PHUKET: A dim light now appears to be glimmering at the end of a very long tunnel for Phuket’s COVID-battered tourism industry, and for people at large on the island. The easing of the alcohol restrictions in restaurants was nearly celebrated when it came into effect last week, at the same time, over the past week the number of new infections reported each day have abated, now clearly below 200 a day.
The easing of the requirements for domestic travellers to come to Phuket, brought into effect only nine days ago, has also helped to ease the tension, which has been nearly palpable across the island as people and business operators continue to struggle to keep their financial heads above water. It’s almost as if the island itself this past week has breathed a nervous sigh of relief in the belief that the end might be nigh.
In addition to the easing of the alcohol restriction in Phuket and the entry requirements for domestic visitors to the island, the Sandbox 7+7 extension scheme now appears to be workable with areas outside Phuket, including Khao Lak, Koh Yao and Phi Phi Island, ready to properly receive guests without provincial orders for those locations getting in the way.
Domestic flights are now allowed to carry full loads, Phuket’s boat tour and yacht charter industry has long been more than ready to receive tourists in full compliance of the COVID rules, and talks with Russian officials include the expectation of seeing Russians returning to the island as early as next month.
In numbers, even according to immigration reports the Sandbox scheme has yet to still to fulfill anywhere near the touted promises, as of Friday totalling 43,802 arrivals since July 1, with 776 arriving on Friday (Oct 8). Further, on the ground it is difficult to see exactly where the “billions of baht” the Phuket Sandbox scheme has generated, as espoused by officials, has gone to – but it has helped. Tourists can now be seen in small numbers in key areas on the island,…