From November 26, the Thai Public Health Ministry has launched a pilot scheme, 'Safety Sandbox' at popular tourist destinations such as Patong Beach and Walking Street in Muang district.
The initiative aims to boost tourists' confidence in the medical care provided by the local authorities and is expected to help drive up tourist numbers, reports eturbonews.com.
The initiative will award health-promoting hotels and tourist attractions with Green Health certifications, and assess street food vendors' businesses to provide them with Street Food Good Health certifications.
The 100-day safety campaign will also focus on improving hospital facilities and medical care quality, providing emergency medical units at popular destinations, rabies protection, free influenza vaccinations for
100 000 tourism workers, establishing a travel medical centre and introducing a digital disease-tracking platform.
Outside Phuket, the initiative will be expanded to 12 other provinces, namely Bangkok, Nan, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Rayong, Kalasin, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Trang, and Ubon Ratchathani.
