Thailand aims to reopen whole country by next January
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to reopen the whole country, without quarantine, by January next year, depending on the level of nationwide herd immunity.
Phuket beach - a famous tourist destination (Photo: Reuters)Local media quoted Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn as saying that Bangkok was scheduled to reopen in October, as part of the second phase, but this phase has been delayed to November as the majority of residents will not receive their second vaccine dose until the end of October.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chonburi (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on October 1.
The ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) agreed to add some provinces to the third phase of reopening, under the “7 7” extension programme. As a result, from October 15, there will be 25 provinces which tourists can enter via the “sandbox” programme, as second destinations after spending seven days in Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi or Bangkok.
Phiphat said the ministry needs to propose this list to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), in order to allocate a proper quantity of vaccines in time. However, if vaccination does not reach the required level in certain areas, select districts can be isolated or a sealed route is possible in the early stages.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said only safe places can reopen from November 1, while international travelers will not have to be quarantined after entering the country until January 2022. Then, until January 15, 2022, Thailand will apply a tourist bubble with neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, the CCSA has warned of a new wave of infections next month if people lower their vigilance as restrictions are eased and complacency due to the declining number of new cases.
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp
Visanuyothin said at a press conference on September 6 after
discussing with the Ministry of Health that new COVID-19 cases could reach
30,000 a day next month if people stop following social distancing and other preventative
measures.
The Ministry of Health announced on September 6 that the country recorded 13,988 new cases of COVID-19 and 187 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total numbers to 1,294,522 and 13,042 respectively./.
The Ministry of Health announced on September 6 that the country recorded 13,988 new cases of COVID-19 and 187 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total numbers to 1,294,522 and 13,042 respectively./.
You should also see
Vietnamese Deputy PM, Venezuelan President hold talks
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang held talks with President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro Moros in Caracas on April 18, as part of his ongoing official visit to the Latin American country.
See more
World
Indonesia’s Mount Ruang continues to emit ash
After a series of eruptions earlier this week that forced thousands to evacuate, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, continued to emit ash on April 19 afternoon.
World
Thailand gives financial support to Laos for road maintenance
The Thai cabinet has approved 1.8 billion THB (about 48.8 million USD) in financial assistance for the Lao Government to maintain and improve Highway R12, shortening the travel time from Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province, through Laos, to the Vietnamese border in central Quang Binh province.
World
Indonesia develops sustainable tourism
Indonesia has been working to realise its goal of building a quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism industry.
World
Vietnam to have many opportunities from digitalisation, green transformation: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that Vietnam will have many opportunities from digitalisation and green transformation, according to IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan.
World
Thailand’s EV sales forecast to miss target
Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Thailand may fail to reach the estimate of 130,000 units this year as prices are likely to keep changing, according to Hyundai Mobility Thailand.
