Phuket Sandbox
LATEST UPDATES: Thailand’s new quarantine regulations reduce mandatory stay from 14 to seven days, effective 1 October, 2021.
(Source: TAT Newsroom)
Find out all the essential travel information and requirements you need to know before you go.
Eligibility
i. Travellers must meet all other normal entry requirements (e.g. customs, immigration and biosecurity).
ii. Travellers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with vaccines approved by WHO and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in Thailand no less than 14 days, but no longer than 1 year, before entering Phuket.
iii. Children under the age of 18, travelling with parents, are eligible without proof of vaccination.
iv. Travellers must obtain receipt of advance payment for COVID-19 tests in Phuket.
** Thai FDA approved vaccines: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac Biotech, and Sinopharm
Before going
Travellers are to take note of any pre-departure requirements. Please note that requirements for entering Phuket, Thailand can change on short notice. Travellers should be prepared for quarantine-free travel to be paused or suspended in case of changes to the COVID-19 situation.
Travellers will require the following documentations before going:
- A medical certificate with an RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, issued no more than 72 hours before departure.
- A vaccine certificate to proof that traveller is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no less than 14 days, but no later than 1 year, before travel date with a vaccine registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- A valid visa to enter Thailand
- A COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000 and covers COVID-19 treatment in Thailand for the duration of stay.
- A confirmation of booking SHA Plus-certified accommodation in SHABA format for the first 7 nights of arrival. Travellers are recommended to stay in the same SHA+ certified hotel for the first 7 days. For stays less than 7 nights, travellers must leave Phuket. → Find a SHA+ Certified Accommodation
- A Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Application takes 3 working days. → Apply
Documents required for COE issuance include*:
a) Passport
b) Proof of Vaccination (with QR Code)
c) Health Insurance with minimum coverage of US$100,000
d) Air Ticket
e) SHABA hotel reservation confirmation (Please note that it must be in SHABA format with QR code. All guest names, including companions staying in the same room or booking, must indicate their full name and surname otherwise the SHABA will be invalid).
f) SHA+ Certified Hotels will issue SHABA QR code(ID) upon a successful booking. Guest can make payment online for their RT-PCR tests after receiving the SHABA ID from the hotel → Pay Now
*The Department of Disease Control of Ministry of Health of Thailand will approve the travellers’ vaccination certificate before the Embassy can approve the COE
During trip
Upon arrival at the airport:
- Undergo Immigration and Customs procedures, and a COVID-19 screening, including RT-PCT tests.
- Show proof of Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.
- Download ThailandPlus application while in Thailand. → Download
- Download Morchana application on Android or iOS.
During the trip:
- Check-in at prebooked SHA Plus-certified accommodation and wait for the RT-PCT test result in the hotel room. Guests are not allowed to leave the hotel room while results are still pending.
- Travellers must stay the first 7 nights of arrival. For stays less than 7 nights, travellers must leave Phuket.
- Engage in tourism activities or enjoy services at SHA Plus-certified venues and businesses, under the DMHTTA precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
D – Distancing, M– Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – contact tracing application (ThaiChana and MorChana mobile applications) - Alert accommodation staff or contact the nearest hospital in case of any respiratory or related symptoms.
- Take additional RT-PCR tests as per the following requirements:
➞ Travellers with the length of stay less than 7 days are required to take another test on Day 6 or 7, or as per the MoPH’s guidelines.
More information
Stay in the know with regular updates, ranging from entry requirements and public health procedures to local vaccinations and hygiene standards, by the TAT Newsroom:
In case of emergencies and additional information required, traveller may contact:
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- TAT Contact Centre: 1672
- Thailand Tourist Police: 1155
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Please read the important information before making a booking on any WebBeds POS.
- Indicate ALL staying guests’ names when making a booking on WebBeds platforms (FITRuums.com or DOTW.com).
Example: For a booking of a Double Room, please provide two staying guests’ names.
