Empty beaches, chained doors: Surreal scenes in Phuket as it reopens Phuket Sandbox – “Better Phuket”

On any given day during high season, this popular Thai beach town would be filled with tourists from all around the world. Jet skis, longtails and speed boats roared through its bright blue waters. Some pulled parasails, their colourful puffs of nylon kites moving through the skies, keeping harnessed bodies afloat. Massive cruise ships could sometimes be seen anchored offshore.

 

The party lights, for the first time in a decade, had been turned off.

 

 

In the evenings, the streets adjacent to Patong’s beach were packed with travellers till long after the sun slipped into the Andaman Sea horizon admiring the famous Phuket sunset. The air typically filled with the shouts of taxi drivers, massage staff and restaurant workers, all in pursuit of the next customer.

Now, it’s a Phuket that is hard to recognise. The majority of businesses are shut, some with “For Rent” signs. Door handles are wrapped in chains and padlocks, while closed hotels have put up rope fences blocking the driveways to their entrances.Even American chain outlets like McDonald’s, Burger King and Starbucks are shut.

The pandemic continues to impact all over the world, and Phuket is no different. But on the bright side, we’re now seeing another beautiful side of this wonderful island – not its attractions or natural wonders, nor entertainment and nightlife, but its kind-hearted people and frontline medical professionals that continue helping others in need during these unprecedented times.

 

 

 

Patong Beach, Phuket is getting ready for reopening on July 1st in Patong Phuket and with a facelift! No more electric cables on the beach front and road resurfacing in progress! Patong Beach is almost unrecognisable!!!!!

 

 

Earlier this year for the first time in decades, a large leatherback turtle came ashore at Kata Beach in Phuket to lay eggs yesterday in January. A total of 29 baby leatherback turtles broke through the sand and made their way into the sea at our favourite Kata Beach.The nest site has been sealed off for protection and a thermometer installed to monitor the temperature in the nest.

Karon Deputy Mayor Itthiporn Sangkaew, himself a native of Kata-Karon area, was overly happy about the turtle as were the locals!   “As far as I can remember the last time turtles laid eggs at a beach in Kata-Karon was decades ago. Certainly not in the past 20 years,” he said.

Marine life experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported that the first turtles surfaced at about 10pm last evening and began making their way to the water’s edge with 80 eggs in total in the nest.In addition to the 29 that made it into the sea last night, five were taken into care as they were too weak to make the life-starting journey across the sand.

 

 

During the lockdown and in anticipation of Phuket’s reopening on July 1, there have been beach cleanups all over the island . Hotels have continually joined the local community and municipality to keep kata Beach clean with regular beach cleansing during closures.

Director SIS, Mat Christie Hindmarch said his  team joining many hotels for our regular beach clean.The SIS Kata – A Dynamic Young and Trendy Resort Situated about 300 Metres up On the Hillside A Few Moments Away Of The Award-Winning Gold Sands Of Kata Beach.

“Hotels have continually joined the local community and municipality to keep kata Beach clean with regular beach cleansing during closures.”

 

 

 

The once popular beaches of Kata and Karon have been hit the hardest are most definitely Patong, Karon and Kata beaches, according to Anthony Lark, president of the Phuket Hotels Association.

“These three enclaves were 95% reliant on international tourism. And it dried up.”For the few who decided to stick it out, life has been incredibly difficult.” It’s very bad for us, he said.

Not many people come. We have only Thai people but not so many. In one day, only one or two tables. Normally we are full downstairs and upstairs.”He says staff are only getting paid half of their regular salaries until international tourists return.

For the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, founded in 2016, closing shop till the tourists return isn’t an option. Whether visitors come or not, the facility’s 12 retired working elephants, which live in the sanctuary’s 30 acres of jungle, need to be fed.”It costs approximately between 20,000 and 30,000 Thai baht a month to feed one elephant,” says general manager Vincent Gerards.

