Phuket Sandbox Latest News:
- 22nd January 2022 – Thailand will resume Test & Go scheme on 1st February allowing travellers to enter Thailand quarantine free (almost). However, travellers can still use the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus.
- 26th November 2021 – Sandbox schemes shortened to five days. Source.
- 2nd October 2021 – Thailand sandboxes now open to all fully vaccinated travellers, regardless of country. Source.
They call it the ‘Phuket Sandbox’. After over a year of strict travel restrictions in Thailand, on 1st July 2021, the country began to reopen up its borders to international travellers. The Thai Prime Minister himself was there at Phuket Airport to welcome the very first visitors.
Travel to the island comes with two conditions: 1) Visitors must be fully vaccinated before travelling. 2) They must spend their first 7 days on the island of Phuket. After that, they are free to travel to other places in Thailand!
In this article, we’ll try to answer all of the questions you might have about the Phuket Sandbox. And, as things are constantly changing, be sure to keep an eye on the TAT News website for Phuket Sandbox updates.
Read more: (opens in new tab):
- Guide to Thailand’s Test & Go Scheme
- Travel Guide to Phuket
- Thailand COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
- Cheap Quarantine Hotels in Bangkok
The Phuket Sandbox: All Your Questions Answered!
1. How does the Phuket Sandbox work?
Visitors to Phuket via the Phuket Sandbox do not have to quarantine in their hotel room during their first week and are free to move around the island, however, they are not able to leave Phuket until they have completed 7 nights in a SHA+ hotel. (See below.) To be able to enter the island, arrivals have to show the reservation and proof of payment for the hotel.
The Phuket pilot was the first of its kind in the country, and similar systems have begun to be rolled out across Thailand including the Koh Samui Plus scheme on 15th July 2021. This follows an announcement made by the Thai Prime Minister on 16th June 2021 to “fully reopen Thailand within 120 days”.
2. What are the current travel restrictions in the rest of Thailand?
To enter Thailand at the moment you must complete a mandatory quarantine. For fully vaccinated travellers the length is 7 days, for non-vaccinated tourists arriving by air it is 10 days and for non-vaccinated tourists arriving by land, it is 14 days (in reality 14 nights and 15 days). During this time, you are not allowed to leave the hotel. (See up to date Thailand travel restrictions here.)
Related: Quarantine hotels in Bangkok.
On 1st July 2021, however, the Phuket Sandbox scheme was launched, allowing international travellers to skip this burdensome requirement and simply spend 14 days (now only 7 days) on the island of Phuket at the start of their Thailand trip in order to be able to travel to other parts of the country. (If you only plan to travel to Phuket, there is no minimum number of days that you need to stay on the island.)
3. What does “Fully Vaccinated” mean?
In order to take part in the Phuket Sandbox scheme, you must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine that has been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or registered with the Thai Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
For most of the vaccines, you will need to have had two vaccines before you can travel, (apart from the Janssen Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which provides full immunisation after just one dose). Mix and match vaccines will not be accepted (for example, if you have had one AstraZeneca jab and one Pfizer jab).
You will need to show a vaccine card/certificate or adequate proof of vaccination before boarding the plane to Thailand. At least 2 weeks (but not more than one year) must have passed since you were inoculated before you can travel. If you have had COVID-19 and are fully recovered, you will still need to be vaccinated in order to travel to Thailand.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you are still allowed to fly to Phuket, however, you will have to undergo quarantine in an ‘Alternative State Quarantine Hotel’ in Phuket for 10 nights and 11 days before being allowed to move around freely.
4. Which vaccines does Thailand recognise?
You can find the list of vaccines that Thailand recognises on the Tourism Authority Thailand website.
5. Do I have to be from a “low risk” country to use the Phuket Sandbox?
Previously, the Phuket Sandbox scheme was only available to travellers coming from ‘low risk’ countries. The list of ‘low risk’ countries was updated every two months by the Ministry of Health. It depended on the number of cases and the types of COVID-19 variants that were circulating in that country.
