Thailand launches "Digital Yacht Isolation" project to revitalize Phuket's tourism industry

Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Committee announced on the 8th that it will join hands with Thailand's largest mobile operator AIS Communication Co., Ltd. (AIS) and other private companies to jointly launch the "Digital Yacht Isolation" project to revive Phuket's tourism industry.

According to reports, this is the first time that Thailand has used a digital network to carry out a quarantine project. After the launch of the "Digital Yacht Isolation" project, international tourists can choose to conduct a 14-day yacht quarantine in Phuket. During the quarantine period, tourists can live on the yacht while visiting the surrounding waters of Phuket and conduct marine activities. Tourists only need to wear a smart health monitoring wristband, and medical professionals can analyze the tourists' health risk data in real time through the network platform to ensure safe isolation. After the quarantine, tourists can go on the island freely.

The Thai government hopes to enhance Thailand's comprehensive public health capabilities through the newly created digital network system and platform, while at the same time enhancing the confidence of the tourism industry, and encouraging international tourists to return to the islands of southern Thailand such as Phuket.

Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, chairman of Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Committee, said at a press conference that the new crown pneumonia epidemic has hit Thailand's tourism industry hard, and areas like Phuket where the main income comes from tourism have been hit hard. Affected by the epidemic, Phuket’s tourism revenue will lose more than 320 billion baht (approximately 68.3 billion yuan) in 2020.

Nattapon said that the "Digital Yacht Isolation" project is an example of high-end international tourist isolation standards created by the Thai Digital Economy Promotion Committee in accordance with the development goal of "Phuket Smart City". The smooth implementation of the project will also help enhance the potential of Phuket's smart city and realize Phuket's goal of becoming a "sustainable tourism and livable city" as soon as possible.