It was very nice tour arranged by the SEA DMC…
PHUKET SANDBOX
Thailand Government proposed a model to re-open Thailand for tourists from all over the world without quarantine upon arrival in Phuket is called “Phuket Sandbox” Model. This program is only applicable for vaccinated tourists starting from the 1st of July 2021. In this program, the tourists must stay at least 14 days in Phuket before moving to any other destination in Thailand.
All venues, including hotels, restaurants, tour/sport recreation facilities, and transportation are certified businesses by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Safety & Health Administration (SHA+).
Thailand’s Tourism Ministry proposed that the first Thai destination to open to all vaccinated international travelers will be Phuket. It will be open from 1st July 2021 under the “Phuket SandBox” Model. It’s good news for Thailand as after being closed to international tourists for more than a year. International tourists or travelers with 2 doses of vaccination (Fully Vaccinated Travelers) can visit Phuket Island without any quarantine of 14-day, while the Thailand visa rules, COE, insurance, and covid-19 test are required to board Phuket flights remain the same (Please read all in full details as below). Not just for foreign vaccinated tourists, it’s for returning vaccinated expats and local Thai vaccinated people, who can take advantage of this program, but they have to come from approved countries.
GENERAL INFORMATION – PHUKET SANDBOX (UPDATED)
The Royal Thai Government has officially endorsed measures for Phuket to reopen for fully vaccinated international travelers without quarantine requirements from 1 July, 2021.
– Bangkok, Updated on 13 September, 2021
Pre-arrival
Travellers must travel from countries/territories approved by Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), and must have been in the said countries for no less than 21 days before their travel date – except Thai nationals and foreign expatriates returning from overseas. They must apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE), using the following documents:
- Copy of a valid passport.
- Copy of the payment confirmation for no less than 14 nights stay at SHA Plus-certified hotel/s and for RT-PCR tests via www.thailandpsas.com. If the length of stay is less than 14 nights, travellers must also present a confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand.
- A certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before their travel date. Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 also need to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travel.
- Copy of an insurance policy in English covering healthcare and treatment expenses for COVID-19 per applicant for the whole duration in Thailand with coverage clearly identified as no less than US$100,000.
TAT recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation. The policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand.
Travellers must undergo exit screening before departure, must and present all the required documentation including a medical certificate with a laboratory result by an RT-PCR method indicating that COVID-19 is not detected no more than 72 hours before their travel date.
Travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with their parents or guardians, must have a medical certificate with a laboratory result by an RT-PCR method indicating that COVID-19 is not detected no more than 72 hours before their travel date.
Arrivals
- Travellers on direct international flights to Phuket International Airport are subject to health screening, including a COVID-19 nasal swab RT-PCR testing and Immigration procedures at the point of entry. Click to see the “7-Step Flow at Phuket International Airport” or “7 Steps 7 Countdown”. Children under 6 years of age will receive a COVID-19 saliva RT-PCR testing.
- Travellers must download and install an alert application, as well as set the application on at all times for the whole duration in Thailand.
- Then, proceed directly to the reserved hotel on the approved airport transfer service.
- Wait for the result of the first COVID-19 test (conducted upon arrival or Day 0) in the hotel room only.
- If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers can go anywhere in Phuket. However, they are not allowed to stay overnight in any other places than the reserved hotel. In addition, they are required to report to the hotel’s SHA Plus Manager on a daily basis, or upon return to the hotel from their outing and excursion.
During the Stay
Travellers are welcome to stay in Phuket less than 14 nights. However, they must leave Phuket immediately on an international flight to another country.
Travellers must have completed 14 nights in Phuket before being allowed to visit other Thai destinations. They must also have tested negative for COVID-19 for 2 more times on Day 6-7 and Day 12-13.
Phuket Cruise Excursions & Shore Trips
- Phuket excursions by sea can be enjoyed by using SHA Plus boat and ferry services from the approved piers (Ao Po, Chalong, Rassada, and Wisit Panwa).
- Phuket cruising and yachting excursions can be enjoyed by using SHA Plus cruise and yacht services from the approved piers (Yacht Haven Marina, Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Royal Phuket Marina, and Chalong Pier)
COVID-19 Testing
- Travellers are required to take additional RT-PCR tests as per the following:
- Travellers with a length of stay less than 7 days are required to take another test on Day 6-7.
- Travellers with a length of stay between 10-14 days are required to take the second test on Day 6-7 and the third test on Day 12-13.
- If testing positive for COVID-19, travellers will be referred to a healthcare facility for medical treatment, for which the expenses must be covered by the required insurance.
Health & Safety Precautions
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
While in Thailand, travellers are advised to continue with the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application. Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with two or more people.
Tourist safety
The Royal Thai Government places the highest priority on the safety and well-being of every visitor to Thailand. And as the main government agency responsible for the promotion and marketing of Thailand as a preferred destination, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working closely with all concern public and private organisations to ensure the utmost efforts to prevent any unfortunate incidents occurring on tourists and the local Thai people.
International / Domestic Departure
- For travelling from Phuket to other countries, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of their destination.
- For travelling from Phuket to other Thai destinations, travellers are required to show proof that they have completed a 14-night stay in Phuket together with the negative results of their 3 COVID-19 tests along with other required documentation per the guidelines and measures announced by the respective destinations.
FAQs – PHUKET SANDBOX MODEL
Click to see all the FAQs of Phuket Sandbox Model
IMAGES & INFOGRAPHICS
SOURCE: The TAT Newsroom (www.tatnews.org)
Relevant information on the THAILAND REOPENING
General Information – Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension
Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension FAQs
To check the INITIAL Details of PHUKET SANDBOX updated on 15 June 2021, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Please click to see more details about INITIAL INFORMATION – International Holiday Maker’s Journey updated on 15 June 2021, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Please click to see more details about INITIAL INFORMATION -Relevant Information from Tourism Ministry updated on 15 June 2021, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Phuket Sandbox is confirmed to start from 01 JUL 2021 updated on 18 June 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)