Phuket Sandbox - All you need to know [up to date]

All you need to know about Phuket Sandbox - How to go to Thailand under the new Phuket Sandbox regulations.

Visit https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ to apply for the COE :
Prepare documents as PDFs or pictures to apply to the COE :
1. Passport
2. Proof of vaccination (with QR code)
3. Covid insurance of 100,000 USD - buy here
4. Air ticket
5. SHABA hotel reservation confirmation
6. Receipt of advanced payment for Covid-10 testings during the first 14 days in Phuket from your SHA+ hotels.

Every traveller must be coming to Thailand from a country or region that is endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). This measure is proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) and TAT. A traveller must have stayed in the said country nothing less than 21 days prior to their travel date. A traveller needs to register their trip on the designated website while possessing the following documents:

A medical certificate alongside a laboratory result using an RT-PCR method that shows that negative result for COVID-19 in no more than 72 hours prior to the travel date.

A certificate of Entry (COE)

A certificate of vaccination against COVID-19. It must feature an approval by the MoPH or the World Health Organization at least fourteen days before the travel date. For a kid below 18 years, a trip with the parent or guardian must include a medical certificate featuring a laboratory result by an RT-PCR method. The result must show a negative result for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before the travel date.

A copy of payment confirmation for a 14-night sleep, including RT-PCR tests at a hotel approved by the TAT or MoTS. If the duration of stay is less than fourteen days, a traveller is mandated to provide a confirmed returned ticket to their preferred location.

A copy of an insurance policy in English. This insurance must cover healthcare and treatment expenses for COVID-19 per person and must cover the entire duration of their stay in Thailand. It’s mandatory that the coverage identifies as at least $100,000.

Every traveller is mandated to undertake a screening exercise prior to departure.

Every traveller is mandated to undertake screening routine and immigration, and customs procedures.

An alert application must be downloaded and installed. A traveller must set it on throughout their stay in Thailand.

Ensure that you move directly to your reserved hotel by taking a “sealed route” only. In transit, do not change the route or have a stopover.

4. Take a COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR method at your own expense, according to the following requirements:

Upon arrival, take the first test and wait for the results in your hotel.

Take extra RT-PCR tests based on the following standards:

If a traveller’s duration of stay is less than seven days, he or she is required to take another test on day 6 or 7 or depending on the guidelines of MoPH.

If a traveller’s duration of stay is between 10 and 14 days, he or she is required to undergo a second test on day 6 or 7, followed by the third test on day 12 or 13, or according to the guidelines of MoPH.

If the traveller tests for positive for COVID-19, he or she must be transferred to a specified healthcare facility for immediate treatment at the expense of the traveller.

If a traveller tests negative for COVID-19, the traveller is allowed to visit any place in Phuket.

For a traveller with an intended stay of fewer than fourteen days, he or she must vacate Phuket (Thailand) on or before their intended departure date by taking an international flight to another country.

After a traveller completes his or her fourteen nights in Phuket, they are allowed to proceed on their journey to other destinations in Thailand.

Travellers below the age of 18 and travelling with their parents or guardians are required to possess a medical certificate featuring a laboratory result done with a RT-PCR method that shows a negative result for COVID-19 in no more than 72 hours before the flight date.

All travellers are required to possess a Certificate of Entry (COE). Visit https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ to see the necessary documentations.

It takes three working days to process Embassy/Consulate-General application.

Check the website to see the result of your application.

Every international traveller is mandated to possess insurance policy that covers treatment and medical expenses, including those related to COVID-19. The minimum coverage is $100,000 and must cover the entire duration of the traveller’s stay in Thailand. We recommend you check out these approved covid 100,000 usd insurance plans from us. You will get everything that you need in terms of insurance documents (Covid policy and Covid certificate letter to apply for the COE) instantly after your purchase.

Question : Do Thai nationals need to buy the 100,000 usd covid insurance ? Answer : Yes the same insurance conditions also apply for Thai nationals for the Phuket Standbox.

Every international arrival must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the vaccine must be registered with the MoPH. Alternatively, the vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization.

It is mandatory that every arrival is vaccinated in no more than 14 days.

It is mandatory to submit proof of vaccination during application for COE.

