Minister declares Phuket Airport ready to welcome STV arrivals

The Thai Transport Minister has declared Phuket International Airport ready to welcome tourists arriving under the recently-launched Special Tourist Visa scheme. A similar announcement was also made in the days before the much-discussed October 8 STV tourists who never arrived. Now we wait again…

Peppering all these apparent preparations is a visit from the PM and cabinet officials to Phuket. A bit like the cow being artificially inseminated, something is definitely happening but she’s not quite sure what’s going on.

Saksayam Chidchob was at the airport on Saturday as part of checks on preparations for the re-opening of borders to foreign tourists and business people. It’s understood he has instructed Airports of Thailand and other relevant bodies to ensure the screening and processing of international arrivals is “good to go” at Phuket airport, as well as at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang (Chiang Rai), and Hat Yai airports, all under the management of Airports of Thailand.

After observing the health screening checkpoint at Phuket airport, along with the sample-taking and Covid testing procedure, Saksayam has declared the airport ready for international arrivals. It’s hoped that a smooth screening and testing procedure will mean virus control measures can eventually be eased, in order to allow more foreign visitors into the Kingdom. Officials in Phuket have been ordered to ensure airport premises, quarantine facilities and medical supplies and equipment, are sufficient to manage an increase in tourists.

Meanwhile, it’s understood officials at the Phuket Provincial Office, as well as the Harbour Department and other relevant agencies are asking the government to promote marine tourism, such as yacht trips and cruise ships, as one way to get the local economy going again.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand