SAMUI PLUS SANDBOX
LATEST UPDATES: Starting from 1 October, 2021, fully vaccinated visitors under the “Sandbox” programme to Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao are welcome to stay within the destination for seven days, and afterwards will be able to continue their journey to other parts of Thailand. (Source: TAT Newsroom)
Find out all the essential travel information and requirements you need to know before you go.
Information is based on the latest updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and may be subject to change.
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 Thailand.
iii. Children under the age of 18, travelling with parents who are fully vaccinated, are eligible without proof of vaccination.
iv. Travellers must obtain receipt of advance payment for COVID-19 tests in Thailand.
** 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 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 at a SHA+ certified accommodation in Koh Samui for 7 days. Minimum stay duration is 7 days. → Find a SHA+ Certified Accommodation here
- 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 with a minimum validity of 6 months
b) Vaccination certificate
c) COVID-19 health insurance with minimum coverage of US$100,000
d) Return Air Ticket
e) Fully paid booking confirmation at SHA+ Certified Hotels.
f) Proof of payment of COVID-19 testing
g) Visa (if needed)*The Department of Disease Control of Ministry of Health of Thailand will approve the travellers’ vaccination certificate before the Embassy can approve the COEALQ
**When departing from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao to other destinations in Thailand, travellers are required to show proof that they have completed a 7-night stay along with the other required documents per the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province of destination.
Travellers must be on a direct international flight to Koh Samui or international flight via Bangkok that must be connected with approved sealed flights (flight reservations booked separately are not allowed).
Bangkok Airways will accommodate transit/transfer international passengers connecting from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Koh Samui (sealed-route) by offering 3 round-trip flights per day, starting from 15 July 2021 onwards.
Flight timetables for Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Samui route are as follows;
Flight timetables for Samui – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) route are as follows;
For more details about flight schedules. → Check flight schedules
During trip
Upon arrival at the airport:
- Undergo Immigration and Customs procedures and arrive at the Samui Extra+ hotel in a designated vehicle.
- 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.
- Register for Samui Health Pass → Register
During the trip:
- Travellers are required to stay a minimum 7 nights in a SHA+ certified hotel in Koh Samui. Thereafter, travellers are to stay at any SHA+ Certified Hotel in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.
- Upon arrival: Check-in to pre-booked SHA+ certified hotel in Koh Samui. The 1st RT-PCT test will be conducted at the hotel. Travellers must remain in the hotel room until informed of RT-PCR test results.
- Day 1 – 7: If the result is negative, travellers are free to travel to Koh Samui.
- Turn on Samui Health Pass and Mor Chana applications while staying in Koh Samui.
- Day 6 – 7: Travellers must take the second RT-PCT test at swab sites at Central Festival Koh Samui.
- Day 7: If the result of the second test is negative, a release form will be given and tourist can travel freely around Thailand or onwards to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao on Day 8 onwards.
- Tourist must travel between islands from the following piers only:
– Koh Samui: Lom Phraya Na Phra Lan, Buri Rasa (hotel guests only) and Phu Yai Non
– Koh Phangan: Thong Sala
– Ko Tao: Ban Mae Hat (Sala Vibhavadi)
– Boats to Mu Ko Ang Thong: Na Thon Municipal Pier - Stay only in SHA+ certified accomodations.
- Travellers can change SHA+ certified accommodation on the 3 islands no more than 3 times. Accommodation and RT-PCR charges must be paid in full prior to entry into Thailand.
- Travellers are recommended to check inter-island boat schedules prior to booking accommodations. (Travellers can book and pay RT-PCR tests with Koh Samui SHA+ accommodations.)
- If staying for less than 7 nights, travellers must travel out of Thailand via Samui Airport only. If travellers are leaving via Phuket Airport, they can do so only after staying in Samui+ for at least 7 nights.
- 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, MorChana mobile applications and Samui Health Pass) - Alert accommodation staff or contact the nearest hospital in case of any respiratory or related symptoms.
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. Guests to make an advance payment online for their RT-PCR test.
6. 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.
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
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.
