Thailand confirms reopening plan from 1 July 2021

webfact · June 19, 2021

Starting with the pilot ‘island approach’ from July, followed by extension routes from August and ‘sealed approach’ from September, leading to reopening of more destinations in October.

TAT Newsroom

Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to confirm Thailand’s readiness to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements, starting with the “Phuket Sandbox” model from 1 July, Surat Thani – Samui Plus from 15 July, followed by other destinations, including Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Buri Ram in the following months.

The plan, approved by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) during today’s meeting, will be submitted for final approval from the Cabinet.

Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said, “Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday has set a goal to reopen Thailand to fully vaccinated foreign visitors without quarantine within the next 120 days. This has given hope to everyone in the Thai tourism industry. I believe that the Prime Minister has set such goal in his confidence that the national COVID-19 vaccination programme would have given 50 million people their first shot by early October.

“Thailand’s plan to reopen within 120 days meant that if Bangkok or any of the 76 provinces are ready to reopen from October, provided that the local population are inoculated, and the infection rate is at no more than 20-30 cases daily. The key is that the Thai people must be safe, and that the public health guidelines must be adhered to.”

TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said, “Under the latest target set by the Thai Prime Minister to reopen Thailand within the next 120 days, TAT has been instructed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport to adjust our strategy with the aim to reopen pilot destinations under the ‘island and sealed approach’ within the third quarter, leading to the reopening of more destinations from October.”

The ‘Island Approach’ will begin with the Phuket Sandbox model from 1 July, followed by the Samui Plus (Surat Thani) for Samui-Phangan-Tao Sealed Routes from 15 July. The approach will continue in August with an ‘Extension’ concept to be introduced to a visit to Phuket, linking with ‘Krabi Even More Amazing’ (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai and Ko Railay) or ‘Phang Nga Prompt’ (Khao Lak and Ko Yao).

From September, the ‘Sealed Approach’ will be launched for specific areas and routes in ‘Charming Chiang Mai’ (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Tang and Doi Tao Districts), Chon Buri: Neo Pattaya (Pattaya City and Bang Lamung and Sattahip Districts), and Buri Ram (Mueang District and the Chang Arena).

“For Buri Ram specifically, 70% of the local population must be inoculated in preparations for the 2021 Thailand MotoGP at the Chang International Circuit on 8-10 October,” Mr. Yuthasak said.

Then from October or within the fourth quarter, Bangkok, Cha-Am and Hua Hin, as well as any other Thai destinations that are ready, will be reopened to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine.

TAT is also considering the reopening of other destinations with nearby tourist islands, including Pattaya (Ko Lan) and the provinces in the Eastern Economic Corridor (Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong).

Reopening guidelines for Phuket and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao):

Pre-arrival

Foreign travellers must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). They must also have already stayed in the said countries/regions no less than 21 days before the travel date;
Thai nationals and foreign expatriates must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH);
They must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine registered with the MoPH or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before the travel date, and must have a vaccine certificate to verify their vaccination;
Children under 6 years of age are allowed when travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians;
Travellers who have a history of COVID-19 infection must also be fully vaccinated no less than 14 days before the travel date;
Travellers must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure;
Travellers must have a COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000.

Travellers who are qualified and equipped with the required documents are advised to submit application for the Certificate of Entry (COE) via www.entrythailand.go.th.

Arrival

Undergo Immigration and Customs procedures, and a COVID-19 screening, including RT-PCR tests;
Download and install the alert application;
Go directly to your reserved hotel to await the test results;
- Arrivals to Phuket must check-in at the pre-booked SHA Plus-certified accommodation establishment;
- Arrivals to Ko Samui must check-in at alternative local quarantine (ALQ) facilities;
If tested negative for COVID-19, travellers to Phuket can go anywhere in Phuket. Travellers to Ko Samui can leave their room for facilities and services within their accommodation only.

Stay

For travellers to Phuket:
- Travellers who wish to visit Phuket only, no minimum stay is required but they must leave Phuket (Thailand) for another country on or before the intended departure date;
- For travellers who wish to continue the journey to other Thai destinations, they must stay in Phuket for 14 nights, and thereafter will be allowed to travel domestically.
For travellers to Ko Samui:
- During the 1st-3rd nights, travellers can leave their room for facilities and services within their accommodation only.
- During the 4th-7th nights, travellers can travel on specified routes within Ko Samui only.
- During the 8th-14th nights, travellers can travel between Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao.
Undergo a COVID-19 test using an RT-PCR method per the MoPH’s guidelines;
Travellers are advised to strictly follow the DMHTTA precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.

