Phuket is gearing up and looking to accept tourist who are vaccinated by Oct 2021! That could mean travel plans by the holidays!
The tourism reliant economy of Phuket has suffered tremendous losses as tourist have been non-existent for almost a year. According to Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, 80% of tourism companies on the island went bankrupt during the pandemic.
Accepting Tourists Without Quarantine
Thailand may start allowing vaccinated tourist to visit the island of Phuket without quarantine. According to NikkeiAsia, The Centre for Economic Situation Administration, a special economic council chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, made the decision on Friday. The cabinet is expected to endorse the plan as soon as Tuesday at its regular weekly meeting.
Tourists will have to fly directly to Phuket and other requirements are still being discussed. Visitors are likely required to show proof of vaccination, take a PCR test on arrival and install a tracing App, similar to the TraceTogether in Singapore.
Local Vaccination
The scheme, which would allow vaccinated tourists to skip quarantine starting July 1, still needs to be discussed between the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the CCSA, and the Phuket governor before becoming official.
For the plan to go ahead, 70% of the local population needs to be vaccinated. The island is now in the process of acquiring 925,000 doses of vaccine to be aligned with these measures.
Other Thailand Areas May Follow Suit
If it works out, other tourism-dependent areas like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Krabi, and Surat Thani province (Koh Samui) may follow suit.
Perhaps we may be able to travel again to Thailand in the next few months. But if so, what do you think? Will you be looking to do so?
