THAILAND TESTS THE WATERS

While all arrivals in Thailand must spend 14 days in quarantine in a government-approved facility, officials continue to come up with creative ways to lure tourists back. This week it announced a scheme to let people spend the time cruising on a yacht or small boat off the coast of one of its most popular islands. Candidates will also have to wear a wristband that monitors their temperature and blood pressure, and tracks their location. Members of the Royal Thai Navy will monitor the boats. After the 14 days, still-healthy visitors will be free to set foot on the island, which is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga Province to the north.

After banning foreign tourists last March, Thailand has been gradually reopening its borders since October, when it introduced a special longstay tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days. The visa can be renewed twice, taking a potential stay up to nine months.

Anyone entering Thailand must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure as well as $100,000 worth of insurance to cover the treatment of Covid-19, if necessary.

In January, the country approved six golf resorts where visitors would be allowed to roam freely within the premises rather than being confined to their rooms. While all other sites require visitors to remain in their rooms, tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said last week he would propose allowing foreigners at selected resorts to enjoy the premises for 11 days after just three days of in-room confinement.

Around 100 vessels are expected to take part in the yacht-quarantine programme. They will moor off the coast of Thailand’s largest island, which is 48km in length and 21km at its widest, in the Andaman Sea.

● To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us the name of the island where “quarantine yachts“have been launched. E-mail your answer to travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday March 16. Last week’s winner is Edward Tshabalala. The answer was Golden Gate Highlands National Park.