Thailand launches Phuket ‘sandbox’ plan in bid to revive tourism

A flight arrives from Abu Dhabi carrying the first group of international tourists to Phuket (Sakchai Lalit/AP)

Thailand has embarked on an ambitious but risky plan it hopes will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic, opening the popular resort island of Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lower-risk countries.

As the first flight arrived, airport fire engines blasted their water cannons to form an arch over the Etihad jet from Abu Dhabi as it taxied to its gate.