Thailand may restart international tourism in August

Five resorts in Thailand may open to foreign tourists in August, Report says, citing Bangkok Post.

“There are signs Thailand may restart the international tourism market in August. Somehow it is earlier than previous expectation, which was in September or October.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak asked the ministry to prepare for tourism to reopen.” said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, minister of tourism and sports.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the first batch of international travelers could visit these destinations on a quota basis. It depends on the capabilities for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and the healthcare capacity in each province.

Reopen five destinations in three provinces will be the pilot project. So there will be testing the ability of the tourism sector to cope with the outbreak. They are Phuket, Koh Phi Phi in Krabi, and Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao in Surat Thani.

“We have to start tentatively with provinces where GDP relies heavily on tourism revenue. So the communities will not oppose incoming guests,” he said.