The Cabinet this week approved the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s plan to reopen Phuket without quarantine for vaccinated tourists on July 1, in a project called Phuket Sandbox.

The next step is for the scheme to be published in the Royal Gazette, then the reopening programme will be set to kick off next month.

Here is what we know about how it will work, and what you need before you can visit the island:

• This is applicable for international travelers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (no less than 14 days earlier, but no more than one year) and are arriving from a country with a low to medium risk as per the Ministry of Public Health.
• They must be vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved by Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organisation, a list that so far covers AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Sinopharm.
• Expats and Thais who are fully vaccinated or received one jab of AstraZeneca and are registered at www.gophuget.com can also visit with no quarantine.
• For Expats and Thais who are not vaccinated, they have to passed a Covid-test no more than 7 days prior, and registered at www.gophuget.com before arriving.
• Children under the age of six who are travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians can visit without vaccination.
• Kids between six and 18 years of age can visit without vaccination but will be subject to a rapid test on arrival at their own expense.
• Flights are available now and you can transit in Bangkok.
• All arrivals must download and install a tracing application called ThailandPlus.
• All arrivals must stay in an accommodation that is certified with the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certification, which includes full vaccination of 70 per cent of the staff.
• You can move from one accommodation to another within the 14 days, as long as they are certified. There are around 400 hotels that have signed up so far.
• After staying for 14 days on the island and if you pass your Covid-test, you can visit other provinces.
• If you test positive while on the island you will be moved to a hospital if you have symptoms or to a field hospital if you are asymptomatic.
• Tourists can engage in any tourism activities but they must follow Covid-prevention guidelines including social distancing, mask wearing and handwashing.
• Phuket reported one Covid-case on June 10.
• More provinces could be open to vaccinated tourists without quarantine in October including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Chonburi, Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga and Buriram. However, 70 per cent of the locals must be vaccinated first.

Pre-arrival

• Vaccine certificate to prove that you are vaccinated no less than 14 days, but no later than one year before arrival
• Medical certificate to prove that you have tested negative for Covid no more than 72 hours before arriving
• Visa
• Certificate of Entry (COE)
• Booking confirmation for 14 nights in a SHA+ accommodation

 

 

The Thai Enquirer