Phuket Sandbox is now open for travellers who need to get out! Here’s all you need to know!
Phuket is the first port of call for all travellers hoping to get into Thailand. Thailand has long been a popular tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. But what is the Phuket Sandbox, and can you travel to the rest of Thailand from Phuket? What do you need? Here’s all the information you need to know!
Note: the information below was extracted from the Thailand Tourism website.
Can you travel out of Phuket to other parts of Thailand?
After spending 14 nights in Phuket and as long as their COVID-19 test result is negative, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand. But please note that each province’s restrictions must be followed.
SHA Plus
‘SHA’ is a certification for businesses that meet the basic standards of hygiene and health safety for their products and services in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
‘SHA Plus’ is a certification for companies/individuals who have received the SHA certificate and where 70% of the workforce has been vaccinated. It is recommended that tourists book excursions with ‘SHA Plus’ certified companies only, for safety.
Here is the updated list of SHA Plus businesses in Phuket.
What can I do in Phuket?
You can go anywhere in Phuket, BUT you must strictly follow the DMHTTA precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.
Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with two or more people travelling. Travellers may be required to undergo a COVID-19 test using an RT-PCR or a rapid antigen method during their stay, as per the MoPH’s guidelines.
Where can I stay?
It is mandatory that a ‘SHA Plus’ accommodation establishment is used in Phuket. Residing in a private residence is not allowed for COVID-19 control purposes.
Do I need insurance?
International travellers must have insurance covering treatment and medical expenses including those related to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of US$100,000. The insurance must cover the total duration of stay in Thailand.
Where can I get tested in Phuket?
RT-PCR test:
Every hospital in Phuket can provide an RT-PCR test;
The cost of an RT-PCR covid test ranges from 2,500-4,000 Baht per person.
Rapid test:
A rapid test can be done at hospitals, clinics, and private labs in Phuket. The cost of a rapid test ranges from 450-1,000 Baht per person. COVID-19 testing is at travellers’ own expense.
Pre-arrival and post-arrival details
Pre-arrival
- Travellers are advised to avoid at-risk areas or crowded places no less than 14 days before their travel date.
- Travellers must travel from countries/regions approved by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), per the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), as proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) and TAT, and must have been in the said countries for no less than 21 days before their travel date date – except Thai nationals and foreign expatriates returning from overseas. They must register their travel via the designated system or website, and have the following documents:
- A certificate of Entry (COE).
- A medical certificate with a laboratory result by an RT-PRC method indicating that COVID-19 is not detected no more than 72 hours before their travel date.
- Copy of an insurance policy in English covering healthcare and treatment expenses for COVID-19 per applicant for the whole duration in Thailand with coverage clearly identified as no less than US$100,000.
- Copy of the payment confirmation for no less than 14 nights stay and RT-PCR tests at hotels approved by the MoTS or TAT. In the case that the length of stay is less than 14 days, travellers must present a confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand and payment confirmation for accommodation and RT-PCR tests at hotels that cover their intended duration of stay.
- A certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by the MoPH or the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before their travel date. Travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with their parents or guardians, must have a medical certificate with a laboratory result by an RT-PRC method indicating that COVID-19 is not detected no more than 72 hours before their travel date.
- Travellers must undergo exit screening before departure.
Arrival
- Entry screening and Immigration and Customs procedures:
- Travellers on direct, non-stop flights to Phuket International Airport are subject to health screening and Immigration and Customs procedures at the point of entry. Click to see the “7-Step Flow at Phuket International Airport” or “7 Steps 7 Countdown”.
- Download and install an alert application, as well as set the application on at all times for the whole duration in Thailand.
- Proceed directly to the reserved hotel on approved airport transfer service.
- Undergo a COVID-19 test (RT-PCR method) at own expense as per the following requirements:
- Taking the first test upon arrival and await the test results in the accommodation.
- Taking 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.
- Travellers with the length of stays between 10-14 days are required to take the second test on Day 6 or 7 and the third test on Day 12 or 13, or as per the MoPH’s guidelines.
- In the case that travellers are tested positive for COVID-19, travellers will be referred to specified healthcare facilities for medical treatment, for which the expenses must be covered by the required insurance.
- If tested negative for COVID-19, travellers can go anywhere in Phuket
- Travellers with an intended length of stay less than 14 days must leave Phuket (Thailand) immediately on an international flight to another country on or before their intended departure date.
- Travellers who have completed 14 nights in Phuket will be allowed to continue their journey to other Thai destinations.
International / Domestic Departure
- For travelling from Phuket to other countries, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of their destination.
- For travelling from Phuket to other Thai destinations, travellers are required to show proof that they have completed a 14-night stay accommodation along with other required documentation per the guidelines and measures announced by the respective destinations.