Phuket sandbox

  • Phuket News

    UPDATE: Tourism Minister reportedly says July 1 ‘sandbox’ won’t happen

    UPDATE By the conclusion of a meeting in Phuket this afternoon the only confirmation was that the July 1 date for a re-opening of Thailand, via the Phuket sandbox was “still on”, according to Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com who attended the meeting. More details when they emerge. Bottomline, nothing is confirmed until the Thai Cabinet discusses the issue, probably Tuesday,…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Bars closed for Sandbox reopening, the Myanmar effect

    The latest news and chat about issues about Thailand. Today, more woes for the Phuket Sandbox, the official reopening of general travel to Thailand. Except that nothing has been confirmed with only 20 days to go!. We also answer your questions and address your comment. ? MOBILE APP for iOS / Apple users: https://apple.co/3sFqPLU ? MOBILE APP for Android users:…

  • Tourism News

    14 day Phuket stay cuts predicted sandbox arrivals in half

    The Tourism and Sports Ministry admitted today that the last-minute change in Phuket Sandbox Plan before being submitted to the government for approval from 7 days to 14 days required in Phuket for all arrivals will likely decrease by half the number of travellers who come. Extending the time required in Phuket before being allowed to travel throughout Thailand has…

  • Thailand News

    Phuket bars to stay closed for July 1 sandbox

    Bars, pubs, and other “entertainment venues” throughout Phuket will remain closed when the province opens for its July 1 reopening, Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri said today. Chalermsak says the entertainment venues will remain closed as a meeting with Phuket officials cited a covid cluster from such an establishment. He further told Thai media today that the Phuket Governor and the TAT…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Student dies from hazing gone wrong, travel bubble with S Korea | June 10

    South Korea could soon open its borders to fully vaccinated people travelling from Thailand, A 22 year old engineering student died after he was allegedly beaten by a group of students at the Rajamangala University of Technology in Bangkok, Taiwan is expecting a holdup on its order of the Thai-made AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and Koh Samet, in the eastern province…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket governor asks for funds for tourist tracking app

    We’re not sure of the exact date when the Phuket sandbox idea was born, but we’re pretty sure the Thaiger had fewer grey hairs and definitely fewer wrinkles back then. What’s certain is that there has been a lot – a lot – of talk about Phuket’s July 1 re-opening and how exactly it will work. Rules have been introduced,…

  • Phuket News

    Local carriers lack confidence in sandbox scheme, hold off resuming Phuket flights

    Local airlines are in no rush to be part of Phuket’s much-anticipated July 1 re-opening, due to uncertain demand and the strict rules governing the sandbox model. Tassapon Bijleveld from Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder in Thai AirAsia, says strict domestic travel restrictions implemented on red zone provinces as a result of the third wave, have led to plummeting load…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts 3 million tourists in 2021

    In their ever-optimistic estimations, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that they are aiming for 3 million foreign tourists visiting this year. The number seems ambitious as it’s only a 25% reduction from the TAT’s earlier projection in April of 4 million visitors, just before the onset of the massive and pervasive third wave of Covid-19 that brought Thailand…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Phuket sandbox, streaming services, high-speed rail in Thailand

    Tim, Bill and Able chat about the latest news stories in Thailand today, especially the latest information about the Phuket Sandbox and the re-opening of tourism for Thailand. All the latest news at thethaiger.com

  • Phuket News

    As the clock ticks down, Phuket’s sandbox plan moves a step closer to approval

    The Thai PM says the cabinet has agreed in principle to the Phuket sandbox scheme, which will see the southern island re-open to vaccinated tourists from July 1. Quarantine will be waived for fully vaccinated international arrivals from a yet-to-be-determined list of “safe” countries. However, they will have to spend 14 days on the island before being allowed to travel…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Autopsy of Koh Tao couple, buy a Moderna vaccine, Koh Samui sandbox? | June 8

    A preliminary autopsy result suggest the billionaire Thai couple died from drowning at a Koh Tao resort pool on Shark Bay, Private hospitals in Thailand are planning to buy up to 10 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine through the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, locals at a village in Trang, a southern Thai province, set up nets along the roads…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Thailand’s top foreign Vlogger, Foreigner vaccinations

    Today Bill and Tim chat to the popular and chatty Chad Burdette from CB Media about life as a YouTuber in Thailand. We also respond to your comments and answer your questions. Welcome to our new daily Good Morning Thailand coming from The Thaiger studios.

