The reopening of Hua Hin to vaccinated foreign tourists has been confirmed for Nov 1, authorities confirmed on Monday (Sept 27).
It had been planned to allow vaccinated foreign tourists to visit Hua Hin from October 1.
However, these plans were shelved at the eleventh hour due to concerns over the vaccination rates for people living in Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Hua Hin (Hua Hin and Nong Kae districts only) will be one of nine regions, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phang Nga, Krabi, Pattaya, and neighbouring Cha-am to reopen on Nov 1, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced.
Thailand will also scrap its mandatory hotel room quarantine for all vaccinated foreign tourists from November 1.
Instead, vaccinated tourists will be able to roam freely in designated areas, rather than being confined to a hotel room.
The designated areas in Hua Hin (as of the time of posting) are two whole districts, Hua Hin and Nong Kae, which measures more than 80 square kilometres. The area is approximately from Hua Hin Airport to Khao Tao.
In Phetchaburi, vaccinated foreign tourists will be able to move freely throughout all of Cha Am district, while in Chonburi, vaccinated tourists will be allowed to visit Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Jomtien and Bang Sare.
Meanwhile, quarantine will also be reduced for visitors arriving from Oct. 1, the CCSA, halving it to seven days for vaccinated arrivals, and cutting it to 10 days for those not inoculated.
The CCSA also announced easing of restrictions in all 29 ‘dark red’ provinces, which includes Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi.
From October 1, the curfew in dark red provinces will be reduced by one hour to 10pm-4am.
Restaurants will be permitted to remain open until 9pm, and play live music, but alcohol remains prohibited.
Other venues, such as spas, libraries, cinemas, indoor sports venues and nail salons will also be allowed to reopen from Oct 1.
An order from the provincial governor confirming exactly which restrictions have been eased in Prachuap Khiri Khan is expected to be released within the next 48 hours.
*Post updated to clarify the end of the mandatory hotel room quarantine for vaccinated foreign tourists from Nov 1 and add information on areas open to vaccinated tourists.Â
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