However, as of 2nd October 2021, Thailand has opened all of its sandbox schemes to all fully vaccinated travellers regardless of what country they are from. Industry experts are hopeful that this will aid the tourism revival by reopening Thailand to other countries in the region including Malaysia, who before the pandemic, was Thailand’s second-biggest source of tourists.
6. What visa do I need to enter Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox?
All international travellers to Thailand have the same visa options as before the pandemic. While there are rumours about the Phuket Sandbox allowing new visas on arrival, this has not yet been confirmed.
At present, you can either enter Thailand without arranging a visa in advance and receive the visa exemption entry-pass upon arrival (which used to give travellers 30 days in the Kingdom, but now gives 45 days). OR, you can arrange a 60-day tourist visa in advance (TR60) which you must apply for at your local Thai Embassy.
7. Can I extend my visa once in Thailand?
Yes. All visas can be extended at a local Thai immigration centre for a further 30 days. See more information on Thai visas and extensions here.
8. What other paperwork do I need for the Phuket Sandbox?
Here is a list of all of the requirements you will need before entering Thailand:
- Thailand Pass (previously Certificate of Entry) – To enter Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox scheme (or any other way) you will need to apply for a Thailand Pass, which should take no more than 72 hours to process. (See more information on this below.)
- SHA+ hotel booking – You will need to show proof of payment for your stay in an SHA Extra+ or AQ Hotel in Phuket.
- Negative COVID-19 PCR Test – Taken not more than 72 hours before departure. (See more info below)
- 2 x pre-booked and paid for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests – To be taken while in Phuket. Arrange your tests here.
- Proof of personal funds – You will need to show proof of at least 20,000 THB per person or 40,000 THB per family.
- Travel insurance – You will need travel insurance with at least $50,000 USD of COVID-19 health insurance cover. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (affiliate link) is a good option.
- Direct flight into Phuket – No domestic transits in Thailand are allowed.
- Flight out of Thailand – The proof of onward travel rule still applies. You will need a flight to prove that you are leaving Thailand within the date that your Thai visa runs out. See this article for more information on this and our recommendations.
6. How do I get the Thailand Pass?
In order to obtain your Thailand Pass, you will need to follow these steps:
- Book your flight. (You will need to submit your flight information to the hotel that you plan to book in order for them to authorise your stay.)
- Book your SHA Extra+ hotel. It is best to book directly with hotels via email. Once booked, the hotel will send you confirmation of your booking and add your booking to the “SHA Extra+ Booking Authorisation” System (also known as “SHABA”) to authorise your stay in Thailand.
- Submit relevant documentation. This includes a copy of your passport, visa (if applicable), vaccination certificate, SHA Extra+ reservation for 7 nights (including COVID-19 RT-PCR tests) and insurance policy to cover the duration of your stay in Thailand.
- Receive Thailand Pass in 3 working days. If all of the above steps have been followed, you should receive your Thailand Pass within three working days. You will need the Thailand Pass QR code to check in on your flights and also to present at immigration when entering the country.
Important: You should register your Thailand Pass at least seven days before you travel. This allows time for approval.
7. Should I fly directly to Phuket?
Most of the flights that we found (on Skyscanner) are not direct to Phuket and involve one or two stops, either in Europe or the Middle East. Be aware that at present, no transit is allowed elsewhere in Thailand, for example, Bangkok.
8. Can I transit in Bangkok on my way to Phuket?
Before the Phuket Sandbox Scheme kicked off, it had been suggested that international travellers would be able to transit in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport on their way to Phuket Island. However, there is nothing yet approved for travellers who wish to transit in Bangkok on their way to Phuket. For the time being, if you plan to use the Phuket Sandbox to enter Thailand, you must book a flight direct to Phuket.
