Thailand Reopens Phuket For Tourists Who Have Been Vaccinated Against COVID-19, Indonesian Tourists Can Come

JAKARTA - Tourists who have received full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from any country can now book holidays to the tourist destination of Phuket, said the Thai government, which is also adjusting the quarantine-free travel scheme.

Thailand's tourism industry has come to its knees due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions, slashing the number of tourists from 40 million in 2019 to just a few over the past two years.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector made up a fifth of Thailand's national income, and travel restrictions have been included in the country's worst economic performance in more than two decades.

The kingdom launched a "sandbox" scheme in July, which allows fully vaccinated travelers from countries deemed a low-to-medium risk, to be active on the popular island for two weeks, and then afterwards to travel to the mainland without quarantine.

Last week, authorities cut the required period of stay to a week, in line with national changes to quarantine rules.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand announced Friday, October 1, that the scheme had been expanded and now covers about 80 eligible countries.

"This means Thailand is now welcoming tourists from any country in the world to its sandbox program," he said in a statement, citing CNA Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tanee Sangrat said unvaccinated children would be able to travel with their vaccinated parents.

The sandbox program has attracted more than 38.000 visitors to the white sands of Phuket, and generated an estimated revenue of USD 66.67 million.

But tourism operators have not responded to the island's economic revival, where 90 percent of hotels have closed. They have pleaded with the government to simplify entry requirements to increase visitor numbers.

The changes will allow previously excluded Indonesians and Malaysians to travel to Phuket.

Prior to the pandemic, Malaysia was the second-largest source of tourists in Thailand, with more than four million travelers visiting in 2019.

Apart from Phuket, Thai authorities hope to reopen five other destinations, including the capital Bangkok, using the sandbox model from early November, followed by 20 more locations in December after vaccination rates increase.