<p>Thailand prepared Wednesday to reopen the holiday hotspot of Phuket to tourists quarantine-free, even as the country registered its highest single-day death toll from Covid-19.</p>.<p>High hopes have been pinned on the so-called "Phuket sandbox" -- a model that will allow vaccinated travellers to visit without a quarantine period in an effort to revive Thailand's battered tourism industry.</p>.<p>But the lead-up to its July 1 launch has been plagued with uncertainty amid delays to government approval.</p>.<p>Thailand has been trying to contain a third wave of the coronavirus by imposing restrictions in the capital Bangkok and its suburbs, which have seen the Alpha and Delta variants spreading.</p>.<p>Wednesday saw the kingdom's highest single-day death toll yet of 53.</p>.<p>However, authorities say the Phuket sandbox will go ahead as planned. About 250 passengers are scheduled to land on the island Thursday on four flights, according to Covid-19 taskforce spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.</p>.<p>The return of tourists will bring welcome relief for businesses.</p>.<p>Thailand usually welcomes about 40 million tourists every year and about 18 percent of the country's GDP comes from the sector.</p>.<p>But for over a year Phuket's pristine sandy beaches have been unusually quiet and more than 80 percent of hotels have been shuttered.</p>.<p>To prepare for the reopening, two-thirds of Phuket's population have been inoculated.</p>.<p>In the notorious Patong Beach neighbourhood -- once humming with a thriving nightlife scene -- vendors were busy preparing Wednesday for a return to action.</p>.<p>"Everyone and every profession associated with tourism has been affected," said Thewan Phromyang, 49, who leases sun beds to tourists.</p>.<p>"I agree 100 percent with the Phuket sandbox scheme... We don't have anything else to support us other than tourists."</p>.<p>But there will be restrictions in place for those choosing Phuket for their holiday.</p>.<p>Visitors will have to stay on the island for 14 days if they wish to travel elsewhere in Thailand, and they must take three Covid tests during that period.</p>.<p>The number of Covid-19 cases in Phuket also cannot exceed 90 in one week.</p>
<p>Thailand prepared Wednesday to reopen the holiday hotspot of Phuket to tourists quarantine-free, even as the country registered its highest single-day death toll from Covid-19.</p>.<p>High hopes have been pinned on the so-called "Phuket sandbox" -- a model that will allow vaccinated travellers to visit without a quarantine period in an effort to revive Thailand's battered tourism industry.</p>.<p>But the lead-up to its July 1 launch has been plagued with uncertainty amid delays to government approval.</p>.<p>Thailand has been trying to contain a third wave of the coronavirus by imposing restrictions in the capital Bangkok and its suburbs, which have seen the Alpha and Delta variants spreading.</p>.<p>Wednesday saw the kingdom's highest single-day death toll yet of 53.</p>.<p>However, authorities say the Phuket sandbox will go ahead as planned. About 250 passengers are scheduled to land on the island Thursday on four flights, according to Covid-19 taskforce spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.</p>.<p>The return of tourists will bring welcome relief for businesses.</p>.<p>Thailand usually welcomes about 40 million tourists every year and about 18 percent of the country's GDP comes from the sector.</p>.<p>But for over a year Phuket's pristine sandy beaches have been unusually quiet and more than 80 percent of hotels have been shuttered.</p>.<p>To prepare for the reopening, two-thirds of Phuket's population have been inoculated.</p>.<p>In the notorious Patong Beach neighbourhood -- once humming with a thriving nightlife scene -- vendors were busy preparing Wednesday for a return to action.</p>.<p>"Everyone and every profession associated with tourism has been affected," said Thewan Phromyang, 49, who leases sun beds to tourists.</p>.<p>"I agree 100 percent with the Phuket sandbox scheme... We don't have anything else to support us other than tourists."</p>.<p>But there will be restrictions in place for those choosing Phuket for their holiday.</p>.<p>Visitors will have to stay on the island for 14 days if they wish to travel elsewhere in Thailand, and they must take three Covid tests during that period.</p>.<p>The number of Covid-19 cases in Phuket also cannot exceed 90 in one week.</p>