Thailand plans to reopen Bangkok to fully vaccinated visitors in October, officials have said, as the kingdom seeks to salvage a tourism industry hammered by the pandemic.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said that from October 1, fully jabbed foreign travellers will be able to visit Bangkok and four other provinces without undergoing two weeks' hotel quarantine, AFP reported.

The five areas — also including Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces — are expected to follow a “sandbox” model of the type piloted since July in the holiday island of Phuket.

Under the sandbox scheme, tourists have to stay within a certain area for seven days after arrival and take covid tests.