NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Pandemic tourism: Thailand launches Phuket 'sandbox' plan

thailand.jpeg
Posted
and last updated

Thailand has opened the popular resort island of Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lower-risk countries in an ambitious but risky plan that it hopes will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic.

The so-called Phuket sandbox program comes as coronavirus numbers are surging in Thailand, and many question if it’s too early to woo tourists back, and whether they’ll come in any case.

Authorities caution that if cases start to rise on the island more restrictions may be needed, or it may have to be shut down entirely.

Fewer than 250 international travelers are expected on the first day compared to the initial target of 1,500.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

09/15/2025

Mostly Clear

-° / 69°

0%

Tuesday

09/16/2025

Clear

100° / 71°

0%

Wednesday

09/17/2025

Cloudy

99° / 76°

1%

Thursday

09/18/2025

Partly Cloudy

87° / 71°

19%

Friday

09/19/2025

Mostly Clear

88° / 70°

7%

Saturday

09/20/2025

Clear

91° / 71°

3%

Sunday

09/21/2025

Clear

93° / 71°

0%

Monday

09/22/2025

Mostly Clear

96° / 73°

5%