Thailand hopes for 100 thousand tourists from Russia in 2021

The first hundred Russian tourists have already got a permit to enter Thailand (COE). These vaccinated tourists are going to have a holiday at the country's resorts without quarantine as part of the "sandbox" project. The Ambassador of Thailand to Russia, Mr. Sasivat Wongsinsavat, expressed the hope that 100 thousand Russians will visit the country by the end of the year.

“Before the pandemic, our Kingdom hosted more than 1,5 million Russians a year. Of course, Russia is an important market for Thailand. We are ready to do everything in our power to ensure that Russian tourists return to Thailand as soon as possible, and the volume of tourist traffic reaches pre-pandemic levels. Until the end of this year, we would like to accept about 100 thousand Russians. To date, 26 000 foreign tourists have visited Thailand within the framework of the sandbox project. At the moment, we cannot talk about a massive return of Russians to Thailand, but demand is gradually reviving,”- said the Ambassador.

According to Konstantin Kinel, head of marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), about 100 COEs (entry permits) have been issued since September 1.

From October 1, the sandbox program (currently in operation for Phuket and Koh Samui) will be expanded up to Bangkok and 7 more provinces, including Pattaya. This will allow Russian tourists to visit Bangkok and Pattaya without quarantine.

Since November, Aeroflot is planning flights from Moscow to Bangkok. Taking into account the fact that Thai domestic airlines have started operating, it will become easier to get to Phuket and Samui (where there are no direct flights from Russia).

From January 1, 2022, all the provinces of Thailand can open to foreign tourists - without quarantine and other restrictions. These plans have already been announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand. But so far they are at the stage of approval.