Phuket to open for vaccinated travellers from July

From 1 July Phuket will become the first destination in Thailand to welcome fully vaccinated international travellers without quarantining.

It comes after the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by the Thai Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, approved the reopening of the country in stages.

From October, five more tourist areas will ease restrictions.

From the 1 July the quarantine period will be removed entirely for Phuket. In the meantime, residents of Phuket are being prioritised to receive the vaccine aiming for 70% of the island’s population to be vaccinated before tourism resumes.

Travellers must arrive by air at Phuket International airport.

From October, Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Koh Samui, Chonburi (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai will all be accessible, quarantine free, for vaccinated travellers.

After arriving, travellers are required to stay for at least seven days in these destinations before being permitted to travel to other provinces.

They are required to obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure and present proof of vaccination.

In addition they must present a negative PCR test result, and download the Thailand Plus track and trace app before departure.

Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover is mandatory.

A further Covid-19 test on arrival is also required.

"Thailand’s priority is to make tourism safe for both tourists and locals alike," said Ms. Chiravadee Khunsub, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) London office.

"The announcement is very positive news as Thailand makes careful and considered steps to reopening tourism to international markets."