9. Where can I stay in Phuket?
You do not have to stay at a particular quarantine facility in Phuket. You are allowed to stay at any hotel or guesthouse, as long as it has been approved by the Thai Health and Safety Administration (SHA) and has received the SHA Extra Plus Certification. (More explanation on this below.)
You will have to show your hotel booking to be able to enter Phuket. Bookings at hotels or Airbnbs that are not SHA+ Approved will not be accepted. (Be sure to look out for a rosette badge saying ‘SHA Extra+ Approved Hotel’ on the website and social media pages of the hotel you are considering.)
You’ll be pleased to hear that all hotel facilities in SHA Approved Hotels will be open. Guests can freely enjoy the hotel swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurant, bar and spa. You will also be allowed to leave the hotel and move freely around the island to visit places and go to bars and restaurants and take part in activities (see more below).
(Apparently, if you like, you are allowed to stay at two or more different hotels in different parts of the island during your stay in Phuket, as long as any hotel that you stay at is SHA Approved.)
When travelling to other parts of Thailand, you may be required to show your hotel booking in Phuket as proof that you have completed your 7-night stay. (You may also have to carry your test certificates, insurance policy and any other documents related to your entry into Thailand, so make sure you keep your paperwork safe!)
10. Which are the cheapest Phuket Sandbox hotels?
There are some very good value for money hotels offering the Phuket Sandbox package. The cheapest of them starts at just 700 THB per room per night or 4,900 THB for seven nights (just under $150 USD for seven nights). Here are the five cheapest Phuket Sandbox hotels below starting with the cheapest. Please note that these prices do not include COVID-19 tests nor transport from the airport.
- Ratana Hotel Rassada (Phuket Town) – 4,900 THB for 7 nights (700 THB per night)
- The View Rawada Phuket (Rawai) – 5,250 THB for 7 nights (750 THB per night)
- C & N Hotel (Patong) – 5,950 THB for 7 nights (850 THB per night)
- The Blanket Hotel (Phuket Town) – 6,300 THB for 7 nights (900 THB per night)
- Coconut Village Resort (Patong) – 6,300 THB for 7 nights (900 THB per night)
Also see – 10 Amazing Phuket Sandbox Hotels with Swimming Pools for under 1000 THB/night!
12. If I own property in Phuket, can I stay there?
If you own property in Phuket: If you have your own property on the island, you will still have to book and pay for a SHA+ Approved hotel in order to enter Phuket. However, you are allowed to stay at your own property if you wish. You do not have to stay at the hotel you have booked. This is only a requirement for entry!
13. What does “SHA Plus” mean?
The SHA is the Thai Health and Safety Administration. You can check out their website here. Previously, the hotels needed to be only SHA approved, which meant that at least 70% of the staff were vaccinated.
However, recently, the TAT encouraged all hotels in Phuket to apply for “SHA Extra Plus Certification”. This meant that the SHA hotel has an approved partner hospital. All foreigners using the Phuket Sandbox Scheme are required to show proof of stay at an ‘SHA Plus’ hotel and show the booking before applying for the Thailand Pass.
14. How many COVID-19 Tests are required for the Phuket Sandbox?
You will need to have a COVID-19 RT-PCR medical certificate showing a negative test result no later than 72 hours before your departure to Phuket.
All visitors to Phuket will have to take a COVID-19 test on days 1 and 5-6 of their stay. The tests will be carried out at your SHA Approved Hotel. (Guests will be expected to cover the cost of the test(s) at 2,100 THB for one test and 4,200 THB for two.) If at any point during your stay you test positive for COVID-19 you will immediately be taken to the hospital in Phuket and treated there.
IMPORTANT: According to the Phuket Sandbox Rules, if anyone at all on your flight tests positive for COVID-19, it is the end of your holiday and you will be taken to ‘Alternative State Quarantine’ (ALQ). You will have to pay for quarantine and you will not receive a discount on the SHA+ hotel that you booked. In the first week of the Phuket Sandbox, 20 tourists were put into quarantine. 12 then asked if they could leave and fly home.
