The good news for vaccinated travellers, The Thai Government has officially decided to allow foreign tourists to travel to Phuket without the need to quarantine under the proposed Phuket Sandbox Program starting July 1st.
Thailand’s government and Tourism Authority encourage all travellers to get inoculated before their travel to Thailand. Those who were not vaccinated can still travel to Phuket but must stay in Alternative Local Quarantine (ALQ) for 2 weeks.
If you are planning to travel to Thailand in July, here is some information you may concern about.
- What’s the Covid situation in Thailand?
Thailand has recorded 873 deaths and more than 138,000 cases of Covid-19 as of May 28. For months, Thailand reported few locally transmitted Covid-19 cases thanks to strict quarantine on arrival rules. However, the country is now experiencing the third wave of infections stemming from outbreak clusters in several Bangkok nightclubs in early April. Inter-provincial travel is now discouraged.At the moment, the country is reporting 2,000-3,000 new cases per day on average. The Government has still tightened restrictions throughout the country. Six provinces have been designated maximum- and strict-control zones: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, and Chiang Mai. Restaurants in these six provinces are open but only allowed to operate at 25% of their regular capacity. Sports venues including fitness centers… have also been forced to close, along with theme parks, cinemas, spas, and parks.
- Who can travel to Phuket?
Basically, both foreign travellers and their children can visit Phuket however visitors must stay in Phuket for at least 7 days, after which they are free to travel.
Vaccinated travellers from low and medium-risk countries must have received their vaccines at least 14 days before their trip to Thailand. Travellers must present a vaccine certificate as part of the requirements. Minors do not need to show vaccine certificates, but travellers between 12 and 18 must undergo rapid antigen tests at their own expense, which cost around THB1,200 to THB1,500.Holders of US, Canada, UK, and Australia passports can enter Thailand for tourism purposes and stay here not exceeding 45 days on each visit. However, they need to obtain the Certificate of Entry and quarantine upon arrival.
Tourists from countries not on the visa exemption list can apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV).All travelers who have received a Certificate of Entry must download the ThailandPlus Application and register. Upon arrival in Thailand, they will have to show a QR code that will be scanned by the Thai authorities upon arrival.
- I got vaccinated; do I have to undergo testing and quarantine? Protocols differ for international and domestic travellers:
For international travellers:
Vaccinated travellers (over 18 years old) must do an RT PCR test on day 5 of their stay.
Non-vaccinated travellers (over 18 years old) will need to do an RT PCR test upon arrival and stay at ALQ (Alternative Local Quarantine) Hotel for 14 days.
International travellers between 12 and 18 years old will need to undergo a rapid antigen test at Phuket International Airport upon arrival. However, children under 12 years old can travel to Phuket with their parents and do not need to undergo any test.For domestic travellers:
Vaccinated travellers (over 18 years old) can enter Phuket without the need of doing any test.
Non-vaccinated travellers, including minors ages between 12 and 18 years old, will need to do a rapid antigen test at the checkpoint. Meanwhile, children under 12 years old, can enter Phuket with their parents, and no need for tests.
- I passed the immigration, what now?
All travellers must download the Thailand Plus Mobile App for contact tracing during their entire stay. It uses |
GPS and Bluetooth to detect locations of mobile phones combined with check-in records via QR code scanning in locations during the travellers’ journey.
From the airport, you can transfer to your hotel. Transfer and hotel must be SHA-approved (Safety and Health Administration).
- Where can we visit during our trip to Phuket?
Vaccinated travellers can do all activities within Phuket, but they must observe standard protocols of DMHTT (distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, testing, Thailand Plus). On day 5, guests will undergo an RT PCR test. If they test positive, they will be transferred to the hospital. If they test negative, they can visit other islands around Phuket (Phi Phi Islands, Koh Yao, Phang Nga Bay) for a one-day tour.
Source: Thaiembassy &CNN
