Tourism Minister says Pattaya will become part of “Sandbox 7+7” extension
Pattaya’s forthcoming re-opening to foreign tourists will see it join the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 extension programme, according to Thailand’s Tourism Minister. According to a Pattaya News report, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the plan while on a visit to the area on Sunday. It’s understood the proposal will go to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration this Friday, along with proposals for the October 1 re-opening of Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
“The model will offer foreign tourists the opportunity to travel to Chonburi in a 7+7 extension. They can travel to Phuket under the sandbox project for the first 7 days and then visit Chonburi for the last 7 days or they can travel to Chonburi first, and then to Phuket.”
If approved, Pattaya will join Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Bangkok, Chonburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chiang Mai as part of the Sandbox 7+7 scheme. Fully vaccinated foreign tourists who have a negative PCR test result will be able to travel to designated areas without undergoing quarantine.
The minister says that later steps in Thailand’s re-opening will see provinces bordering neighbouring countries re-opening to foreign tourists. Places with cultural attractions, including Lamphun, Phrae, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phatthalung will lead the way as pilot areas.
Meanwhile, the minister says he’s hoping domestic travel will also resume from October, with more vaccine doses arriving and being distributed around the country this month.
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SOURCE: The Pattaya News
