The Thai Cabinet is seeking clarification of issues, such as the hiring of special government employees and financial aid measures for small businesses affected by Covid-19, after discussing the Phuket Sandbox program.
The Phuket Sandbox is a program that is proposed to allow vaccinated foreign tourists to enter without quarantine from 1st July which had already been approved in principle by the Center for Economic Situation Administration, or CESA. More information about the program can be seen at
According to the Prime Minister, the Thai Cabinet will inform relevant agencies, like the Tourism Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to make “improvements” that guarantee a good balance of economic recovery and safety.
The program is not canceled or officially postponed at this point, only that the Cabinet will return to the matter in the very near future and is not officially “rubber-stamped” yet to go to the Royal Gazette. The plan remains approved in principle but needs adjustments, according to the PM.
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, is planning to discuss suggested improvements later this week, noted the Secretary-General of the Thai National Security Council General Natthaphon Narkphanit who has a prominent role with the CCSA. According to the Secretary-General, one of the biggest concerns was tourists potentially entering areas of Phuket that were not tourism-related or potentially exposing people not involved in the tourism industry to the virus.
Once the CCSA made adjustments with relevant agencies the plan would then be returned to the Thai Cabinet for final approval, likely next week.
