Phuket sandbox program expected to revive Thai tourism

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Thailand embarked on an ambitious yet risky plan hoping that it will breathe new life into a beleaguered tourism industry due to the pandemic, reopening the popular resort island of Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lower-risk countries.

The “Phuket sandbox” program comes even with corona virus infections surging in Thailand, including a significant number of cases of the Delta variant. People have questioned if it’s too early to welcome tourists, and whether they’ll come in significant numbers due to the restrictions still in place.

However, the number of new cases in Phuket itself is extremely low, in the single digits daily, with more than 70per cent of its residents fully vaccinated.

The Thai government is speculating that travelers will be willing to put up with corona virus-related regulations due to lure of a beach holiday after being locked in their home countries for months.

Before the pandemic, the tourism sector comprised around 20per cent of Thailand’s economy, and 95per cent of Phuket’s income.

Approving the importance of the “sandbox” plan, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha flew to Phuket to be present in the launch. Less than 250 international travelers were expected on the first day compared to the initial target of 1,500.

However, with people reporting their first-hand experiences, authorities are confident about a steady increase in the numbers. From July 1-15, there are currently 1,101 hotel bookings for a total of 13,116 room overnights.

Travelers to other parts of Thailand are required a mandatory 14-day hotel room quarantine, but under the sandbox plan, visitors to Phuket will be allowed to roam the entire island — where they can lounge on the white beaches, jet ski and enjoy evenings eating out in restaurants, although clubs and bars will stay closed.

Only visitors from countries considered no higher than “low” or “medium” risk are permitted, and they must fly in directly to Phuket.

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