Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved a major upgrade and expansion to the Phuket Sandbox programme, which will allow travellers to visit a range of other destinations in their second week of stay. The upgrade has been dubbed the “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” and will offer fully vaccinated international travellers the option of visiting multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine. It came into effect from 16 August onwards.
After completing one week (7 nights) in Phuket, travellers can then continue on to other selected areas where a similar travel bubble has been established. These regions include the popular coastal region of Krabi, which is home to Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Railay; Phang-Nga, home to Khao Lak and Ko Yao; and Surat Thani, where the Samui Plus scheme has opened up the three popular holiday islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao.
“The Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension programme signifies the progress of Thailand’s plan to gradually reopen to fully vaccinated international travellers within the set time frame,” explained TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, in a recent statement to announce the expansion. “[The programme] will lead the way to the reopening of more pilot destinations, which are currently preparing appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of both the tourists and local people,” he added.
Any “sandboxers” who wish to spend 7 nights outside of Phuket must first obtain a ‘Transfer Form’ issued by their hotel in Phuket, which confirms they have stayed in Phuket for 7 nights. They can then present this, along with the negative results of their two Covid-19 tests (conducted on Day 0 and Day 6-7 in Phuket).
Travellers will be tested again on day 12-13 and will receive a ‘Release Form’ from their hotel that will allow them to visit other destinations in Thailand. If their stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui Plus) is less than 7 nights, travellers must return directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure.
The latest developments are a positive sign that Thailand is rebounding, as international visitors now have more options for travel in the Land of Smiles, and the industry has reason to be optimistic about the future of tourism in the Kingdom.
