The Tourism and Sports Ministry wants to open the whole country without quarantine by January next year, depending on nationwide herd immunity.

Bangkok was scheduled to reopen in October but this has been delayed to November as the majority of residents will not receive their second vaccine dose until the end of October.

Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chon Buri (Pattaya) will go ahead as planned on Oct 1, as well as Phetchaburi, said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister.

From Oct 15 there are 25 provinces tourists can enter via the sandbox programme as second destinations after spending seven days in one of these destinations: Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi and Bangkok.

However, if vaccination does not reach the required level in certain areas, districts can be isolated or a sealed route is possible in the early stages, he said.

"Only safe areas can reopen to Thai tourists on Nov 1, while international tourists are expected to enter without quarantine from January, led by travel bubbles with neighbouring countries starting on Jan 15," said Mr Phiphat.

The key condition is Thailand must achieve herd immunity within this year.