially risen during each round of Covid-19 measures and restrictions. Pattaya City has done different things to attempt to control the problem, some successful, some not.

The problem is complex, according to Chonburi Provincial authorities who work with local homeless shelters, as many of those on the streets have both physical and mental illnesses or drug addictions. Indeed, some local residents have recently complained to city hall about allegedly seeing homeless people living in front of shuttered businesses openly consuming illegal drugs. They have also complained about some causing former business fronts to look poor with makeshift shelters, garbage, and other alleged violations.

According to the Chonburi Provincial Authority, many of the homeless are also foreign nationals from Cambodia, Laos, or Myanmar who cannot return home for a variety of reasons including unrest in their own countries or border closures due to Covid-19. Many worked in the service or hospitality industry but lost their jobs and are now unable to leave. Sending them home via Immigration is often not an option, especially for Myanmar nationals. The homeless who are Thai nationals often don't want to leave to their home province as finding food and begging is still much easier in Pattaya than in a remote province. Additionally, Pattaya has regular charity handout lines where many of the homeless can easily get a meal.

However, now local residents have also been complaining to city hall and the press about concerns about Covid-19 in the homeless population, who often don't appear to follow Covid-19 precautions like wearing masks, avoiding groups, or social distancing.  These complaints also allege law enforcement rarely does much about it other than ask the homeless to move to different areas as the homeless have no money to pay fines and won't listen.

It was recently reported to the associated Thai press that a homeless individual who stayed in front of a building in the Banglamung area was found sick by a passerby who called for medical assistance.

Emergency responders reportedly provided CPR on the sick individual before moving them to a local hospital before they were reportedly pronounced dead. Their name was not released to the associated press.

All medical staffers who were involved have been quarantined as the homeless person was a 'suspected' infection with Covid -19. A Covid -19 test from the homeless person's body is currently in process and TPN media stresses that no final result had been given.

Last night (June 4^th) The Pattaya News inspected the local Pattaya area where many homeless were being found on Pattaya Beach, Beach Road, and in front of buildings. The majority were not wearing face masks and some appeared to be drinking alcohol.

Local residents want authorities to "fix" the problem, but it is not an easy situation to resolve and the longer business restrictions stay in place, the worse the situation gets. As stated previously, Pattaya and Chonburi do have homeless shelters, however, they have rules and restrictions around sobriety, attending classes, and other steps which many of the homeless on the streets are not currently interested in doing. Pattaya had also been offering free bus tickets to homeless residents who are Thai nationals and from other provinces to go home, but many remain due to ease of food and living in Pattaya compared to their home province.

Do you have a suggestion on resolving the problem? Let us know in the comments below!



🔴 BREAKING: 23 deaths and 2,671 cases (* 604 from prisons) on Sunday. Full update at 12:30pm. 31 May: 5,485 - 19 dead 1 June: 2,230 - 38 dead 2 June: 3,440 - 38 dead 3 June: 3,886 - 39 dead 4 June: 2,631 - 31 dead 5 June: 2,817 - 36 dead 6 June: 2,671 - 23 dead <— TODAY. Richard Barrow



Medical equipment plant in Ayutthaya closed, 5,000 workers quarantined !!!!! 😱😱😱



The communicable disease committee, in Thailand's central province of Ayutthaya, has ordered the 7 day closure of a medical equipment production plant in Sena district for major disinfection and cleanup, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

About 5,000 workers at the plant have been placed in quarantine, after 51 were found to be infected, according to Dr. Phira Areerat, the provincial health chief.

Governor Panu Yamsri said that, according to an initial investigation, about 3,400 of some 5,000 workers at the plant are at high risk, because they were in close and regular contact with those already infected.

A field hospital is to be set up in the factory compound to accommodate the infected employees, the number of whom is likely to increase as active screening is under way.

Cumulative infections in the province, since April 1st, have risen to 892, including 490 who have already recovered and 394 still being treated in hospitals. The provincial COVID-19 death toll is 8 in the same period. 

Bangkok Post highlights 6/6



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.

For more news, please follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow and @ThaiNewsReports 

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



TAT proposes attracting a MILLION foreigners - work with no work permit, right to buy land - TEN Year stay. Thai Visa



File image for reference only

 

Thai business media has reported on one of the biggest shake ups yet to attract foreigners to come and live in Thailand.

