One of the most important tourism news of the year 2021 would be Thailand reopening to tourists as the COVID-19 pandemic starts to draw to a close with vaccination rolling out in many countries. As early as in April, Thailand had announced plans to end quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers in three phases (1 July, 1 October, 1 January). Now, the good news is that the Phuket Sandbox programme is officially approved by the cabinet of the government.
This means that you as a fully vaccinated traveller can enter Phuket and skip quarantine completely. You need to book with one of the SHA Plus-certified hotels (you may move between hotels during your stay), a mark of high hygiene standards. You still have to provide an RT-PCR negative result along with other requirements. More tests need to be done on arrival and during your stay. You also need to stay in Phuket for 14 days before venturing outside the province.
More provinces in Thailand vying to join quarantine-free programme
In the April plan, more provinces like Chonburi (incl. Pattaya), Chiang Mai and Surat Thani (incl. Koh Samui) were in the 1 October phase in opening quarantine-free travel. While the cabinet approval on 8 June didn’t say much about the reopening on 1 October, the relevant provinces have already been working hard to get approval to open as early as possible.
Surat Thani, for example, is trying to get the Samui Sealed Route programme approved for a 1 July start. Chiang Mai is aiming also for a quarantine-free start on 1 August, earlier than the previously planned 1 October.
The other three provinces planned for a 1 October reopening are Krabi, Phang Nga and Chonburi. However, Bangkok and the provinces of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan (incl. Hua Hin) are now also being considered for quarantine-free reopening on 1 October.
The outcome of the Phuket Sandbox scheme, however, will probably be a deciding factor on the pace of reopening of provinces to travel without quarantine.
Join us in Pattaya for Thailand International Orienteering Championship and training camp
With the planned reopening of provinces for quarantine-free travel, join us in Pattaya for Thailand International Orienteering Championship and training camp from 30 October to 7 November! You’ll explore the urban and rural areas of Pattaya with multiple races, including on Koh Larn, in Khao Mai Keao and along the world-famous beach of Jomtien. The training camp also includes the Landrunning World Series 2021 Pattaya Station.
The Championship is also part of the #AsiaCityRace, a series of multi-day urban orienteering events throughout Asian cities.
We recommend you book a hotel package with us. The hotel package includes a hotel room at our official hotel, the Ravindra Beach Resort & Spa with breakfast, as well as airport transfer, excursion, as well as lecture and seminar to network with fellow athletes.
Join us ASAP as we need to ensure hotel availability (and you get an event jersey for free if you register by August)! Don’t forget to vaccinate against COVID-19 early (you need two doses plus 14 days before you travel), and see you in Thailand!
