Three thoughts come to mind with regards to this Phuket sandbox plan. 1) Vaccination Certificates. I just got my 2nd Moderna jab at Public Health, and now I have a small paper ‘certificate’ with my name on it and two dates and sets of initials. It’s nothing I couldn’t copy using Word and my HP printer in one minute or less. And while mine is real and in that sense official, it's not tied to any database so it's not verifiable in any way. So, when tourists present a piece of paper that declares they’ve been vaccinated, who really can know? And if so, how?
2) Will they implement rapid testing as part of this sandbox plan? Because if they rely on PRC testing, there is a significant time lag for lab work which will create holes in the plan. Since tourists can travel on into Thailand after their week in the sandbox, that will require instant testing at the time/day of departure. I know rapid testing technology exists, but have you seen it in Thailand?
3) How will they insure tourists remain on the island for the required duration? Will they hold passports? That could open a real can of worms. But short of that, what will keep people from just traveling on?
Ultimately the "Vaccine Certificate" will likely be similar to the yellow fever vaccine certificate required for travel to some countries. Every country has its own version, but they all look similar and are regulated by the WHO. Thailand and some other countries have already come out with similar "vaccine passports" for Covid. I'm not sure if the US is moving forward on making one or exactly what Thailand will accept as a VC, but I would think it will need to be something more official than the piece of paper you received. So, maybe you'd have to show that to some US agency and they give you something more official -- not sure and I'm not sure anyone knows for sure yet in the US. This is one of many things that needs to shake out over the course of this year if not longer.
My understanding is that Thailand does have rapid testing capabilities at international airports (BKK and HKT at least), though I'm not sure if it will be used for the sandbox thing. I know they've been using PCR tests for travelers during the quarantine period.
Your third question is a big one that's not yet been answered by authorities. I assume there would be a checkpoint at the only bridge where any foreigner would need to show documentation that they've completed the week on Phuket or something else, like proof of residency in Thailand (be it a long-stay visa or work permit etc.). Beyond that, I assume that anyone who doesn't turn up at the end of the week would be deemed something like a fugitive, with strict penalties for sneaking out by boat for ex. The most recent statement by the TAT chief also said that tourists might be confined to specific "lanes" on Phuket, so they might be kept within Paton/Kata/Karon area or something like that, or maybe even kept on a certain beach, for that first week. Still it raises all kinds of logistical questions.
Details of the Phuket plan have not yet been released and, again, it hasn't been officially approved yet, so we'll have to wait and see what they do. However it does sound like this is the plan they've decided on... The Prime Minister is clearly on board and I know the TAT is already sending out promotional material about it to travel agents overseas. To be honest, I'm just relieved they have an actual plan and timeframe for reopening.
Hi David,
Three thoughts come to mind with regards to this Phuket sandbox plan. 1) Vaccination Certificates. I just got my 2nd Moderna jab at Public Health, and now I have a small paper ‘certificate’ with my name on it and two dates and sets of initials. It’s nothing I couldn’t copy using Word and my HP printer in one minute or less. And while mine is real and in that sense official, it's not tied to any database so it's not verifiable in any way. So, when tourists present a piece of paper that declares they’ve been vaccinated, who really can know? And if so, how?
2) Will they implement rapid testing as part of this sandbox plan? Because if they rely on PRC testing, there is a significant time lag for lab work which will create holes in the plan. Since tourists can travel on into Thailand after their week in the sandbox, that will require instant testing at the time/day of departure. I know rapid testing technology exists, but have you seen it in Thailand?
3) How will they insure tourists remain on the island for the required duration? Will they hold passports? That could open a real can of worms. But short of that, what will keep people from just traveling on?
Lots of challenges...
Hi Allen,
Ultimately the "Vaccine Certificate" will likely be similar to the yellow fever vaccine certificate required for travel to some countries. Every country has its own version, but they all look similar and are regulated by the WHO. Thailand and some other countries have already come out with similar "vaccine passports" for Covid. I'm not sure if the US is moving forward on making one or exactly what Thailand will accept as a VC, but I would think it will need to be something more official than the piece of paper you received. So, maybe you'd have to show that to some US agency and they give you something more official -- not sure and I'm not sure anyone knows for sure yet in the US. This is one of many things that needs to shake out over the course of this year if not longer.
My understanding is that Thailand does have rapid testing capabilities at international airports (BKK and HKT at least), though I'm not sure if it will be used for the sandbox thing. I know they've been using PCR tests for travelers during the quarantine period.
Your third question is a big one that's not yet been answered by authorities. I assume there would be a checkpoint at the only bridge where any foreigner would need to show documentation that they've completed the week on Phuket or something else, like proof of residency in Thailand (be it a long-stay visa or work permit etc.). Beyond that, I assume that anyone who doesn't turn up at the end of the week would be deemed something like a fugitive, with strict penalties for sneaking out by boat for ex. The most recent statement by the TAT chief also said that tourists might be confined to specific "lanes" on Phuket, so they might be kept within Paton/Kata/Karon area or something like that, or maybe even kept on a certain beach, for that first week. Still it raises all kinds of logistical questions.
Details of the Phuket plan have not yet been released and, again, it hasn't been officially approved yet, so we'll have to wait and see what they do. However it does sound like this is the plan they've decided on... The Prime Minister is clearly on board and I know the TAT is already sending out promotional material about it to travel agents overseas. To be honest, I'm just relieved they have an actual plan and timeframe for reopening.
This article pretty well sums up my concerns about our vaccination cards. These are the CDC cards Kat & I have. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/covid-19-vaccination-cards-are-the-only-proof-of-shots-soon-an-essential/ar-BB1f7fwy