 

The proposals given by the Tourism Authority of Thailand during a video conference with Thai premier Prayuth Chan-ocha at Government House yesterday would see four target groups be able to work in Thailand without a work permit, pay just 17% tax on local earnings, buy property and land, and stay for up to TEN years.

 

The proposals would allow certain well-heeled retirees to actually be able to work legally in Thailand and purchase land. 

 

The proposals are now being considered by the government.

 

The target groups are:

 

1 The wealthy, like millionaires

 

2 Those who want to work from Thailand for foreign companies eg Digital Nomads

 

3 Foreign retirees with pensions

 

4 Those with high skillsets and abilities

 

The aim is to attract one million people in the four groups. This will increase spending in Thailand, increase expertise and bring other economic benefits.

 

That's because these million people will spend ONE TRILLION baht - thats one million baht each a year on average.

 

In addition they will bring 800 billion baht in investment from 10,000 investors and 80,000 retirees.

 

And it doesn't end there. Thailand will collect 500 billion in tax from 400,000 people with high skills. 

 

Of course there are caveats, reported the media.

 

Group 1 The very wealthy:

 

These will have no age limit, come to Thailand frequently, be high earners, and have many investments and assets.

 

To qualify for a 10 year visa they will need to invest US$ 500,000 in Thai government bonds or real estate. 

 

They'll need at least $80,000 in earnings over the last two years and a million bucks in assets plus $100,000 in health insurance. 

 

So long as they have evidence of all this they'll get a ten year visa, be able to work with no work permit for 20 hours a week, pay no tax on foreign earnings just 17% on local earnings and be able to buy property including land. 

 

2 Those people working in Thailand for foreign companies

 

No age limit, but must be able to prove reliable income. 

 

They must be earning $80,000 for the last two years or $40,000 a year. They will be digital nomads or people close to retirement age. 

 

They must have qualifications of at least a bachelor's degree and five years experience as well as $100,000 in health insurance.

 

They would be nomads in stock trading at companies making at least 50 million dollars per year over three years or they would be working for corporations that make at least one billion dollars a year.

 

They will get a ten year visa, be able to work with no permit, pay just 17% tax on local earnings and be able to buy property and land. 

 

3 Retirees aged 50+

 

These people will have to invest $250,000 in government bonds or real estate. 

 

Have to show $80,000 in pension income over the last two years or $40,000 per year and have $100,000 in health insurance.

 

Providing they can show all the required evidence of their long standing pensions they will get ten year visas, can work 20 hours a week with no work permit, pay 17% tax only on local earnings and buy property and land.

 

4 Those with high skillsets

 

These would be workers in the industrial sector whose skills are required or they might be professors at universities. 

 

They will need to be earning similar amounts to those in the other three sections have the required health insurance, educational qualifications and work experience.

 

They will also get the 10 year visa and the other benifits of the other three groups. 

 

The Centre For Covid Situation  Administration and the cabinet will now be considering the proposals, said the media without further comment. 

 

 

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 40 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with one new death today, June 5th. Pattaya News

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 40 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with one new death today, June 5^th.

This makes a total of 4,932 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 950 still in medical care, and with a total of 30 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. One additional death was announced this morning although details were not released.

Additionally, 3,952 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began.63 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 26, Si Racha 2, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 5, Sattahip 1, Ban Bueng 1, Pan Thong 3, Ko Chan 1, and one patients were transferred from another province to Chonburi for medical care.

1. Cluster at Suksawat Pansadet ice factory in Si Racha, 1 case
2. Cluster at New Market, 1 case
3. Close contact from previous confirmed case from Rayong, 1 case
4. Contact from previous confirmed cases
   • In families, 9 cases
   • In work places, 13 cases
5. Close contact from previous confirmed cases being investigated, 10 people
6. Being investigated, 5 cases

In the last day, a total 213 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 786 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results.

Public health officials continue to urge people to not socialize outside of their direct household until the situation improves. Most cases have come from small social gatherings according to authorities.

The Chonburi Governor yesterday (June 4^th) has ordered a temporary closure of an ice factory in Si Racha due to many confirmed cases of Covid -19.