Saksith Saiyasombut 6/30/21 Saksith Saiyasombut 6/30/21

Phuket to go ahead with reopening plans despite surge in COVID-19 cases

Thailand has reported a record 53 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The daily COVID-19 death toll has been steadily increasing since the third wave of the coronavirus hit in April. Despite coronavirus numbers rising again, the tourism-dependent kingdom is still forging ahead with plans to open up. Phuket is going to trial a model that could allow fully vaccinated tourists to come back without quarantine.

Saksith Saiyasombut 6/16/21 Saksith Saiyasombut 6/16/21

Thailand plans to reopen to foreign visitors in 120 days: PM Prayut

Thailand wants to reopen its borders within 120 days -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the goal in a national address. The target would put the country's reopening sometime by mid-October. Fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine.

Saksith Saiyasombut 6/8/21 Saksith Saiyasombut 6/8/21

Thailand begins mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19

Thailand launched its COVID-19 mass vaccination drive on June 7. AstraZeneca and Sinovac jabs are being administered. 1.8 million AstraZeneca doses -- the first of six million due this month -- have arrived in the country. The aim is to ensure there are enough shots to go around, particularly in the smaller provinces. The government has been criticised for its slow rollout and over-reliance on local vaccine production. Only 6% of Thailand's population have received at least one dose since late February.