Thailand’s “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” now in effect
The ‘Phuket Sandbox’ programme received the green light from Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to be upgraded as the “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” providing fully vaccinated international travellers with more options to visit multiple Thai destinations without the need to quarantine. Now the Phuket Sandbox 7+7-extension offers a 7-night stay in Phuket and 7 nights in selected areas of Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thani (Samui Plus).
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. The launch of the Phuket Sandbox from 1st July, Samui Plus from 15th July, and Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension from 16th August leads 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.
Now in effect, the “Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension” programme allows eligible international travellers to reduce the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days, after which another 7 nights can be spent in 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).
The existing entry measures in place for the Phuket Sandbox programme remain
unchanged for the 7+7 extension. However, 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).
Travelling from Phuket to the selected areas in Krabi,
Phang-Nga, or Surat Thai is available only via approved routes and modes of transport. Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao) can be reached via Bangkok Airways’ direct domestic flight on the Phuket-Ko Samui route. Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from
approved piers.
Phang-Nga (Khao Lak) can be reached by SHA Pluscertified car transfer services from Phuket direct to the SHA Plus-certified hotels. PhangNga (Ko Yao Noi or Ko Yao Yai) can be reached via SHA Pluscertified boat and ferry services from approved piers.
Once travellers have completed the 7-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga and Surat
Thani (Samui Plus), and are tested negative in their third COVID-19 test (conducted on Day 12-13), they will receive a ‘Release Form’ from their hotel and will be able to continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand.
If the travellers stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than 7 nights, they must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure. At the port of entry back into Phuket, they will need to show a plane ticket or other proof of their international travel from Phuket.
While in Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to remind all travellers to continue with D-M-H-T-T-A precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
D- Distancing, M- Mask wearing, H- Hand washing, T- Temperature check, T- Testing for COVID-19, and A- Alert application.
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