How is our Honorary Consul in Phuket?
Seven Smulders with Chargé d'Affaires ai Susan Blankhart at the embassy in Bangkok. Photo: Facebook Netherlands Embassy in Bangkok
Due to the many travel restrictions due to the corona virus, the Dutch Embassy has helped many Dutch people with their return journey to the Netherlands in recent months. The rapid increase in the number of restrictions made this journey more difficult for some than for others. The Honorary Consuls (HC) have played an important role in answering questions and assisting with the return journey from Cambodia, Laos and Phuket. Curious about the stories of our HCs?
This time we speak with Seven Smulders, Honorary Consul in Phuket, Thailand.
What challenges have you faced in recent months due to the coronavirus?
Before the travel restrictions made it practically impossible to travel from Phuket to the Netherlands, the consulate was busy informing and advising Dutch people about travel options to the Netherlands. “It was a challenge to provide compatriots who wanted to go home with the latest information regarding which airlines were still flying to the Netherlands/Europe and when, the availability of seats on those flights, as well as which documents were required to to be able to take a flight.”
After Bangkok, Phuket has the highest number of infections in Thailand, so the local government of Phuket decided on a lockdown. As a result, the Dutch who did not leave on time got stuck on the island. Phuket is still closed indefinitely, but since May 1, people can leave Phuket by land under strict conditions, for example to travel back to the Netherlands, but Phuket airport is still closed. “One of our priorities [as consulate] was to inform all compatriots who asked questions in a timely and correct manner. There are so many national and provincial emergency measures in force that can change from one day to the next and that sometimes makes it difficult to see the wood for the trees.”
What is the most unusual thing that has happened to you at work lately?
Phuket is an island that mostly lives off tourism, so the travel restrictions and lockdown have a major impact on the local population. Fortunately, special initiatives are also created in times of crisis in which people help each other. Likewise on Phuket,”under the name 'The Dutch community supports Phuket during COVID 19', Eddy and his staff from restaurant Tiew Ta Tang have distributed more than 5550 meals to people who had run into problems due to COVID 19. This was made possible by the (generous) donations of Dutch people who live here and of Dutch people who have a warm heart for Phuket.”
What message would you like to give to the Dutch community in Phuket?
“For those who are still staying here I would say: Stay safe, try to adapt to – and enjoy the new 'normal' as much as possible. For those who have left Phuket: Please come back once the COVID danger has passed and most measures have been lifted; by coming here again on holiday you will not only enjoy all the beauty that Phuket now has to offer (a recovering nature and few tourists) but you will also help the recovery of the local economy and the associated employment. ”
Source: The Netherlands worldwide – https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/thailand/actueel