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Koh Tao dual death investigation, Covid stats for Monday | June 7

    Medical examiners at the Police General Hospital will do an autopsy on the bodies of the billionaire couple who were both found dead at the bottom of a resort pool on Koh Tao, Police arrested a taxi driver who allegedly stole thousands of baht and Australian dollars from an Australian, The Private Hospital Association is expected to confirm the price…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Hotel woes, Phuket sandbox, your comments | June 7

    Today Bill and Tim speak to KP Ho,the co-founder of the Banyan Tree brand in Thailand. We also discuss the latest in the Phuket Sandbox plan and the reopening of Thailand to general travel. Can you travel to Thailand? Yes… find out how.

  • Phuket News

    Confidence low in Phuket as sandbox hopes marred by rules and restrictions

    As Phuket prepares for its July 1 re-opening to vaccinated holidaymakers, tourism operators on the southern island aren’t quite jumping up and down with excitement. The much-discussed sandbox scheme comes with some tough rules and restrictions that some fear will put people off visiting. Top of the list is the requirement to stay on the island for a minimum of…

  • Tourism News

    Thai Airways to fly 5 Phuket routes to Europe

    With several airlines in the Middle East announcing July 1 reopenings of flights to Phuket, Thai Airways has finally announced plans to fly in and out of the island from Europe. As the Phuket Sandbox plan climbs closer and closer to being officially approved, airlines are scheduling flights. Now Thai Airways has announced direct flights from 5 European cities beginning…

  • Tourism News

    Phuket Sandbox to be approved by Cabinet on Monday

    It’s official, sort of. After months of kicking sand around, debating if it will really happen, the Centre for Economic Situation Administration officially approved the Phuket Sandbox plan, an important step forward. The announcement, made on Friday afternoon, appears to answer the often-posed question if the sandbox plan would ever happen as the much more intense and deadly third wave…

  • Visa Information

    UPDATE: Phuket Sandbox – Changes to travelling back to Thailand

    Yes, there are some more details, about the Phuket ‘sandbox’ and there will certainly be some more changes in the next few weeks as we lead up to July 1. Getting back to Thailand, via Phuket, is now much easier from the start of July but there are still a few conditions and restrictions you need to be aware of.…

  • Covid-19 News

    Covid Update Saturday: 36 deaths and 2,817 infections

    For Saturday the Public Health department has announced 36 new Covid-related deaths and 2,817 infections. 315 of those cases are from prisons. The daily totals have been statistically consistent for over a month now. Bangkok is still the key ‘hot spot’ with clusters around shopping areas, high density housing communities and worker camps. • Alternative state quarantine hotels are aiming…

  • Covid-19 News

    Foreign workers get jabs in 2-day Phuket mass vaccination drive

    In 2 days, yesterday and today, Phuket has set out to vaccinate 22,613 migrant workers and 5,758 foreign workers who are legal with a work permit. Vachira Phuket Hospital has teamed up with Angsana Laguna Phuket resort in the north of Phuket and Central shopping centre in the middle of the island for the foreign worker mass vaccination drive. The…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | The man behind the Sandbox, vaccine roll out, 1000s of restaurants suffering

    The countdown is on to the grand re-opening strategy of Thailand tourism, firstly in Phuket with the Sandbox model. Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Han, Koh Samui AND Bangkok to follow. Today we speak to the man who is co-ordinating Phuket’s readiness for this important step in Thailand’s relaunch of tourism. We also discuss restaurant woes, alcohol bans and answer your…

  • Tourism News

    PM to chair meeting on Thailand’s re-opening as Phuket officials demand clarity

    The Centre for Economic Situation Administration will today discuss plans for the revival of Thailand’s tourism sector at a virtual meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. Attendees will discuss a future quarantine-free re-opening of 10 provinces considered popular tourist destinations: Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Buriram. While Phuket is…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Airline rules for July 1 ‘opening’, WHO gives thumbs up for Sinovac | June 2

    The Thai Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced some specific flight rules for international travellers flying into Phuket after July 1, Sinovac has been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation, Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the delivery of 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is on schedule and A spokesman yesterday defended the Royal…

  • Transport News

    Qatar Airways will fly 4 times weekly to Phuket starting July 1

    Qatar Airways is going all-in on the Phuket sandbox plan to reopen the tourist island to international travellers on July 1. The airline has confirmed that they will run flights 4 times per week between the Qatari capital city of Doha and Phuket. This new route is in addition to the airline’s current 12 flights a week to Bangkok. The…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | Bill Heinecke, getting back to Thailand, vaccine roll out

    Today Tim, Bill and Able talk to Bill Heinecke from the Minor Group, one of Thailand’s most diverse hospitality and lifestyle companies. Bill wrote a letter to the Thai PM and we get his thoughts on the reopening plans of the Thai government. We also answer viewer questions, as we do everyday. Keeping you up to date with all the…

