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THAIM TO GO

Thailand plans to welcome vaccinated tourists by October – with NO quarantine on arrival

THAILAND is looking at welcoming tourists back if they have been vaccinated by October - with no quarantine restrictions on arrival.

The popular holiday destination has struggled with a drop in tourism due to the pandemic, which the country heavily relies on.

Thailand could let vaccinated tourists into the country without having to quarantine
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Thailand could let vaccinated tourists into the country without having to quarantineCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Also a Brit-popular destination, Phuket is hoping to introduce the new plans by autumn, while vaccinating 70 per cent of the 400,000 residents by September, according to Bloomberg.

President of the tourist association Bhummikitti Ruktaengam told Bloomberg: "We can't wait any longer. If we have to wait, we won't survive.

"If we miss this winter peak season, we'd have to wait another year."

Thailand closed their borders to foreign tourists in March last year, and only began opening them again in October.

However, tourist numbers - which were once as high as 40million in 2019 - dropped to just 6.7million last year, the lowest since 2008.

The country has been left deserted by tourism due to the pandemic
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The country has been left deserted by tourism due to the pandemicCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Phuket has suggested the new scheme ahead of October
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Phuket has suggested the new scheme ahead of OctoberCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Tourism levels have dropped from 40m to just 6.7m
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Tourism levels have dropped from 40m to just 6.7mCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The country often offers cheap all-inclusive holiday deals especially for UK tourists
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The country often offers cheap all-inclusive holiday deals especially for UK touristsCredit: Reuters
Despite other tourist schemes such as nine month visas, holidaymakers have failed to return
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Despite other tourist schemes such as nine month visas, holidaymakers have failed to returnCredit: AFP or licensors

While the country offered a number of schemes to welcome travellers back, such as a new tourist visa which lasts nine months, as well as luxury hotels to quarantine in, tourists have failed to return in their numbers.

With quarantine costs as high £7,330 for 14 days at a luxury resort, this put off holidaymakers who can often find a cheap all-inclusive deal to Thailand.

Instead, Brits have headed to the Maldives and Dubai which were on the travel corridor list and didn't have a mandatory quarantine on arrival.

If the Thai government permits the new vaccine scheme, it could see Brits return in time for the winter season, although the country has yet to explain which vaccines will be accepted or how it will work.

With the UK hoping to have all adults vaccinated by August, it will be good news for holidaymakers.

Vaccine passports are being considered by a number of countries to allow tourism to restart although experts have warned it is too early to know if this is a safe enough way to resume travelling.

There are lots of cheap deals to Thailand if you book ahead for later this year.

TUI has £300 off long-haul holidays while Travelzoo has up to 70 per cent off trips.

Here is everything to know about going on holiday this summer.

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