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Nearly 8,000 foreign tourists apply to visit Thailand’s island

Nearly 8,000 foreign tourists have applied for a Certificate of Entry (COE) through Thai embassies and consulates around the world since the country kicked off the Phuket Tourism “Sandbox”, a pilot phase of Thailand’s tourism reopening plan, on the resort island on July 1.
Nearly 8,000 foreign tourists apply to visit Thailand’s island ảnh 1A foreignerv visits Phuket on July 1 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Nearly 8,000 foreign tourists have applied for aCertificate of Entry (COE) through Thai embassies and consulates around the worldsince the country kicked off the Phuket Tourism “Sandbox”, a pilot phase ofThailand’s tourism reopening plan, on the resort island on July 1.

Chatchai Viriiyavejakul, director-general of the Departmentof Consular Affairs, said many foreign tourists are taking a keen interest inthe pilot.

Since the “sandbox” began, 7,890 foreign tourists haveregistered for a COE, and so far 6,119 have been granted VaccinationCertification with 2,802 accepted for the certificate.

To expedite screening at the airport, Chatchai said hisministry has deployed extra staff to assist.

The Government forecasts about 100,000 foreign tourists willvisit Phuket during the third quarter of this year from July to September, generatingrevenue of about 8.9 billion THB (277 million USD).

On the same day, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri announcedthat Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was sent to quarantine after contacting abusinessperson who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Prayut, who has been already fully vaccinated, was foundstanding close to Veerasak Pisanuwong, chairman of the Surin Chamber ofCommerce, for a selfie photo during his visit to the Phuket Sandbox reopeningcampaign in the southern Thailand's island province.

The PM, who has tested negative so far, is beingquarantined at a private place and working from there, the government spokesmansaid.

The country reported 6,166 new COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths onJuly 5, taking the total to 289,223 infections and 2,276 deaths./.
VNA
#COVID-19 #Nearly 8 #000 foreign tourists #Certificate of Entry #Phuket Tourism “Sandbox” #Phuket #Thailand #Vietnamplus #Vietnam #Vietnam News Agency Thailand
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