Phuket Reports

[Tomasb]

Maybe you can update us on the first categories where western or Asian men invite their Thai girlfriends to stay with them in Phuket during the sand box experiment. I was under the impression that the authorities would only allow married couples to stay in Phuket together during the 14 day quarantine time. I recall some discussion about this qualification last week but perhaps something has changed. Also, you better be sure that this Thai GF is someone you want stay with 24/7 for two weeks.

There are 2 types of punters waiting on the sidelines for the green light to enter LOS. The 1st group of punters have Thai girlfriends so they are jumpin' at the bit and will be among the first to return and they do not care too much if the bars reopen or not. These guys will gladly do the 14 day Phuket sandbox (no hotel quarantine) and fly their girls in to keep them company. It will be real good for them. The beaches will be near empty and all for them. Very romantic! The hotels will have bargain rates and low quest numbers. Nice! And after the 14 day requirement is met, they will be able to go anywhere they want in Thailand with their girlfriends.

The 2nd group of punters are guys like myself. We may still have a few favorite girls, but the only reason I would return to Thailand is to enjoy the nightlife scene, hook up with a lot of new girls, 2 per day is my usual, and have a great time like in pre-Covid days when BKK and Pattaya were party centers. So a sandbox is not good enough for us if most of the bars and Go Go's are closed. I have a few reservations with BKK and Pattaya hotels set for April / May 2022. I can cancel at any time without penalty. Hopefully, things will be much improved by spring 2022, but who the fuck knows. The lockdown has gone on too long and has devastated the P4 P industry in Thailand. I don't know if Nana, Patpong, or Walking Street Pattaya will ever return to their former glory or more likely how long it will take the industry to get back to normal. But I know this: I won't step foot in Thailand until I hear that at least 65% of bars, Go Go's, nightclubs, and brothels are back up and running at pre-Covid levels.

Fortunately there are alternatives outside of Thailand & SE Asia with smokin' hot girls and a vibrant nightlife scene. I do miss Thailand, but I am currently not missing out on a damn thing. Read other parts of this forum to see what I am talking about.

[Horatio]

It's more then just punters. Will families want to go if they have to wear an ankle bracelet? How does that work at beach? Are most people going to accept multiple covid tests? Are families going to accept the uncertainty and constant changes on what is acceptable? I'm not a big monger, just a bit here and there. I just liked living in Thailand. But it seems like Thailand wants much less freedom and I don't think that's acceptable to almost any tourist who wants a fun carefree vacation.

It's not just the bars being closed, it's all the rules and uncertainty. I'm vaccinated let me be.

There are 2 types of punters waiting on the sidelines for the green light to enter LOS. The 1st group of punters have Thai girlfriends so they are jumpin' at the bit and will be among the first to return and they do not care too much if the bars reopen or not. These guys will gladly do the 14 day Phuket sandbox (no hotel quarantine) and fly their girls in to keep them company. It will be real good for them. The beaches will be near empty and all for them. Very romantic! The hotels will have bargain rates and low quest numbers. Nice! And after the 14 day requirement is met, they will be able to go anywhere they want in Thailand with their girlfriends.

The 2nd group of punters are guys like myself. We may still have a few favorite girls, but the only reason I would return to Thailand is to enjoy the nightlife scene, hook up with a lot of new girls, 2 per day is my usual, and have a great time like in pre-Covid days when BKK and Pattaya were party centers. So a sandbox is not good enough for us if most of the bars and Go Go's are closed. I have a few reservations with BKK and Pattaya hotels set for April / May 2022. I can cancel at any time without penalty. Hopefully, things will be much improved by spring 2022, but who the fuck knows.

[Member #4698]

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.

There are 2 types of punters waiting on the sidelines for the green light to enter LOS. The 1st group of punters have Thai girlfriends so they are jumpin' at the bit and will be among the first to return and they do not care too much if the bars reopen or not. These guys will gladly do the 14 day Phuket sandbox (no hotel quarantine) and fly their girls in to keep them company. It will be real good for them. The beaches will be near empty and all for them. Very romantic! The hotels will have bargain rates and low quest numbers. Nice! And after the 14 day requirement is met, they will be able to go anywhere they want in Thailand with their girlfriends.

The 2nd group of punters are guys like myself. We may still have a few favorite girls, but the only reason I would return to Thailand is to enjoy the nightlife scene, hook up with a lot of new girls, 2 per day is my usual, and have a great time like in pre-Covid days when BKK and Pattaya were party centers. So a sandbox is not good enough for us if most of the bars and Go Go's are closed. I have a few reservations with BKK and Pattaya hotels set for April / May 2022. I can cancel at any time without penalty. Hopefully, things will be much improved by spring 2022, but who the fuck knows. The lockdown has gone on too long and has devastated the P4 P industry in Thailand. I don't know if Nana, Patpong, or Walking Street Pattaya will ever return to their former glory or more likely how long it will take the industry to get back to normal. But I know this: I won't step foot in Thailand until I hear that at least 65% of bars, Go Go's, nightclubs, and brothels are back up and running at pre-Covid levels.

Fortunately there are alternatives outside of Thailand & SE Asia with smokin' hot girls and a vibrant nightlife scene. I do miss Thailand, but I am currently not missing out on a damn thing. Read other parts of this forum to see what I am talking about.

[AggieDad1]

Is the sandbox going to be a success or failure? Will tourists come back?
What's your prediction?

The covid numbers are not looking good in Thailand. If the numbers continue to increase then the Phuket sandbox will either be postponed, or if it continues you will be stuck in Phuket and not allowed to visit other parts of Thailand without a second quarantine. I was hoping to visit Thailand in either October or January. The current situation is very disturbing.

[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.