THAILAND. In a potentially big boost to the country’s hard-hit tourism and travel retail sector, Thailand is to reopen Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan to vaccinated overseas visitors from 1 October, without the need for quarantine.
The move is part of Phase Two of the country’s reopening timeline. The first phase saw Phuket reopened under a trial programme, followed by Krabi and Phang-Nga over the last two months.
From mid-October, another 21 destinations in the country will reopen. These include Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, and Sukhothai in the North; Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani in the Northeast; Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi in the West; Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat in the East; Ayutthaya in the Central Region, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, and Trang in the South.
Under the ‘sandbox’ model piloted in Phuket, tourists had to stay in the area for seven days, taking COVID-19 tests before being allowed to travel other open areas. A statement released by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) noted that Phuket had generated US$50 million in tourism revenue from overseas visitors since reopening.
Royal Thai Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said: “This October reopening will be launched alongside the country’s newly adjusted ‘universal prevention’ guidelines against COVID-19, under which Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan are getting ready. [This] includes accelerating vaccination for the local population and formalising tourism campaigns such as Bangkok Sandbox, Hua Hin Recharge and Charming Chiang Mai.”
Thailand is set to proceed with the fourth phase of reopening in January 2022, with 13 border provinces to reopen under travel bubbles with neighbouring countries. All four phases will cover the reopening of 43 provinces across Thailand, said TAT.
As reported, King Power International Group (Thailand) has been a major supporter of TAT’s campaigns to attract tourists back to the country, launching a ‘King Power Phuket Sandbox: Shop Eat Play Stay Safe’ promotion in July.
