The Thai government has eased COVID-19 restrictions in ‘blue zone’ destinations from 17 to 26 provinces. This means that almost all businesses and activities in blue zone destinations can open with the “new normal” of operations.
- These include all shopping places, convenience stores, markets, cinemas and theatres, sports venues, hair salons and barber shops, massage and spa shops, beauty and beauty clinics and tattoo shops.
- Restaurants and eateries can also resume normal opening hours.
- Meetings, events and fairs can also be held normally, with no limit on the number of attendees.
However, all types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops nationwide are to remain closed.
Similar relaxed measures for the Blue Zone provinces have also been extended to the 24 yellow zone provinces, with the exception for events and activities that must be organised with the number of attendees capped at below 1,000.
Provinces in the red and orange zones have also seen the COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed further, with malls, markets, convenience stores, and cinemas being allowed to resume normal hours. Restaurants and eateries in the orange zone can resume normal hours while in the red zones must close at 23.00 Hrs. The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages for dine-in customers remain prohibited in the orange and red zones.
Meetings and events in the red zones can be organised for less than 500 attendees. Meanwhile, provinces in the orange zone can arrange more engaging activities; such as, sports tournaments, food fairs, and the like for no more than 1,000 attendees.
26 “Blue Zone” Provinces with Pilot Tourist Destinations
- Central Region: Bangkok, and Ayutthaya (Mueang district only), Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi (Cha-Am district only), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Mueang, Hua Hin, and Nong Kae districts only), and Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport only).
- Eastern Region: Chanthaburi (only for Mueang and Tha Mai districts), Chon Buri (only for Bang Lamung, Ko Si Chang, Pattaya, and Si Racha districts, and only Bang Sarey and Na Jomtien subdistricts in Sattahip district), Rayong (only for Ko Samet), and Trat (only for Ko Chang and Ko Kut districts).
- Northern Region: Chiang Mai (Mueang, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng districts only), Chiang Rai (Mueang, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Mae Sai, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Kaen, and Wiang Pa Pao districts only), and Loei (Chiang Khan district only).
- Northeastern Region: Buri Ram (Mueang district only), Khon Kaen (Mueang, Khao Suan Kwang, Poei Noi, Phon, Phu Wiang, and Ubolratana districts only), Nakhon Ratchasima (Mueang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Chong, Phimai, Sikhio, and Wang Nam Khiao districts), Nong Khai (Mueang, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts only), Surin (Mueang and Tha Tum districts only), and Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Prachaksilpakhom, and Nong Han districts only).
- Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam only), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao only).
24 Areas Under Stringent Surveillance or yellow zone provinces
- Northern Region: Kamphaeng Phet, Loei, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phichit, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, and Uttaradit.
- Northeastern Region: Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Yasothon.
23 Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces
- Central Region: Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri.
- Eastern Region: Chachoengsao and Chon Buri.
- Northern Region: Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok.
- Northeastern Region: Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani.
- Southern Region: Ranong.
23 Strict Controlled Areas or red zone provinces
- Central Region: Ayutthaya and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- Eastern Region: Chanthaburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, and Trat.
- Northern Region: Chiang Mai* and Chiang Rai.
- Northeastern Region: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sa Kaeo, and Saraburi.
- Southern Region: Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang, and Yala.
Source: The Tourism Authority of Thailand