  • Tourism News

    KLM to introduce Amsterdam – Phuket flights from October

    KLM has announced an expansion to its network from this coming winter, including flights from Amsterdam to Phuket, with a touchdown in Kuala Lumpur. The southern Thai island is one of 6 new destinations being introduced, the others being Mombasa in Kenya, Orlando in the US, Cancun in Mexico, Bridgetown in Barbados, and Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Today | Government puts brakes on BKK, more police arrested over kidnap | June 1

    Just as Bangkok was about to reopen some venues and businesses, the order was shut down by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Thai Brewers Association has delivered a petition to the CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asking them to reverse the ban of alcohol sales in restaurants and bars, Two high ranking police officers in Bangkok have now…

  • Thailand video news

    Good Morning Thailand | C-19 Vaccines – Yes? No?, Thailand re-opening latest, Phuket Sandbox

    Episode 7. Today’s guest Hayden Rhodes, a health professional, father and family man. He’s come to his conclusion about vaccines. How about you? We also have the latest in the Sanbox reopening details for Thailand Bangkok’s on-again, off-again restriction updates. Tim Newton is joined by Bill Barnett from c9HotelWorks. All the latest information about Thailand and Phuket reopening at thethaiger.com

  • Phuket News

    TAT outlines rules for Phuket re-opening | VIDEO

    So, here they are, the dos and don’ts for all those vaccinated tourists planning trips to the southern island of Phuket from July 1. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has laid out the rules governing the Phuket Sandbox model that will see the island re-open to international visitors in just a few weeks’ time. While fully vaccinated tourists will no…

  • Covid-19 News

    Phuket pushes for proactive vaccination to reach 70% goal

    A push is underway to get people registered for mass vaccination in Phuket in an effort to still reach the 70% threshold to reopen to international tourists on July 1. In a meeting on the Phuket Tourism Sandbox plan at the provincial hall on Thursday, a new proactive scheme was hatched to get people registered and vaccinated. Phuket has set…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism officials focus on safety to differentiate Phuket from rest of Thailand

    As the clock ticks down to the much-anticipated re-opening of Phuket on July 1, tourism officials are anxious to separate the southern island from parts of the country currently experiencing higher Covid-19 infection rates. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is emphasising the safety element of Phuket and the other areas that will follow the “sandbox” model of re-opening. In a…

  • Tourism News

    Thai public health and tourism ministers on Phuket to push the July 1 Sandbox reopening

    Bangkok has sent a couple of ministerial heavyweights to Phuket today to keep pushing the July 1 ‘Sandbox’ bandwagon, insisting that Phuket will open to fully vaccinated tourists from July 1. The Deputy PM and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ,along with the Sports and Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, are doing the island PR tour today delivering a message from…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | 8 clusters in Bangkok, Phuket party organisers charged | May 14

    Foreigners may face a slight delay in receiving their Covid-19 vaccines, The BMA has now confirmed 8 clusters of Covid infection in the capital, Thai Private Hospital Association is now working to offer a variety of Covid-19 vaccine brands to Thais and Patong police have announced that the managers of the Phuket venues that hosted the Kolour entertainment event swill…

  • Phuket News

    TAT looks forward to welcoming 129,000 foreign tourists to Phuket

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand says it expects 129,000 tourists to arrive on the southern island of Phuket in the first 3 months of its re-opening. Officials still insist the island will re-open for quarantine-free travel for vaccinated foreign tourists from July 1. And according to the Bangkok Post, the TAT also plans to team up with airlines to offer…

  • Covid-19 News

    Covid-19 infections cast doubt on plan to reopen Phuket July 1

    With surging Covid-19 infections, the original plan for Phuket to reopen the international border to tourism on July 1st without quarantine may be unlikely. The governor warned today that the plan may be in jeopardy if they don’t reach the proposed May 15 goal of reducing infections to less than 10 each day. Governor Narong Woonciew called on everyone to…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | Thai government throws TG under bus, new police uniforms | May 10

    Forum Moderator Application… HERE In today’s Thailand News Today we look at… State Enterprise Policy Office says the government will not bank-roll a billion-baht cash injection for Thai Airways, Public buses, cars, and motorbike taxis now need to comply with tougher Covid-19 measures, After a 3-day search, a body of a missing fisherman was found off the coast of Lin…

  • Tourism News

    Tourism Minister says Phuket must reach zero infections before July re-opening

    The Tourism and Sports Minister insists the southern island of Phuket must record zero Covid-19 cases if a planned July re-opening is to go ahead. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn adds that, should new infections be reported once 70% of the island is vaccinated, the Tourism and Public Health Ministries will work together to decide what action to take. Tourism operators in Phuket…