Popular Post rooster59 Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 Pilot launch of new 'Phuket Model' to let tourists in likely next month By The Nation Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn A new model to reopen Phuket to foreign tourists was expected to be piloted in the middle of next month, Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said. He said that on August 25, the Cabinet had approved in principle that Thailand Longstay, in which Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) owns 30 per cent, should coodinate with tourists on visa application and purchase of insurance. But the tourists would have to bear the cost of visa and insurance. The tourists will be required to undergo Covid-19 test 48 hours before their departure for Phuket and they will be tested again when they arrive. They will have to stay in alternative state quarantine in Thailand for 14 days before they are allowed to travel in Phuket. If they want to travel to other provinces outside Phuket, they will have to stay in the quarantine facility for 21 days. The minister added that this new model should assure people that the tourists would not bring the infection to Thailand. Phiphat said that this model was expected to be piloted in the middle of September with a first group of around 200 tourists. Most of them will be from Australia and New Zealand. He said that tourists under this model must be from the countries where there has been no outbreak for at least 30 days. The ministry will work out final details of the model, which will be forwarded to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He added that this new model was different from the first "Phuket Model" that allowed tourists to travel only in "sealed areas". He said the ministry would push for the Phuket Model to be piloted in October. Around 10 hotels in Phuket are keen to participate in the Phuket Model. He assured that utmost care would be taken to reopen the country. Representatives from TAT, Public Health, Interior and Transport ministries, will visit Phuket on September 5-6 to survey the opinions of Phuket residents on the new model and the Phuket Model. The same team will also visit Samui Island next month to see if it is ready to serve the "Samui Bubble" model. Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Friday (August 28) that Thailand would not be fully reopened to foreign tourists along the lines of the so-called “Phuket Model” any time soon because the government has to consider too many details. She added that Phuket residents and Thai tourists can rest assured that no steps to reopen the country had been taken, and that utmost precaution would be ensured when borders are reopened. Thai Airways International announced on Thursday it planned to launch charter flightsto Phuket from six international destinations in late November this year. The six destinations are: Denmark, Germany, Britain, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. The airline will operate flights twice a month or more on each route based on demand. THAI is also expected to fly charter flight tourists from China to Phuket. Phiphat said that the ministry had maintained the target of 2 million foreign visitors during October 2020 to March 2021, focusing on high-end tourists who want to escape winter to stay longer than one month in Thailand. Most of them are regular visitors. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30393727 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-08-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 4 1 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 473geo Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 It's a start, Best hope this initiative is a success in protecting the Thai people, and, can be expanded in a less restrictive format sooner rather than later 9 8 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Oldie Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 "He said that tourists under this model must be from the countries where there has been no outbreak for at least 30 days." I am confused because tourists from Australia and New Zealand will be allowed in the middle of September already. On Aug 29th this source at the following link writes the following below. So there are still cases in both countries. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/australia-new-zealand-report-new-covid-19-cases/1956809 Cases in Australia rose to 25,570 with 112 infections reported in the past 24 hours, according to health officials. New Zealand reported 13 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the overall count to 1,727, including 22 deaths and 1,568 recoveries. 8 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ezzra Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 Like tirelessly trying to force a square peg into a round hole and all that time the proponents of such scheme sure that tourists will line up in their thousand to take part in this shereade,,, 58 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post baansgr Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 Be interesting to see how many snowbirds do this...for those that normally do come for 6 months, the excessive cost and 2/3 week restrictions may not be too much of a concern. Time will tell. 8 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post EVENKEEL Posted August 29, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2020 How about a super good Amulet in place of quarantine. 10 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Oldie Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) 38 minutes ago, baansgr said: Be interesting to see how many snowbirds do this...for those that normally do come for 6 months, the excessive cost and 2/3 week restrictions may not be too much of a concern. Time will tell. I doubt that there will be many snowbird countries without a new case for 30 days. But despite saying that this is a prerequisite for allowing tourists from certain countries to come to Thailand they obviously don't care now already. Edited August 30, 2020 by Oldie 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluesofa Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 17 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said: How about a super good Amulet in place of quarantine. They could take advantage of my solar-powered amulet. At night it will be no problem, as like those Egyptian soldiers recently, they will 'stay in their rooms at night'. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post faraday Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 Thought this was going to be about the 'basic pleasure model".... ???? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 This is starting to be like a fish out of water story, more flip flopping than one can endure as they try to keep the tourism, that they believe they should have alive. It's already on life support folks, you killed it before Covid with your policies and then catering to 2 specific countries while ensuring the corruption and overcharging continued. Now you expect folks to subjugate themselves at their costs to being quarantined for their vacation. Lets get real. The only ones who would possibly throw themselves into the que would be those that have family here and want to get home, long stay retirees/snowbirds and the like who call Thailand home for 6 months out of the year, but to say it is for true tourists they are absolutely Bat<deleted> Crazy. 40 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enoon Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 1 hour ago, baansgr said: Be interesting to see how many snowbirds do this...for those that normally do come for 6 months, the excessive cost and 2/3 week restrictions may not be too much of a concern. Time will tell. Those of us that come for 6 months on METVs would have to leave the country after 60 days + 30 days extension. And then go through all the s*** again to return to Thailand and complete our 6 month visit. No thanks. 35 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Enoon said: Those of us that come for 6 months on METVs would have to leave the country after 60 days + 30 days extension. And then go through all the s*** again to return to Thailand and complete our 6 month visit. No thanks. The issue at hand is that Thailand knows this and realizes how much money they can make on those rinse and repeat 6 month tourists. Not just pure greed but lunacy. Edited August 30, 2020 by ThailandRyan 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AbeNormal Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 If you replace the word "tourists" or any reference to them with the word "mugs" the article starts to make sense 17 3 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enoon Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said: The issue at hand is that Thailand knows this and realizes how much money they can make on those rinse and repeat 6 month tourists. Not just pure greed but lunacy. Re post #11. I forgot to say......"double whammy": what do we have to do to get into that other country, and how long do we have to stay in their quarantine before we can return to Thailand? Edited August 30, 2020 by Enoon 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rooster59 Posted August 30, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 Phuket Model to be trialed nationwide Praphorn Praphornkul PHUKET (NNT) - Thailand Longstay Company is coordinating with some 200 potential tourists, who are set to be the first to travel to Phuket province, under measures against COVID-19, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports viewing the group as a test of the so-called Phuket Model. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, said his office and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are reviewing foreign cities that have been free of COVID-19 for at least 28 days and are assessing demand for travel to Thailand, so that collaboration with those countries can be discussed. The Phuket Model, to be used for such tourists, was conceptualized by Thailand Longstay Company, which is looking to bring 200 tourists to the southern province. Measures for such visitors will include requiring a medical certificate, issued within 72 hours of travel in the nation of origin and submitted to the local Thai embassy, and a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Travelers will be limited to the single province with a requirement that they enter another seven day quarantine if they wish to depart to another province. Those who test negative for COVID-19 after 21 days will be allowed to travel nationwide. The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, suggested each region select a pilot province for trialing the model. He called for public agreement to build confidence. The Tourism and Sports Minister also commented on the We Travel Together program, which was recently expanded from five nights to 10 and from 1,000 baht for flights to 2,000 baht, saying spending power in the nation is currently reduced. So far, the program has only resulted in 500,000 rooms being booked from a target of 5 million. It has been suggested that large companies buy up the privileges and use them as rewards for employees. The Cabinet is to be asked to extend the program until the end of the year, rather than to only October, in support of the high season. -- © Copyright NNT 2020-08-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GeorgeCross Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 2 hours ago, rooster59 said: Phiphat said that this model was expected to be piloted in the middle of September with a first group of around 200 tourists. Most of them will be from Australia and New Zealand. He said that tourists under this model must be from the countries where there has been no outbreak for at least 30 days. not to be picky but don't both those countries have current outbreaks? 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GeorgeCross Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 2 hours ago, rooster59 said: Phiphat said that the ministry had maintained the target of 2 million foreign visitors during October 2020 to March 2021, focusing on high-end tourists who want to escape winter to stay longer than one month in Thailand. Most of them are regular visitors. so snowbirds are now high end regular visitors? not dirty iFarang then? finally some recognition, it's a start 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldie Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Somehow all this reminds me of the nightlife. Long time they said we can't open it because it is too dangerous. Finally they decided to allow it with a lot of regulations. If I walk around in Central Pattaya I for sure see more than 60 bars and nobody cares about the regulations. Perhaps the same will happen with this tourist model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLock Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 Interesting that TAT own 30% of "Thailand Longstay" - the company approved to manage all the visa and insurance. And first article said only countries wit no outbreaks for at least 30-days...second article was 28-days. Failure to launch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Matzzon Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 Wow! 200 tourist in line. That´s gonna bring in a lot of dough! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Matzzon said: Wow! 200 tourist in line. That´s gonna bring in a lot of dough! Well lets look at from a monetary view. 200 x the ASQ Hotel fee x Covid testing (2x) x Flights (Taxes or kickbacks who knows) x extra insurance purchased through the thai policies (maybe) =possibly just 40 million baht being spent with the Thai Government getting some of that money. Then as they move about spending more after their imprisonment (quarantine) well then the sky is the limit in the minds of these government clowns. Edited August 30, 2020 by ThailandRyan 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BestB Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 Stand by for yet another big flop 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurg Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 In my latest understanding you 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucegoniners Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 And what’s going to stop people from traveling to other parts of Thailand without them knowing? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jurg Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 To my latest understanding, Australians are not allowed to leave their country, unless they have a very special exemption given by their Government to go overseas. That exemption you would not get as a holydays tourist to Thailand. I stand corrected if I am wrong,???? 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yellowboat Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 desperation = future embarrassment? 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusticeGB Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 The Ministry of Hollow and U Turn Announcements is being formed by a newly formed Ministry of Unworkable and Impracticable Ideas to supervise all Ministries of the Government. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThailandRyan Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 6 minutes ago, JusticeGB said: The Ministry of Hollow and U Turn Announcements is being formed by a newly formed Ministry of Unworkable and Impracticable Ideas to supervise all Ministries of the Government. HUTA now run by the foundation for the relief from covid idiocy and assisting in refilling the pockets of those not in need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mehrdad Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 And in last with this model and that model and those model .. where is super model ?? ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post IamNoone88 Posted August 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2020 The "sealed area" concept was ridiculous. If you are in quarantine, you are in quarantine - simple. In Singapore that means 14 days in your room, with a triple check daily to make sure you are in the room, a single use key, so if you leave you cannot re-enter the room and they have got you, twice daily temperature check and now I believe a covid test, no exceptions - period. Serve the two weeks and you are free to go. It is already proven that people arriving from overseas and in quarantine are bringing back the virus. Having quarantined people in hotels who will no doubt have a virus and if allowed out of the rooms and by default be mixing with people who may well not be infected at the time will be a disaster. Make it strict for that quarantine period, let then let them out. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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