Bangkok, Chiang Mai among Thai cities to reopen borders from 1 October

Thailand is pressing ahead with plans to reopen the country’s international borders, with major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai set to welcome vaccinated travellers from 1 October. The update comes two months since the country first reopened its borders — under the auspices of the Phuket ‘Sandbox’ scheme — and has “continued to make significant progress” in inoculating its population. Other Thai cities that will be reopened from 1 October are Pattaya and Hua Hin, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). While Bangkok is expected to reopen on schedule, Chiang Mai and Pattaya are reopening their international borders a month later than scheduled, most likely because of the wave of coronavirus infections that has swept across the country. The TAT had originally forecast Krabi, Chiang Mai and Pattaya to open up from 1 September, with Bangkok on 1 October, and the rest of Thailand throughout October.<br/>