Answered6 years ago
Why was the reopening of Phuket delayed and what are the implications for tourists and expats?
[members only]
Answer summary
The reopening of Phuket has been delayed indefinitely, initially expected to happen in 2021. The decision is based on concerns over a single COVID-19 case, raising skepticism about the viability of tourism recovery during the pandemic. Many commenters express frustrations regarding the government's reaction to the situation, highlighting the financial implications for tourists and expats who wish to return to Thailand. Additionally, discussions around travel bans, quarantine procedures, and the economic impact on both locals and the tourism sector reveal a complex and uncertain future for travelers.
65 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Hereward ********
There is no science in this decision. It is insanity. The PCR test was never designed to be a diagnostic test. There is no published error margin. The vast majority of so called "cases" are asymptomatic. The test does not even prove presence of a virus, just a short sequence of nucleic acids. It is a collosal mistake which they cannot admit, so they just dig themselves deeper into the hole.
David ********
I live in Australia and their state govts over react in the same way for every new case. Its not just the Thai govt who do this. I really want to come to my Hua Hin house but have lost most of my hope.
Thoram *******
The covid case is just a excuse...they realized that their plan will not working..so they changed their mind to not open Phuket...
Joann ********************
Most stupid plan ever. Fly there stay three weeks just to go to your own place elsewhere.
Bobby ********
@Joann *******************
. For people who have families here, it makes perfect sense. A bit more expensive than the usual entry but aren't families supposed to be priceless?Joann ********************
@Bobby *******
I have family there. My brother has a wife and child. It’s almost like extortion. It’s like, let’s make the expats pay and pay because they will. Have a covid test pre and 5 days post flight. Let them monitor your whereabouts for a week or two. Go see your family and stay in your own homeBobby ********
@Joann *******************
. Those who consider their families and "homes" worthwhile will pay the money surely. If they have children here, do they want to see them growing up? In these cases money should be no object surely?
Boban *************
Till 2050 I hope
Rick *******
No surprise if the government is looking for ZERO cases of Covid to appear. That will not happen. Also, this plan sounds like it is only for the rich who have sufficient disposable income to spend on long distance travel. Exactly what percentage of the Thai population falls into that category? I would think most of Thailand's population does not have the money to travel during this time of high unemployment. Instead of focusing on the wealthy in Thailand, the government should be looking at ways to open up the country to general tourism where the real money is.
Steve **********
Pakistan said "fuck it" and lifted their countrywide lockdown on May 9th, 44 days after 100 cases. Burnout?
Michael *******
@Rick ******
90,000 new cases in India, 10,000 in France and 3,000 in the UK. The whole thing is going the wrong way. Unless the virus burns itself out, it's going to have to be a vaccine. Thailand will look like a different place by the time we can all go back.Rick *******
@Michael ******
, I am thinking the same thing. Even though I have a Thai family that I would like to get back to, I am waiting for a vaccine before trying to return. It is just too expensive to jump through all of the hoops right now. 
Michael ********
@Rick ******
yes cost me about *****
0 baht to get back but had to stay expensive hotel due to getting on unplanned flight with only few hours notice but now lots of cheaper alternativesRick *******
It will be awhile before things calm down. I figured about a year when I left Thailand in March. Only time will tell. I had a friend just return to Thailand from the US and in cost him about 7K US dollars.
Michael *******
@Rick ******
I really thought we were getting on top of things in the UK but we're just not. After todays news I really have no clue whatsoever how things will evolve. Even the ridiculous Phuket scenario has been put on hold. 
Mark *********
It’s quite easy have a test where you come from and have a test when you get there
Wanda ****************
Your comparison is like nothing to do with the ass and the ......
Steve *********
No surprise, Thai government is scared stiff of Covid.
They would rather be a clised nation and trying to get local Thais to bail them out.
They would rather be a clised nation and trying to get local Thais to bail them out.
