How did Thailand reopen to tourism?
The world has been a strange place since the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to many international journeys since early in 2020.
The tourism industry in Thailand is a massive contributor to the country’s economy. In the first quarter of 2020, tourism was estimated to directly contribute 5.65% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in Thailand. It’s one of Thailand’s largest sectors of employment, and it ranked ninth in terms of having the highest number of people employed in the tourism industry worldwide in 2019 with the island of Phuket being especially reliant on tourism for jobs, income and a way of life. As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, international arrivals were banned, but as of November 2021 things have changed.
On 5 November I arrived in Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, on the Thai ‘Sandbox’ programme which requires that all international visitors need to be fully vaccinated and need to have a ‘Certificate of Entry’ (COE) which requires applicants to get their pre-approved COE from a Thai embassy office by submitting their vaccination certificate, travel insurance, pre-booked covid tests on the scheme and then their flight bookings, accommodation reservation bookings at a Sandbox-approved hotel and needing a pre-travel negative PCR test to enter and another negative covid test on arrival.
I applied for my COE certificate from the Netherlands because my Thailand-bound flights were booked from there. A day before travel I needed to get my negative PCR test done and then I needed to gather print-offs of the COE, landing card, negative PCR and my passport on arrival after the thermal temperature checks. Then, once past immigration, you are swiftly passed to a desk where you get given a PCR test tube with your name on, and with your suitcases you go to one of the many swab centre ‘cubicles’ just outside the arrivals building.
It was a seamless, quick, well-organised and easy assembly line with many friendly medical staff members waving you along past the medical desks and immigration. Then you get collected by your approved hotel and you’re expected to stay in your hotel room until you get your negative result a few hours later.
It had been a few years since I’d visited Thailand and although many areas of tacky Patong seemed deserted (alcohol sales in bars have also only just recently restarted), it may be a while before tourism numbers recuperate. It must be heartbreaking for workers at hotels, the animal sanctuary and day-tour operator we supported, but I’m so glad that we could contribute to getting things going again from a tourism perspective.
And on a plus point, without crowds of tourists, we had personal experiences at the elephant sanctuary, James Bond island tour, and cooking school – and experienced some pristine and deserted beaches.
Thailand remains an affordable and exotic destination with arguably the best Asian food, massages and beaches I’ve ever experienced from many visited; and the Thai people are as warm, friendly, happy and humble as ever.
Highlights of our trip this time was a few days on Coconut Island at a resort which offered great pre-opening rates, old Phuket town and just experiencing the island without tons of tourists. The tourists aspect will change though – as there is so much to love about this place, it’s only fair that everyone gets to experience it. Book today before everyone else arrives!!
Top 3 Highlights of my November 2021 Trip:
Food – Thai food is always amazing! From the traditional Thai food we randomly ordered as takeaways (from a pizza place!) whilst waiting for our Covid-19 all-clear; to an amazing meal at an upmarket eatery called SUAY – Sassy, Unique, Authentic, Yummy – and Phuket Town views from some affordable eateries like Tunk-ka Café, the fresh flavours and spicy cooking skills of the locals are always well worth it and Thai cuisine caters to all tastes. Their curries are a hit!! We joined a cooking class at Kata Thai Cooking by Sally with Sally’s husband, Jim. This included learning to cook some amazing flavour-filled food and a visit to a local food market.
Amazing Day Tours – Although the elephant sanctuary was a hit, first prize goes to Amazing Canoeing, a tour company who were running reduced capacity tours on their ‘Big Boat’ to Bond Island via an awesome canoeing tour through caves past bats to monkeys… we had originally booked to revisit Phi Phi Island but this tour was better and all that was missing was a sunshine day for some blue-sky photographs of the natural beauty.
Views – Overall views and the scenic beauty of the beaches makes this one of the prettiest destinations in terms of natural beauty. Sadly some conservation efforts like litter on the beach at Coconut Island and stagnant waterways with dumping may need to be improved for future sustainability initiatives, but all in all, this is a stunning part of the planet for photo opportunities. Amazing again!
Thailand Reopens to Tourism written by Hassan Mohamed – one of the international Thacks Awards panelists who travels with work. When not traveling and wine-tasting, Hassan is an iGaming specialist in the crypto industry with a distinction in WSET Level 2.
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