 

With a dozen animals on hand, that’s about $7,500-8,000 each month. Prior to the pandemic, most of that money came from the many visitors that would pay to experience the sanctuary and observe the elephants for a full day.”Around 85% of the population of Phuket relies on tourism in some form or another, whether they’re working in hotels or taxi drivers, fisherman — it’s all connected and we’re very dependent on international tourists,” says Gerards.”

So Covid obviously had a huge impact when we talk about elephant tourism in particular. More than 150 elephants living in Phuket have left the island since the beginning of Covid-19 because the camps had to temporarily or permanently close, and those elephants were then moved back to their owners who often live in other provinces.”

Phuket SandBox Reopening July 1

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the approved plan will take effect on July 1.”Phuket will be the first destination to lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ program,” says a TAT statement. “However, they will be restricted to travel activities within designated areas in Phuket for seven days and will then be allowed to visit other Thai destinations.”The plan is reliant on efforts to vaccinate 70% of the island’s residents, with officials requesting more than 930,000 doses. According to a report in Phuket News, more than 70,000 Phuket residents have received their first dose of the vaccine.

 

There is much optimism that international tourists will begin returning with measures for entering Phuket officially released today June 25, 2021. This is the glimmer of hope and a shining light at the end of our very dark, long tunnel.

 

 

For now, Phuket relies on domestic tourists

In the meantime, domestic tourism is keeping some businesses afloat — but just barely. “It has literally been the oxygen that has enabled almost all of the tourism-related businesses on Phuket to continue to breathe and survive.” says Lark, who points to the Bangkok residents that have been flying down on the weekends and government holidays.”But it’s unsustainable. Phuket’s tourism can’t survive at 6% to 8% occupancy. These hotels were designed to run at 30% to 40% occupancy to break even. So it’s helped stem the tide of outgoing grief, but it’s by no means sustainable, sadly.”

It has been a tough time, as Phuket does need international tourists.  Everyone has been doing their bit and very  creative to try to make the most of the situation that we are in at the moment and somehow managed to find a way. But we need to open up now we are supporting the local community, and we were working closely with local government and central government to get ready, in order to re-open Phuket, and to re-open Thailand, and to be ready to welcome international visitors.

Ekkapan, a street food vendor at Patong Beach, specializes in dishes from Thailand’s northeast Isaan region. He says the demographics of his customer base have shifted but — in spite of being in an area so reliant on international tourists — profits haven’t dipped. “Before Covid my customers were 80% foreign tourists,” he tells CNN. “But now we are serving mostly Thai people. Same money but we have to work harder. Foreigners liked to order grilled dishes, which were easy to make. Thais prefer things like som tom (papaya salad) and larb (a spicy minced meat dish) which take longer.”

The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary has also had to adapt its programs to cater to the domestic market — shortening the time length of its programs and lowering prices while also creating remote online opportunities to connect with their many followers from abroad. It’s helping to put food in the elephants’ mouths, but what they really need is for international tourists to come back as soon as possible.

With the pandemic tossing out an endless supply of curveballs over the last year, a lot can happen between now and July, it’s great to finally see that light at the end of the tunnel and to have a pretty clear plan of what’s going to happen. We’re ready to welcome tourists again!

Orginal story published by CNN 

NipTuck are offering rates at our partnered hotels 20% lower than available on other platforms such as direct and booking.com. We offer the Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, starting from just $50US per room at DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort.

 

 

 
 

 

Vaccinated? Phuket wants to welcome you next month.

So holiday-starved Aussies could enjoy lavish trips to the Thai island by July 1 with no quarantine – but there’s a catch!

Although currently experiencing its highest rate of infections and deaths due to COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, Thailand is still going ahead with its plans to reopen on July 1. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has confirmed that from next month, the country will allow quarantine-free entry to vaccinated tourists from “low-risk” countries who enter Thailand via the island of Phuket.

While more details still need to be confirmed, including what countries are deemed “low risk”, for now the TAT says arrivals must be fully vaccinated or have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and must have tested negative not more than 72 hours before arrival.

