Phuket Gets the Vaccination‑Vibe on Full Blast
Thailand’s star resort island is leaping ahead of the rest of the country by kicking off a mass vaccination push two whole months before mainland folks.
Why is Phuket racing the clock?
- Tourism is the heartbeat of Thailand’s economy – and the island’s vendors are itching to welcome back the jet‑set crowd.
- By tightening the vaccine line for 460,000 residents, Phuket is basically saying, “Come to us, we’ll have your shot, no extra hassle.”
What’s the big deal for visitors?
Starting July 1, travelers who’ve been vaccinated abroad won’t need to cough up a week‑long quarantine. It’s the sweet spot where breeze, beaches, and immunity meet.
Phuket’s Key Numbers
- Target: 460,000 shots for the local population.
- Timeline: Kick‑off within the next 60 days.
- Benefit: Sun‑bathers can relax with the knowledge that the vaccine guardrails are in place.
Bottom Line
Phuket’s fast‑track readiness proves that when the stakes are high—be it sand or safety—there’s no time for half‑measures. The island is stepping up, saying “Let’s get vaccinated, postcard a vacation, and keep the fees rolling in.”
Phuket’s Bold Launched Airport Plan: No More Quarantine for Tourists!
Phuket’s latest move aims to keep the island buzzing while protecting the rest of Thailand from COVID‑19. With its own international airport, visitors can hop off the plane and stroll through beaches, markets or temples without triggering any infection risks across the country.
Vaccination Push: 70‑80% Immunity Goal
Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong told Reuters that the island’s target is to get 70‑80% of the population fully vaccinated. Once that milestone is hit, foreign tourists who are vaccinated can enjoy their stay without the dreaded quarantine desk. “We want to write a postcard that says thanks for arriving, but we’re all good!”
Thailand’s Prioritisation: Tourism First
- Medical staff, cabinet members and seniors were the first to get the jab.
- Phuket now receives a free pass for the rest of tourism activities.
- The move underscores tourism’s central role in the Thai economy.
In short, Phuket is turning the “no‑quarantine” rule into a passport that’s as friendly as a Thai smile, keeping both visitors and locals safe while keeping the economy alive.
<img alt="" data-caption="People receive the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine as the Thai resort island of Phuket rushes to vaccinate its population amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, and ahead of a July 1 ending of strict quarantine for overseas visitors, to bring back tourism revenue in Phuket, Thailand, April 1, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”5d984278-fe10-480a-b607-4dfa36b18743″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210405_peoplereceivingthesinovaccine_reuters.jpg”/>
Tourism in Thailand: From Pandemic Pain to Post‑Pandemic Promise
Pre‑COVID, foreign tourists were a hefty slice of Thailand’s economy—roughly 11‑12 % of GDP. COVID‑19 slammed that sector, wiping out about 1.45 million jobs since last year.
2020: A Rough Year
- Only 6.7 million visitors dropped in on trans‑national flights.
- Their spending hit a modest $11 billion (≈S$15 billion).
- Compare that with the nearly 40 million who came in 2019, spending a whopping $61 billion.
Policymakers’ Blueprint
Government planners are aiming for a minimum of 100,000 tourists to land in Phuket during Q3. They’re banking on vaccine roll‑outs to conjure up a Q4 surge, targeting roughly 6.5 million visitors nationwide and a grand total of 350 billion baht (≈S$1.5 billion) spent by year‑end.
“It’s a tough climb, but the rise will lift GDP a notch,” noted Tourism Authority of Thailand’s governor, Yuthasak Supasorn.
“Don’t expect a flood; instead picture a steady stream of high‑spend, quality visitors.”
Yuthasak highlighted that Europe, the UAE, and the U.S. are expected to kick off the comeback.
Quarantine Hurdles
Thailand’s strict 14‑day quarantine has curbed the virus—about 29,100 cases and 95 deaths—but it’s also become a deal‑breaker for most travelers.
Attempts to lure longer‑term visitors—who’ve tested negative—have largely flopped, even when the government tried creative escape routes like quarantine resort stays.
Hope on the Horizon
Songklod Wongchai, an analyst at Finansia Syrus, believes the country could bounce back swiftly, pointing to the Maldives where hotel occupancy rates hovered between 70‑80% despite lingering cases.
“The pent‑up demand could surface faster than we think. I foresee Thailand’s World‑Smiles beginning to glow again,” he mused.
