Pictured above from left: Mr. Bhummikitti Ruktaengam – President, Phuket Tourism Association, Mr. Ravi Chandran – Managing Director, Laguna Phuket, Ms. Prapa Hammin – Director, Laguna Phuket, Laguna Phuket, Mr. Paul Wilson – Group Director, Laguna Phuket, Mr. Narong Woonciew – Phuket Governor, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool – Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Mr. Michal Zitek – Area General Manager, Angsana Laguna Phuket — Photo by Phuket Hotels Association
Khun Bhummikitti Ruktaengam – President, Phuket Tourism Association — Photo by Phuket Hotels Association
Mr. Ravi Chandran – Managing Director, Laguna Phuket received a Certificate of Appreciation to Laguna Phuket from Mr. Narong Woonciew – Phuket Governor, for their ongoing support to the community in providing usage of the ACES as a vaccination centre. — Photo by Phuket Hotels Association

Leading figures from the private and public sectors gathered at Angsana Laguna Phuket on June 12 to re-confirm the re-opening of Phuket to international visitors on July 1 and to detail requirements and updates regarding vaccinations, length of stay, PCR testing and SHA Plus certification.

Key announcements were that the July 1 date is firmly going ahead and that the herd immunity of over 70% has already been achieved with a total of 71% of the population of Phuket vaccinated. The issue of length of stay was clarified. Tourism executives stressed that stays of any length were allowed.

The domestic market can visit and leave as it wishes providing they are vaccinated or arrive with a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Likewise, international travellers may travel to Phuket for any duration of time, as long as Phuket remains the single arrival and departure point. If vaccinated international travelers want to travel to other parts of Thailand, they may do so only after staying in Phuket for 14 days. During this time there would be a PCR test on arrival and two further tests.

“We are on. This is the clear message and it has not changed. The Phuket industry has never shared a vision and intent so passionately. July 1 is happening and we are nearly there,” said Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Phuket Tourism Association in his opening remarks.

Over 300 hotels and other tourism related companies gathered in the ballroom of Angsana Laguna Phuket to receive the SHA Plus certification from the Governor of Phuket, Narong Woonciew which is required by all Phuket hospitality and travel suppliers to handle international and domestic guests.

These included all seven hotels located in Laguna Phuket, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Cassia Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort and SAii Laguna Phuket. The fully-integrated 1,000-acre tropical parkland destination, situated along a 3km stretch of pristine Bangtao Beach, also houses the Laguna Golf Phuket and the Bangkok Phuket Hospital Clinic which will operate an onsite PCR-test centre for all international visitors during their stay.

“Laguna Phuket is like a mini-eco system with hospitality, dining, leisure and medical all within our grounds,” said Ravi Chandran, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket. “We agree the approach has to be cautious as we need to get this right. I can certainly say that we are ready, we are safe, we are SHA Plus certified and we are looking forward to welcoming domestic and international guests from July 1.”

“The industry cooperation has been unprecedented and has been instrumental in getting us to this point. It is truly great to see,” added Mr. Chandran. Laguna Phuket has supported the community by providing use of their 1,500 sqm Angsana Convention and Exhibition Space (ACES) as a Vaccination Centre.

Phuket Governor, Narong Woonciew, was also effusive in his praise for the industry as he said Phuket, and Thailand, needed to now progress to the next step. “Phuket will succeed and Thailand will move forward. We are ready. The togetherness and kindness we have shown needs to continue. This is our nature, this is our culture. This is the new Phuket.”

About Phuket Hotels Association

The Phuket Hotels Association is a nonprofit organization comprising a broad spectrum of hotels. Our goal is to promote a well-rounded, dynamic picture of Phuket to travelers from around the world by celebrating the diversity of Phuket's natural resources and vibrant culture, while at the same time providing educational scholarships, environmental initiatives and other community-based activities to help nuture and develop Phuket's standing as one of the world's most sought-after destinations.

Phuket Hotels Association members are as follows: 9 Hornbills Tented Camp, Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, Amanpuri, Amari Phuket, Amora Beach Resort Phuket, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, Andara Resort & Villas, Angsana Laguna Phuket, Avista Grand Phuket Karon – Mgallery, Baan Laimai, Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, Barceló Coconut Island, Best Western Phuket, Burasari Phuket, Cassia Phuket, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, COMO Point Yamu, Courtyard Marriott Phuket Town, Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas, DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Fisherman Way Beach Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket, Patong Beach, Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bangtao, Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Patong, HOMA, Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, InterContinental Phuket Resort, Island Escape by Burasari, JonoX Phuket Karon Hotel, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Kata Rocks Resort & Residences, Keemala Phuket, Koyao Island Resort, Kudo Hotel Patong, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, Mangosteen Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Marina Gallery Resort - Kacha - Kalim Bay, Meliá Phuket Karon Residences, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, Metadee Concept Hotel, Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, M SOCIAL Hotel Phuket, My Beach Hotel, NH Boat Lagoon Resort, Noku Phuket, Nonnee Kata Beach Phuket, Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort, Paresa Resort, Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Karon Beach Resort, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, Radisson Resort and Suites, Radisson Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach, Rayaburi Hotel Patong, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Rosewood Phuket, SAii Laguna Phuket, SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resorts & Spa, Selina Serenity Rawai Phuket, Six Senses Yao Noi, Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort, Thanyapura Sports Hotel, Thavorn Beach Village Resort and Spa, The AIM Patong Hotel, The Bell Pool Villa Resort, The Boathouse Phuket, The Kora Beach Resort, The Nai Harn, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, The Pavilions Phuket, The Seaton House Phuket, The Shore at Katathani, The Slate, Phuket, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket, Tree House Villas Koh Yao, Trisara, Twinpalms MontAzure, Twinpalms Phuket, V Villas Phuket, Villa PhuKhao, Wyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach Phuket, Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay

David Johnson
CEO Delivering Asia Communications
+668 9170 9866
Phuket Hotels Association