The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced updates to its Phuket Sandbox program – which was pivotal to the Kingdom’s tourism recovery – with the ‘Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension’.
Following approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration in Thailand, the programme provides fully vaccinated travelers from the Middle East with opportunities to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine.
Launched on August 16, the program reduces the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days for Mena travelers who received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Following the initial seven days, another seven days can be spent in select destinations, including Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao).
Director of the TAT for Dubai and the Middle East, Chaiwat Tamthai, said: “We are delighted that the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension program signifies the progress of Thailand’s plan to gradually reopen to fully vaccinated travelers from the region.
“The launch of the Phuket Sandbox from July 1, Samui Plus from July 15, and now Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension aim to inspire confidence and ensure the health and safety of visitors from the Middle East, as well as preparing more destinations for travelers to experience.”
The existing entry measures in place for the Phuket Sandbox program remain unchanged for the 7+7 extension. Travelers planning to spend another seven days in designated destinations must obtain a ‘Transfer Form’ issued by their hotel in Phuket indicating that they have stayed in Phuket for seven nights, which they will need to present together with two negative Covid-19 test results – conducted on day 0 and day 6 in Phuket.
After completing the 7-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga and Surat Thani (Samui Plus), a Covid-19 test needs to be conducted on Day 12 to receive a ‘Release Form’ from the traveler’s hotel in order to continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand.
If the stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than seven days, travelers must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure. At the port of entry back into Phuket, they will need to show a plane ticket or proof of their international travel from Phuket.
Traveling from Phuket to selected areas in Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thai is available only via approved routes and modes of transport.
