Thailand's empty beach resorts hope vaccines will put them back in the sun

Plans to reopen to vaccinated tourists include short quarantine in popular holiday spots like Phuket and Koh Samui

Thailand's Phuket island used to vibrate with life. Before the pandemic, March was part of peak season and the resort's long white beaches were packed with tourists from Europe, Australia, North America and China. At night, backpackers would flock to beach-front bars and on the hills stretching inland wealthy tourists would eat at five-star restaurants.

Today, Phuket is a ghost town. The shockwaves of Covid-19 have reduced daily visitor numbers from up to 50,000 down to just hundreds. But there is hope that plans to bring tourists back could change the fortunes of the beach town, and the country.