Samui Plus Commenced: Vaccinated Tourists Can Now Visit Samui, Tao, and Phangan.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is happy to announce that the first foreign tourists who arrived under the ‘Samui Plus’ scheme appreciate Samui’s natural beauty and renowned Thai friendliness while traveling the popular vacation spot. All came during the first 2 days of the Samui Plus start on July 15, 2021, marking the reopening of Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha-ngan to fully vaccinated foreign tourists who do not require quarantine.

On Day 0 of their vacation, all arrivals tested negative for COVID-19 in the obligatory test needed of tourists under Samui+ rules. They then spent Days 1 to 3 resting in their Samui Extra Plus hotel accommodations and amenities before departing on specified routes and travel programs provided by authorized tour operators on Days 4-7. Tham Rang Beach, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, and Wellness & Spa are three such sealed pathways for visiting tourists.

On Thursday, July 15, five passengers from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom arrived at Samui Airport via Bangkok Airways aircraft PG5125. Another 4 passengers from Singapore and Hong Kong arrived on aircraft PG 5171. Both airplanes were part of Bangkok Airways’ new 3x daily Bangkok-Samui route, which connects foreign tourists visiting Samui. The 9 arrivals on Thursday are members of the international press who have been called by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to witness the Samui Plus scheme first and tour the 3 islands of Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha-ngan.

International tourists are obliged to remain in a Samui Extra Plus hotel on Samui for the first 7 nights of their stay and in a SHA+ hotel on Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao for the next 7 nights. Following that, they may go to other parts of Thailand. The hotels’ Samui Extra Plus’ and ‘SHA Plus’ have been formally certified for their cleanliness and safety standards. The Samui Extra Plus hotels are formerly ALQ (now referred to as AQ) hotels that have been allocated specifically for the scheme. At the same time, the SHA Plus hotels have been certified as fulfilling the required COVID-19 control procedures while also having at least 70% of their staff completely vaccinated.

From arrival to departure, this batch and incoming foreign visitors will be subjected to the considerable preparations and procedures in place to guarantee the health and safety of both tourists and residents. Service providers are trained to be courteous to guests, from airport arrival processes, car and van transfers, hotel arrival, and quarantine, through guides, sealed beaches, boat and yacht transport, wellness, water sports activities, and restaurant eating. There are three designated ports and piers for Samui Plus visitors going on sea travel: Na Phra Lan, Thong Sala, and Baan Mae Haad.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand anticipates that about 1,000 international visitors visit Samui via the Samui Plus scheme during the 1st month, from July 15 to August 15, earning 180 million Baht in income.

Source: TATNews

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