14. What rules are there if I am travelling with children?
Children under 6 years old who are not vaccinated are allowed to travel to Phuket with vaccinated parents or guardians. Those who are between 7 and 18 years old must be fully vaccinated OR be able to show a negative Rapid Antigen PCR test within 72 hours of departure to Phuket. (While it is not the official rule of the Phuket Sandbox, airlines are asking children under 6 for a saliva test for COVID-19 not more than 72 hours of departure.)
15. What activities can I do whilst in Phuket?
Whilst in Phuket, you can partake in any activity on the island as long as it is operated by a company that has been approved by the Thai Health and Safety Administration (SHA). Gymnasiums, Muay Thai gyms and golf courses are allowed to open as long as they are SHA approved. You are not allowed to take boat trips to outlying islands, such as James Bond Island or Koh Phi Phi Island.
If the company is approved by the SHA you will see a rosette badge on their website and social media pages. (Technically, only SHA Approved companies are allowed to open.)
16. Are bars and restaurants in Phuket open?
Once in Phuket, you are allowed to move freely around the island and visit bars and restaurants as you wish. Officially, the restaurants where you dine must be SHA Approved, (however, it is very unclear how this rule is enforced).
17. Do I have to wear a face mask when in Phuket?
All visitors to Phuket will still have to wear a face mask when in public places on the island. Of course, you will have to wear a face mask during your flight and at the airport. (See our recommendations for the best face masks for travel here.) Those not adhering to this rule will be fined.
18. Can I rent a car in Phuket?
You are allowed to rent a car in Phuket. You are allowed to pick it up at the airport when you arrive and use it to get from the airport to your hotel. (As always, you must have an International Driving License.)
19. Can I receive visitors in Phuket?
You are allowed to have visitors in Phuket or meet friends in Phuket, who have already been in Thailand, as long as they are fully vaccinated. (They will need to provide proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter Phuket.)
20. Can I travel to other parts of Thailand after Phuket?
After your stay at an SHA approved hotel in Phuket and after providing two negative PCR tests, vaccinated visitors will be allowed to travel freely to other parts of Thailand. (This will be subject to local travel restrictions in other provinces of Thailand at the time.) They will also be allowed to visit other non-vaccinated people who live in other parts of the country.
If you have any further questions about the Phuket Sandbox Scheme, please add your comment below and we will try our best to answer it!
Disclaimer – Information regarding the Phuket Sandbox Program is changing literally every day and is dependent on the COVID-19 situation across Thailand. While we update this article regularly to the best of our ability, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Resources:
Thank you to the following resources which were used to write this article. We recommend that you check them out if you want to find out more about the Phuket Sandbox Scheme and other travel-related news in Southeast Asia:
- Richard Barrow in Thailand
- Facebook Group – Thailand Tourist Visa & Phuket Sandbox (By Trunk Travel)
- Facebook Group – Phuket Sandbox – “Better Phuket” By | Asia Thailand
- Thailand Authority of Tourism News Blog
- Thai Island Times Newsletter by David Luekens
- Travelfish Newsletter by Stuart Mcdonald
- Asia Travel Re:Set Newsletter by Gary Bowerman
- The South East Asia Travel Show
- South East Asia Backpacker Facebook Community
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
hoping to travel to Phuket with 2 daughters 17 and 14 in february. What happens if one of us tests positive? Can we all isolate together or will we be split up? Many thanks
Hi, I’m planning to travel back to Singapore after 6 days in Phuket, but would have to transit at BKK on my way back as the only flights which avoid Singapore quarantine are from BKK. Although I am transiting at BKK there is no straight through option, so under the rules would I be able to collect baggage and re-check in at BKK even though I wouldn’t have completed the 7 days?
Thanks!
Hi Tom, Yes I imagine you will be able to do this! However, I would contact the airline for an answer as we cannot be 100% sure! Best of luck!
