Will Phuket's Messy Opening Be the Spark Thailand’s Tourism Recovery Needs?

For all the criticism and ridicule that has been heaped on Thailand for its fussy and arduous roadmap to reopen from July 1, starting with Phuket, the kingdom may still have the last laugh as the one that led the unlocking of international travel in Asia. The Maldives may have been first to reopen in the region but Thailand, with 40 million arrivals in 2019 versus Maldives’ 1.5 million, is the real litmus test. Much is at stake for Asia’s top volume destination (excluding Greater China). It is attempting a reopening at a difficult time. When the Phuket “sandbox” model was mooted earlier this year, Thailand didn't imagine the worst Covid-19 flare-up it faces today. Its pride at excellent virus management dented, the country is tightening the screws to ensure the safest possible reopening, even though Phuket now has less than five new cases per day and is said to be on track to achieve herd immunity. Thus weeks to go to July 1, officials are still dotting the i's and crossing the t's to reopen the popular Thai resort island without quarantine to vaccinated travelers. The initiative hasn't even been published in the Royal Gazette, which is the “holy grail” of approval. This, along with significant changes to rules so late in the day, makes it hard for Thai inbound travel agencies to market the reopening, they said. It also makes it harder for Phuket hotels, 40 to 70 percent are estimated to be closed due to poor business, to decide whether or not to reopen. Moreover, July to September is low season due to the wet monsoon. Tighter rules or a lack of clarity can also put off some clients. For instance, vaccinated travelers must now stay in Phuket for 14 nights, from seven initially, before they can visit other Thai destinations. The Tourism Authority of Thailand on June 9 released the “initial” information on reopening Phuket, stressing it is “a living document” and that more details will be provided as soon as officially-approved directives from the Thai government are available. But as it is (read it here), some may already