Here’s what happened in Thailand in 2021

Thailand reopened to (almost) quarantine-free tourism, the prime minister faced a no-confidence debate, and the cannabis industry boomed. Here’s what happened this year in Thailand…

Thailand reopens to tourists

Thailand started its reopening with the Phuket Sandbox on July 1, which allowed fully vaccinated travellers from overseas to enter the island province without being isolated at a hotel or quarantine facility. Koh Samui launched a similar scheme, as well as other tourist destinations later on in the year.

But Thailand didn’t see a major influx of tourists until the launch of the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme on November 1. Under the scheme, fully vaccinated travellers from approved countries to enter Thailand after passing an RT-PCR test upon arrival. Travellers just needed to isolate at a hotel while the waiting…