Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

As Coronavirus cases soar across Thailand Phuket opens for vaccinated tourists

As Coronavirus cases soar across Thailand Phuket opens for vaccinated tourists
July 9, 2021

The Thai tourist island of Phuket has opened to foreign tourists - but only those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and come from countries deemed low to medium risk.

Incoming travellers will not be required to undertake 14 days of hotel quarantine but must remain on the island for a fortnight before they are allowed to move on to other parts of Thailand if they choose to.

The reopening comes as Thailand is experiencing its third and most deadly wave of Coronavirus yet, but Phuket has attempted to set itself up like a fortress to protect its people and visitors.

More than 75% of the island's population has been vaccinated, compared with just 3.6% of the rest of the country.

There will be strict rules about entering Phuket from other parts of Thailand, where new infections have been exceeding 4,000 a day this week.

Thailand is pinning its hopes on the pilot program, known as Phuket Sandbox, to begin to revive its inbound tourism industry, which was obliterated during the pandemic.

The island would typically welcome about 10 million international visitors a year, but when Thailand imposed tight border restrictions more than a year ago that number dropped to zero.

How will the Sandbox work?
Being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arriving on the island is the first of several steps’ foreigners will need to take.

They will also need to apply for a certificate of entry, test negative for COVID-19 within the 72 hours before departure, wear masks in public, have travel insurance worth $132,000, be tested three times while on Phuket, and download a mobile phone app for contact tracing purposes.

Visitors must arrive on direct flights and stay in approved hotels, but they are allowed to move around the island freely after their first negative test.

Once the 14 days on Phuket is up, they can then travel on to other parts of Thailand.

They can also choose to stay on the island for less than a fortnight before returning home.

On the eve of the grand experiment, tourism operators across Thailand's biggest island are looking forward to business returning but are managing their expectations.

Final approval from the Thai Government for the 'Phuket Sandbox' scheme only came this week, giving potential visitors short notice to confirm tentatively made airline reservations.

In pre-pandemic times, Thailand was one of the most popular international destinations for Australians, but with the border still closed for holiday travel, it will remain off-limits for now.

The Phuket Tourist Association hopes that Australians will be included in the not-too-distant future with President, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam stating “we respect the decisions by the Australian government to protect their citizens.

"However, if Phuket proves itself successfully - that we can receive and welcome international travellers without any disease - we should start considering negotiating area to area."

More than 400,000 people live on the island.

About the author

Joe Cusmano

An experinced airline and travel industry professional, Joe has over 25 years international airline sales experience of which 18 have been in senior positions in Australia, North Africa and Europe, Middle East and Thailand.

Committed to sharing news and personal experiences, he explains that, post-COVID, "once I resume travelling with people that like me are nomads by nature and love to travel, (I will) provide you with as much advice and tips to make your travel experience a memorable one."

Click here to visit his website.

Read more from this author

Related Articles

7th July 2021 - Indonesian Government forced to further delay Bali tourism reopening

2nd July 2021 - Thailand resorts’ Marine Discovery Centres help in recovery of injured marine life

30th June 2021 - United Nations report says COVID-19 impact on tourism could deal $4 trillion blow to global economy

30th June 2021 - Laguna Phuket partners with hospital to launch first hotel-based PCR test centre for Phuket Sandbox arrivals

10th June 2021 - Thailand’s Koh Samui set to reopen to tourists as of 1st July

26th May 2021 - Phuket Sandbox confirmed for 1st July reopening to vaccinated international tourists

21st May 2021 - Thailand’s Pimalai Resort looks to establish itself as world leading ecotourism destination

17th May 2021 - Thailand joins more than 275 destinations in adopting WTTC Safe Travels stamp

14th May 2021 - Almost half of Thailand’s hotels expect to close in the next three months

12th May 2021 - Thailand’s Banyan Village launches long stay wellness programs

15th April 2021 - Thailand’s Centara group announces more hotel re-openings through April to meet surge in domestic travel demand

13th April 2021 - GlobalData suggests Thailand can proceed with tourism recovery pilot despite surge in COVID-19 cases

1st April 2021 - GlobalData advises quarantine-free travel for vaccinated tourists will expedite Thailand’s tourism

31st March 2021 - Phuket first to open without quarantine in Thailand

23rd March 2021 - Thailand Tourism Forum 2021 charts future course of Thai tourism industry

8th March 2021 - Thailand resort offers land to feed elephants during challenging times

3rd March 2021 - Thailand’s Tourism Sector petitions to reopen the country by 1st July 2021

19th February 2021 - Anantara’s resorts in northern Thailand listed as Travel+Leisure’s Top Hotels of the World

12th January 2021 - Thailand’s tourism sector continues to reopen safely and slowly

21st October 2020 - GlobalData highlights need for card payments in Thailand

20th October 2020 - Phuket Hotels Association launches initiative to inspire island-wide clean-up 

8th September 2020 - New research points to Phuket’s hospitality industry reaching breaking point

8th October 2019 - Phuket experiences highest visitor density among international destinations


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Active World

Since 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…

read more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Summit Fitness

Summit Fitness Equipment is now part of NovoFit - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/novofit/

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

BODY BIKE APAC

BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business