Phuket on track to reopen to vaccinated international tourists from July 1

June 4, 2021 London

As Thailand continues to battle its third and worst Covid-19 wave since the start of the pandemic, officials say the popular resort island of Phuket is still on track to reopen to international tourists next month.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has confirmed that vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries will be permitted to fly direct to the Thai island without having to quarantine from July 1 as part of its pilot “Phuket Sandbox” program.TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told CNN that he expects around 129,000 visitors to arrive in Phuket between July and September this year.

Incoming international tourists will be allowed to travel freely on the island and must stay for a minimum of seven days before they will be permitted to travel elsewhere in the country. But Yuthasak notes this is subject to the overall Covid-19 situation in Thailand and could change.” For the initial stage, only fully vaccinated tourists are allowed in, with the exception of children under six,” he said when asked about reports that young travelers who haven’t received the Covid-19 vaccine could fly in with their parents. Further details, such as which countries qualify as “low-risk,” are yet to be confirmed, but the TAT says it will update its website regularly with information as it becomes available.