Thailand’s Tourism Reopening Plans
Thailand has postponed reopening Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other popular destinations to tourists until November to allow for increased vaccination rates. However, Phuket and Ko Samui will continue to welcome visitors under special programs, and the tourism board plans to open additional areas before the new year.
Thailand’s Phuket Sandbox program allows fully vaccinated tourists to enter Thailand without undergoing quarantine, provided they stay in designated regions like Phuket for at least seven days. This program is set to expand to more destinations, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chon Buri (home to Pattaya).
The expansion of the program was initially set to begin this week, but reports indicate that it will now launch on November 1, providing additional time to meet vaccination targets for a safe reopening. “Cities we’ve targeted have not reached 70% vaccination rates and therefore we have to push out the date to November,” stated Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Sandbox Program Details
The sandbox program permits fully vaccinated tourists to visit destinations without undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine. They must remain in specific areas for seven days after arrival, after which they can explore other regions within Thailand. In contrast, unvaccinated travelers must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days via air or 14 days by land.
To participate, all travelers must download the MorChana contact tracing app and undergo regular COVID-19 health checks. Officials aim to make COVID-19 testing more affordable, with the potential introduction of antigen tests by November. “We will try to halve the RT-PCR price and allow tourists to use antigen test kits for their second and third tests,” Yuthasak Supasorn told the Bangkok Post.
Additionally, tourists must acquire medical insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum coverage of $100,000, and all health documentation should be completed in English prior to traveling to Thailand.
Current sandbox locations include Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao.
Travelers from 70 countries can participate, including those from the US, UK, and most European nations. Children under 18 can travel without vaccination if accompanied by fully vaccinated parents but must have tested negative for COVID-19 72 hours before travel. For further information on the sandbox program, visit this resource.
Thailand’s Tourism Reopening Timeline
First Phase (November 1-30)
Starting in November, tourists can visit Bangkok, Krabi, Phang-Nga, and designated areas in provinces such as Buri Ram, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Loei, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Ranong.
Second Phase (December 1-31)
The second phase involves extending the sandbox model to 20 more provinces, including Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, and several others.
Third Phase (January 1, onwards)
The new year will witness the reopening of 13 border provinces, enhancing connectivity and tourism opportunities across Thailand.
This article has been updated to reflect the latest information as of the specified dates.