Hello,
I’m planning to arrive on a 6:30 AM flight into Phuket. Given that I will likely arrive at my hotel between 9 and 10 AM, will I need to start my booking the night before, or will I be allowed to wait in the hotel lobby until my room is ready? Also, if I have to book starting the night before, will this count as the first night of my required 7 night stay?
Thanks!
Hi Todd, this would depend on each individual hotel and its rules. Some would allow early check-in, but others would have a set time. It’s best to email your hotel and ask. It wouldn’t count as your first night, only the night that you actually spend in the hotel. Hope that helps and best of luck with your trip!
Hello my girlfriend lives in Thailand and I would be traveling under the sandbox program. Would she be allowed to stay with me in my hotel?
Hi Earl!
There was some confusion last year over whether unmarried couples would be allowed to share a room on the Phuket Sandbox. You can read about it here: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/must-you-be-married-to-share-a-room-in-the-phuket-sandbox
In this instance, I’d enquire directly with the hotel for clarification.
Is there a hotline number for the Phuket Sandbox to check application status?
We have waited over 10 days and now need to urgently check out status in order to make our flights.
Thanks
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
This webpage has contact numbers: https://medium.com/thailand-pass/where-do-i-contact-for-thailand-pass-support-1636daadc180
Hope that helps!
Can I stay only three days under Phuket Sandbox? Then back to my country?
Yes. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, “If staying less than 7 nights, you must leave Thailand immediately on a direct flight to another country.” You will not be able to go elsewhere in Thailand so your flight will need to be to your home country from Phuket.
Hi – A couple of questions,
(1) When arriving to Thailand through the Phuket sandbox scheme do you have to stay in just the one SHA approved hotel or could you split up your mandatory 7 night stay in a couple of different hotels in different locations on the island?
(2) When travelling out of Phuket once completing the 7 day stay, do you think that you would be able to fly from Phuket to Bangkok and start travelling the country this way? Or would you have to travel using different methods?
Hi Rebecca!
There is conflicting info around this issue online. According to the Thai Embassy, it has been stated that ‘You must stay for at least 7 nights in your first SHA+ hotel in Phuket before you can move to another hotel in Phuket or other provinces.’ However, I am unsure of whether this policy has been updated since the sandbox was reduced to 7 days. Other sources say that you can stay in up to three SHA+ approved hotels throughout the 7 day duration of the sandbox. This is the case for the Samui Plus scheme so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also true of the Phuket Sandbox.
As for your second question, domestic flights catering to Phuket Sandbox travellers have certainly been permitted in the past, however, there was disruption when infections surged in the capital. It is advisable to keep an eye on the situation in Bangkok and have a reserve plan in case something disrupts flights to Bangkok.
Hi,
I’m going to visit Thailand with my family through Phuket Sandbox program.
Do you have information, how many test do I have to book and pre-pay through thailandpsas web site for a kid 3 years old? Same as for an adult, 3 tests? Or just 1 test?
We have spent two weeks under Phuket sandbox program in Phuket. Now want to travel to Phi Phi for one week, then return to Phuket. What are the requirements RE-enter Phuket from Phi Phi in this case.
Similar situation and question to visit Koh Samui. What are the requirements to visit Samui after spending two weeks under Phuket sandbox program, and what are the requirements to re-enter Phuket from Samui?
Thank you for guidance on these questions.
Hi Anil, I believe that as you have completed your 2 weeks in Phuket you will be able to travel freely around Thailand granted that you can show proof of your 14-day stay in Phuket and your negative PCR tests. This, of course, depends on local travel restrictions so it would be best to check with a SHA+ travel agent in Phuket for the local rules as things are changing all of the time. All the best!
Hi Nikki,
Thank you very much.
Your answer is what my understanding was before I started from Canada. But now I am being given different instructions.
