Authors: TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and DAVID RISING
Associated Press
Phuket, Thailand (Associated Press)-Thailand launched an ambitious but risky plan on July 1, hoping to inject new vitality into the tourism industry devastated by the pandemic and to vaccinate people from low-risk countries Vaccine foreigners open a popular resort destination in Phuket.
When the first flight arrived, the airport fire truck used a high-pressure water cannon to form an arch over it as the Etihad jet taking off from Abu Dhabi taxied to the gate.
After leaving the airport, the Frenchman Bruno Souillard said that he had always dreamed of returning to Thailand for a year and seized this opportunity.
“I am very, very happy,” said the 60-year-old tourist.
The launch of the “Phuket Sandbox” plan comes at a time when coronavirus infections in Thailand are on the rise, including a large number of Delta variants. Many people question whether it is too early to attract tourists back, and whether they will flood in in any way because of them. Restrictions that will still be faced.
However, the number of new cases on the island is extremely small, in single digits every day, and more than 70% of the residents are vaccinated. The government is gambling and travelers will be willing to endure coronavirus-related regulations in order to have a chance to enjoy beach holidays after months of imprisonment in their home country.
Before the pandemic, tourism accounted for about 20% of Thailand’s economy and 95% of Phuket’s income.
This holiday island on the southern coast had fewer than 500,000 tourists and almost no foreigners in the first five months, compared with more than 3 million in the same period last year, including about 2 million foreigners.
In order to recognize the importance of the “sandbox” plan, Prime Minister Prayut made a special trip to Phuket to attend the press conference in person.
He emphasized that the sandbox is only the first step towards achieving the goal he announced in June to completely reopen Thailand within 120 days.
“This reopening is not only related to Phuket, but also to the entire country,” he said.
Some plan details went wrong at the last minute, and the authorities warned that if cases on the island start to increase, more restrictions may be needed — or may have to be shut down completely — which means some cancellations before it starts. Compared to the original target of 1,500, it is expected that there will be less than 250 international passengers on the first day.
But as the problem is resolved and people report their first-hand experience, the authorities hope that the number will increase steadily. From July 1st to 15th, there are currently 1,101 hotel reservations, with a total of 13,116 rooms for overnight stays.
Visitors to other parts of Thailand are subject to a strict 14-day hotel room isolation, but according to the sandbox plan, visitors to Phuket will be allowed to roam the entire island (the country’s largest island), where they can rest on the white sand beach , Jet Plane Although clubs and bars are still closed, you can ski and enjoy dining out in the restaurant at night.
Only tourists from countries/regions deemed to be no higher than “low” or “medium” risk (the list currently includes most of Europe and the Middle East, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand), and they must fly directly To Phuket, but plans are under development to allow strictly controlled transfers through Bangkok Airport.
Adult foreign tourists must provide proof of two vaccinations, a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before departure, and proof of an insurance policy covering at least $100,000 of virus treatment. After going to the island, they must abide by the mask and distance regulations, and conduct three COVID-19 tests at their own expense (totaling about $300) and show negative results.
After 14 days, tourists can travel to other parts of Thailand.
