Thailand: No quarantine in Phuket to those entering under Phuket Sandbox

While Thailand has reinstated mandatory quarantine for foreign travellers in view of rising cases of Omicron, the Thai authorities have clarified that those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox will not be required to undergo not quarantine.

As per the reports, those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, will only be required to undergo a PCR test, and wait in the hotel until the result is declared. If their test comes negative, they will be allowed to move around in Phuket. Further, they will also be required to undergo a second RT PCR test on the fifth or sixth day, after which they will be allowed to visit other parts of Thailand after completing a seven-day stay in Phuket.
Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), while citing rising cases of Omicron variant in the country, ordered a temporary suspension of Sandbox applications, and the Thailand Pass for all new ‘Test and Go’ from December 22, 2021. However, as per the reports, those travelling under the Phuket Sandbox will be exempt from quarantining.

Referring to the new development, Cholada Siddhivarn, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai office, informed that although tourism authorities have slightly changed the entry rules for people entering the country from different entry points, except for Phuket. As such, those who are keen to travel to Phuket from India, can register for Thailand Pass under the Phuket Sandbox program and Happy Quarantine. After that, TAT India team will work closely with travel trade partners to assist them with client queries and help them serve their clients better.
As regarding visit to Thailand, Thai authorities decided to scrap the quarantine waiver and the decision to halt Thailand's 'Test and Go' waiver, after reporting the first case of Omicron. Following this decision, those visiting the country will now have to undergo hotel quarantine, which will range between 7 to 10 days, and this decision will likely be reviewed on January 4, 2022.