I am told that the local travel for sandbox participants is okay provided they comply with the provincial entry rules. Phi Phi comes under Krabi province and their rules are that you must have a PCR test before you can come into Krabi Province. Phuket also has the same rule, and Surat Thani, where Samui is located also has the same rule.
How unfortunate!
In other words, after testing three times negative already under the sandbox program, and one time before we left our home country, (so a total of 4 times in 16 days!!), we must test negative when we leave for Phi Phi, then test negative when we leave Phi Phi to return to Phuket, then test again within three days of our travel to Samui, and then test again to return to Phuket. And then test again to take the flight back to our home country.
What a joke!! So after testing 4 times already, we must test five times more. Each test costs USD 110+, so after spending USD 880 already, we must spend USD 1100 more for the two of us.
This is pathetic!!
Even though it is ridiculous, no one wants to change it; Testing labs have a vested interest in it. Why can’t the three four provinces involved permit fully vaccinated Sandbox tourists to travel freely to other similar open tourists destinations is beyond me.
I do not know who to complain to either.
I am seriously considering cancelling the rest of my program and going back to our home country. If I did, Thailand will lose the economic benefit of apps. USD$10,000 over seven weeks.
Thank you for your assistance.
Anil
Hi
Great information, thanks.
Is it the process that you need to book hotel and flight before you can start the application process or do you carry out stage 1 first?
I’m worried that application could be denied and then there’s hotel and flight costs lost.
Thanks
Rob
Hi Rob, yes unfortunately you do need to book the hotel and pay for the flight first in order to apply for the Certificate of Entry. You need the details of those before applying. I would recommend checking this Facebook group for the latest advice and posting there if you have any questions as the rules are prone to change: https://www.facebook.com/groups/317712356197034
We have a house in chiang rai after the sandbox quarantine we will be going there so I will not have a return date because we don’t know when we are going to return
Hi Rob, It depends on what type of visa you have? If you have a retirement visa or a working visa then you don’t need to book a return flight. If you entering on the normal 30-day visa exemption (now valid for 45 days), you will need a flight out of Thailand within 45 days. If you have a 60-day tourist visa, you will need a flight out of Thailand within 60 days. It’s best to check with the Thai Embassy what is required for the type of visa that you will be entering Thailand on. All the best!
So where is the best area to stay in Phuket ? Any areas more livelier than others with more open?
We will have scooters or car after first week.
Any great pizza places to try?
can you confirm. you need a covid 19 negative result 72 hours before departure. or before arrival in Phuket
Hi Ian, you will need to show a negative PCR test result no more than 72 hours before departure to Phuket. (I have amended the article to make this clear – thanks!) However, it is important to be aware that some hotels and airlines have their own rules and are also asking for PCR tests within 72 hours of flying/arriving so be sure to check with the companies you book with too!
Entering the sandbox with Visa-free entry, Do we get 45days to stay in Thailand? If I have a return flight scheduled for 30 days out can I change that while in Thailand to extend my time a couple more weeks, or do I have to leave on the date given when I apply for COE?
Yes, you get 45 days with the visa-free entry (used to be 30 days). You can change your flight as long as you leave within the time your visa expires.
Hi I want to travel from Dublin, Ireland to Phuket stay the 14 days then travel to Bangkok to my wife if my flight is from Ireland to Phuket do I have to travel back to Phuket sgyer my time is up for my return flight to Dublin I’m very confused on this topic can you please explain this part for me thank you
Hi Stephen, I’m not sure that I understand your question… However, right now you can fly out of another part of Thailand back to Dublin. (Depending on local travel restrictions at the time.) Currently, there are no domestic flights running between Phuket and Bangkok, so you would need to get alternative transport. Due to the COVID situation in Thailand, Phuket tourists have been urged to stay on the island and not travel to other provinces. The situation is unstable, so nobody knows if this could change in the next few weeks. See the latest article in the Bangkok Post regarding this topic – https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2159387/buses-for-phuket-visitors
Yesterday’s Thaiger published an article that contradicts a homeowner’s ability to stay in own home during first 14 days. Also, same article indicated hotels check guests to ensure overnight stays are in hotels.
