Phuket Sandbox & 7+7 Extension – All You Need to Know

Jun 21, 2021 | Phuket

Phuket has reopened to fully vaccinated international travellers from 1 July, 2021 with the Phuket Sandbox programme. Here is the latest update on requirements, documentation, accommodation etc .

A new ‘Sandbox 7+7’ plan has been launched, allowing travellers to stay in Phuket for seven days (reduced from the previous 14 days) and then visit another pilot destination for at least seven days. Pilot destinations include: 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). More details of the Sandbox 7+7 programme can be found here.

Please note that requirements may change and we will do our upmost to keep this updated.

Who can travel to Phuket?

Fully vaccinated travellers: must have a vaccine certificate showing full vaccination against Covid-19 (14 days to 1 year before the travel date) with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Children: Children under the age of 12 do not need to be vaccinated. However children between 6 and 18 will need to have a Rapid Antigen Test when they arrive at the Phuket Airport. Under 6 years do not need to undergo any test.
Countries: travellers must be from a low to medium risk country – and you must have been in your departure origin country for at least 21 days.

Pre-arrival Requirements & Documentation

A vaccine certification (as per the above requirements).
A valid visa if required.
A Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. It takes approximately 3 working days to process the application – results can be checked on the website.
A Covid-19 health insurance policy with minimum coverage of USD 100,000
Confirmation of flights and a booking for SHA Plus-certified accommodation/s. You can move between SHA Plus hotels during your stay
You must get an RT-PCR Covid-19 test within 72 hours before arrival and submit proof when obtaining your COE.
Prepare T.8 document and Declaration form
You can stay in Phuket for less than 14 nights, but must depart via Phuket International Airport.
You can travel to other parts of Thailand, only after having stayed in Phuket for 14 nights. With the new Sandbox 7+7 programme you can stay on Phuket for 7 days and then move to another pilot destination for the following 7 days. The pilot destinations are: 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).

On arrival at Phuket International Airport

At Immigration, complete your arrival card, show your COE and passport.
Take a RT-PCR test (except children under 6 years old)
Download and install the ThailandPlus mobile app.
Check-in at the pre-booked SHA Plus-certified accommodation establishment and stay there for no less than 14 nights before travelling to other parts of Thailand.
Transfer from the airport to your hotel must be with transportation that has a SHA Plus+ sticker. We recommend booking your transfer either through us or with the hotel.

During your stay in Phuket

Stay in your hotel for the first night to wait for the PCR results which will be given the following day.
Take a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on day 6 – 7 and again on day 12 – 13.
After receiving your negative test result, you can go anywhere in Phuket and take part in activities, but must observe standard protocols of DMHTT (distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, testing, Thailand Plus).
Travellers planning to spend another 7 nights outside of Phuket must obtain a ‘Transfer Form’ issued by their hotel in Phuket indicating that they have stayed in Phuket for 7 nights, which they will need to show together with the negative results of their two COVID-19 tests (conducted on Day 0 and Day 6-7 in Phuket).
If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, alert the staff at your accommodation or contact the nearest hospital, and immediately get a test. If travelling in a group, everybody in the group must undergo a test. If you test positive, you will be responsible for the medical expenses which must be covered by your insurance.

Departure from Phuket

After spending 14 nights in Phuket, with a vaccine certificate and after a negative Covid-19 test, you are free to go anywhere in Thailand but you must follow each province’s restrictions.
For travelling from Phuket to other countries, please follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of destination.

Departure from other destinations in 7+7 programme

After spending the 7-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani, and after a negative Covid 19 test (day 12-13), you will receive a ‘Release Form’ from the hotel and will be able to travel to other destinations in Thailand.
If the stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than 7 nights, you must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure.

Additional Information

Which vaccines are accepted?

International travellers who have received the following vaccines are able to enter Phuket:

WHO approved vaccines.
Vaccines approved by the government of each country.
Thai FDA approved vaccines (5): AstraZeneca, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac Biotech, and Sinopharm.

Which airlines have direct flights to Phuket?

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Etihad Airways, Emirates, THAI, Singapore Airlines, , Qatar Airways

What does SHA and SHA Plus+ mean?

‘SHA’ is a certification for businesses who meet the basic standards of hygiene and health safety in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
‘SHA Plus’ is a certification for companies who have received the SHA certificate AND 70% of the workforce has been vaccinated. Here is the constantly updated list of SHA Plus businesses in Phuket.

Where can I get a Covid-19 test in Phuket?

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 at your own expense.
Rapid test – you can get a rapid test from hospitals, clinics, and private labs in Phuket. The cost of a rapid test ranges from 450 – 1,000 Baht per person at your own expense.

All the above information has been taken from www.tatnews.org and https://asq.in.th/thailand-sandbox-requirements

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