How to indicate names in the booking:
|
Booking of one Double Room |
|
|
Correct |
(1)Mr John Smith and (2)Mrs Jane Doe |
|
Incorrect |
(1)Mr John Smith and (2) TBA* *SHABA Hotel confirmation will not be generated, and the individual guest must get a different SHABA confirmation to complete their Certificate of Entry (COE) registration. |
|
Incorrect |
(1)Mr John Smith and (2) Mr John Smith* |
2. If a child or children travelling with an adult, all child’s/children’s names must be entered in the booking.
3. Ensure that guests’ names are spelled correctly and mandatorily identical to the spelling in their passport, visa, national identification card (ID), and other travel documents.
4. In the event of incomplete information (i.e only leading guest’s name provided), WebBeds Customer Service team may reach out to the API partners to inform guests to liaise with the hotel directly pertaining to the information required in the application of COE.
5. The hotels will request, from WebBeds, for guests’ contact details for the advance payment of their RT-PCR test between 1 July to 15 July 2021.
6. From 16 July 2021 onwards, the online system will be available for guests to make an advance payment online for their RT-PCR test.
7. In accordance to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), the travel agent may not be authorised to disclose guests’ contact information. WebBeds Customer Service team may request the travel agent to inform their guests to liaise with the hotel directly pertaining to the information required in their application of COE.
Phuket Sandbox Extension
Starting from 1 October 2021, fully vaccinated tourists can now travel straight to the designated areas of Phang-Nga and Krabi upon landing in Phuket, and stay there for seven days.
• Travellers must meet all the points under the ‘Eligibility’ tab before applying for the COE (Certificate of Entry).
• Before departing for Phuket or other designated areas of Phang-Nga and Krabi, travellers must make a reservation for 7 nights with SHA+ certified hotels and transport services and submit the necessary documentation during the COE application.
Travellers can only travel on these approved routes and transport:
→ Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from the approved piers – Ao Po Pier, Chalong Pier, Rassada Pier, and Wisit Panwa Pier.
→ Phang-Nga (Khao Lak) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified car transfer services from Phuket direct to the SHA Plus-certified hotels.
→ Phang-Nga (Ko Yao Noi or Ko Yao Yai) can be reached via SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from the approved piers – Ao Po Pier and Ao Po Grand Marina- to Ko Yao Yai’s Chonglat Pier and Ban Laem Yai Pier and to Ko Yao Noi’s Manoh Pier.
→ Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao) can be reached via Bangkok Airways’ direct domestic flight on the Phuket-Ko Samui route.
• Travellers are not permitted to visit multiple sealed routes and are recommended to stay in the same SHA+ certified accommodation for 7 nights. It must be booked and paid for when applying for the COE.
• Travellers are required to take 2 COVID-19 tests by the RT-PCR method under the Phuket Sandbox Extension programme. These include the first test upon arrival into Phuket, the second test on Day 6-7 in Phuket before continuing the journey to other parts of Thailand. All the mandatory COVID-19 tests need to be pre-booked before arrival and proof of payment for RT-PCT tests must be submitted when applying for Certificate of Entry.
• In preparation for Departure or further visits in Thailand after the first 7 nights, travellers must obtain a “Release Form” issued by the hotel(s) after completing a 7-night stay, provide the negative results of the 2 COVID-19 tests, along with any other documentation required by the respective destinations.
• If the stay in Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thani is less than 7 nights, travellers must return to Phuket and leave the country via Phuket International Airport (with proof of return flight ticket).
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Disclaimer: The information contained herein (the “Information”) is provided as is. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the Information has been obtained from reliable sources, WebBeds FZ LLC and its representatives (collectively “WebBeds”) are not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions in the Information. WebBeds may correct or update the Information without prior notice WebBeds make no representations, warranties or guarantees that the Information is or will be accurate, reliable, current or without errors. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, WebBeds disclaim all representations and warranties, whether express or implied In no event shall WebBeds be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the Information or for any consequential, special or other damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
