Bangkok (People's Daily) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand has confirmed the country’s readiness to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements.

File photo: CFP

A phased reopening will start from Phuket on July 1 followed by destinations including Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Buri Ram in the following weeks and months.

The plan, approved by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration during a Friday meeting, will be submitted for final approval from the cabinet.

The plan has given hope to everyone in the Thai tourism industry, said Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

“Thailand’s plan to reopen within 120 days means that Bangkok or any of the 76 provinces are ready to reopen from October provided that the local population are inoculated and the infection rate is at no more than 20-30 cases daily,” Ratchakitprakarn said.

“The key is that the Thai people must be safe and that the public health guidelines must be adhered to.”