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Why was the reopening of Phuket delayed and what are the implications for tourists and expats?

Phuket ReopeningVisa RulesCOVID-19 ImpactTourism in ThailandExpat ConcernsThai Government PoliciesInternational Travel Restrictions
Sep 6, 2020
4 years ago
Ivan ************
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TLDR : 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.
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.
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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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...
4 years ago
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Joann ********************
Most stupid plan ever. Fly there stay three weeks just to go to your own place elsewhere.
4 years ago
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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?
4 years ago
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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 home
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@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?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Boban *************
Till 2050 I hope
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Steve **********
Pakistan said "fuck it" and lifted their countrywide lockdown on May 9th, 44 days after 100 cases. Burnout?
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Rick *******
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.
4 years ago
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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 alternatives
4 years ago
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Michael ********
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Mark *********
It’s quite easy have a test where you come from and have a test when you get there
4 years ago
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Wanda ****************
Your comparison is like nothing to do with the ass and the ......
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Wanda ****************
I really don’t understand why a country trying to protect their own citizens will be criticised ..... ☺️
4 years ago
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Anouch ***********
1 more case .. what a big lie..
4 years ago
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Carlo ******************
Oh really?
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Ashley ********
@Robert *********
 years then
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Ashley ********
@Robert *********
 one locally transmitted case in 100 days and the Phuket quarantine island idea is complete lay off
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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Robert **********
@Ashley *******
 no problem mate whatever you think. Its a flu virus it has come and it will go.
4 years ago
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Robert **********
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Poompui ************
4 years ago
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Poompui ************
4 years ago
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Michael ********
Oops Reiners on the Sang Som again
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Michael *******
 sorry not my taste
4 years ago
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Michael *******
@Michael *******
 Clearly a troubled soul. 😁😁😁
4 years ago
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Michael ********
@Michael ******
 Very much so 🤪
4 years ago
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Michael ********
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Bob ******
Thais. Masters of mass confusion
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Bob *****
 woww as an Aussi you are confused... About a government.. Great start to change yours I guess
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
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Michael *******
This Reiner guy may be in Thailand but he doesn't seem very happy with life.
4 years ago
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Michael *******
Do you mean 'you don't give a fuck'? For starters, I speak English fluently.
4 years ago
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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.
4 years ago
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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
4 years ago
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Ashley ********
@Reiner ********
 good riddens to the EU and above all Deutschland
4 years ago
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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 😁😁😁
4 years ago
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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.....
4 years ago
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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
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
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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.
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Michael ******
 thanx I am outside every day at the beach and have fun... Good idea....
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
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Gene **********
The virus is here to stay just like the flu! So I guess Thailand will never reopen!
4 years ago
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Jan *********
Reiner wanker should be blocked.....
4 years ago
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Gene **********
@Reiner ********
 go fuck yourself!
4 years ago
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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
4 years ago
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Jesse *****
@Reiner ********
 stop acting like a know-it-all, you people can't even fight a war properly
4 years ago
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Jesse *****
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Reiner *********
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
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
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Peter ************
Don't know how tourists can come from Australia with the bans on Australians taking international travel
4 years ago
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Ron *******
Gone the same way as his 9 month visa idea is heading.....south and straight in the bin.
4 years ago
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Paul ********
If one case panics them, then this phuket scheme was never going to work.
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Paul *******
 its funny that a Brit has the brain to answer but not look at their home
4 years ago
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Ellen *******
@Reiner ********
 he is reacting to the subject 😏
4 years ago
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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?
4 years ago
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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 🙏🏻😉
4 years ago
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Ellen *******
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Shivani ********
@Paul *******
 😂🤣 true
4 years ago
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Shivani ********
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Bobby ********
Delayed until 2022
4 years ago
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Jan *********
Mr reiner should be blocked....
4 years ago
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Reiner *********
@Bobby *******
 funny as a Brit... With an incompetent government and the most deads in tge world
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Reiner ********
. I'm not a Brit. 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
That 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.
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
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