It’s very much all systems go for Hua Hin’s proposed reopening to foreign tourists on October 1.
At a meeting held on Sunday (Sept 5), Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports confirmed Hua Hin will reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists in less than four weeks.
The meeting, which was held online, was attended by key stakeholders involved in the Hua Hin Recharge project, including Sirisak Sirimangkala, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Krot Rojanasathien, chair of the Hua Hin Recharge Project, Isra Stapanaseth, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Director for Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Hua Hin Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul and Tourism Authority of Thailand chief Yutthasak Suphasorn were also in attendance.
Mr Phiphat said that Hua Hin will reopen on October 1 to both domestic and foreign tourists.
He said the reopening of Hua Hin was part of the Thailand’s staggered plan to reopen the country’s tourism industry.
He added that the reopening will be possible because the target of vaccinating 70 percent of the local population will be met by October 1.
Provincial health officials told the meeting that the vaccination rollout has largely been successful, especially in recent weeks where the administering of vaccines to people in Hua Hin and the wider province has been accelerated.
Officials said that if the vaccination rollout continues apace, then not only Hua Hin but all of Prachuap Khiri Khan will be within the 70 percent vaccination target by October 1.
Mr Phiphat said Hua Hin will follow the Phuket Sandbox model for reopening.
The reopening of Hua Hin will also coincide with the reopening of neighbouring Cha Am with officials instructed to be begin collaboration regarding the reopening of both destinations.
As Hua Hin Today exclusively revealed on Saturday, this means that foreign tourists visiting Hua Hin from October 1 will be required to meet the same measures all foreigners need to visit Thailand, which include:
- Gaining a Certificate of Entry to Thailand (COE)
- Obtaining a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to travel
- Showing a COVID-19 vaccination record card
- Further RT-PCR COVID-19 testing after arrival at Survarnabhumbi
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Additional safety measures will then be put in place for people visiting Hua Hin:
5. Further RT-PCR COVID-19 testing after arrival at hotel in Hua Hin.
Guests will then be required to stay in the hotel for three hours while awaiting the results of the test.
If the test is confirmed negative they will then be free to leave the hotel but they must stay within the Hua Hin City and Nong Kae districts.
They will then be required to take further RT-PCR COVID-19 tests on day 7 and day 13 of their stay.
If the test is negative after day 13, they will be able to travel throughout Thailand.
