Phuket Sandbox

What is

the Phuket Sandbox?

The Royal Thai Government has officially endorsed measures for Phuket to reopen for fully vaccinated international travellers without quarantine requirements from 1 July, 2021.

Relevant information on the Phuket Sandbox programme can be found here.

For the most up-to-date information regarding the re-opening of Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, please click Phuket Coronavirus update.

Preparing to
Travel to Phuket

They should make sure they have covered all the necessary requirements and have all the required documentation. This includes:

  • – A passport with at least six months validity;
  • – Have been in a Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved country for 21 days or more;
  • – Been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO);
  • – Have booked and purchased return air travel;
  • – Have booked and paid for accommodation, and required RT-PCR test/s at a SHA Plus hotel;
  • – Have purchased medical insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least US$100,000;
  • – Have tested negative for COVID-19 no longer than 72 hours before travel.

Currently, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways International (THAI) have announced direct flights to Phuket.

Currently, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways International (THAI) have announced direct flights to Phuket.

Please check flight schedules on the respective airlines’ websites.

For your return travel, please note that some airlines are unable to operate into your home country.

Children under 18 are not required to be vaccinated if travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but must have tested negative for COVID-19 no longer than 72 hours before travel.

Please note the information provided is subject to change. For up-to-date information about the requirements to travel to Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox programme, please visit https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/phuket-sandbox-faqs/

Applying for

Phuket Sandbox

Programme

Providing you meet all the above points, you can go to https://tp.consular.go.th/ to apply for a Thailand Pass.

As long as you meet all the requirements, it takes 3 working days for Embassy/Consulate-General processing of the application.

Day of Travel

Arrival in Phuket

Yes. You will need to go straight to your hotel where you must wait for the test result.

The result will be available within the first day of your arrival.

If you arrive during 00.01-18.00 Hrs., the day is Day 1. If you arrive during 18.01-00.00 Hrs, the day after is Day 1.

During Your Stay

You will be sent to hospital for appropriate treatment, and will need to pay the expenses which should be covered in your insurance.

Yes, you can go anywhere you want within Phuket. BUT you must strictly follow the DMHTTAprecautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application. Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with two or more people.

It is recommended that you use SHA Plus certified operators for tours and transportation and SHA Plus restaurants for dining although this is not compulsory. A choice of SHA Plus restaurants, transportation providers and tour agencies can be viewed here.

It is for your added safety, as SHA Plus certification indicates a hotel meets the safety measures to control COVID-19, and also that 70% of its workforce has been fully vaccinated. SHA Plus properties can be viewed here.

Yes, providing the guest follows all the rules stipulated for Thais and expats in Thailand.

If your stay is less than 7 days, you must take one more test on Day 6-7.
If your stay is between 10 and 14 days, you must take more tests on Day 6-7 and Day 12-13.
If your stay is less than 5 days, you are not required to take an additional test.

Every hospital can provide an RT-PCR test. The cost ranges from 2,500-4,000 Baht per person, and is at your own expense.

All required testing must be booked and prepaid through your hotel; the number of tests depends on the duration of your stay.

All required testing must be booked and prepaid through your hotel; the number of tests depends on the duration of your stay.

In the case a traveller tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand, he/she will be responsible for the medical expenses, which should be covered by the required insurance.

Leaving Phuket

Yes, of course. Each destination in Thailand has entry requirements and you should check on these beforehand, to make sure you meet them.

It is up to you to make sure you meet the requirements of your specific international destination. Thailand is not responsible or able to assist on this matter.

It is recommended that you use SHA Plus certified operators for tours and transportation and SHA Plus restaurants for dining although this is not compulsory. A choice of SHA Plus restaurants, transportation providers and tour agencies can be viewed here.

Please note this information is subject to change. For up-to-date information on travel to Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox programme, please visit https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/phuket-sandbox-faqs/ 

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation in Thailand, please visit the Thailand Ministry of Health Website