Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Thai PM will consider waiving quarantine for vaccinated visitors to Phuket

Published

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 10:22

PHOTO: Yu Xiong / Flickr

The Thai PM says he’s willing to consider a call from the Phuket business community to allow vaccinated foreigners to bypass quarantine. Prayut Chan-o-cha says in order to compete with other countries popular with tourists, Phuket plans to re-open fully to vaccinated foreigners from July, meaning the government must make sure the country’s vaccine rollout is on track.

“The point is how we can we ensure the safety (of this re-opening programme). Phuket, for instance, has proposed that vaccinated tourists should be exempted from the mandatory quarantine. Well, if possible, I’m ready to take care of that.”

From tomorrow, the mandatory 14-day quarantine period will be halved for vaccinated foreigners visiting the 6 tourism provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai. From July, vaccinated tourists visiting Phuket will not have to quarantine at all, provided the government succeeds in its ambition to vaccinate 70% of the island’s population before July 1.

The Bangkok Post reports that the PM has called for a digital platform to be created to register all foreign tourists. Speaking after yesterday’s cabinet meeting, he said such a platform is also being created to manage the country’s vaccine rollout. The Finance Ministry is working with Krungthai Bank to develop a system to record the allocation of vaccines, which is being handled by the Public Health Ministry.

Referring to recent clusters of Covid-19 at wet markets in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, the PM says every market in Thailand must strictly follow disease prevention measures, including regular temperature checks and the wearing of face masks for both workers and customers.

Meanwhile, Bangkok’s deputy governor, Sophon Phisutthiwong, who heads up the government’s Covid-19 task force, says each district office in the capital has been ordered to check markets to ensure they comply with ventilation and hygiene requirements.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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8 Comments

John Brown

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 10:39 am

Who is this “Phuket business community” and what is their claim to representative legitimacy based on? Are they anyone other than the tourism lobbyists peddling their money motives on the The Thaiger’s pages? Have the vast majority of Phuket’s SME entrepreneurs even been consulted?

Even if all the vaccines work as well as claimed (don’t make me laugh), the continued infection and transmission rates would still be ludicrous. Do you put out a forest fire by putting out 90% of it then calling it a day??

Pandemics rage when selfish businessmen lobby politicians to ignore the science and pretend we can’t get to zero “BeCaUsE tHe EcOnOmY”, and sit-at-home sheep who can’t do math regurgitate their drivel. You think the disease won’t eventually reach you and your family and kill you and them just like it’s doing the poor and vulnerable now?

God you people are so stupid.

Reply
Fred glue

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 10:52 am

It would be good too go too Thailand, no flights out of Australia yet. If it gets the all clear be prepared too
have 18-months too two years money in your bank account. Anything can happen.
Even if you are going for 2-3 weeks. What I said last week about n.s.w Australia that our privileges have come
come too us, ( everything open) well it looks like we are going back into lockdown.
I foreget that person’s name that said the nanny will take your privileges away, looks like it is going too happen
You was right & I was wrong, sorry about that….

Reply
Bill

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 6:03 pm

huff glue much?

Reply
mike

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 7:20 pm

I know what you mean, Fred. I don’t know who said that too, but too much has been said by too few too too many and now no one knows what’s going on anymore.

Reply
zig

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 8:00 pm

so if you enter Phuket and not Q..are you allowed to travel to other parts of the country?

Reply
MaMaJanes

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 10:41 pm

There aren’t any commercial international flights into Phuket nor the 6 tourism provinces, look like this plan only good for charter flights?

Reply
Issan John

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 11:52 pm

“God you people are so stupid.”

That’s a bit strong, John B ?

Very true, possibly, depending on who you’re referring to, but still a bit strong ? ? ?

Reply
Andrew Whyte

Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 11:48 am

Money is what pays for the hospitals, schools, roading and education. Without money life ceases. How can people on Thailand survive without tourist dollars not like the Thai government is offering to pay welfare. International travel lock downs caused a 22% spike in the Thai suicide rate.

Reply

Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

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