The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to launch its “Safe and Sealed” travel plan by October 1 in Phuket and 5 other regions where local residents will allow international tourists to visit.

Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Tourism and Sports Minister, has confirmed that the ministry will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Public Health, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Transport on Thursday (Aug 27). The meeting will hold discussions of the plan to open the destinations in the country to tourists from low-risk cities or provinces who seeks an excursion to Thailand.

After the plan is developed, the Covid-19 Situation Management Center (CCSA) will approve the plan before launching it.

Mr. Phiphat has suggested one possible solution to provide 1 km or 2 km of beach area near the state quarantine villas, for example in Patong, so that tourists can walk out of the hotel and enjoy the beach during the 14 days quarantine period.

He also said that although businesses related to the tourism are more utilized than beach areas, the government must listen to the opinions of people living in other areas because the tourist area may be extended to Phuket.

‘The country is still not back on track, even though we effectively controlled the outbreak. We need to find ways to help the economy recover from the fallout,” he added.

As part of the economic situation administration center and approved by the Cabinet meeting last week, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to make the “Safe and Sealed ” scheme a priority task.

Phuket’s tourism model has been recognized and received positive feedback from Mr. Supattanapong Punmeechaow, Deputy Prime Minister who also leads the economic policy team.