Hongkongers can fly direct to Phuket from July as Thailand seeks to kick-start tourism sector, but experts say success of scheme depends on quarantine-free travel

Thai Airways to resume service from July 2 with minimum cost of ticket just over HK$3,000
But Thailand listed as high risk by Hong Kong, meaning anyone returning from country faces two to three weeks in quarantine

Coronavirus pandemic

Denise Tsang

Published: 7:44pm, 4 Jun 2021

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Direct flights between Hong Kong and Phuket will resume on July 2 as Thailand seeks to restart its tourism industry amid an easing Covid-19 outbreak, the Post has learned.

But travel industry stakeholders on Friday said whether tourism could be revived between the two destinations would depend on the governments reaching a consensus over quarantine-free arrangements.

“It will be feasible if there is a quarantine-free arrangement between the two governments, similar to the air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong,” said Tommy Tam Kwong-shun, chairman of the Society of IATA Passenger Agents, a coalition of the largest travel agents in Hong Kong.

According to the Thai Airways website, the airline plans to restore its direct flights, and charge a minimum of HK$3,191 for a two-way ticket inclusive of taxes and fees – similar to what it charged before the pandemic.

02:13

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A source familiar with the situation said Thailand planned to open its door to tourists or business travellers from Hong Kong next month.

Thailand will require a negative Covid-19 test before travel, and visitors who have been fully vaccinated must quarantine for seven days, while unvaccinated travellers will need to isolate for 10 days, the source said.

In addition, after people arrive in Phuket, they will not be allowed to travel beyond the island.

Hong Kong lists Thailand as a high-risk country, meaning any residents who travel there are subject to a 14-day quarantine on their return if they have been vaccinated, and 21 days if they have not.

Thailand, which relies heavily on tourism, said earlier it wanted to gradually revive the sector by opening up Phuket in summer, then Pattaya and ultimately Bangkok.

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The coronavirus pandemic has shown signs of easing in the country over the past two weeks, after a resurgence in April. The Thai government said no local cases and 17 imported infections were reported on Friday.

Hong Kong officials confirmed one imported infection from Austria on Friday, bringing the city’s tally to 11,850 cases, with 210 related deaths.

Hong Kong commerce minister Edward Yau Tang-wah said in late March he had written to six countries, including Thailand, requesting the resumption of talks on a quarantine-free travel bubble, while also negotiating a new deal with Singapore.

The arrangement with the city state was postponed indefinitely in May after a fresh outbreak of Covid-19.

Cathay Pacific has not said whether it plans to resume flights to Thailand next month. Photo: Felix Wong

In response to questions regarding a travel bubble with Thailand, a government spokeswoman said the aim was to resume cross-border travel in a gradual and orderly manner.

The administration wanted to explore links with overseas economies with close ties to Hong Kong where the coronavirus situation was relatively stable, she said, while balancing any potential risk.

A Cathay Pacific Airways spokeswoman said the airline was still planning its schedule for July, and did not mention if it would resume flights to Phuket.

The Post has contacted the Thai consulate in Hong Kong for comment.