'Phuket Sandbox': Access Granted to Fully Vaccinated Travelers, with No Quarantine Necessary

International travelers who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus are now able to travel freely to Thailand without needing to quarantine upon their arrival. The Royal Thai Government has endorsed Phuket as the first destination in the kingdom to reopen to the global community.

As of 1 July 2021, foreign nationals from low- and medium-risk countries are able to obtain a certificate of entry (COE) to Phuket without being required to spend 14 days in quarantine upon their arrival.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration has identified certain approved countries that travelers will be accepted from. For a list of the approved countries, visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s website at https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/initial-information-phuket-sandbox/. Travels must have been in the approved country for no less than 21 days before their travel date.

Foreign nationals must have the following documents in order to travel to Thailand:

1. A COE issued by a Royal Thai embassy or consulate
2. A medical certificate with a laboratory result obtained through the RT-PRC method that had indicated the traveler’s COVID-19 negative status no more than 72 hours before their travel date
3. A copy of an insurance policy that covers the healthcare and treatment expenses for COVID-19 per traveler for their entire stay in Thailand. The policy should be in the English language and should specify coverage of at least USD 100,000.
4. A copy of the payment confirmation for RT-PCR tests and a stay of at least 14 nights at a hotel (SHA+) that has been approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports or by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. If the length of stay is less than 14 days, then the traveler must present a confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand and payment confirmation for accommodation and RT-PCR tests at a hotel for their intended duration of stay.
5. A certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 (with a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organisation) no less than 14 days before their travel date. Travelers under 18 years who are accompanied by their parents or guardians must have a medical certificate with a laboratory result obtained through the RT-PRC method that had indicated the traveler’s COVID-19 negative status no more than 72 hours before their travel date.

Guidelines and further information about the ‘Phuket sandbox’ may be found on the TAT website at https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/initial-information-phuket-sandbox/

Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. is offering special privileges to members who visit Thailand through the ‘Phuket sandbox’ program from 1 July to 30 September 2021. The special benefits include two choices of complimentary spa treatments or golf sessions at selected partner organizations in Phuket, and the refund of RT-PCR test fees for tests completed in Phuket. Members interested in the program should contact the Thailand Elite Members Quarantine (TEM-Q) team (at temq@thailandelite.com) for further information and requirements.

It is important that members also notify the Thailand Elite Member Contact Centre (at memberservice@thailandelite.com) or the TEM-Q team if they intend on entering Thailand through the ‘Phuket sandbox’ program so that further instructions may be provided to them.

Please note that Elite members are required to provide a copy of their COE to the TEM-Q team for an Elite Personal Assistant to be assigned to meet the member upon their arrival at Phuket Airport.

If you would like to arrange a call with us to discuss any part of this process, please contact us on enquiries@thailandelite-direct.com, and one of our client advisors will be happy to assist you.