Phuket re-opens Thursday, hotels ready and waiting to welcome foreign guests

As the southern island of Phuket gets ready to re-open to vaccinated foreign tourists on Thursday, hotel operators say they’re well prepared. A Bangkok Post report takes a look at the measures in place for the imminent launch of the Phuket “sandbox scheme”. Yesterday, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha highlighted the need for robust measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

At the Cape Panwa Hotel, in the southeast of the island, front office manager Boonsong Suratod says the property has been accredited by the Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration and is ready to welcome foreign tourists.

“All workers here have been vaccinated and rooms, restaurants and other facilities have been made ready to serve foreign tourists. We have already trained our workers to strictly follow health measures against Covid-19.”

Jirapong Tubyen from Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket on the west coast, says the hotel has strict measures in place to prevent any spread of Covid-19. Staff and guests will be required to observe social distancing rules, while rooms and restaurants will be regularly cleaned, along with shared points such as doors, tables, and chairs.

At Sri Panwa Hotel, at the tip of the Cape Panwa peninsula, receptionist Apinya Techawanto says all employees have received 2 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. She adds that arriving foreign tourists will first be tested for the virus at the airport, prior to being transported to their hotel. Staff members picking them up are required to wear facemasks and protective clothing and adhere to social distancing. If tourists test negative for the virus, they will be free to leave the hotel and travel around the island.

According to figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 460 Phuket businesses and 300 hotels on the island have now achieved Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration accreditation.

For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post