Wanda ****************
I really don’t understand why a country trying to protect their own citizens will be criticised ..... ☺️
Anouch ***********
1 more case .. what a big lie..
Ashley ********
One single case . They will never re open. It will be years before it opens . The scaremongering of the Thai people has worked . It’s an effective tool.
Robert **********
@Ashley *******
Ashley i am in phuket with the family. There is no scaremongering. All the thai people i speak with are well aware of what is going on. Yes phuket is quiet and a reset of buisiness is required. But it will return as soon as world conditions allow. Ashley ********
@Robert *********
years then Robert **********
@Ashley *******
no problem mate whatever you think. Its a flu virus it has come and it will go. Ashley ********
@Robert *********
one locally transmitted case in 100 days and the Phuket quarantine island idea is complete lay off Ashley ********
@Robert *********
cases rising again in Europe . Not doom and gloom . Just reality . I’ve already cancelled 3 trips to the UK . My next trip will be June 2021 and if there is quarantine I won’t be going back and I would say there still will be . Until the quarantine is lifted it is doom and gloom. Robert **********
@Ashley *******
your all doom and gloom mate. The gradual reopening of the country is moving forward. It will take a little time but not years and years. Time will tell. 
Poompui ************
Michael ********
Oops Reiners on the Sang Som again
Reiner *********
@Michael *******
sorry not my taste Michael *******
@Michael *******
Clearly a troubled soul. 😁😁😁Michael ********
@Michael ******
Very much so 🤪
Bob ******
Thais. Masters of mass confusion
Reiner *********
@Bob *****
woww as an Aussi you are confused... About a government.. Great start to change yours I guess Michael *******
This Reiner guy may be in Thailand but he doesn't seem very happy with life.
Michael *******
Do you mean 'you don't give a fuck'? For starters, I speak English fluently.
Michael *******
After 15 years of living and working there I would hope you'd speak the language. Mind you, if it's anything like your English.
Reiner *********
@Michael ******
well I live and work here 15 years and sorry to tell u as a Brit.. I live here very good and happy... Sorry I understand that you as a Brit can not understand this as the current and ose future look sad for the UK.. - 20.4 % gdp down.. And the harsh BREXIT coming very soon and the crazy government even need to employ an ex Aussi to help them to get things sorted... Brave.... As here is constantly about 30 c and now perfect empty beaches fre of cheap Charlie's.... Up to you... I am healthy and have a full fling live people who love me and a relaxed existence..... Yes I am very very un happy... But I don't care stupid people... That's the truth Ashley ********
@Reiner ********
good riddens to the EU and above all Deutschland Michael *******
@Reiner ********
Or maybe you could spend some time learning the English language properly. Plenty of room for improvement.... being as I'm a Brit I'm definitely qualified to make that judgement !!! Keep smiling, if you can 😁😁😁Reiner *********
@Michael ******
as mentioned already I give a f.. K to your opinion.. But again.. How much other languages you are able to speak fluently... I guess not one more as normal qualified Brits..... Reiner *********
@Michael ******
I don't need to.. For what... But how many languages you can speak fluently by the way.... If I would ask for a lecturer.... You would be the last.. As living here I can speak Thai proper so who the fuck needs Oxford Michael *******
@Reiner ********
I'd get outside and enjoy yourself rather than posting pleasant messages on here. "Up to you" though, sure you've heard that a few times.Reiner *********
@Michael ******
thanx I am outside every day at the beach and have fun... Good idea.... 
Gene **********
The virus is here to stay just like the flu! So I guess Thailand will never reopen!
Jan *********
Reiner wanker should be blocked.....
Gene **********
@Reiner ********
go fuck yourself!Reiner *********
David Broadfoot or do you think I am totally wrong with my idea that the Americans should first clean up Vietnam from all tge shit they just let there without any responsibility
Jesse *****
@Reiner ********
stop acting like a know-it-all, you people can't even fight a war properlyReiner *********
David Broadfoot NO I am not... But I just answer to Comands you are free to block me... Its a free world.. By the way I am totally against nationalists.. That's Wright
Peter ************
Don't know how tourists can come from Australia with the bans on Australians taking international travel
Ron *******
Gone the same way as his 9 month visa idea is heading.....south and straight in the bin.
