A traveler's checklist for Thailand's Phuket sandbox program

Desert TortoiseJuly 1 10:35 am JST

open to visitors from 63 countries and three territories rated by Thailand as low or medium risk for COVID-19

But NOT Japan!

I would not be too envious. Been to Phuket. Let's just say the locals are maybe too casual about communicable diseases. It caters to a pretty raunchy European crowd that likewise isn't too fussy about sharing germs around. For an American the whole thing was kind of eye-opening. Japan and other self respecting developed nations should not feel any need to look to Phuket for their example.

Phuket was fine when I was there, and would love to go back again.  Northern Thailand is quite nice. The worst part of Phuket and Pattaya were the foreigners, especially from European countries. Many seemed to have no respect for the Thai culture and were very loud and obnoxious. Fortunately, this was not all of them. Like anywhere, some people are considerate of others and some don’t give a rat’s behind thinking that since they are tourists and spend their money, they can be complete jerks and justify it.

Would love to be in Phuket, especially this fall/winter, feasting on chili crab and sipping margaritas at Baan Rim Pa and swimming on Nai Thon. Heaven!

But the procedures seem just too daunting. I'll wait til the new normal.

open to visitors from 63 countries and three territories rated by Thailand as low or medium risk for COVID-19

But NOT Japan!

I would not be too envious. Been to Phuket. Let's just say the locals are maybe too casual about communicable diseases. It caters to a pretty raunchy European crowd that likewise isn't too fussy about sharing germs around. For an American the whole thing was kind of eye-opening. Japan and other self respecting developed nations should not feel any need to look to Phuket for their example.

open to visitors from 63 countries and three territories rated by Thailand as low or medium risk for COVID-19

But NOT Japan!

Here's the list of their 63 "low or medium risk" countries:

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002558

South Korea, Taiwan, China, UK, EU, US...

Bit of a slap in the face considering the upcoming Olympics (guess the Thai athletes will need to do the standard high-risk-country quarantine on their return home)

Why is this article even on JapanToday???