Thailand’s reopening set to be moved to November
Bangkok and four other provinces’ reopening may possibly be moved to November to achieve the 70% vaccination rate.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Yuthasak Supasorn said that “although the opening of pilot areas in all five provinces may have to be delayed until November 1, the TAT is not worried.”
The reopening of Bangkok, Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao districts), Chonburi (Pattaya, Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts), Phetchaburi (Cha-am), and Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) for international travelers without going through quarantine was originally set for October 1.
However, Yuthasak said many locations under the plan were still waiting for vaccines to be delivered.
Authorities have set a threshold of 70 per cent vaccination of the local population before it is safe to reopen to foreign tourists.
Last week, Bangkok reported that only 37 per cent of residents had been fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai province said it will not accept direct international flights during the first phase of reopening. Foreign tourists must instead join the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension scheme, staying on the southern island for at least seven days before they can travel to Chiang Mai, The Nation reported.
The delayed reopening is a blow to the Thai tourism industry, which was gearing up for the start of the high season on October 1. Tourism operators will now have to switch focus from the international market to domestic travellers, the report added.
Source: The Nation
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