Phuket Has Officially Reopened to International Tourists; Vaccinated Tourists Won’t Need to Be Quarantined

By
Megan
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If you’re already building castles in the air and fantasising about your next travel destination, you may not have to fantasise much longer if you add Phuket to the top of your list. 

That’s right, the well-loved resort island in southern Thailand has reopened on 1 July after over a year of halted travels due to the pandemic. 

And what’s more, if you have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days and test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival, you won’t have to undergo any quarantine whatsoever. 

So if you haven’t booked your vaccination appointments yet, now would be an opportune time indeed. 

According to Phuket Tourist Association president Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, “Tourists will have to wait for the result in their hotel room. If it’s negative, they’re free to go.” 

“They can travel freely but it has to be within Phuket. If they wish to visit other parts of Thailand, they need to spend at least 14 days in Phuket first.”

First Province in Thailand to Open Up

Phuket is the first province in Thailand to open up to international tourists without the need for quarantine. 

This is in association with an experimental tourism model titled Phuket Sandbox, which aims to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This model was proposed by Phuket’s private sector after prolonged economic difficulty caused by the pandemic. 

Under this model, Phuket is currently open to visitors from 66 countries and territories, including UK, USA, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. 

Apart from being fully vaccinated, international tourists have to adhere to a couple other requirements. 

They have to obtain a certificate of entry (COE…hah) at the Thai embassy of their home country. Within 72 hours before travelling to Thailand, they have to obtain a certificate showing that they have tested negative for COVID-19. 

In addition, children below six years of age who are travelling with their parents are permitted to enter Phuket without having to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Insurance coverage of no less than US$100,000 is required for healthcare and treatment expenses related to COVID-19 during their stay in Thailand. 

Tourists also have to obtain a confirmation letter from hotels that are certified by the Thai government before boarding their flight to Phuket. 

If the duration of stay is under 14 nights, a confirmed flight ticket out of the country has to be presented. 

Upon arrival in Phuket, tourists have to take three COVID-19 tests. One upon arrival, another one week later and the final one near the end of the second week of stay.

The tests may be conducted at certified hotels or partner hospitals. 

Tourists will also have to download the mobile applications ThailandPlus and MorChana for the purposes of tracking during their stay in Phuket. 

In addition, a provincial order by Phuket governor Narong Woonsiew requires visitors to adopt the necessary precautions during their stay, such as social distancing, hand sanitising and the wearing of face masks. 

According to Thanee Chuangchoo, general manager of Phuket International Airport, more than 500 travellers are expected to arrive on 1 July. 

This number is expected to slowly increase as tourists are attracted by the safety and ease of quarantine-free travel to Phuket.

Before you book your ticket, remember: as of now, you’d still need to serve the usual SHN in Singapore when you come back from Phuket, so unless you’ve lots of time and money to burn, stay home until the borders officially reopen and COVID-19 becomes an endemic disease instead.

To know more about an endemic disease, watch this video to the end:

Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:

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Megan
Email: [email protected]