Big Deal - Not !

[Glasseye]

I hate to be negative, but.....

 

I have a difficult time swallowing the numbers reported in this piece. In addition, they make this "7+7" announcement as if it is a big deal. I read it as a fart in the wind. It doesn't offer any of the initial opportunities that had been initially announced for the "Sandbox" plan when it first came out. Offers nothing but being able to do some island hopping near Phuket. But, from what I can gather makes it almost impossible for those who may desire to travel to other provinces in the North. Hopefully it will open up some more to allow visitors with proper records to move onto other provinces without being sstopped and froced into a quarantine place for 14 days.  unable to move on up to other provinces.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2166279/nod-for-7-7-provides-cheer

 

 

Nod for 7+7 provides cheer

Cut in mandatory Phuket stay a boon

PUBLISHED : 17 AUG 2021 AT 06:40

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS

WRITER: NARUMON KASEMSUK

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Patong beach in Phuket recently started to see a gradual increase in tourists thanks to the Phuket sandbox. Dusida Worrachaddejchai

Phuket sandbox and other provinces in the south struggling with ways to reopen for international tourists will be buoyed after the CCSA on Monday nailed down the long-awaited 7+7 extension plan.

The reopening plan to add destinations as links to Phuket sandbox have been approved in principal by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) since July 22, but had to gain formal approval from both a CCSA subcommittee on Aug 5 and a committee under the Communicable Diseases Act on Aug 13, respectively.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said from Aug 16 tourists can join the programme, which will help cut the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 days to just 7 days before then traveling on to other designated destinations.

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However, particpants have to apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) for each route before departing for Thailand. The Foreign Ministry will open the system for registration within this week.

 

According to the 7+7 Phuket extension plan, the areas to included are Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani; Khao Lak, Kho Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in Phangnga; Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach, and Koh Ngai in Krabi.

After testing the country's reopening programme with Phuket sandbox, the province has recorded 394,877 room nights in 394 hotels with 35,480 guests.

Mr Yuthasak said the CCSA on Monday also approved every sandbox area to receive tourists who have been vaccinated with Sputnik V which could help clear an obstacle for Russian tourists.

However, the weakness of the scheme is the mandatory stay, forcing tourists to roam the island for two weeks before being allowed to travel to other provinces.

The virus situation which prompted lockdown has complicated the situation as public transport serving cross-provincial travels in the dark red zone are banned, including flights from Phuket to Samui which were suspended. Therefore, the 7+7 extension plan which mainly connects tourists via boat is seen as an alternative for tourists who will be able to enjoy more travel options.

Charintip Tiyaphorn, president of the Tourism Council of Krabi, said after the plan was officially approved, the booking trend is anticipated to improve from October as the high season will roll out from then.