Thailand is preparing to reopen the resort island of Phuket to vaccinated tourists, starting July 1. Under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ scheme, vaccinated foreign tourists are allowed to visit Phuket without quarantine. However, it is necessary to stay on the island for 14 days before going to another region. As explained by Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman, Natapanu Nopakun, reported by Bernama,
“The reopening depends on the situation of Covid-19 in Thailand and abroad as well as the agreement of the Covid-19 Situation Administration Center (CCSA).”
He has also revealed that at the moment, 50 per cent of Phuket’s population has been vaccinated. The proposed scheme will be discussed during the CCSA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha next Monday, before getting cabinet approval on Tuesday. TAT News earlier reported that according to the Tourism Board of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, Phuket would be the first destination in Thailand to be reopened to foreign tourists who had been vaccinated without having to undergo quarantine.
He revealed that everyone at the Tourism Board Of Thailand is excited and currently making preparations to welcome foreign tourists soon. From July 1, 2021, foreign tourists who have been vaccinated will be allowed to visit Phuket without quarantine. TAT expects about 129,000 visitors to visit the island between July and September this year.
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