SNAPU: Knowns, unknowns and WTFs to Phuket’s ‘reopening’

Residents on Phuket are rolling up their sleeves to revive their devastated economy as a flashy social media campaign counts down to the resort island’s official “reopening.”

The problem Friday, 27 dates out, remained the mixed and sometimes contradictory messages that make planning a trip impractical. Hope that an endeavor of such importance and magnitude – a linchpin to the kingdom’s economic recovery – would inspire thoughtful execution has been dashed as competing agencies blast out contradictory announcements and significant questions go unanswered.

Just Wednesday, the tourism ministry wowed observers with a critical set of previously unmentioned restrictions: Travel must be booked through tour operators, and onward travel from the island would be limited to only five destinations, at least through September. Woe to anyone who’s already paid for a ticket.

Its…

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