The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn, made a statement on August 21st confirming the government’s plan to open Phuket for international tourism on October 1st.
Reopening Phuket for foreign visitors will act as a sort of pilot program for the rest of the country, testing how successful restarting the tourism sector in this current environment can be.
“On Oct. 1 we will start in Phuket”
Yuthasak told Reuters on Friday.
The reopening news of Phuket does come with a lot of caveats, many of which might be deal breakers for hopeful tourists.
While the entry requirements and countries that will be allowed to travel on October 1 have not yet been formally released, the government has publicized the criteria for the reopening, which does include both quarantines and several PCR tests.
Visitors Must Stay 30 Days
Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters that foreign tourists will be committed to stay in Thailand for at least 30 days, which they must fly directly into Phuket. Shorter trips will not be permitted.
The first 14 days of their minimum 30 day vacation will be in quarantine at their hotel, which will include their private hotel room, common areas of the hotel’s property, and in some cases beach access.
Many PCR Tests
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, stated that only after 14 days in quarantine at the hotel, plus 2 PCR tests with negative results, the tourist will then be permitted to leave the hotel property and venture around Phuket.
Any tourist that then wishes to leave Phuket and visit other parts of Thailand can only do so after a 3rd PCR test performed in the 3rd week of their visit.
A negative PCR test may also be required by all arrivals to fly into Phuket.
In order to ensure the pilot program is controlled and successful, it has been suggested that staff should also remain at the hotel, as to not potentially carry the virus unknowingly back into their respective communities.
Which Countries Will Be Welcome?
The government of Thailand has not yet stated which countries will be considered for entry in the Phuket project. Many officials believe they will first start with neighboring countries in which the virus has also been successfully contained, and/or nations with important socioeconomic ties to Thailand.
Since the border closed and nationwide lockdown measures were put in place in late March, Thailand has been one of the most successful countries in the world at containing the virus. It’s been almost 3 full months since their last confirmed case, which is a reason they have been so reluctant to reopen.
However, Thailand’s economy is extremely dependant on tourism, and they’ve experienced a devastating 12.2% shrink in the 2nd quarter, the worst hit in the last 22 years.
Last year, Thailand recorded the highest number of tourists entering the country, nearly smashing the 40 million mark. The government is hopeful the Phuket pilot project will safety allow them to restart claiming some of those foreign arrivals.
Since July, Thailand has also been allowing select categories of foreigners to enter the country, starting with medical tourists, direct family members of Thai nationals, business investors, and skilled foreign workers. The Phuket announcement is the first general tourism announcement to come out of Thailand since the closure in March.
Read More: See which countries in Asia have now reopened for tourism, countries that are accepting Canadian and American tourists, and travel insurance that covers covid
Disclaimer: Thailand’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.
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Giselle Daly
Saturday 26th of September 2020
Hi, My daughter and her family are expats in Thailand, why am I not able to be in quarantine at their house? In other countries, quarantine means not going outside but does not mean you cannot be in a private residence. The Puckett situation is very unreasonable!
Michael Somsri Lundin
Monday 21st of September 2020
I think it's a good thing that thailand loose 8 Billion Bath a day , I will not beg to enter thailand if thailand beg to us foreigns to return to thailand , maybe I will think about it - maybe I will put an end of the limefarm I've created through out the years I've been there .
I'm not exactly thrilled to re enter thailand after you separated me and my wife apart the 23:rd of March at the border Nongkhai , when me and my wife was on the way to re-enter thailand from vientiane laos with fully approved 3 month Non-O visa - where you completely separated us apart and you let my wife re-enter only - I could see our car about 150 meters away at the parking lot.
On paper it was said that the border was going to close the 25:th of March not the 23:d - even the Thai embassy in vientiane told me and my wife not to worry.
Anyway I'm still in laos over 6 month at the moment - I will not go to Phuket - I had plans to visit phuket someday " By free will " but obviously thailand are going to force people to Phuket , I'm not into that idea.
I will probably look for alternative route around thailand and try to get back to europe. 11 years in thailand for nothing .
James
Monday 21st of September 2020
Thanks for this Kashlee. Is this still the case?
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 21st of September 2020
From what we know, yes! They have been a little quiet since releasing the info though
leandra
Wednesday 16th of September 2020
I booked a trip to phuket in the beginning of the year. The trip is only for 7days,there is no way that I can stay for 30days, because by the time the 30days are over so will be my leave
Michael
Tuesday 15th of September 2020
1 question - to be able to answer my question then please read this link first.
( When will be able to see my wife again after I was wrongly refused to enter thailand the 23:d of March ? )
(link)
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 15th of September 2020
Sorry Michael we do not know. I suggest you contact the Thai consulate