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Updated 4 July 2022
After months of closure and billions of dollars lost to the pandemic, the tourism and health authorities of Thailand have now eased most of their Covid-19 restrictions, making travel easier for tourists from all over the world
The government has also scrapped the “Phuket Sandbox Programme”, Test and Go and Sandbox programmes as well as the Thailand Pass registration requirement.
What do we know about the bold initiative to draw tourists back to the country?
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Update: Phuket Sandbox programme scrapped
Thailand has now scrapped its entry schemes, including Test and Go and Sandbox programmes as well as the Thailand Pass registration requirement.
The travellers entering Phuket are NO longer required to undergo the Phuket Sandbox tourism scheme for entry. They can now enter either through the “Vaccinated travellers” or “Unvaccinated travellers” entry schemes, as is applicable.
For more information visit our article on Thailand Reopening – When Will Thailand’s Borders Open For Tourism – Can I Travel To Thailand? for more information.
What is the Phuket Sandbox programme?
The Phuket Sandbox plan is a tourism scheme that allows foreign travellers to enter Phuket and greater Thailand without going through quarantine. Under this programme, travellers must stay in Phuket for at least 7 nights and can then proceed to visit other destinations in Thailand. The program first took off on July 1, 2021.
What are the requirements for entry?
The following are the two schemes through which non-Thai nationals may enter Phuket:
Vaccinated travellers
Pre-arrival requirements
Vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:
- A valid passport, or a border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints.
- A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination
- Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
- Travellers 5-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
On-arrival requirements
Upon arrival in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening including a body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
The vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.
Please note that for arrivals by land using a border pass, they will be allowed a stay of no longer than 3 days within the specified areas only.
During the stay
While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated travellers are advised by authorities to strictly follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment.
Unvaccinated travellers
Pre-arrival requirements
Unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:
- A valid passport, or a border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints.
On-arrival requirements
Upon arriving in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening including a body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers who have proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.
The unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers without a negative test result within 72 hours of travel is required to follow the public health instructions and guidelines as deemed appropriate by the Health Control officer at the point of arrival.
Please note that all expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the travellers.
During the stay
While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment.
Are there flights to Phuket now?
Yes, multiple air carriers have direct flights to Phuket. Some of these include Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Find cheap flights to Phuket now
