The registration for entering Thailand under the slated “Samui Plus” reopening scheme is planned to open this week. Similar to the Phuket “Sandbox,” the programme will allow foreign tourists who are vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel to the trio of islands in the Gulf of Thailand off the Surat Thani coast. Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao are planned to reopen under the scheme on July 15.
The “Samui Plus” scheme needs to be approved by a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration sub-committee before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can begin the registration process for the Certificates of Entry, or COEs, according to the National News Bureau of Thailand. The scheme is up for approval this week.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the number of tourists expected to arrive is estimated at 1,000 in the first 30 days, generating at least 100 million baht for the provincial economy. It has predicted fewer visitors than Phuket, because this model comes with more restrictions, and the island will attract a specific group of travellers who are already fans of Koh Samui, such as tourists seeking health and wellness experiences or those wanting to learn to dive.
Source: NNT, The Thaiger