Following the successful opening of Phuket to international tourism this week, Thailand is preparing to open various other destinations to vaccinated travellers, without the need for quarantine. Samui and two of its neighbours are first in line to reopen later this month, while similar developments are expected for Krabi, Chiang Mai and Pattaya in the weeks ahead.
“The reopening of Phuket signifies a crucial step forward in the revitalisation of Thailand’s tourism industry with the island serving as a pilot destination,” explains Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. “It is indeed wonderful to be welcoming visitors once again, and they can rest assured that their safety and well-being is of utmost importance to Thailand,” he added.
Designed to mirror the Phuket Sandbox approach, the “Samui Plus” travel plan was approved by the Thai Cabinet on 22 June and confirmed by a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nopakun Natapanu, following the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. The scheme will allow the popular trio of islands (Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao) to reopen to vaccinated travellers. The provisional opening date has been set as 15 July.
The Samui Plus scheme will allow vaccinated travellers to enter Koh Samui without going through a 14-day quarantine. After three days at their hotel or resort on the island, they will be free to visit several approved destinations. After a week, they can also go to the neighbouring islands of Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao. After 14 days, they will be able to travel throughout Thailand.
Like the Phuket Sandbox, only travellers from countries classified by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health as a low to medium risk of Covid-19 will be allowed to participate in the Samui Plus scheme. For more details and some common questions about the Phuket Sandbox requirements, click here.
Entry requirements for the latest travel schemes include full vaccination against Covid-19 with a vaccine that is approved by the World Health Organisation, or by the Thai government. Travellers will also need evidence of negative Covid-19 tests, medical insurance and a Certificate of Entry (COE), which can be obtained here.
Various international airlines are now flying direct to Phuket, including Etihad, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International (THAI).
