New Entry Requirements for October 1
On September 27, the CCSA agreed to reduce the quarantine period for vaccinated international travelers to 7 days from 1 October. Those who have not been vaccinated will quarantine for 10-14 days.
- Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
- Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
- Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
- Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
Travelers who are eligible for the Phuket or Samui Plus Sandbox programs will not be affected by these new entry requirements.
Update on the COVID-19 Visa Extension
On September 20, 2021, the Thai Immigration Bureau extended the deadline for the COVID extension applications to November 26, 2021. For foreigners who are currently in Thailand, regardless of your visa type or category, you are still allowed to request the 60-day COVID extension at any local immigration office. The extension of stay will commence on the date of application. Please note that this extension of stay is never automatic, you must apply for this at your immigration office and it will be at the discretion of the officer to approve the application.
Update: Visa Exemption Program and COVID-19 Extension
This is a reminder that for all countries entering Thailand under the Visa Exemption Program, the 45-day permit to stay shall only be given until September 30, 2021. Starting October 1, 2021, you will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 30 days under this Visa Exemption Scheme. For foreigners who are currently in Thailand, you are still allowed to request the 60-day COVID extension on or before September 27, 2021. Should there be any changes or extensions in one of these programs, our firm will inform you in our next weekly updates.
List of Approved COVID-19 Vaccines
Currently, the Ministry of Public Health has approved the following manufacturers and vaccines:
- CoronaVac by Sinovac Biotech Ltd – 2 doses needed / 2-4-week interval;
- AstraZeneca or Covishield by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, SK Bioscience (South Korea), Siam Bioscience, and Serum Institute of India (Covishield) – 2 doses needed / 4-12-week interval;
- Pfizer–BioNTech or Comirnaty by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech 2 doses needed / 3-week interval;
- Janssen or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S by Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. – 1 dose needed;
- Moderna by Moderna Inc. – 2 doses needed / 4-week interval);
- Sinopharm or COVILO by Sinopharm Co., Ltd. – 2 doses needed / 3-4-week interval);
- Sputnik V by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology – 2 doses needed – 3-week interval).
Phuket Sandbox Hotel of the Week
With hundreds of hotels and resorts to choose from, we feature one of the best SHA+ Hotels in Phuket for your Phuket Sandbox stay. Andamantra Resort & Villa is the 5-star resort located at the prime area of the famous North Patong and Kalim beach. The resort faces the west side of the Andaman sea, commands panoramic seaview from its elevated hillside location. Guests may enjoy stunning sunset views from their balconies and most areas of the resort. It features a spa, fitness center and 3 outdoor pools. The resort is a 15-minute walk to Patong Beach and a 15-minute drive to Jungceylon Shopping Centre and Bangla Road. To book this hotel, please check:
https://www.agoda.com/andamantra-resort-and-villa-phuket/hotel/phuket-th.html
Samui Sandbox Hotel of the Week
This week, we feature one of the Samui Extra Plus Hotels for your Sandbox application. Situated on beautiful Chaweng Beach, The Briza Beach Resort, offers spacious and luxurious villas with private pools and free WiFi. It enjoys convenient access to Koh Samui’s entertainment spots as well as restaurants and bars. The Briza Beach Resort is a 5-minute stroll to various shopping and dining options along Chaweng Beach. It only takes 15 minutes by car from the resort to Samui International Airport. To book this hotel, please check:
https://www.agoda.com/the-briza-beach-resort/hotel/koh-samui-th.html
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Phuket Sandbox and COVID Test FAQs
Who gets the “free” second COVID testing?
Travelers approved before the Thailand Pass suspension and who arrive in the Kingdom from December 24 onwards must do a second RT-PCR test, shouldered by the government, on the 5th or 6th day at a government-approved medical facility.
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) mentioned in the December 24 briefing that travelers will have to fill in a port health letter upon arrival at the airport, which will be signed by a border control officer and certified by the Department of Disease Control. The border control officer will then provide you with a copy and a QR code, stating the venue for your second RT-PCR COVID-19 test at no additional cost.
You will present the port health letter to your hotel, which will key your records onto the COVID-19 Surveillance Tracking and Evaluation platform, and arrange for your first COVID-19 test. On day 5 or 6, go to your designated laboratory center for your second RT-PCR COVID-19.
I already have a COVID test appointment for Phuket Sandbox, do I need to register again?
It depends on your COVID test provider. You can contact the hotel or the laboratory that you registered prior.
For those who are coming to Phuket who had already registered through www.thailandpsas.com for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:
- Choose your booking details and click the "Edit" icon.
- Click "Additional Swab Appointment".
- Pay the fee
Can I travel to other places in Thailand even if only the Phuket Sandbox is available?
You need to complete a 7-night stay in Phuket before being allowed to travel to other areas of Thailand. Once you receive your first negative test result in Phuket, you are able to travel freely around Thailand’s largest island. After you receive your second negative test result and have completed a 7-night stay in Phuket, you are able to travel to any other area of Thailand.
With the suspension, are there changes to the number of quarantine days?
Seven (7) days quarantine applies to travelers who have a certificate of vaccination to confirm that they have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine for at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand. 10 days quarantine applies to travelers who do not have a certificate of vaccination. 14 days quarantine applies to travelers from African countries other than the previously designated high-risk countries, which are constantly being reviewed.
Can we change our flight schedule?
Flight changes are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time registered in the Thailand Pass without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR Code, provided that all other required documents remain valid or updated.
How to Book COVID Test for Phuket Sandbox
Starting December 23, 2021, Thailand will now require two RT-PCR tests for those entering Phuket.
The first test will be conducted at Phuket International Airport while the second test on the 5th day will be conducted at the test centers around Phuket.
The steps for the RT-PCR test via www.thailandpsas.com are as follows:- Provide flight details and hotel information. You will be asked for your flight and accommodation details.
- Input your personal information like your gender, date of birth, country of origin, and Passport Number.
- Choose your swab test locations. Because the first swab test will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport, you can only choose the location for the second swab test. The swab test date will be automatically shown from the details you input in Step 1.
- Pay the fee. The fee for the RT PCR tests is 4200 THB.
Note: For those who have already registered for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:
- Choose your booking details and click the “Edit” icon.
- Click “Additional Swab Appointment”.
- Pay the fee.
New Entry Requirements for October 1
- Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
- Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
- Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
- Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
New Eligible Countries for Sandbox Program
Phuket Sandbox Hotel of the Week
Domestic Air Travel: Thai Airways
List of Countries Eligible for Phuket and Samui Plus Sandbox
Domestic Air Travel: Bangkok Airways
Domestic Travel: Thai Smile
Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension Program
Sandbox Express Bus
Phuket to Bangkok flight for Phuket Sandboxers
New Entry Requirements for October 1
- Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
- Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
- Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
- Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
New Eligible Countries for Sandbox Program
Samui Sandbox Hotel of the Week
https://www.agoda.com/the-briza-beach-resort/hotel/koh-samui-th.html