Phuket Airport practices dealing with tourists in new normal

BANGKOK — Phuket Airport held a dress rehearsal on Tuesday (September 8) on dealing with international tourists as per the government’s “Phuket Model” program.

The rehearsal covered every step, starting from the arrival of tourists and screening them, to filing documents and delivering tourists to the quarantine facility.

Thanee Chuangchoo, the airport’s general manager, said the exercise was held in collaboration with other agencies including Customs, Immigration Bureau and Tourist Police. He added that the airport wants to be ready in case the government decides to allow foreigners to land in Thailand.

He said the operation at Phuket Airport will be similar to the operation at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, where Thai returnees and foreign expats are allowed to land.

Dr Darunee Budin, Phuket Airport’s medical director, said all arrivals will first be checked using a thermoscan. If there is any sign of fever or if the tourist is suspected to be ill, their medical certificate and fit-to-fly papers will be closely inspected.

She added that all foreigners will be told to download the Airports of Thailand (AOT) application before they undergo the immigration and customs formalities. They will then be transferred to their quarantine facilities.

However, if anyone is found to have a temperature, they will be isolated from others and monitored. If their condition worsens, they will be sent to hospital.

She added that those who do not have the correct documents will be sent back to their country right away.