Thailand is Now Open to Fully-Vaccinated Tourists Through Phuket Sandbox

You will have to stay in Phuket for 7 days first before visiting other destinations.
by Ina Louise Manto | September 22, 2021

Dreaming of seeing the world again? As vaccines are being rolled out globally, we’ve been seeing various countries slowly reopen to tourists, boosting their travel and tourism industries and fueling everyone’s wanderlust. Since July 1, the Kingdom of Thailand has reopened one of its most-visited destinations, Phuket, to fully vaccinated tourists from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and select parts of Asia through the Phuket Sandbox Project.

Visiting Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox Project

Since its launch in July, the Phuket Sandbox Project has allowed travelers from around the globe to soak in the waters and live the island life in Phuket. The project is an effort by the Kingdom of Thailand to slowly open the country to travelers for the coming months.

Phuket Sandbox Project allows tourists from certain low and medium-risk countries to enter the island of Phuket, remain in an SHA Plus (Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Hotel Administration Plus) hotel on the island for 14 nights, and explore the rest of the country freely after. To make the much-awaited travel better, the country has launched Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension, which only requires tourists to stay in Phuket for 7 nights and spend the next 7 nights in the following extension areas (as of October 2021):

• Surat Thani’s Samui
• Ko Phangan
• Ko Tao
• Krabi
• Krabi-Khlong Muang
• Phang-Nga
• Thap Khaek

After the 7-night extension in any of these locations, travelers must test negative in their third COVID-19 test. They will then receive a Release Form from the hotel they’re staying in and can now travel to other destinations in Thailand.

As of August 20, 2021, here are the approved countries and territories for Phuket Sandbox Project.

More locations to open in November 2021

After is Pilot Phase in October 2021, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Sandbox Initiative will open the following locations in November:

• Bangkok
• Krabi
• Phang-Nga
• Buri Ram (Mueang)
• Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Tang, and Doi Tao)
• Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang lamung, No Jomtien, and Sahhatip)
• Loei (Chiang Khan)
• Phetchaburi (Cha-Am)
• Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin)
• Ranong (Ko Phayam)

Will there be a mandatory quarantine?

Unlike the travel protocols in other countries, tourists visiting Phuket are not mandated to undergo quarantine upon arrival as long as they are fully vaccinated and tested negative in an RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before traveling to Thailand.

SOURCE: Phuket Sandbox

What are the COVID-19 health requirements under the Sandbox Project?

The following are requirements for both Thais and non-Thai tourists entering the Sandbox Program:

• Passport
• Valid Thai visa or re-entry permit (if required)
• Certificate of Entry, view sample here.
• Medical certificate with a laboratory test result indicating COVID-19 is not detected using RT-PCR test, taken 72 hours before departure.
• Medical insurance that covers treatment and medical expenses related to COVID-19, with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD. For non-Thai visitors, the insurance must cover their entire stay in Thailand.
• Receipt or proof of payment for SHA Plus accommodation, specifying both RT-PCR COVID-19 test fees and accommodation fees.
• Original paper or print out of Certificate of Vaccination. Unvaccinated children aged under 18 years of age are allowed only when traveling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

SOURCE: Philippine Airlines

For more details and updates on requirements, visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s official website. Travel safely and responsibly!