Domestic Departure

For travelling from Phuket or Samui-Phangan-Tao to other Thai destinations, travellers are required to show proof that they have completed a 14-night stay along with the other required documents per the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province of destination.

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/06/thailand-confirms-reopening-plan-from-1-july-2021/

DLock · June 19, 2021

We are going to hear about this every single day up until it may or may not happen...

...well, that and how many vaccines they ordered today.

jerrymahoney · June 19, 2021

3 minutes ago, DLock said:

We are going to hear about this every single day up until it may or may not happen...

...well, that and how many vaccines they ordered today.

You can put ThaiVisa(dot)com on your IGNORE list.

CANSIAM · June 19, 2021

Not much material there at all for holidayer's to navigate through for their low season stay........

ikke1959 · June 19, 2021

wait and see for the coming moths, the reality will be different from they write and think on papers....

Edited June 19, 2021 by ikke1959

zzaa09 · June 19, 2021

16 minutes ago, DLock said:

We are going to hear about this every single day up until it may or may not happen...

...well, that and how many vaccines they ordered today.

Indeed.

I believe the authorities need to get their ducks in order.

Priorities should be foremost to getting the greater percentage of the population immunized.....and then we can dreamingly talk about full openings, reopenings, whatever.

The current manner in which they've mismanaged [and long delayed] the vaccine programs might lead some to suspect they haven't a clue as to what they're doing - and placing trivial priorities over some dreamy time frame of any such partial/full opening.

drenddy · June 19, 2021

I wonder, how it will look like , when they ''open'' Bangkok?

If there is no quarantine and you are free to move into the designated area, and if, let's say, a returning exxpat/ thai national, residing abroad, returns to Bangko and has family/condo/house in Bangkok, he/she can visit family/personal residence, but needs to return to hotel by night?

As a matter of fact, this applies to returning expats/thais with residence/family in Phuket.They just need to book the cheapest accommodation, but spend most of the time with family at their homes?

What a cluster<deleted>.

LE.I have seen some really low prices for Phuket hotels in september, down to Patong Beach, as low as 12-14.000 THB for 14 days, even less.If they open Bangkok, we must assume many more hotels could be approved as SHA, or how in God's name, they call the Covid hotels.

Edited June 19, 2021 by drenddy

Caldera · June 19, 2021

Too convoluted.

Meanwhile, Europeans can holiday in Europe with few restrictions and Americans can do the same in Central and South America. Most Chinese, on the other hand, won't holiday abroad at all, as they'd still need to quarantine upon returning to the PRC.

ourmanflint · June 19, 2021

Which countries are these? Is there a link?

Quote

Thai nationals and foreign expatriates must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH);

2 is 1 · June 19, 2021

29 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

Which countries are these? Is there a link?

https://ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/ckeditor2//files/ประเทศเสี่ยง รอบ 16 มิย 64.pdf

DLock · June 19, 2021

4 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

You can put ThaiVisa(dot)com on your IGNORE list.

That's what you got our of my post?

Newbie...it will all make sense over time...

Surelynot · June 19, 2021

I find it impossible to imagine potential tourists sitting down, reading through all of this and saying......yep.......this is where we're are going for our summer holidays..........it can only be for people who need to be here surely?????

sammieuk1 · June 19, 2021

That's all crystal clear then forget it ????

wensiensheng · June 19, 2021

18 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

https://ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/ckeditor2//files/ประเทศเสี่ยง รอบ 16 มิย 64.pdf

Hmm, thanks.

it’s not the most user friendly presentation of information, is it. The average tourist might need something a little more concise.

assuming the far right peach colored column is high risk and therefore excluded, there are quite a few interesting names in there. France, Japan and Malaysia stand out as countries that have provided a steady flow of visitors in previous years.

of course, Thailand is in that far right column also.

am I reading it right? The far right, peach color is for countries whose citizens would not be accepted for entry?

jerrymahoney · June 19, 2021

25 minutes ago, DLock said:

That's what you got our of my post?

Newbie...it will all make sense over time...

And here I was was just trying to help so you don't have to hear about this every single day as in your post.

Edited June 19, 2021 by jerrymahoney

DLock · June 19, 2021

10 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

And here I was was just trying to help so you don't have to hear about it this every single day as in your post.

I appreciate your advice.

It was more a social comment on how the Government latches onto something, that may or may not be based in reality or fact, and remind us every single day that it will happen...until it doesn't.

