Thailand Will Reopen “Phuket” in July for Vaccinated Tourists to Recover Tourism Industry

Thailand will open the resort island of Phuket for vaccinated foreign visitors without the requirement for quarantine from July 1.

 

The first key reopening for one of the main economic drivers in Thailand, tourism, will kick off in July after the panel chaired by the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday approved the inoculation of at least 70% of the island’s resident to prepare for the reopening and tourist arrivals.

 

Phuket will be Thailand’s pioneer project to test the reopening plan before expanding to other tourist spots such as Koh Samui to recover and boost the tourism industry, damaged by the coronavirus outbreak last year.

 

To prepare for the reopening, Phuket residents will be prioritized in the vaccine rollout, with more than 930,000 doses expected to be administered before the reopening.

 

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the island’s tourist association, stated that the reopening could bring more than 30 billion baht to the economy.