Below are the airlines with announced direct flights to Phuket:

Cathay Pacific

EI AI

Etihad Airways

THAI

British Airways

Emirates

Qatar Airways

Singapore Airlines

Endeavour to check your flight schedules on your airline’s online page.

Take note that some airlines do not operate in your home country when planning a return travel.

Every traveller into Thailand must download and install the alert application.

Every traveller must present a completed arrival card, passport and COE to the immigration staff.

SHA: This is a certification for businesses that meet the basic standards of health safety and hygiene for their services and products according to the nationwide measures to curb the prevalence of COVID-19.

SHA Plus: This is a certification for companies or individuals that received the SHA certificate and 70% of the employees have received vaccines.

You can check out the updated list of SHA Plus businesses in Phuket here : SHA Plus businesses in Phuket

Travellers are allowed to visit any place in Phuket. However, you must adhere to the DMHTTA precautions: D – Distancing; M – Mask wearing; H – Handwashing; T – Temperature check; T – Testing for COVID-19; and A – Alert application.

Travellers are mandated to wear masks every time they are in public areas or vehicle containing two or more people.

Travellers might have to take a COVID-19 test with PT-PCR or a rapid antigen method while staying in Phuket based on the guidelines of MoPH.

Question : Is it permissible for a second guest who lives in Thailand meet an international guest who has arrived into SHA Plus Hotel?

Answer : Yes. However, the guest must follow every rule laid down for Thais and expats within the country.

A traveller needs to use a “SHA PLUS” accommodation establishment in Phuket.

It is not permissible to stay in a private residence for COVID-19 control purposes.

Question : Is it mandatory to book a single consecutive stay at one establishment? Answer : Every traveller must reside in one SHA Plus hotel during the first seven nights. Afterwards, they can move to another SHA Plus Hotel(s) for the subsequent seven days. Question : Is it mandatory to prepay the accommodation or will proof of booking be enough? Answer : It is mandatory that the accommodation is prepaid. Question : Do standardised cancellation and refund policies exist for SHA Plus hotels for peace of mind agreed by every SHA Plus hotelier? Answer : Yes, the policies exist.

RT-PCR test: All hospitals in Phuket offer RT-PCR Test. However, the test cost varies from 2500 to 4,000 Bhat per person.

Rapid test: In Phuket, travellers can take rapid test in all hospitals, clinics and private labs. The cost varies from 450 to 1000 Baht per person.

Every test for COVID-19 is at your own expense.

Travellers are advised to use only SHA Plus certified restaurants for their own safety. However, dining-in at non-certified restaurants is permissible.

Travellers are advised to take only SHA Plus certified taxis for transportation. However, it is permitted to use non SHA Plus transportation.

If there are more than two individuals in a vehicle, a traveller must put on his or her mast at all times.

Question : Does an app or website for booking SHA+ transports exist? Answer : We will be updating this for you very soon! Question : Are GRAB taxis considered as SHA+? Answer : We will be updating this for you very soon!

As of now the TAT haven't released out any information on this yet, we will keep you updated on here!

Any individuals that experience the symptoms of COVID-19 is mandated to undertake a test instantly. If the individual is travelling with others, every other individuals must undergo the same test.

If a traveller tests COVID-19 positive in Thailand, he or she is responsible for medical expenses that must be covered via require insurance.

A traveller is permitted to travel freely in Thailand after staying for fourteen nights in Phuket and tested negative for COVID-19. However, it is mandatory to follow the restrictions laid down by each province.

It is pertinent for travellers to adhere to the entry requirement of their home country. It’s not the responsibility of Thailand nor is it able to assist concerning updates by a traveller’s country.

When a traveller plans to leave Phuket for other nations, he or she is advised to adhere to the measures and guidelines laid down by the receiving nation.

When a traveller plans to leave Phuket for other Thai regions, he or she must show proof that they have finalized their 14-night stay in the specified hotel, alongside other necessary documentations according to the guidelines and measures laid down by the receiving Thai region.

We will keep you updated on here for any updates regarding Phuket Sandbox in the future. Stay Tuned!

Or if you need any more information you can check out TAT's website or their Facebook and Twitter page for the regular updates for the COVID-19 measures and situations in Thailand.

Compare plans now