The 7-day Phuket sandbox they told us about and had been promised for months, until it changed last minute.

The vaccine volumes have been promised for months and months and Siam Bioscience will be the great savior of Thailand...until they aren't.

It's just repetitive chat or propaganda, and has zero basis in fact, but we will be fed it each and every day because it buys them time and people wait, fully expecting the result.

So, it's more a Pavlov's Dog response to the bell ringing and being fed BS on a daily basis...and then not getting a treat.

Will the October date hold? Maybe, but as ALWAYS, expect Thailand to screw up the details...

Edited June 19, 2021 by DLock
dyslexic

jerrymahoney · June 19, 2021

9 minutes ago, DLock said:

Will the October date hold? Maybe, but as ALWAYS, expect Thailand to screw up the details...

In my residence in Thailand, my attitude is: When it's a done deal, let me know. Especially when, as much as people on here think they know what should be done, there is likely zero impact on what will be done.

Edited June 19, 2021 by jerrymahoney

Chalong circle · June 19, 2021

32 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Hmm, thanks.

it’s not the most user friendly presentation of information, is it. The average tourist might need something a little more concise.

assuming the far right peach colored column is high risk and therefore excluded, there are quite a few interesting names in there. France, Japan and Malaysia stand out as countries that have provided a steady flow of visitors in previous years.

of course, Thailand is in that far right column also.

am I reading it right? The far right, peach color is for countries whose citizens would not be accepted for entry?

Even more strange : Look like Andorra and Monaco are OK, but France, Italy and Spain not. Do they have a map to see where Andorra and Monaco are located ?

Edited June 19, 2021 by Chalong circle
change of words

Rhacsyn · June 19, 2021

4 hours ago, Caldera said:

Too convoluted.

Meanwhile, Europeans can holiday in Europe with few restrictions and Americans can do the same in Central and South America. Most Chinese, on the other hand, won't holiday abroad at all, as they'd still need to quarantine upon returning to the PRC.

I fully agree with your post, however, and please correct me if I am wrong, the post does not consider expats living in the UAE. I have mentioned this before, and do have friends intending to travel to Phuket if it all goes ahead. Most seem not to have too many issues with the hurdles, or being tagged, but some, for sure, have pulled out due to the mandatory 14 day SHA+ hotel stay. Needless to say, the friends in question that still want to travel, are lucky enough, like me, to be able to work away from the office. FYI, I will be a returnee to Thailand who kept me residency active in Dubai and have been lucky enough to get two vaccine shots in a brief 3 week stay here.

If I was a tourist operator for Phuket (currently a tough job!), I would at least target the UAE and hopefully that way get a trickle of tourists from there. Currrentlty, no quarantine on return either and today's outside temperature is 47C.

Just for info, there are around 9 million expats living / working permanently in UAE, of which around 2 million are either Chinese, East Asian, British, American, European, South African etc.

There are many sources:

https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/uae-population-statistics/

connda · June 19, 2021

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Starting with the pilot ‘island approach’ from July, followed by extension routes from August and ‘sealed approach’ from September, leading to reopening of more destinations in October.

Followed by the "on life-support" model from November onwards.

connda · June 19, 2021

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Starting with the pilot ‘island approach’ from July, followed by extension routes from August and ‘sealed approach’ from September, leading to reopening of more destinations in October.

None of these will do a da*m thing for the average Thai small-business owner. The tourists will be channeled trough a gauntlet of "approved, clean" businesses for a premium price.
I doubt this will benefit any of the Thai businesses in Chiang Mai where I've been a customer in the past, and all of these businesses have been shredded.
The way that this whole dog and pony show is designed will benefit nothing but Thai business with either money, the right connections, or both.
It's about obtaining "well-heeled" tourists for "well-connected" Thai businesses. Nothing more.

connda · June 19, 2021

Just now, connda said:

The way that this whole dog and pony show is designed will benefit nothing but Thai business with either money, the right connections, or both.
It's about obtaining "well-heeled" tourists for "well-connected" Thai businesses. Nothing more.

???????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????
Btw, this is exactly the model the Thai government and TAT have been shooting for for years.
I hope if fails miserably. It will force the Thai government and TAT to loosen up or watch tourism perish altogether.

placeholder · June 19, 2021

1 hour ago, Chalong circle said:

Even more strange : Look like Andorra and Monaco are OK, but France, Italy and Spain not. Do they have a map to see where Andorra and Monaco are located ?