I was just told by the Thai Embassy that J&J vaccine is not approved for the Phuket sandbox. Utterly ridiculous
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is definitely one of the vaccines approved for the Phuket Sandbox (see above). Which Thai Embassy told you this?
Hi Nikki!
Will you keep updating on this blog as the Phuket Sandbox opens?
Thank you.
Yes, I will try my best!
Excellent explanation of the new requirements
Thank you Andrew
You’re very welcome Andrew!
Any update on the transit in Bangkok? Will this be allowed?
Also: I’m from Belgium – can’t read the Thai website with risk rating per country. Can someone help me, what rating does Belgium get?
Thanks
Nathalie
Hi Natalie,
1) Regarding the transit in Bangkok, according to our travel agency friends in Thailand, there is nothing yet approved for travellers who wish to transit in Bangkok Airport on their way to Phuket. Apparently, the TAT have said that it will take a lot of organisation and they have no idea when (or if) it will go ahead. If you plan to use the Phuket Sandbox to enter Thailand, we strongly advise that you book a flight direct to Phuket.
2) I have added a list of countries and their risk rating to the article. See above.
All the best!
NIkki
Thailand is a prison. Why would anyone subject themselves to this?
Can i ask for my Thai Wife, who owns Property in Phuket, will she have to book the hotel for 2 weeks when she will travel back into phuket
Hi Nikki,
I am from India a prospective grad student to University in Chiang mai. I applied for Thailand’s Non-immigrant EDUCATION visa. am I eligible for Phuket Sandbox scheme
Hi Sabari, you would have to check with the Thai Embassy in India. I am not sure whether India will be one of the low/medium risk countries that are allowed to enter Thailand, given recent outbreaks. (We are still waiting for the Thai government to release the list of what they consider to be low/medium risk countries.) In the case that India was considered ‘high risk’, unfortunately, you would not be eligible for the Phuket Sandbox scheme.
Hi, my girl is thai national living in bkk, does she need to be vaccinated as well? Or can will a pcr test be enough to enter?
As it stands, she would need to be vaccinated or she would need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to Phuket.
Hey,
thank you for the helpful article. Do you know if diving will be possible?
Besides, we would like to go to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao after staying in Phuket, but cannot find any direct flights to Samui. What would be the best and easiest way to get there? I’m rather worried about traveling overland at the moment.
Cheers,
Mari
Hi Mari, yes, I believe that you can hire a car and drive anywhere you like on the island of Phuket (including picking the car up at the airport and driving it to your hotel) as long as you don’t leave the island during the 14 days. Once you have stayed 14 days and passed your COVID test, you could drive to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao overland (via road and then Seatran car ferry from Surat Thani) or you could take a minibus/ferry combo (which would take around 7 hours in total). Pre-pandemic this rote was very popular and you could buy tickets at any travel agency.
Alternatively, you could fly to Surat Thani on the mainland and get the ferry from there.
Hope that helps!
Thank you, but I actually meant scuba diving. ☺️
Haha whoops! I read it too quickly! Yes – you can go SCUBA diving!
Reading here you say you can stay in one of the 440 SHA approved hotels, but other sites are telling me that you have to stay in one of the 65 SHA Plus + approved hotels (possibly less as I have also read some hotels have pulled out from gaining SHA Plus + status). Please can you confirm, as I think what you have said here about standard SHA hotels is wrong.
Yes, I think TAT have now introduced SHA+ certification. The official announcement about which hotels you can book will be made on the TATnews.org website so be sure to check there. See this article – https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/phuket-introduces-amazing-thailand-sha-plus-certification/ and this FB page (https://www.facebook.com/Shaplusphuket/) for official TAT announcements as the info is changing daily.
