Thailand to Open Phuket for Vaccinated Tourists

Starting July 1st, as part of the “Phuket Sandbox” programme, vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries will be permitted to fly to Phuket with no quarantine.

Thailand has always been a dream destination for tourists to visit for vacation. From its delicious food to welcoming people, to its culture and resorts, tourism alone accounts for 11%-12% of its GDP. With the Covid-19 pandemic putting a halt on most international travel due to the government lockdowns, the Thai government estimated a loss of US$100 billion in the first quarter of 2020, with tourist numbers dropping by 83%.

The significant drop in tourism rates has lead The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to make the decision of allowing Phuket to be the first destination in Thailand to reopen.

Starting July 1, as part of the “Phuket Sandbox” programme, quarantine will be waived for any foreign tourist with proof of receiving both vaccinations recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO). Authorities are hoping that this decision will attract 129,000 foreign and 500,000 local visitors by the end of the year.

In addition to providing proof of vaccination, visitors will also be required to present a medical certificate with laboratory results issued no longer than 72 hours before departure, indicating that the Covid-19 strain is not detected. They would also need to present a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Embassy, a valid visa or re-entry permit, and any health insurance policy.

Upon arrival, visitors will also be required to go through a Covid-19 screening which includes a PCR test at the Phuket International Airport. They would also need to take another PCR test on the 6th and 12th days of their stay. Tourists would also need to download the track and trace mobile application to ensure that they are only visiting their designated location and areas.

Laguna Phuket is partnering with Bangkok Hospital Phuket to launch its first hotel-based PCR test centre to provide “the extra assurance of the best possible care during their stay with us,” said Ravi Chandran, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket.