The following is an updated version of an editorial/opinion we wrote back in early April, just before the current round of Covid-19 infections hit Thailand and caused widespread restrictions and measures to be set around the country.
As of press time, May 21st, 2021, Phuket and the Thai Tourism Authority have stated time and time again they are planning on moving forward with July First, 2021, about six weeks away, to open up Phuket as a “Sandbox” trial to vaccinated foreign tourists. The island is progressing along and leading the country in vaccinations, with some reports stating 28% of the population is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The goal, set by Phuket officials, is set 70% by early July, which they state is feasible and based on the fact they have, so far, been able to keep their roughly 100,000 doses of vaccines previously secured towards the project this may still happen.
However, will the island truly open, even on a very limited basis, to vaccinated foreign tourists by July First? Business owners on the island have repeatedly stated that if it doesn’t, this may be the last straw for the island economy. Will foreign tourists even want to come due to the current situation in Thailand? That is another question. For what it’s worth, Phuket island officials have implemented some of the strictest rules in Thailand around gatherings and restrictions currently, as well as entry restrictions, to attempt to get to zero cases of Covid-19 before any planned reopening….and so far that appears to be working. Let us look at a few of the questions (and there are many more) that TAT and officials will have to answer before opening the island. We don’t have true answers to most of these questions, and that is concerning, as the launch is only a few weeks away and clarity is needed. For that matter, embassies overseas and tour agencies still don’t have solid information either, as of press time.
Q. What exactly will people be allowed and not allowed to do for their first 7-10 days when let in on sandbox?
A. The exact number of days people will need to stay on the island was originally proposed to be 7-10 days before being able to travel around the country. It is unclear (like many things) if this is still going to be the case. Since our last look at the Sandbox in early April, there have been multiple statements around people perhaps led on “guided tours” by tour guides for their first 7-10 days as a precaution around Covid-19. This idea would not be popular with many Western-style tourists. Additionally, will any of the current restrictions still be in place? If essentially all tourism activities, entertainment, nightlife, and other “fun” attractions are shut will people still come? Some might, but primarily as a way to avoid the current mandatory fourteen-day quarantine for everyone, including those vaccinated, and would likely be ex-pats returning from overseas and not real tourists. Could the Sandbox length on the island be extended to a full fourteen days? Will people have the freedom to go to where they wish with a tracking application but only be allowed to go to places on the list? What sort of places will they be allowed to visit? Could people bring “guests” back to their hotel with them? All things to consider.
Q. If a fully vaccinated tourist tests positive for Covid-19, will they be forced into a two-week self-paid hospital quarantine?
A. A fully vaccinated tourist won’t fear Covid-19 much, as vaccines based on evidence from the World Health Organization appear to significantly reduce the chance of moderate or severe symptoms and hospitalization. What will they fear? Currently in Thailand, however, if one tests positive, even completely asymptomatic and not sick, even vaccinated, the policy is to spend weeks under medical supervision at a hospital. A foreigner would need their insurance to pay or fund this themselves. Will this policy change for foreign tourists? If not, how many foreign tourists would risk coming for a positive test to ruin their entire vacation? Will a vaccinated tourist be able to skip testing and just prove they are vaccinated and do a period of time, like 7-10 days as stated above, on the island instead?
Q. How intrusive will the tracking application be?
A. The government has made it clear people will be tracked during this program, although the level of tracking will likely de-escalate as the Covid-19 situation improves over time. Many Western tourists are not fans of over intrusive tracking. Will applications be more based around check-in or check-out like the current applications used for Thai nationals or will they be all-inclusive GPS trackers? If someone doesn’t have a smartphone, will they be forced to purchase one or wear a smart band (So far, these seem to have mostly been limited to testing and yacht quarantine.)? How long will people have to use these applications? Can they suspend them after the first 7-10 days or will they need them for their entire trip? All things to consider. This question remains the same from our last opinion and so far has not been made clear.
Q. What about kids?
A. It’s quite clear that although work is being done around research for vaccinating children, it isn’t complete yet and currently children aren’t getting vaccines except with Pfizer and mostly in the US. This means that by the time Phuket is planned to open, it leaves a big question. Family visitors, especially from Russia, China, and India, are common…will this mean kids cannot come? Or will they be able to come with several negative Covid-19 tests? Not allowing children would be a substantial roadblock for many tourists. This question is also from our last update and is still not answered clearly.
Q. What about the length of time for having a vaccine and who could come?
A. Another factor. Just before Thailand increased quarantine to fourteen days after the recent breakouts of Covid-19 in the country, they had a cut-off of three months after getting a vaccine. Of course, ample research is ongoing on how long vaccines last but if this three-month window stays many people in Western countries being vaccinated now would, in theory, need to be vaccinated AGAIN to come to Thailand. Something for authorities to consider.
Q. Yes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, but what restrictions will stay in place?
A. What we mean by this question is that if the plan proceeds forward, it is understood that people will not pour in by the tens of thousands as of July First and it would likely be a slow trickle that would expand. Although many countries would not be able to visit either because of mandatory quarantine when they return or travel restrictions prohibiting leaving (like Australia), some, like America, parts of Europe, and Russia, would. However, if the process to get in requires long, bureaucratic visits to embassies, Covid-19 tests, multiple checks of vaccination status, and other hoops, many would not bother. For the plan to truly be a success, it needs to be fairly hassle-free, and very clear on the steps to take. None of that is currently in place.
Additionally, as we previously stated, will restrictions keep closed Thailand’s famous nightlife and entertainment? Will scuba diving remain banned? Will socializing with more than one person be banned? Will nearly all tourist attractions stay closed due to Covid-19 restrictions? Probably not, of course, but if they are this will not attract tourists. Additionally, how long will the requirements to enter the island stay in place such as being fully vaccinated or take a negative Covid-19 test? If tourists do flock back to the island, and this is a big if, many Thais from across Thailand will, regardless of risk, want to flock back for employment opportunities. Will they be allowed to enter fairly hassle-free or not? This goes for domestic tourism as well. Let’s say nightlife is allowed to open in Phuket, due to tourism, but NOT Bangkok or Pattaya due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. This would cause a huge influx in “hospitality workers” as well as young ex-pats and digital nomads to the island. Has this been considered?
In conclusion:
That’s just an updated idea of the questions around the sandbox proposal and it would be interesting to see authorities address some of those and other concerns seen on social media. We hope you enjoyed reading this and thinking about some things that may not have been yet widely discussed around the Sandbox policy. For what it’s worth, we really hope they manage to pull this off as the tourism industry and millions of Thais have struggled for over a year now. But it’s not going to be as simple as opening the doors and letting people in, especially under a new round of Covid-19 infections in the country.
Many feel it is inevitable, as horrific as it is for thousands of business owners and employees on Phuket, that the plan is pushed back, but so far the Thai Government has denied this, with the Prime Minister and Public Health Minister personally visiting earlier this month to reassure nervous island officials and business owners that the plan was still on track. For now, we can only sit and wait and hope even a few of these important questions are answered.
By: Adam Judd, author profile below.
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