Thailand plans quarantine-free entry for vaccinated tourists

[Dial H For Hero]

https://apnews.com/article/travel-coronavirus-pandemic-prayuth-chan-ocha-bangkok-thailand-c1e4086707bb36663a0e9d9e2a92c3f8

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand plans to allow vaccinated foreigners to visit the southern resort island of Phuket without quarantining on arrival in a step toward reviving the country’s big but battered tourism industry.

Starting in April, the country also is shortening the quarantine period for arrivals from abroad to 10 days from 14.

Thailand’s tourism industry dried up when scheduled passenger flights into the country were barred in April last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus. There has been a limited resumption of flights since then.

The plan for Phuket is set to begin on July 1, and if judged successful, may include other popular destinations such as Samui Island, Krabi, Pattaya and Chiang Mai in October, said Yuthasak Supasor, head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

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Woo-hoo! Just made (refundable, you never know) flight and hotel reservation for a week and half in early July!

[ratchiweenie]

1. My hubby and I love Thailand and haven't been there in so. He will be so happy to hear this!!!

[Dial H For Hero]

3. I'm quite happy that Phuket is first to open up, in that it's where I usually stay.

Airfare: $80 and some points.
9 nights at the Hilton: $0 and some points.

Works for me!

[ratchiweenie]

4. I like Phuket too but we tend to stay at small, more remote areas.

Couldn't afford the Hilton anyway.

[Dial H For Hero]

5. I plan on going again in October and spending a month in Rawai, a small town in Phuket.

It's not exactly remote, but it is away from the tourist areas. It has a seafood market that looks fantastic. Among other things, prawns the size of your forearm! After making your purchase, you can just walk across the street and there are restaurants that will prepare your food any way you like for just a few dollars. I suspect I'm going to be eating there a lot.

[ratchiweenie]

6. We've been there. Spent a lot of time in the south

and on lots of islands. We love Thailand and Laos and Burma. The food is to die for!

[dalton99a]

2. First they will vaccinate 70% of local residents

Part of the plan to institute what is being called a “tourism sandbox” involves inoculating at least 450,000, or 70%, of Phuket’s residents before the July reopening. The inoculations are expected to begin in April.