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By Sameer Naik 
1h ago
For the past month, the Bezuidenhouts have been trapped on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand due to the blockade. While they miss their family and friends, they feel “blessed” to endure confinement in the tropical paradise.
“My wife and I have always wanted a long and enjoyable vacation, so our prayers have been answered in a fun way,” said Pierre.
“We are very blessed to be stranded on an island, but it also has its downsides because home is where the family is.”
The couple traveled to the luxurious island a month ago as part of their annual vacation to Thailand. However, due to closure restrictions, the Bezuidenhouts and thousands of other foreign tourists have been trapped ever since.
They were transferred from their luxury hotel to a villa on the island to maintain physical distance.
Stranded on Koh Samui can still frequent the beaches and visit shops to buy food and groceries.
“We can thank our lucky stars that we are trapped on this particular island as they did not impose a complete closure, so we are still free to move down the beach and shop for food. The good thing is, before the closure, the locals had to leave, so there are very few people on the island. “
However, financially, the couple has had to continue paying for a long vacation that they had not planned. “Everyone will have to carry the load and carry it on the chin. It’s just one of those things.
“We have to pay more for accommodation and we don’t eat in restaurants. We buy food and make our own food, clean our own place and wash our own clothes. It’s a bit like being on a camping trip or a survival camp.”
The island has only had six Covid-19 cases so far, and positive results immediately returned from the island. It is for this reason that the couple is not afraid of contracting the virus.
“The Thai government has been very strict in keeping its distance and not going anywhere in groups. Drinking is not allowed and parties are not allowed either. “
While Pierre and his wife enjoy their time on the island’s sandy beaches, they are also helping other South Africans stranded on various Asian islands without money.
Pierre, his wife, and two other South Africans, Neal Stacey and Derick van Zyl, started a #bringourfamilieshome Facebook page.
“We also started a petition on Monday to help these South Africans get home. We already have 6,000 signatures and have also managed to raise some funds.
“With the funds raised, they have been able to help 13 South Africans trapped in Cambodia with food for a week. We are also trying to get a fundraiser for the flights because the prices have been sent to us and most people cannot afford them.” .
Pierre said that the Department of International Relations had been in regular contact with them.
“They contacted us all, so we all checked in with them. I am sure they are doing their best to help. It is a logistical nightmare in Thailand, because all the islands are widely separated from each other. Therefore, bringing everyone together is a 24/7 job.
“There are many people who have been negative and have attacked the government because they are not at home, but we have been calming people down and ensuring that everything goes well. It is just a question of when.
“It is very expensive to get a plane to take us back to South Africa, so it is understandable.” It won’t take two or three days, it will take a while. There are people who are struggling and really need to go home. “
Department spokeswoman Lunga Ngqengelele said they were aware of the many stranded South Africans around the world.
“We are working hard to help them return home. But we are in a blockade, like many other countries, and the purpose of this is to restrict the movement of people and stop the spread of the coronavirus, ”he said.
Saturday star
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