In order to start tourism this year, the Minister for Tourism has asked the Public Health Ministry to approve the start of a vaccine passport system.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said the government was waiting for the World Health Organization's vaccine passport announcement before issuing the measure. 

He said that adopting a passport on vaccines, or a similar method, would ensure that at least 5 million foreign visitors to Thailand are guaranteed this year.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA),  discussed a 14-day quarantine, allowed foreign tourists after only three days of self-isolation to leave their hotel rooms.

Russian tourists will probably be the first to experience easier quarantine restrictions in Phuket.

Tour agents in Russia said that the demand of 300-400 Russian tourists is enough to take regular Phuket flights.

Four provinces that rely on tourism: Phuket, Surat Thani, Chon Buri, Chiang Maí and Krabi, have been planned to deliver vaccines.

In alternative quarantine hotels, the vaccines will be provided to staff. There are 58 alternative quarantine hotels in the five provinces, with more than 6,700 rooms and 13,000 staff.