Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have reopened tourism last July 15. The Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) said that Samui Island is set to welcome about 1,000 foreign tourists under the Samui Plus programme during its first month of reopening.
The programme is also expected to generate THB180 million (USD5.5 million). “We will receive about 180 million baht in revenue from the Samui Plus Model over one month,” Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesman of the CESA. He added that most international tourists will be from Europe and the Middle East.
Following the Phuket Sandbox Programme early this month, Thailand has reopened other destinations . However, unlike in Phuket Sandbox where travellers enjoy their trip without quarantine, tourists to Samui Plus are required to stay in an alternative local quarantine (ALQ) for the first seven days. Tourists are required to stay on Samui in hotels listed under the Safety and Health Administration (SHA) system during the first week and their activities will be closely supervised.
Mr Thanakorn has confirmed that the government plans to reopen other tourist spots such as Koh Phi Phi, Rai Le and Koh Ngai in Krabi next month and Koh Yao in Phangnga in September. Pattaya of Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Buri Ram will also be included in the tourism reopening plan.