Upon arriving in Phuket, visitors must stay in a hotel approved by the country’s Safety & Health Administration for the first 14 nights. While on Phuket, visitors are not required to quarantine and are free to leave their accommodation and travel around the island with few, if any, restrictions, visiting beaches, restaurants and entertainment venues as per normal. Visitors will be required to register at a government website and use an app that tracks their movements. After 14 nights on Phuket, visitors are free to leave the island to travel to other points in Thailand.

This news was first announced on the first travel industry event by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Sydney #AmazingThailand called the ‘Product Update’ Event May 20, 2021 #Restore #Refresh #Renew . It was hosted by the Ambassador of Thailand to Australia , Consulate General, TAT Director. It gave industry professionals the Roadmaps to Recovery, The Latest Developments in this Recovery and It’s when we first heard the term “Sandbox” or Phuketsandbox .

#AmazingThailand Product Update 2021

There have been many changes since then but basically a set of stringent set of health and safety guidelines have been established to enhance tourism health and hygiene standards. These are known as the ‘Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration’, with the purpose is to restore, refresh and renew tourism in its recovery post-covid when international travel resumes.

It’s good news for international travellers hoping to resume their Thailand holiday plans.   The Tourism Authority of Thailand confirms that Phuket will be the first destination to welcome visitors back. Visa rules and test required to board flights to Phuket remain the same, but for the first time vaccinated travellers can visit the island without a 14-day quarantine.

If you have been following the Thai news and travel it’s been in the news every day since with regular updates and some confusion about what this means and if indeed it’s going to still open. We have been sharing on our social media please follow to keep updated! Also TAT provides lots of information on their Facebook . For diehard Thailand lovers a private a I recommend a private Facebook group Phuket Sandbox – “Better Phuket” By I Asia Thailand

As I mentioned there have been changes and updates and some confusion, with speculation that Phuket will delay this reopening. The latest information however is a press release yesterday by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha that has confirmed that Phuket will indeed reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements from 1 July, 2021, under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ project.

Whats the G-O for Aussies?

But unfortunately for Australians, special exemptions are still needed to fly overseas since the international borders closed and will be until probably mid 2020 . Australians must apply for special exemptions to be allowed to leave the country.! But the rest of the world has reopened so if you are vaccinated, Phuket welcomes you!

NipTuck Holidays enjoy strong partnerships a selection of international hotels and resorts that are absolutely dying to welcome back Aussies! So much so they have offered us unbeatable discounts for travellers From July 1 to the October period!
Doubletree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort is a luxury resort inn the heart of Patong Beach. Step into tranquillity when you check in to DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort. Set in the heart of Patong, directly opposite the white sandy beach and turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.

DoubleTree
DoubleTree
DoubleTree

Our other partner is Phuket’s newest hotel the FourPoints by Sheraton Phuket This brand new beachfront, luxury resort two outdoor pools, five fantastic restaurants & bars and the latest facilities for the ultimate.

We are offering special discount promotional rates at the moment wanting cheap holidays in Phuket at luxury standards with special privileges and bonus inclusions! While we can’t travel from Australia just yet we are doing our bit encourage travel to Phuket for those can from the UK, US and Europe and other parts of Asia.

Upon vaccination and depending on where you live hopefully this initiative will revive travel to the resort island in Thailand, which is hoping to revive its dire tourist economy. In preparation for tourists, many of Phuket’s pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the island’s tourist-oriented businesses have been allowed to operate more or less normally.

FourPoints by Sheraton
FourPoints by Sheraton

We miss Phuket and can’t wait to go back! 🌴❤️🇹🇭

 

Songkran without the splash

As the nation gears up to celebrate a muted Thai New Year, this year promises to be a very different Songkran Festival, Laughs, smiles and love are still there from visiting family and friends however the traditional water fighters and splashing thats famous in the scorching April heat with streets and bars spilling with tourists is missing. But…it’s better than nothing.

 The Public Health Ministry have taken the ‘song’ out of Songkran for 2021 so there won’t be any foam parties, no water fights, throwing or water pistol battles. The government is promoting traditional Songkran celebrations for 2021 at odds with the massive water battles that have become the norm over the past few decades.

