Thailand is about to open up to tourism with neighboring countries

Thailand is about to open up to tourism with neighboring countries

Thailand is planning to open a tourism bubble between border provinces with Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia. Meanwhile in Phuket - Thailand's "model" of opening up to international tourism, the disease continued to spread even though 85% of people had been vaccinated.

Thailand is making efforts to implement the plan to open up to international tourism, although the Covid-19 epidemic is still very complicated. Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the country will still open its borders in mid-October, applying to certain localities.

Phase 1, Thailand has opened in 4 provinces, including "Phuket Sandbox" and "Samui Plus" program from July, followed by Phangnga and Krabi provinces with "7 + 7" plan in mid-August.

Phase 2 in early October, Thailand will open the capital Bangkok, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chiang Mai. Phase 3 is scheduled for October 15 with 21 provinces across Thailand.

International tourists in Phuket

According to the BangkokPost, Thailand is also preparing to launch a "tourist bubble" between border provinces and four neighboring countries: Surin, Sa Kaeo, Trat with Cambodia; Chiang Rai, Ranong with Myanmar; Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Mukdahan with Laos; Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun with Malaysia.

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that the Thai government is very determined to implement this opening plan. Places that open need to have vaccination rates above 70% and the local government and health sector must agree before reopening.

Meanwhile, in Phuket - Thailand's "model" of opening up to international tourism, the provincial government admitted that the Covid-19 epidemic was at a "crisis level". Mr. Chalermpong Sukontapol - Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital said that although 85% of people have been vaccinated against Covid-19, the infection cannot be prevented. Phuket is proposing to give people a third booster shot to maintain the "Phuket sandbox" program.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), after 60 days of opening, Phuket has welcomed 26,400 foreign tourists to Phuket and only 0.3%, or 83 people, tested positive. Phuket Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the "Phuket sandbox" set a target of 100,000 visitors in the third quarter, but with July and August figures, the target may not be achieved.