Beginning August 1st, tourism officials will propose allowing fully vaccinated travellers to go to Koh Samui and the two neighbouring islands following a seven-day stay on Phuket.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn disclosed the plan to gradually open Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao during a meeting with tourism operators in Surat Thani on Thursday, and it was published on Friday.
Starting August 1, the minister will seek cabinet permission and approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to include the three islands as sites where permitted tourists to Phuket can complete their stay-on-island requirement.
Beginning July 1, Phuket will welcome foreign visitors on the condition that they stay on the island for 14 days before travelling elsewhere in Thailand.
The so-called Phuket sandbox originally called for a seven-day minimum stay before continuing onward travel, but the severity of the third Covid wave has compelled authorities to strengthen the restriction.
According to Sakdaporn Rattanasupha, deputy governor of Surat Thani, Mr Phiphat proposes that guests remain on Phuket for one week and then travel to the islands in Surat Thani to complete the need.
He stated that flights from Phuket to Samui will require negotiations with Bangkok Airways.
Tourism operators on Koh Samui are lobbying hard for the island and its neighbours to be permitted to follow Phuket's lead and begin receiving international visitors as soon as possible. Other tourist attractions in the country will not reopen until October 1.
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