Phuket paves the way to reopening Thailand without quarantine

Phuket will be the first destination in Thailand to fully reopen to overseas tourists. From 1 July, 2021, overseas travellers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 can travel to Phuket without the need to quarantine. The plan is part of Thailand’s Covid-19 roadmap to open up the whole country.

Phuket will be the pilot destination to revive tourism in Thailand. Under the so-called ‘Phuket Tourism Sandbox’ arrangement, visitors will still need to follow a number of procedures. 

Requirements for quarantine free travel to Phuket

These are the main requirements for overseas travellers:

• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required (both jabs)
• Obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure
• Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover
• Download the Thailand Plus tracking app before departure and upload the required information
• Travellers must have a medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that Covid-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure
• Covid-19 screening including RT-PCR tests on arrival in Phuket
• Must fly directly to Phuket International Airport*
  (*Passengers may be allowed to transit via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Awaiting full details. Updates will be added here when confirmed.)
• Stay at a SHA Plus hotel (this is a hotel with enhanced safety protocols and where at least 70% of staff have been vaccinated)
• If you wish to travel onwards around Thailand, you must stay on Phuket for a minimum number of 14 days

Update: 30 June, 2021
Please check the full list of requirements and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Phuket Sandbox here:
https://fanclubthailand.co.uk/phuket-sandbox-reopening-frequently-asked-questions/

Plan for opening other destinations in Thailand

On 27 September, 2021, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved a revised timeline for reopening more areas of Thailand to international visitors. This could change slightly depending on the vaccination rollout and Covid-19 situation in different provinces, but the proposed timeline is shown on our travel advice page.

Phuket is set to be the pilot for other regions of Thailand. A similar idea is planned for destinations including:

• Bangkok
• Buriram
• Chiang Mai
• Hua Hin, Cha Am
• Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao
• Krabi
• Pattaya 
• Phang Nga

Travel requirements for these destinations:

• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required (both jabs)
• Obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure
• Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover
• Download the Thailand Plus tracking app before departure and upload the required information
• Must arrive directly into one of the applicable destinations*. If travelling to Pattaya, arrival in Bangkok is permitted
  (*Passengers may be allowed to transit via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Awaiting full details. Updates will be added here when confirmed.)
• Stay at SHA Plus accommodation/hotel (this is accommodation/hotel with enhanced safety protocols and where at least 70% of staff have been vaccinated)
• Minimum number of days stay at the destination of entry before travelling onwards around Thailand

Timetable to fully opening Thailand

The timetable for the roadmap will depend not just on overseas visitors being vaccinated, but a large percentage of the local population in Thailand being vaccinated too.
Read the latest information about the timeline for reopening Thailand

We will add any updates here and on our travel advice page. If you are planning to travel from the UK or Ireland, please check our regularly updated travel advice page. Please also adhere to any local travel regulations issued in the UK or Ireland.

You may also enjoy