They just posted this link to the latest hotel list – https://www.thailandsha.com/shalists/
Is it not possible to go to Thailand up to 45 days on visa exemptions? Do you really need a visa?
Yes, that’s correct. The old 30-day visa exemption rule now gives travellers 45 days. You do not need to arrange this in advance. You only need to arrange the TR60 visa (60-day tourist visa) in advance. Both of these can then be extended for a further 30 days at a Thai Immigration Centre.
Anybody an idea which of the SHA hotels in Phuket will accept our dog in the room – we need to bring the dog to Phuket ….
Do you have to book a hotel for your entire stay, or can you book a week and then go to your own property for the rest of your stay? Also can you get in on visa exemption the same as before when we had to quarantine?
Hi Kevin, You will have to book and pay for 14 nights in an SHA approved hotel to be able to enter. However, no one is saying that you need to actually stay in the hotel, as long as you have the booking. So, you can book for the 14 nights and stay at your own property for all of those nights if you wish. You will just have to go to the hotel for your COVID tests as I believe the hotel will be arranging them. Hope that helps! Details are still being ironed out and all the info is subject to change so be sure to check the resources above for the latest info.
Regarding the visa info, I am trying to find out this info now and will update the article as soon as I have it.
I have now updated this article with this info. The old 30-day visa exemption still works, but now gives travellers 45 days!
Hello,
is it necessary to take direct flight to Phuket with no transfering in Bangkok?
Thx
Hi Nina,
It appears that the authorities are still deciding on this and that they are currently trying to make it possible for international travellers to transit in Bangkok. (There is the issue of switching airports from the International BKK Airport, Suvarnabhumi, to the Domestic Airport, Don Meuang.) The general advice for travellers right now, however, is to look at direct flights to Phuket to be on the safe side. Keep an eye on the Resources links above for more info on this and I will be sure to update the article with any more information that becomes available. Things are still quite up in the air right now as details are still being agreed on by the government, so it may be wise to wait a while before booking anything. All the best!
Hi Nina, following news today, we just added a section above about transit in Bangkok.
Hi Nikki,
Is it possible to transit elsewhere other than Bangkok?
For example – Manchester (UK) – Dubai – Phuket.
Otherwise this would mean direct travel from Heathrow.
Hi Richard, Yes you can transit anywhere else that’s not in Thailand, depending on the rules of the country you are transiting of course.
I’ve recently traveled to bkk and done all my quarantine and tests I’m looking to travel to Phuket in June or July I haven’t been vaccinated (Uk citizen) do I have to enter before July? Will have covid test before travel do I need to quarantine 7 days there? Are there different rules traveling after June? Many thanks
Hi Andrew, as far as I am aware, as an unvaccinated traveller, you would have to quarantine for 14 nights in a hotel on the island before being allowed to move around freely. The 2-week quarantine for unvaccinated travellers into Phuket is in place at the moment and is expected to continue after 1st July… However, please be aware that these things are changing daily and it’s best to keep an eye on the local news. You can also check the resources above and ask in the Facebook Group “Thailand Tourist Visa & Phuket Sandbox Facebook Group” which is very helpful. I will also ask in a few Facebook groups I know today to see if I can get any clearer information on this. Best of luck!
Just heard this update from a traveller in our Facebook Group (note: we cannot verify this information): “If you leave Bangkok the day your quarantine ends you can enter. You need to show proof of your ASQ when arriving. At least those are the things I’ve heard. I’m planning the same thing myself, instead of Phuket going to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan. Have 7 more days to go.”
hello! do we need to prove the 16000 usd to get in Thailand Phuket in July? I have everything else. I hope not!
Hi Nick, we do not know the answer to your question at the moment. I will do some research today and see if I can find out. In the meantime, why not ask your question in the Facebook Group: ‘Thailand Tourist Visa & Phuket Sandbox’ which is a great resource for finding out more about the Phuket Sandbox. You can find the link under the Resources section above. All the best!