We just finished getting our hearts broken over here in Thailand about the lockdown being extended until 2021 and just a few days later the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) comes out with fantastic news for people who have holiday homes here and also those who live long-term in Thailand but have been unable to travel back because of various restrictions.
This doesn't mean the entire island is going to be open but it does present an interesting situation that will be somewhat easy to control since there is only one bridge that goes to the island and very little in the way of seabound transport. This is not to suggest that the people would try to escape the area that they will be quarantined in because although the location has not yet been revealed, it should come as no surprise that there are loads of really nice resorts that are empty because of the lockdown.
The area is meant to have beach access and those who sign up and qualify will be able to stay at the compound and make a holiday of it. Guests will need to be tested before getting on the flight to Phuket (some sort of time restriction will apply) then upon arrival they will not be allowed to leave their room until they have been tested again. Once that test comes back negative (presuming it does) guests will be allowed full access to the resort including restaurants, pools, and the beach. So basically, within 2 days of arrival the guests are meant to be in an environment similar to an all-inclusive hotel package at the beach similar to Sandals Resorts.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn made the announcement yesterday and a lot of people are delighted at the news. The cynic in me believes that there are probably some resort owners that know some high-ranking officials in the government because this "service" is not going to be free. The 14 day stay is going to cost several thousand dollars per person, which is far higher than a stay at these establishments would be otherwise.
However, it does give the people who are non-Thai long-term residents of the country the opportunity to get back in.
After 2 weeks at the compound, the participants will be allowed to go wherever they want but must remain on the island. After the 3rd week, they must test for Covid again and if that comes back negative they will be allowed to travel anywhere they want in the Kingdom of Thailand uninhibited.
So this is great news for people that can afford it but I know a few people that went back to USA and Canada at accidental and inconvenient times that have been dying to get back into Thailand and can't. Their lives back in the western world are easily many times more expensive than it costs to live here so they are likely more than willing to pay the cost for this luxury quarantine.
Thailand does have a bit of a reputation for big ideas that never actually pan out or get riddled with corruption pretty quickly. In this situation it could end up being a very wealthy person who pays an official for an exception to the 3 week quarantine and then ends up reinfecting the country. I certainly am not hoping for that but the allure of money tends to make a lot of officials in this country forget the rules from time to time.
Overall I would say this is a step in the right direction and although it only applies to people with substantial amounts of money, at least it is something. A lot of people are going to be employed by this scheme and in a time where Thailand is facing 4 million new unemployment cases, it is desperately needed.