Phuket Reports

[HorseTrader]

Is the sandbox going to be a success or failure? Will tourists come back? …

What's your prediction?

It's going to be a slow start for various reasons. Too much rain now in Thailand and better weather in other places. Visitors don't want to be there until the tourism support businesses are well operational. Thai government has made too many flip-flops and tourists worry about what is next. Too many restrictions now, will take time to relax. I don't think vaccinated tourists will cause COVID to increase.

My prediction is Phuket tourism will not be solid until January 2022 or later.

[J Janni]

I will give in. 1,500 baht may or may not be appropriate.

Show pictures, we can all chime in.

A True Stunner, one that Thai elite go for is nowhere near 1.5 k.

A Stunner found in a Beer Bar by an old German- definitely 1.5 is OK.

Fair enough. Never been to Thailand, but my tastes are pretty varied. Ranging from 'sweet' little spinner to trashy and fake 'Insta-ho' style girl, taking a detour through MILFy types. Only going from Tinder, TF and Instagram so the reality could be different in person. And most of them will probably flake. Such is life.

In other news, I have my Shaba hotel QR code thingy. I booked the room for two guests, was asked for the details of the second guest and replied 'Booked for two in case I want to bring back an overnight visitor. ' Nothing was said.

Suck it and see. Not convinced I'll actually be flying on Wednesday.

[Dublin12]

I think they open up when neighbors open, sin, hkg, Japan, etc.

All this we will let tourist in is just to give poor people hope so they don't Riot.

Not sure about the potential for riots. In a survey in today's BKK post, many are concerned that plans to reopen the entire country in 120 days time, represent s serious risk.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-feasible-poll

[Dublin12]

Is the sandbox going to be a success or failure? Will tourists come back? I think I read that Phuket wants 1500 tourists a day. I think the rules they have set up are ridiculous. It seems they want tourist money but don't want tourists. I predict it's a failure. It will take a couple months for Thailand to say that then a few months to change, then that won't be anything good either. My prediction is Thailand gives up and let's people in sometime next year. Until then Thailand stays dead. Treating tourists like they are on parole isn't what tourists want.

What's your prediction?

I think the success or failure will depend on what is finally decided about the "overnight guest" policy. It seems that these have yet to be clarified. But if there is a ban on this, effectively we will become like children looking into a toy shop window. What's the point of going on holiday if your options are, 14 days hotel quarantine or 14 days window shopping?

[Danny Duck]

Is the sandbox going to be a success or failure? Will tourists come back? I think I read that Phuket wants 1500 tourists a day. I think the rules they have set up are ridiculous. It seems they want tourist money but don't want tourists. I predict it's a failure. It will take a couple months for Thailand to say that then a few months to change, then that won't be anything good either. My prediction is Thailand gives up and let's people in sometime next year. Until then Thailand stays dead. Treating tourists like they are on parole isn't what tourists want.

What's your prediction?

I think they open up when neighbors open, sin, hkg, Japan, etc.

All this we will let tourist in is just to give poor people hope so they don't Riot.

[Horatio]

Is the sandbox going to be a success or failure? Will tourists come back? I think I read that Phuket wants 1500 tourists a day. I think the rules they have set up are ridiculous. It seems they want tourist money but don't want tourists. I predict it's a failure. It will take a couple months for Thailand to say that then a few months to change, then that won't be anything good either. My prediction is Thailand gives up and let's people in sometime next year. Until then Thailand stays dead. Treating tourists like they are on parole isn't what tourists want.

What's your prediction?

[Dublin12]

Just read this: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tour...phuket-sandbox.

Anyone recall that US TV comedy series "Soap". At the end of the introductory credits which gave an update of previous episodes, a voiceover said, "Confused? You will be"! And so I am.

There is even a suggestion that if you bring your long-term Farang partner with whom you've had a couple of children, you may be obliged to to use separate rooms because you are not married for the first 14 days.

I think TH needs to add a new subject to it's Educational Subjects: Joined up thinking.

