One of Asia’s top tourism locations will ease many restrictions to international visitors in July – but only for those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
Thailand is targeting British travellers who are over 50, though it is not yet clear how visitors will prove they have been jabbed.
The Thai prime minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, approved the plan in a meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration on Friday.
A pilot programme will begin on 1 July on the holiday island of Phuket in southwest Thailand.
New arrivals who can prove they have completed a course of immunisation will be taken from the airport to their hotel where they will be tested for Covid-19.
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Once a negative result is confirmed, they can travel freely around Phuket for a week.
After seven days they will be able explore the remainder of the country, leaving the island by air, sea or the road bridge to the mainland.
Ahead of the reopening, Thailand is prioritising residents of Phuket in its vaccine programme. The aim is for 70 per cent of the island’s population to be immunised before tourism resumes.
