Pattaya plans to reopen its borders to foreign tourists without requiring a 14-day quarantine in the fourth quarter of this year.
Moreover, authorities expect to obtain more COVID-19 vaccine doses to inoculate at least 70% of the population. Pattaya Mayor Sontaya Kunplome chaired a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the “Pattaya, Move on” project.
The strategy seeks to fully reopen the area to tourists after vaccinating more than two-thirds of local residents and service sector workers against the coronavirus.
The meeting was attended by Pattaya City executives, the head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Pattaya branch, and the Thai Hotels Association’s Eastern Chapter. The Tourism Council of Chon Buri and The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association were also present.
Later, Mr. Sontaya explained the plan in detail.
“Under the project, foreign tourists who have received two vaccine doses will be allowed to enter Pattaya without the need to quarantine for 14 days, though they must stay in Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts for seven days before being allowed to travel elsewhere,” the mayor added.
Mr. Sontaya said that tourists must come from countries classified as low-risk by the Public Health Ministry.
Also, they must receive jabs endorsed by their countries no more than one year before traveling. The mayor added that children aged below 12 must undergo a COVID-19 test 72 hours before traveling and obtain a virus-free certification.
Upon arrival, travelers must stay at hotels with Safety & Health Administration [SHA] hygienic standards certification.
Tourists can also use services and participate in the activities that the hotels offer. They will also be asked to use a tracking app every seven days to report to the authorities during their stay.
The “Pattaya, Move On” project will be implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP) for international arrivals, which includes guidelines for sealed routes and COVID-19 testing.
The mayor stated that he met with Thosaporn Sirisamphand, head of the prime minister’s advisory team and chairman of the TAT’s board, to discuss a plan to purchase more coronavirus shots. They plan to vaccinate around 70% of Chon Buri’s residents with them.
The proposals will be sent to the Public Health Ministry and then to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration for approval on Monday, Mr. Sontaya said.
