Thailand still plans to fully reopen on October 15, despite Covid-19 uptick
Despite the recent and most severe wave of Covid-19 infections still peaking, Thailand is on track to reopen on October 15 to those travelling from overseas who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. The “Phuket Sandbox” model, which launched yesterday, will serve as a pilot project for the nationwide reopening plan. The “Samui Plus” travel model next on the list, planned to start on July 15.
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha addressed the nation 2 weeks ago, announcing the plan to fully reopen Thailand within 120 days, regardless of if most people are fully vaccinated or not.
“We cannot wait for a time when everyone is fully vaccinated with 2 shots to open the country or for when the world is free of the virus. We must be ready to live with some risk and just try to keep it at a manageable level, and let people go back to being able to earn a living.”
To prepare for reopening and manage the Covid-19 situation, from July onward, the Thai government aims to administer 10 million doses of the Covid-19 each month. By early October, nearly 50 million people, or at least 70% of the population, should have at least their first dose of the vaccine.
With Covid-19 cases still on the rise, particularly in Bangkok, many have criticised Prayut for travelling to Phuket for the reopening under the Sandbox model, especially with the record-high number of Covid-related deaths over the past few days.
Proposed reopening dates throughout Thailand…
| JULY | THE ISLAND APPROACH | |
| July 1 | PHUKET SANDBOX MODEL | Phuket island and province |
| July 15 | SAMUI PLUS | Surat Thani Province: Koh Samui-Koh Phangan-Koh Tao sealed routes |
| AUGUST | THE EXTENSION CONCEPT (Linking to Phuket) | |
| August | KRABI EVEN MORE AMAZING | Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, Ko Railay |
| August | PHANG NGA PROMPT | Phang Nga, Khao Lak, Ko Yao |
| SEPTEMBER | THE SEALED APPROACH (Specific areas and routes) | |
| September | CHARMING CHIANG MAI | Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Tang and Doi Tao Districts |
| September | CHON BURI: NEO PATTAYA | Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Sattahip District |
| September | BURI RAM | Buri Ram – Mueang District and the Chang Arena |
| OCTOBER | THE FULL REOPENING | |
| October | BANGKOK | Bangkok metropolitan area |
| October | HUA HIN | Cha-am and Hua Hin |
| October | (OTHER DESTINATIONS) | Other locations that have 70% vaccination and are prepared to reopen |
For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.
SOURCE: National News Bureau of Thailand
