Brought to you by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thailand’s launch of the Phuket Sandbox programme on July 1, 2021, and the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension on August 16, 2021, gave the world the highly-anticipated signal that the destination are once again ready to amaze visitors – this time with all the necessary health and safety measures in place.
Phuket’s beaches are more pristine and beautiful than ever, each one offering its own individual vibe and atmosphere, from the energetic buzz of Patong and its restaurants, shops and souvenir stalls to the relaxing settings of Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and Mai Khao with their silky-soft sands and glistening waters gently caressing the shoreline.
Away from the glorious beaches, visitors can as always discover much in the way of culture and heritage, soft adventure and family-friendly tropical fun. Whether it is visiting the island’s glittering temples and shrines, thrill-seeking on zipline rides and 4WD excursions through lush jungles, or discovering the picturesque beauty of landmark locations like Promthep Cape, Krathing Cape, and Karon Viewpoint to make that perfect photograph, Phuket does not disappoint.
Health and wellness opportunities abound for those seeking the chance to rejuvenate and recharge in the tropical surroundings of dedicated spa resorts and world-class spas at many a hotel and resort. Delicious cuisine created with the freshest seafood and tantalising, exotic ingredients can be found the island over, positioning Phuket as a gastronomical destination of international renown and earning its place in UNESCO Creative City listing. Community-based tourism experiences provide the opportunity to appreciate a unique and fascinating local way of life.
Directly north of Phuket on the mainland, Phang-Nga’s stunning landscape vistas must not be missed. This natural beauty is best appreciated from famous Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, with spectacular 180-degree views across Phang Nga Bay and its many limestone formations and small islands. Among the area’s islands is Ko Yao Noi, featured in the James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun. And when the sun sets, the Milky Way comes into view.
On the Phang-Nga coastline, the 20km stretch of beaches in Khao Lak make for a serene, welcoming and idyllic sun, sea and sand experience to remember. Here, the days are quiet and unrushed, and one could be excused for thinking they had discovered an untouched tropical hideaway – from an enchanting shoreline to jungle-clad mountain backdrops.
There is no better time than now to visit Phuket and Phang-Nga, two delightful jewels in the ever-dazzling crown that is the tropical paradise of southern Thailand, where shimmering seas, beautiful beaches and countless off-shore islands await travellers.
To begin your journey to Thailand, visit www.tatnews.org/.
Qantas will bring forward the restart of its international flights to November 14, 2021, following the federal government’s announcement that Australia’s borders will open in November.
The national carrier will operate three-weekly return flights between Sydney and London and three-weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Qantas said in a release that London and Los Angeles were the two most searched destinations on its website in recent weeks, and that more flights may be added to meet demand.
Fares have gone on sale for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and some visa-holders, starting from A$1662 (US$1,207) return for Sydney-Los Angeles and A$1869 return for Sydney-London.
The airline said that once the federal government announces the exact date that Australia’s international borders will reopen next month, the commencement dates for these two routes may need to be updated.
All passengers on Qantas’ international flights will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine, with some exemptions for medical reasons and children. They will also be required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result 72 hours prior to departure.
Customers on these flights will also be required to home quarantine for seven days on arrival into Australia.
All other international routes that were scheduled to resume from December 18, 2021 will continue as planned, subject to government and regulatory approvals, said the airline.
It added that it may add additional routes if other states and territories decide to open their borders earlier and reduce quarantine requirements to seven days at home, or less.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce lauded the government’s move to reopen Australia’s international borders earlier, on the back of a quicker vaccine rollout.
“We welcome the federal government’s decision and the work by the New South Wales government to facilitate the home quarantine approach that makes this feasible. We look forward to other states and territories getting on board,” he said.
He further shared that Qantas will be making more seats available to be booked with points alone as many of the airline’s frequent flyers have been stockpiling their points over the past 18 months to use on an overseas flight.
He added: “Beyond the initial rush, the ongoing demand for international flights will hinge largely on what the quarantine requirements are. The shift to seven-day home quarantine for fully vaccinated Australians with a negative test is a great step towards reducing this closer to what is becoming standard in many countries overseas, which is a test and release programme.”