Govt to consider opening Phang-Nga & Krabi
Thailand has recently opened Koh Samui and Phuket to overseas guests under their own respective programmes. The Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus schemes are seen as pilot projects along Thailand’s route towards a full reopening.
Following the footsteps of the current schemes, the government considers opening Phang-Nga and Krabi under the “Andaman Sandbox” initiative, which is projected to kick-off on 1st August 2021.
Here’s what the Andaman Sandbox programme will look like if passed by the government.
Covid-19 updates:
- Hua Hin to reopen to overseas guests by 1st October
- Thailand hits 11,784 Covid cases
- Thailand considers a strict lockdown similar to Wuhan model
Andaman Sandbox is scheduled to take off in August
The Thai government considers launching the “Andaman Sandbox” programme proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The initiative would open Phang-Nga and Krabi to overseas guests on 1st August 2021.
Visitors who have spent seven days on Phuket, and seven days on Phang-Nga or Krabi will be able to head over to neighbouring provinces, like Koh Yao Islands and Khao Lak, said Chuchart Oncharoen, Director of the TAT Phang-Nga Office on 20th July 2021, according to Bangkok Post.
The Andaman Sandbox scheme will be similar to the Phuket Sandbox. The guests’ movements will be tracked with a tracker that’s issued by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.
Last week, the first group of Phuket Sandbox tourists continued their holiday on Phang-Nga after completing their mandatory 14-day stay on the island.
Other reopening schemes for October
In addition to Krabi and Phang-Nga, the government plans to reopen other regions in October 2021, reported by the Thaiger. Provinces up for consideration include:
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Chon Buri
- Buri Ram
- Phetchaburi
- Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Pattaya
Being able to travel freely again
It looks like tourism is slowly picking up again. Potential reopening schemes give us hope that the industry will slowly recover – many tour operators have been heavily affected by the pandemic.
Each reopening programme will be a stepping stone towards revitalising the industry.
Cover image adapted from: @amazingthailand_ua (Left), @jason_lang (Right)
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