Reopening timeline announced in Thailand to begin welcoming more foreign-flagged superyachts

Thailand has pioneered southeast Asia’s tourism reopening on 1^st July 2021, with its first-of-a-kind Sandbox scheme in Phuket. The Thai government plans to promote tourism in 2022 and aim to welcome more foreign-flagged yachts and superyachts.

Thailand will waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions from 1^st November 2021 to vaccinated arrivals, authorities stated recently. After months of strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand is gearing up for a return to normalcy by easing some travel restrictions and quarantine requirements and allowing normal tourists to enter the country.

Gordon Fernandes, co-founder of Asia Pacific Superyachts, stated, “New regulations for flying into Phuket will make it easier for crew changes and the eventual reopening of Thailand scheduled to take place on 1^st November. The Thai government’s aim is to allow all vaccinated crew/guests to fly into Thailand without the need for quarantine. Yacht check-in is also scheduled to get easier.”

Boasting the success of the Phuket Sandbox scheme, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said 42,000 international travellers joined the campaign from 1^st July to 5^th October 2021, generating more than 2 billion baht for the economy. These Sandbox travellers are required to stay for 7 nights in a designated SHA+ hotel in Phuket only and are now enjoying beaches, island travel and entertainment after the first 3 nights.

Thai authorities announced plans to reopen its popular tourist destinations and large cities by the end of 2022. A four-phase reopening timeline that prioritises popular tourist destinations, including Bangkok, has been approved.

From 1^st November 2021, 7 more provinces will be reopened, including popular spots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Hua Hin 2. From 1^st December the reopening of 20 more provinces will be approved. In the final stage of the reopening timeline, 13 more border provinces will be opened to tourists on 1^st January 2022, including Satun, Surin, and Udon Thani.

The Thai government plans to promote tourism next year and set up a tourism promotional fund to transform Phuket into a world class destination. The ambitious plan for Phuket and the tourism sector was approved during an online meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

A tourism promotion fund, with the support of the private sector and civil society, will be set up to promote tourism and effect changes in the tourism industry for sustainable growth, alongside reducing as much red tape as possible to welcome more foreign-flagged yachts and superyachts.

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