I’ve just come out of a meeting with the Governor & deputy governors of the TAT about the #PhuketSandbox plan. The good news is that it will go ahead as it has been approved in principle by the CCSA. The bad news is that the 7 days is now 14 days before you can visit elsewhere.
I will type up some FAQ about the #PhuketReopening as soon as I get home. The CCSA will have their meeting on Monday to officially approve it. Then the cabinet meeting on Tuesday will rubber stamp it before being published in the Royal Gazette a few days later.
To be clear, vaccinated tourists can fly to Phuket from 1st July without having to do quarantine. They have the freedom of the island. But only the island during the first 14 days. If they want, they can stay for only one week and then fly home. But must stay in SHA+ hotels.
Tourists don’t have to book expensive hotels or tour packages. There are already over 400 SHA+ hotels signed up with a wide price range. You don’t have to book a tour if you don’t want to. You can sit on the beach if you like or go anywhere on the island by yourself. Up to you.
Once tourists have completed 14 days on Phuket island and their Covid tests are negative, then they are allowed to go anywhere they like in Thailand. But, please be aware that some provinces might have entry restrictions. Everyone has to obey the rules still in place in July.
One very important information is that it has just been confirmed that you CAN transit at Suvarnabhumi airport before then flying to Phuket. There will be a dedicated terminal and a dedicated flight for these people. So, not just direct flights to Phuket. Transit flights too.
Of course, foreign tourists coming to Phuket have to follow the national rules such as mask wearing & the bars must be closed. But it is hopeful that by July that restaurants and hotels will be allowed to sell alcohol again. Plus, who knows, more things could be relaxed by then.
The #PhuketSandbox is open to anyone. Not just foreign tourists. Returning expats & even returning Thais can take advantage of this if they’re vaccinated. But you have to come from a low to medium risk country and if you want to go elsewhere you must stay on Phuket 14 days first.
The point of the #PhuketReopening is that they need this to help boost the local economy. Which is why you cannot just stay in your own home. You must pre-book a SHA+ hotel(s), before you arrive. That’s your only obligation. But you can then sleep in your own home if you insist.
One small mistake I wish to correct. It was the Center for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) meeting today that approved the #PhuketSandbox in principle. The CCSA is then expected to give its approval on Monday and the Cabinet on Tuesday. Followed by the Royal Gazette.

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More from @RichardBarrow

4 Jun
The Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, posted this Infographic on their Facebook yesterday about the plans for the Phuket Sandbox & the so-called Sealed Routes. Unfortunately it contradicts what the TAT are saying about the #PhuketReopening [THREAD]👇
According to the Ministry of Tourism, vaccinated tourists will be able to visit Phuket from 1st July. However, they MUST buy tour packages in advance from tour companies abroad “in order to be able to monitor and control” them. Tourist must also specify where they will go next👇
The Ministry of Tourism also says, after Phuket, tourists can only visit:
1. Krabi - places like Railay Beach & islands like Koh Phi Phi
2. Phang Nga - only Khao Lak
3. Surat Thani - only Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan
4. Chonburi - only Pattaya
5. Chiang Mai - no details yet
👇
Read 5 tweets
28 May
Do you want to fly to #Thailand without doing quarantine? This is what we know so far [THREAD]
📌 You must come from a low-medium risk country
📌 You must fly direct to Phuket
📌 After 7 days you can visit the rest of the country
📌 Less than 7 days you must fly out from Phuket
📌 Adults must have Vaccine Certificate
📌 Children 12-18 only need a Rapid Test on arrival
📌 Accompanied children under 12 are exempt
📌 You can only stay in SHA approved hotels
📌 Must do RT-PCR test on Day 4-5 and again on departure
📌 You must fly direct to Phuket. Attached are some examples of airlines doing direct flights. Please note, all flights are subject to change or cancellation. There was talk originally of being able to fly Bangkok and then being escorted to Phuket. But no confirmation of this yet
Read 4 tweets
21 May
Some of our teachers went to have their vaccine today. Like me, they registered on 13 May. However, unlike me they received an SMS yesterday for their appointment. The 26 foreigners, including myself, who registered on 13 May had their names removed from the queue.

[THREAD👇]
[2] It may be the national policy to include foreigners in a vaccination scheme, but it seems to be a policy in *some* provinces that it is “Thais first”. If the aim is to make schools safe, why delay vaccinating the foreign staff? We are all in this together #Thailand #COVID19
The policy of “Thais first” is nothing to do with the schools. They want all of their staff to be vaccinated including the janitors. According to the LINE message we received, it’s our local health office who want to vaccinate the Thai teachers first. Foreigners will be later.
Read 4 tweets
26 Mar
This afternoon, I went for a walk in the Chaweng Beach area. This was probably once the busiest tourist area on Samui and due to the closing of borders it is now very much a ghost town. I just want to tweet a few of my thoughts about this in a thread. Feel free to comment 👇
Chaweng was hit the hardest as it catered almost exclusively for the foreign market. All of its eggs were in one basket. Beach resorts such as Bangsaen and Hua Hin are surviving as they attracted a mainly Thai market. Hotels on Samui are adapting to that market to survive.
Not every restaurant, shop and hotel in Chaweng is closed. But I would say about 90% are shuttered. I saw at least five 7-11s stores that were closed. But every now and then there was a massage shop, a beachwear shop, a restaurant, a motorcycle rental shop and yes, a Family Mart.
Read 7 tweets
15 Nov 20
Are you looking for an easy 20 minute walk this afternoon that includes street art, a flower market, sunset from the Sky Park and finishes with a stroll along a new walking street? Follow this THREAD for details #Bangkok #walkingBKK #กรุงเทพน่าเดิน
Your starting point is MRT Sam Yot station. From here walk 100 meters east along Charoen Krung road to Damrong Sathit bridge (goo.gl/maps/vPeCkmArg…). Turn right here and enjoy the street art along Ong Ang Canal. You will return here in the evening for the walking street.
Keep following the canal south. This is the outer moat for Rattanakosin Island and the Grand Palace. At Saphan Hin there is a giant Alex Face street art. There are plenty of food shops and cafes in this area if you want to take a break #Bangkok #walkingBKK #กรุงเทพน่าเดิน
Read 6 tweets
14 Nov 20
This afternoon, I’m exploring #AncientSiam in #SamutPrakan. This is an excellent #BKKdaytrip. If you don’t have time to see all of #Thailand, you can see much of it here. In this THREAD I will choose 10 stops and upload the rest of my photos to the #MyThailandBucketList FB group.
[1/10] The Wihan at Wat Phumin in Nan, Northern Thailand. The original temple was constructed in 1776 and has a unique floor plan as it has four Buddhas and four doors facing each direction. The murals on the wall are of particular interest #AncientSiam #SamutPrakan #Thailand
[2/10] Khun Phaen House in Ayutthaya. This is a typical wooden house from the central region of #Thailand. It is in fact four houses fronting on one rectangular platform open to the sky #AncientSiam #SamutPrakan #BKKdaytrip
Read 12 tweets

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