October reopening expected to boost tourism industry in Thailand

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Dr. Taweesilp said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assigned the Tourism and Sports, Public Health and Interior ministries to prepare for an increase in both Thai and foreign tourists in the fourth quarter of this year, which is the tourism high season.

The Thai government has sped up preparations for the reopening of the country, to boost the tourism industry, as early as October 1st, while keeping in mind pandemic restrictions.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assigned the Tourism and Sports, Public Health and Interior ministries to prepare for an increase in both Thai and foreign tourists in the fourth quarter of this year, which is the tourism high season.



He said these ministries were instructed to find areas with potential to be a part of the government’s new tourism reopening program called “COVID-free Tourist Area Sandbox”, similar to the Phuket “Sandbox” program.


Dr. Taweesilp said ideal candidates for the tourism program include islands and areas with an airport, which would also have in place COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The pilot phase of the new tourism promotion program will begin in October, when Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi and Chon Buri are due to reopen for tourism. (NNT)