Phuket preps for landmark reopening
The holiday island of Phuket opens for international tourism today with a lot riding on its success.
The ‘sandbox’ scheme allows vaccinated travellers to enter while Covid cases remain high across the Kingdom.
Despite this, the government is forging ahead with the sandbox program, which will serve as a template for other holiday destinations lining up to reopen, namely Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
Travellers will have feedom of Phuket but must stay on the island for at least 14 days, and then may explore nationwide.
Tourists in Phuket will be subject to several Covid tests and must use a tracking app.
"Yes you’re being quarantined here but this is more than 500 square kilometres of quarantine and you’ve got national parks, golf courses, you can go diving – it’s really not a quarantine," said Anthony Lark, president of the Phuket Hotels Association.
Flights are set to arrive today from Qatar, Singapore and Israel although Lark said he is not expecting a deluge of visitors straight away.
Thai authorities said they will be closely monitoring the Covid situation in Phuket and said they will not hesitate to restrict movements if cases start to rise.
About 70% of Phuket residents have received at least one vaccine dose.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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