Thread: Phuket Authorities Set Rules for Foreign Tourists from Europe and the USA

BANGKOK (NNT) - Phuket authorities have elaborated on the rules for fully vaccinated people arriving from overseas, when the province reopens to foreign tourists from Europe and the USA on 1 July.


Provincial governor Narong Woonsiew said on Wednesday that visitors will come from low and medium-risk countries in Europe and from the USA. They will arrive on Thai Airways International flights from London, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Paris and Zurich.


Before arrival, visitors must have a negative COVID-19 test, arrange COVID-19 insurance coverage of at least 100,000 USD and have a reservation at a hotel with a Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certificate. On arrival, visitors will be tested again for COVID-19 at Phuket airport. They will then have to wait in their hotel room for the result. If negative, they can go out.


Mr Narong said visitors will be required to stay on Phuket for at least 14 days, before travelling to other provinces. For the first seven days, they cannot change their hotel. During the second week they can change hotels twice.


According to the Phuket governor, the same rules will apply to Thai returnees. Disease screening for people who arrive by land or sea will be the same as for those arriving by air.


National News Bureau Of Thailand

They will arrive on Thai Airways International flights

That might be news to people who have booked on other airlines.

tbf I bet fuck all people have booked fuck all flights for this half baked and desperate scheme.

Even if I trusted this new announcement, I would think twice before booking a flight on a failing air company, they tend to be reluctant to issue refund if things go wrong, I think there are people still awaiting their refund from Thai airways.

^ Definitely.

Only a fool would go within a mile of a Thai airways ticket at the moment.

Emirates and Qatar, in contrast, seem to be doing pretty well with their refunds processes.

are there that many people who are that desperate to go to thailand right now for a holiday ?

It might actually become viable simply because Bangkok is getting so bad.

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

tbf I bet fuck all people have booked fuck all flights for this half baked and desperate scheme.

7,000 last week according to Reuters.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

7,000 last week according to Reuters.

holy fuck balls!

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

holy fuck balls!

Well if you wanted to return to Thailand and avoid the 14 day ASQ, isn't this preferable?

Go and have a nice lie on the beach, you can get beer and wine with your meals now, put your feet up and then wander off to Udon Backwater when you're done.

I agree with most of the comments so far. However, let's get it into context. From what I'm reading on social media, the majority are those who have friends/family here, not necessarily living in Phuket (though many with homes here also), and they already have 'friends' who will be joining them from elsewhere in Thailand. Most of us will remember Mendips 15 day ASQ in Bangkok, and then compare it to what the Phuket alternative is. The same criteria in terms of tests, insurance etc, but apart from that you're free to roam wherever you wish, (apart from leaving the island) restaurants, beaches, shops, even diving trips. No, for a genuine tourist it's not going to appeal, but for those who want to get back into Thailand with the least grief then it's a viable option.

Given that Thai ASQ is no longer free by month's end, a return to Thailand from elsewhere via Phuket is therefore a more attractive proposition.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Given that Thai ASQ is no longer free by month's end, a return to Thailand from elsewhere via Phuket is therefore a more attractive proposition.

But only for the vaccinated.

^ Works for those returning from vaccine holidays, then.

This is a pretty good summary of what's in place already and what is set to be introduced.

Thai Embassy:

"No Quarantine" Phuket Sandbox Plan

Originally Posted by cyrille

^ Works for those returning from vaccine holidays, then.

That's if they have to quarantine at all.

You have to love the Post...

PHUKET: Phuket authorities reaffirmed their readiness to reopen the island to vaccinated foreign tourists on July 1, as Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow and three other cabinet ministers arrived for an inspection on Friday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2138519/phuket-affirms-readiness-to-reopen-july-1

Phuket plan is full of inconsistencies and regulations that will put off tourists from visiting

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2138199/ironing-out-glitches-in-the-sandbox

^ Thats interesting, San Marino is low risk, Italy is medium risk. Same with Monaco and France.

Originally Posted by marcusb

^ Thats interesting, San Marino is low risk, Italy is medium risk. Same with Monaco and France.

Well obviously the rich people wash more often.

^555, yes, I guess so.

Full text of Phuket Sandbox order released in English

Today, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew signed Phuket Province Order No. 3491/2564 officially detailing the rules of the Sandbox reopening. While most provisions have been widely discussed – fully vaccinated travellers coming from at least 3 weeks in a low- to medium-risk country, negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours, US $100,000 Covid-19 insurance, 14 days in an SHA+ hotel, tests on the 1st, 6th, and 12th day, etc. – some details are ironed out in this statement.


Notably missing from the details of the Phuket reopening order is an explanation of what happens should a travel test positive for Covid-19 at any time and the recently raised controversy of whether travellers can only share a room if they are legally married.


The order also confirms the response options to reduce activities, implement Sealed Routes, impose quarantine, or end the Phuket Sandbox. These choices can be made if Phuket records more than 90 new cases a week, if 80% of Covid-19 treatment beds in hospitals are full, if more than 3 clusters have outbreaks, or if Covid-19 is found in more than 6 subdistricts in Phuket’s 3 main districts.


Prep is fast underway, with the Tourism and Sports Minister and a Deputy PM inspecting the new Phuket Sandbox Operation Centre yesterday, established to enforce these new rules. Airports of Thailand created a pictograph of the 7 steps when landing at Phuket International Airport, though unsurprisingly it’s comprised of 20 pictures.


The new Phuket reopening order is long, but the full text is included in English below. Some key points to consider though for the order that goes into effect on July 1 are summarised here.


The decree states that arrivals must spend the first night quarantined in their hotel as their arrival test results will be received the next day. Visitors must install 2 apps on their mobile devices for tracking – MorChana and ThailandPlus.


After 14 days, details are laid out for how to fly and even more so, how to travel by boat. 3 piers have been approved for public ferries to depart and 5 more have been flagged for yacht departures. 7 piers are also approved for day trips that go out into the waters but DO NOT leave Phuket province, which will be allowed with strict tracking and regulation during the first 14 days.


The order states that anyone wanting to leave Phuket that does not have paperwork proving that they meet all requirements and completed the 14 day initial stay will only be allowed to exit Phuket by international flight. It also stipulates that hiding or falsifying your travel details or Covid-19 infections is a violation with possible fines and jail.


The order officially establishes the Operations Centre to oversee the Sandbox reopening, monitor all travel, organise surveillance, coordinate with all entry and exit points, and manage traveller complaints and public opinion.


Finally, the new rules stipulate punishments for violations, including deportation and a ban on re-entering Thailand for foreigners, and Thai nationals face up to 2 year in prison and 100,000 baht in fines. Tour operators who knowingly transport rule-breakers face the same punishments plus their operating license could be suspended or revoked.


The full text of the order is available here:


Full text of Phuket Sandbox order released in English | Thaiger

Quite amusing that these incompetents have designated the UK as 'medium risk'.

Presumably the fact that the UK has had over 116,000 new cases in the past seven days has eluded them.

Of course, such an inconvenient truth might compromise their targeting of the UK as a potential market for their daft scheme and as we know the only thing that worries the Thai is losing money.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Quite amusing that these incompetents have designated the UK as 'medium risk'.

Presumably the fact that the UK has had over 116,000 new cases in the past seven days has eluded them.

There's always a lag between changes in figures and changes in status.

Surely even you can work out why that is?

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

the only thing that worries the Thai is losing money.

72% of respondents in a recent NIDA poll were against relaxing lockdown measures.

The Thai government has generally prioritised the health of the populace ahead of commerce for the last 16 months.

Boris Johnson's government, on the other hand...