Thailand Now Opens to Everyone

(Update December 16, 2021)

1-Day Stay for Test & Go Travelers from 63 Countries

Fully vaccinated Thai and foreign travelers can enter Thailand without mandatory quarantine.

Here are the requirements: Fully vaccinated for more than 14 days before traveling; Must book a SHA+ Hotel for at least one night while waiting for the result of the RT PCR COVID test taken upon arrival; must possess a COVID-19 Insurance.

Currently, there are 63 approved countries/territories under the TEST & GO scheme where travelers must have stayed for 21 days or more before traveling to Thailand. Returning Thais and eligible foreign expatriates, who previously traveled from Thailand to these approved countries/territories, are exempt from this requirement.

The Test and Go program is available to travelers arriving through an international airport and the Nong Khai Immigration Border with Laos.

7-Day Stay for Sandbox Tourists from Any Country in the World

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to inform you that, as a result of new travel restrictions and entry requirements, authorized by the Royal Thai Government, fully vaccinated foreign visitors visiting Phuket, Surat Thani, Phang-Nga, and Krabi via the appropriate sandbox programs will only be allowed to remain for seven nights before being able to travel to other areas of Thailand.

After recent changes to the sandbox stay requirements for international visitors, individuals who enter Thailand via the “Phuket Sandbox” will only be needed to remain in the province for seven days rather than the prior fourteen days. As part of the “Sandbox” pilot project, vaccinated visitors from other countries can travel freely on the island, rather than being forced to stay in a hotel.

The shortened sandbox period applies to people traveling to Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao), and Krabi as part of the “Sandbox” initiative (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, and Railay Beach).

In addition, properly vaccinated visitors may now fly directly to the authorized regions of Phang-Nga and Krabi after arriving in Phuket and remain for up to seven days in each location.

Visitors coming to Phuket via the “Sandbox” initiative, according to a notification posted on Facebook by the government’s Phuket Information Center, visitors coming in Phuket via the ” Sandbox ” initiative would be required to remain at a certified SHA+ hotel for 7 days before proceeding other provinces in Thailand. According to the notification, travelers may now apply for a Thailand Pass. The order will take effect the next day.

Travelers must be completely vaccinated against Covid-19 at least 14 days before departure to be eligible for admission under the “Sandbox” or the reduced quarantine period of seven days if entering Thailand from another province.

Note: Travelers from African countries are not eligible to apply for the Sandbox Program.

Reduced Quarantine for Other Travelers

The quarantine period for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign visitors coming to Thailand, including those traveling via the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) system, would be lowered from 14 to 10 days and 7 days respectively as of today (December 16, 2021).

The Covid task group recommended a decrease in the obligatory quarantine time at Monday’s CCSA meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The quarantine period will be reduced to 7 days for partially vaccinated visitors. A quarantine term of 10 days is imposed on those who are not vaccinated or who cannot provide proof of their vaccination status to the authorities.

It is also good to note that vaccinated travelers who are arriving in Bangkok will be required to undergo the mandatory 7-night quarantine since Bangkok is not included in the Sandbox program. Not vaccinated travelers arriving in Bangkok or other international airports and land borders will be subject to 10 to 14 nights quarantine.

Indonesians and Malaysians, along with many other nationalities, will now be able to go to the southern resort island and several of its neighboring countries, which were previously barred from doing so.

Before the epidemic, Malaysia was the world’s second most popular tourist destination, with more than 4 million visitors in 2019, accounting for 10% of all international visitors.

The statement by the TAT late Friday is part of a broader effort to boost tourism in the wake of officials’ decision to reduce the obligatory quarantine time for travelers from outside who have received vaccinations to seven days.

According to the organization, authorities would no longer adhere to a list of eligible nations — expected to number about 80 — based on the danger of Covid transmission. As a result, Thailand is now accepting travelers from any nation in the globe to participate in the Sandbox program, according to a statement published on its website.

Tanee Sangrat, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, stated that unvaccinated youngsters would be permitted to travel with their vaccinated families.

According to local officials, the sandbox initiative, which started on July 1, has drawn more than 38,000 tourists to Phuket and produced an estimated 2.3 billion baht in income.

The quarantine period has been reduced to seven days for visitors to Phuket, Surat Thani (which includes Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao), Phangnga (which includes Khao Lak and Koh Yao), and Krabi (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai, and Railay Beach).

Additionally, according to the TAT, fully vaccinated visitors will now be able to fly directly to the authorized regions of Phangnga and Krabi upon arriving in Phuket and remain for a total of seven days.

Although there has been a noticeable improvement in the economy in Phuket, where 90 percent of the hotels have closed, tourist operators are still skeptical about a significant recovery occurring in the near future.

Specifically, they have pleaded with the government to lower the exorbitant cost of the Covid tests, which tourists are required to pay and simplify entrance procedures to boost the number of visitors.

Future Sandbox Programs

The sandbox initiative is the first stage in a plan to open up additional tourist locations to vaccinated foreign tourists beginning on November 1, with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Phetchaburi (Cha-am), and Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) being the first places to open their doors. Authorities anticipate that by that time, no quarantine will be required whatsoever.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports proposes that “blue zones” be established across the country in provinces such as Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Surat Thani, Buri Ram, and Prachuap Khiri Khan, where there would be no need to quarantine visitors.

Assuming Covid vaccination rates are sufficient, the company may establish as many as 20 more sites in December.

However, it is possible that travel advice from other nations discouraging would-be visitors would hinder attempts to revitalize the industry’s resurgence.

Travel warnings remain in effect in the United Kingdom and the United States as the nation attempts to control the high number of Covid cases and fatalities. Thailand remains on the no-go list for visitors from the United Kingdom, who are required to quarantine at a hotel and submit to two Covid tests upon their return.

Final Thoughts

Despite the fact that Thailand is now open for travelers, you are still required to obtain a Thailand Pass prior to coming to Thailand. All travelers to Thailand are required to purchase COVID insurance coverage and must book hotels under the SHA+ Sandbox hotel scheme or Alternative Quarantine (AQ) scheme. The application for the Thailand Pass may be confusing for some travelers or finding the right insurance and booking the sandbox or quarantine hotel seem time-consuming so we have compiled the recommended hotels, insurance, and even COE application assistance for your convenience. Please check the links below.