Favourite tourism destination Pattaya to reopen to Russians? Or will it?

Phuket has led the way opening up Thailand to foreign tourists and Pattaya - long a favourite for Russians - wants to follow suit.

But cumbersome restrictions mean it may not be easy.

Russians flying in will be put under a “sealed route programme” keeping them in quarantine for three days and then travelling to restricted destinations for another three days. 

On the seventh day - if free of Covid - they have a wider choice. 

On Phuket visitors clear of infection can roam freely on the island after an initial test. 

The scheme is called ‘Pattaya Move On’ but one Novosibirsk operator said: ‘It’s too complicated and cumbersome. 

‘Pattaya is popular with my clients but these restrictions are worse than in many other destinations.’  

‘Getting started is better than doing nothing’, said Pattaya Mayor Sontaya Kunplome.