Paul ********
If one case panics them, then this phuket scheme was never going to work.
Reiner *********
@Paul *******
its funny that a Brit has the brain to answer but not look at their home 
Ellen *******
@Reiner ********
he is reacting to the subject 😏Ellen *******
@Reiner ********
Hm, insulting? He just says "if one case panics them..." etc. I don't see that as insulting of the government, but only his opinion about the "panic". But ok, so many people, so many opinions 🙏🏻😉Reiner *********
@Ellen ******
thanx agreed but judging from a crazy position is not a kind of objective... And insulting the ( regime) government here out of that is not even appropriate... Beside the question of language etc... Wrong? 
Shivani ********
@Paul *******
😂🤣 trueBobby ********
Delayed until 2022
Jan *********
Mr reiner should be blocked....
Reiner *********
@Bobby *******
funny as a Brit... With an incompetent government and the most deads in tge world Bobby ********
@Reiner ********
. I'm not a Brit. 🤣🤣🤣
Ivan ************
OPThat would be the USA
@Rei***
with the most dead. The UK is #13. If you go by deaths/capita, the worst excluding San Marino is Peru, which overtook Belgium just recently. The UK is at #6 on that one. It's bad, but it's not the most.Activity
29 joined29
people
Related
25Are there any discussions about creating a permanent marriage visa in Thailand?
4.9k44483mo
Are DTV visa holders facing increased scrutiny at Thai immigration when traveling from Phnom Penh?
666174mo
Is tourism in Thailand noticeably down and how are the streets currently?
11.8k881637mo
Is the 60-day visa-free stay in Thailand going to be reduced to 30 days?
32k2354529mo
Will my travel history impact my entry into Thailand as a Belgian expat in 2026?
3.7k274610mo
What are the new limitations on visa-exempt entries to Thailand for US passport holders in 2025?
1.2k141y
Will Thailand's entry rules change to allow only two entries per year from January 1st?
7.4k30651y
What are the current requirements for proof of funds and onward travel for entering Thailand as a tourist?
26.7k1721961y
Is it safe to return to Thailand for less than 8 weeks after multiple previous visits without a tourist visa?
3.1k21381y
What are the current challenges for expats and tourists entering Thailand on visa-exempt entries?
34.5k2415181y
Can we still get a 60-day visa exemption on arrival in Thailand, and when will it change?
1.5k8152y
What are the community's thoughts on recent visa regulations in Thailand and their impact on tourism?
10.1k691502y
What should I consider while waiting for my DTV result after a cancellation of my ED visa in Thailand?
2.1k18102y
What are the visa options for a German passport holder staying in Thailand for multiple shorter visits?
1.2k693y
Will my friend be allowed to re-enter Thailand after multiple visa-exempt entries?
2.2k16203y
Do I need to file my 90 Day Report if I am leaving Thailand with a cancelled work visa the day before the deadline?
808464y
Will Thailand extend the COVID extension for visas?
3.7k32305y
What are the requirements for applying for a visa to Thailand for a 10-day trip?
560135y
Can foreigners work from home in Thailand under a Tourist Visa?
2.6k21145y
Do I need to cancel my visa if I change universities in Bangkok?
3785y
Have visa rules for U.S. citizens traveling to Thailand changed due to COVID-19?
972665y
How can I obtain a letter from the US embassy to get a 30-day extension for my tourist visa in Thailand?
4.4k34456y
Are international flights to Phuket resuming in July 2020?
3k16487y
Is the 60 day visa extension in Thailand automatically extended to 90 days until 31 July?
2.9k21277y
Is it safe to travel to Thailand with only one page left in my passport?
1.8k13108y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served