[Dublin12]

Just read this. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...vals-in-phuket.

Problem for me is that I can't book a ticket on Thai airways commencing in DUB. I would need to book separate tickets for each leg. Years ago, I was only too happy to book separate flights because I could often save €50 +, but since I moved to Ireland, I've missed three connections to SEA, two of which were bought on multi-tickets. On all three flights, I was stuck in London for the night, and on the two with separate tickets, the rules did not let me claim compensation.

I think I might postpone booking any tickets until I can book a complete itinerary ticket.

BTW, I notice that the BKK post article was based on a statement by the Phuket Governor, and it makes no mention of accommodating overnight guests. An oversight? What do you think? I'm guessing that in a previous life he may have been a doorman at a Patpong scam joint who "forgot" to mention that there are "no beautiful ladies upstairs".

[Dublin12]

They seem to be a little slow with finalizing / disseminating the information down to the embassies. Thai Embassy in London has received no details.

I've booked some flights, an SHA+ hotel and thrown in a hail-mary COE application, 'breaking' the online application portal somewhat in the process.

If I have to re-arrange (I'm off work for the rest of the year), it'll cost me a couple of quid. Be interesting to be among the first boots on the ground 1st of July, if it all comes off.

Though I am in Dublin, there is no Thai Consul here and we need to also use the London Embassy. I received a similar reply to yours. I read somewhere, probably BKK Post, that Thai gov needs to amend the current legislation to make it happen. That might explain the replies we got.

[Danny Duck]

I've seen things talking about that being a rumour / misunderstanding.

I sure hope it is. I've got about 20 girls on the hook. Some real stunners and not offered over 1500 baht. Never been to Thailand, my research is telling me that's cheap for the quality of girl.

I will give in. 1,500 baht may or may not be appropriate.

Show pictures, we can all chime in.

A True Stunner, one that Thai elite go for is nowhere near 1.5 k.

A Stunner found in a Beer Bar by an old German- definitely 1.5 is OK.

[J Janni]

Thanks for posting that good information, although I read the Bangkok Post, sometimes I miss important things. The potential rule against tourists and locals sharing a hotel room is a show stopper for many of us.

I've seen things talking about that being a rumour / misunderstanding.

I sure hope it is. I've got about 20 girls on the hook. Some real stunners and not offered over 1500 baht. Never been to Thailand, my research is telling me that's cheap for the quality of girl.

[HorseTrader]

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

Thanks for posting that good information, although I read the Bangkok Post, sometimes I miss important things. The potential rule against tourists and locals sharing a hotel room is a show stopper for many of us.

[J Janni]

COE application website has updated, showing a message that COE applications for the Phuket Sandbox will start on Monday, 12 pm Thai time.

I have flexible flights and SHA+ booking, covid test booked the day before flying to give me a couple days flexibility.

All very touch and go, but if it's a possibility, I'm going. I've spent too long trapped either at sea or on this dull and miserable little island. I'll update you guys with boots on the ground.

[Danny Duck]

Thanks. I thought that was likely.

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

It appears that the health authorities are not happy at the prospect of of entertaining locals in our approved hotels. So basically, if that is going to be the rule, it's still a 14 day "poison ivy" lockdown where you can look but you'd better not touch.

I think my plans have just gone into hold mode.

I want in too.

But no way with all the paperwork and then quarantine.

Once in what's there to do?

The girls are growing rice and tending to their Buffaloes.

We are the dirty foreigners,. They don't want any part of us right now.

Chill people.

[Dublin12]

I'm not in Phuket. But the bars are not open now. Restaurants either can now or will soon be able to serve alcohol. Gyms can open now or will soon be able too. The thaiger on YouTube is a good source of information. It reports the govt plans but with a bit of scepticism. That's where I got my information.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. I thought that was likely.

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

It appears that the health authorities are not happy at the prospect of of entertaining locals in our approved hotels. So basically, if that is going to be the rule, it's still a 14 day "poison ivy" lockdown where you can look but you'd better not touch.

I think my plans have just gone into hold mode.