Thailand to Sequentially Reopen Starting July 1 with Phuket... Promoting Quarantine-Free Entry

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Thailand will begin reopening the Phuket area on July 1. This measure takes into account the impact of the tourism industry on Thailand's economy despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to local media such as the daily Bangkok Post on the 17th, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in a televised speech the day before, "The time has come to look ahead and set a date to fully open Thailand and welcome tourists," emphasizing, "A swift national reopening is an important way to alleviate the tremendous economic hardships imposed on the people due to the COVID-19 crisis."

Prime Minister Prayut added, "From today, we are setting a goal to declare the full reopening of Thailand within 120 days."

Regarding Thailand's reopening, foreign visitors who have completed COVID-19 vaccination can enter Thailand without quarantine or any inconvenience. Thai nationals who have completed vaccination are also exempt from quarantine when returning from overseas.

While acknowledging the risk of a resurgence of COVID-19 related to the reopening plan, Prime Minister Prayut emphasized, "Considering the economic needs of the people, I believe it is time to take this predicted risk."

He stressed that since it has become clear that the COVID-19 crisis will not disappear in the short term, the country must prepare to live with some risk factors while managing them at a controllable level so that people can resume their livelihoods.

According to the current Thai government plan, 10 million vaccine doses will be administered by August, and through this, about 50 million people are expected to have received at least one vaccine dose by early October, Prime Minister Prayut forecasted.

Prime Minister Prayut said, "The government has currently contracted to receive 105.5 million vaccine doses within this year," and promised, "We will continue efforts to secure vaccines next year as well."

The Thai government initially planned to use 100 million vaccine doses by the end of this year to complete vaccinations for about 50 million people, approximately 70% of the total population, to achieve herd immunity.

First, reopening will begin on July 1 targeting the Phuket area. Phuket is an island, making COVID-19 management easier.

According to the plan named the 'Phuket Tourism Sandbox,' foreigners who have completed vaccination in their home countries will not need to quarantine after directly entering Phuket.

To this end, the Thai government plans to complete vaccination for about 70% of Phuket residents by August 1 to form herd immunity.

After implementing the Phuket model, the Thai government plans to review the results and, starting October 1, allow vaccinated foreigners to enter Bangkok, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, and Buriram provinces without quarantine.