Officials say Bangkok could re-open from November 1, if 70% are vaccinated

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has indicated that Bangkok could re-open to international tourism from November 1, provided 70% of the population are fully vaccinated. The Bangkok Post reports that this is the first time the CCSA has used the November 1 date when discussing the re-opening of the capital.

The original date given by the tourism ministry for re-opening Bangkok and certain parts of 4 other provinces was October 1. The other provinces are Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, and Sattahip), Phetchaburi (Cha-am), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Taeng, Mae Rim and Doi Tao). However, in the case of Bangkok, Governor Aswin Kwanmuang has insisted October 1 is too soon, given that most of the population has yet to receive 2 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Aswin wants 70% of the capital’s residents fully vaccinated before any re-opening can take place. He also wants to see a decline in the daily infection rate and fewer Covid-19 patients hospitalised. This means pushing the re-opening date back to November 1 or even mid-November.

According to the Bangkok Post report, 42% of Bangkok’s population of 7 million have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Chawetsan Namwat from the CCSA agrees that the 70% vaccination rate is crucial to any re-opening plans.

“The vaccine is the game-changer. It creates confidence both for residents and tourists.”

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is also in talks with officials on the southern island of Phuket to learn from their experience managing the sandbox re-opening scheme.

Yesterday, Bangkok was the province with the highest number of new infections, at 2,455. Today, Thailand has reported 13,256 new cases and 131 Covid-related deaths.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post