Phuket prepares to reopen the island to international tourists from July 1, though a longer quarantine period was recently added. The Phuket sandbox tourism scheme faces a chaotic approval process as the government is still struggling to fine-tune the balance between public health and the economy. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reasserted that the reopening plan for the island, known as the Phuket sandbox, will start on July 1 after it was approved in principle by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) on June 4. Some provinces trying to reopen may find local tourists shy away from their destinations," he said. This sandbox scheme was established as a test run, which means it is a gradual process where we determine the best practices to allow other destinations to follow suit," said Mr Yuthasak.

Source: Bangkok Post June 12, 2021 02:21 UTC