Thailand Set to Reopen With Phuket Sandbox

9th Aug, 2021
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Before Thailand’s borders will be fully opened, Phuket is set to become the first province under the “Sandbox” Model allowing foreign travelers who are completely vaccinated to enter Thailand whereas other major destinations – Chiangmai and Chonburi (Pattaya) are in the pipeline for reopening by this August and October, respectively. The implementation of the Sandbox Model is scheduled on 1 July 2021 after Thailand kicked off mass vaccination in June, and now has risen to the third spot among ASEAN countries which have administered the highest number of COVID-19 shots.

Simultaneously, Thai government economic relief measures inclusive of the Khon La Khrueng (Half-Half) co-payment scheme, Ying Chai Ying Dai (the more you spend, the more you get) scheme, and the relief scheme for holders of state welfare cards have been implemented to ease the cost of living of 51 million Thais, and to stimulate the COVID- beset economy for the rest of the year.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has recently announced that the country will speed up to reopen its borders within 120 days to international tourists after a year of restriction.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), in the meantime, is ready to help revitalize national economy. According to Ms. Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB Senior Vice President – Business, despite the new wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai government continues their intense focus on the mega- investment initiatives at the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Likewise, TCEB has set forth strategic campaigns as well as incentives for new international shows and organizers especially for those targeting to EEC and 12 focus industries. There will be 46 trade shows on this year's calendar, and TCEB will support 56 international shows in 2022, a record high to generate almost 740 million USD as direct revenue to Thailand.

TCEB’s 360-Degree Support to Exhibition Industry in Economic Revitalization

 

Since the pandemic outbreak, TCEB has formulated the following exhibition industry strategies providing full-circle support, and subsidies to stimulate international and domestic exhibitions throughout this year: 1) attract new shows and clustering events with an aim to draw more visitors and exhibitors 2) revisit existing show profiles/portfolios into potential areas offering more privileges and benefits, for example, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), MICE Cities and 3) support “Hybrid Exhibitions” and 4) encourage “New Normal Exhibitions” utilizing innovation and technology to enhance the experience of visitors through online platform, which will create business opportunities, and lower physical touch points at the shows.

For more information please contact: exhibitions@tceb.or.th

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