Have you checked their vaccination rates?

connda · June 19, 2021

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Reopening guidelines for Phuket and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao):

Pre-arrival

Foreign travellers must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). They must also have already stayed in the said countries/regions no less than 21 days before the travel date;

Thai nationals and foreign expatriates must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH);

They must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine registered with the MoPH or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before the travel date, and must have a vaccine certificate to verify their vaccination;

Children under 6 years of age are allowed when travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians;

Travellers who have a history of COVID-19 infection must also be fully vaccinated no less than 14 days before the travel date;

Travellers must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure;

Travellers must have a COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000.

Travellers who are qualified and equipped with the required documents are advised to submit application for the Certificate of Entry (COE) via www.entrythailand.go.th.

Arrival

Undergo Immigration and Customs procedures, and a COVID-19 screening, including RT-PCR tests;

Download and install the alert application;

Go directly to your reserved hotel to await the test results;
Arrivals to Phuket must check-in at the pre-booked SHA Plus-certified accommodation establishment;

Arrivals to Ko Samui must check-in at alternative local quarantine (ALQ) facilities;

If tested negative for COVID-19, travellers to Phuket can go anywhere in Phuket. Travellers to Ko Samui can leave their room for facilities and services within their accommodation only.

Stay

For travellers to Phuket:
Travellers who wish to visit Phuket only, no minimum stay is required but they must leave Phuket (Thailand) for another country on or before the intended departure date;

For travellers who wish to continue the journey to other Thai destinations, they must stay in Phuket for 14 nights, and thereafter will be allowed to travel domestically.

For travellers to Ko Samui:
During the 1st-3rd nights, travellers can leave their room for facilities and services within their accommodation only.

During the 4th-7th nights, travellers can travel on specified routes within Ko Samui only.

During the 8th-14th nights, travellers can travel between Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao.

Undergo a COVID-19 test using an RT-PCR method per the MoPH’s guidelines;

Travellers are advised to strictly follow the DMHTTA precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.

Domestic Departure

For travelling from Phuket or Samui-Phangan-Tao to other Thai destinations, travellers are required to show proof that they have completed a 14-night stay along with the other required documents per the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province of destination.

Remember when it was simply
1) get off the plane,
2) get a Visa-on-arrival,
3) get ripped off by the taxi mafia,
4) and then have fun?

Who in their right mind will wade into this over-regulated maelstrom? I have a suggestion:
*** Pre-Arrival
1) Go to a psychiatrist and get your head examined

Fex Bluse · June 19, 2021

The Thais confirm a new plan every week ????

Anna Rak · June 19, 2021

For what it's worth, if I had to stay in Phuket for seven nights and then be free to travel I would consider booking but the change to 14 nights for fully vaccinated tourists is BS, you have been able to arrive in Thailand for many months now without vaccine and stay in quarantine is BKK for 15 nights and then you are free, SO! why on earth do you need to be fully vaccinated and then still have Island quarantine for 14 nights and PCR tests, $100,000 insurance, just hoops and more hoops.

Not for me yet, family will have to get used to Zooming for a few months longer.

86Tiger · June 19, 2021

36 minutes ago, connda said:

Remember when it was simply
1) get off the plane,
2) get a Visa-on-arrival,
3) get ripped off by the taxi mafia,
4) and then have fun?

Who in their right mind will wade into this over-regulated maelstrom? I have a suggestion:
*** Pre-Arrival
1) Go to a psychiatrist and get your head examined

Unless and until it is easy and relatively cheap again the numbers will be very low.

hotchilli · June 19, 2021

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Minister of Tourism and Sports H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said, “Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday has set a goal to reopen Thailand to fully vaccinated foreign visitors without quarantine within the next 120 days. This has given hope to everyone in the Thai tourism industry. I believe that the Prime Minister has set such goal in his confidence that the national COVID-19 vaccination programme would have given 50 million people their first shot by early October.

So open the country to double shot tourists to Thailand where locals have only had one shot of the Sino****

Yeah okay.

hotchilli · June 19, 2021

8 hours ago, DLock said:

We are going to hear about this every single day up until it may or may not happen...

...well, that and how many vaccines they ordered today.

Or delete as necessary, you have the option not to read.

hotchilli · June 19, 2021

1 hour ago, connda said:

Remember when it was simply
1) get off the plane,
2) get a Visa-on-arrival,
3) get ripped off by the taxi mafia,
4) and then have fun?

Those were the days my friend.....

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And think of all the great things we would do

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la La la la la la la

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes those were the…

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Thailand confirms reopening plan from 1 July 2021

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