 

Many people have no plans to spend extra during the holidays, some even cancelling plans altogether and preferring to have staycations in the city with Mo Chit looking unusually quiet for this time of year with 26.5% out of 1,000 people interviewed by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) said they planned to stay home.

Our partnered hotel in Phuket partnered luxury resort in Phuket DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort was full last night with locals and expats enjoying the celebrations!

 
Carparks are full right now- celebrating beachfront at the brand new beach bar at our partnered luxury resort in Phuket DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort!

 FTI vice-chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul admitted that the ban on water-splashing activities — the highlight of the festival — will affect its joyous atmosphere. “We still have a positive outlook. with more money that will at least circulate during the festival because people have more time off than in previous years,” said Mr Kriengkrai.

It is expected Songkran to be less enthusiastic, but business leaders and state tourism authorities have said holding the festival with health guidelines in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is better than nothing.

Bangkok however authorities decided to prohibit celebrations, including water splashing, concerts and foam parties, in one of the popular destinations for Songkran revellers. The move aims to contain the spread of coronavirus, but could mean less of a party mood for the New Year celebrations. The news hasn’t been good with a second wave and infection rates up by around 900 plus per day.

 

We can’t help but to take a moment to reflect on this time in Thailand and all of the changes over the years! Songkran is one of our absolute favourite celebrations. Going forward we together with our partnered hospital and hotel teams, we are ready when travel does re-open even bigger and better than ever re-branded and expanded with a brand new website and more to offer our clients.

Today Nip Tuck Holidays is very happy to continue to work with our long-term hospital partners and new hotels as well as Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and government schemes to together stimulate domestic tourism. Together we will play our part in assisting in the reactivation and stimulation of Thailand’s cosmetic tourism and medical tourism markets and to help related businesses by promoting Thailand by offering our services to locals, expats and international travellers as borders open.

We love Songkran, and we are have some fabulous memories of our April Group Tours at Songkran! They were one of our favourite times as the hot April weather in Phuket and Easter was a time symbolic of transformations and new beginnings!!

 

Madeline was one of the ladies that shared with us how excited she was as we counted down for our April Group Tour in Phuket!!!!! Oh Goodness the memories feel like they were yesterday and thinking about Phuket we cannot wait for travel to re-open and host these Group Tours to Phuket again as well as other destinations!

 

“I am really excited about the trip and it’s crept up so quick I started to freak out a little for a moment with having everything organised but then I thought about it and all I have to organise is getting my bag packed!

 So there has been no need to be stressed/freaked out/or whatever else!

“The best thing ever has been having Nip Tuck Holidays organise it all. I can say that if I hadn’t of had Claire to speak with and organise my trip, I definitely wouldn’t feel as confident as I do about it all and to be honest I probably wouldn’t be getting it done. “

Fun times with girls in raincoats post-op to protect their bandages from getting wet at Songkran!

The other girls on this trip agreed saying the service and standard of medical care they received as well as so much fun. “The service I have received from this company has been great, and  hearing what she has to say and all her knowledge in the area of medical tourism, I feel great. “

“Claire is passionate about her job and you can tell this the moment you hear her speak about it which makes me confident I am in safe hands.

I’ve wanted to have breast surgery for a few years and now that it’s finally happening, I cannot wait! For anyone wanting this, I would highly recommend going through Nip Tuck Holidays!”

The focus of what we offer to our clients is the medical procedure and physical transformation and I would like to thank you for the opportunity of myself and our company being of service to you.  For a lot of our clients it is something that you have thought about for a long time. We understand first-hand how you are feeling, because we have been through this ourselves!   I have personally had breast augmentation surgery at our hospital in Phuket and I am happy to share with you my personal experience, just as many of our happy clients have.

 We are all about making the way you look on the outside match how you feel on the inside.

Happy Songkran everyone and stay safe! We look forward to sharing more of our past client experiences on both individual and Group Tours while we await travel re-opening in Thailand. We have so much exciting news to come about new destinations and Group Tours scheduled when it does so please keep up to date or let us know if you have any questions or would like a free quote or assessment!