A prominent doctor has urged the postponement of Thailand’s reopening to fully vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements in July, under the “Phuket Sandbox” project, citing the current low vaccination rate in the country. PBS World

Prominent doctor urges postponement of Thailand's reopening to foreign tourists in July

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A prominent doctor has urged the postponement of Thailand's reopening to fully vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine requirements in July, under the "Phuket Sandbox" project, citing the current low vaccination rate in the country.

According to the Dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to reduce the death rate, more than 50% of the population needs to be vaccinated.

Thailand has administered about 6.5 million vaccine doses in total, with over 4.7 million people (6.8%) having received their first jabs and only 1.75 million (2.5%) people being fully vaccinated.

Dr. Prasit is of the view that the reopening of the country on July 1^st is too soon, and that a two-week quarantine needs to remain in place, as the "Phuket Sandbox" project offers no-quarantine stays on the resort island for a period, before being allowed to travel by air to elsewhere in the country.

He expressed concern that new variants of the COVID-19 may be brought into the country, which may affect the efficacy of the vaccines being administered locally.

"Vaccines aren't effective against all variants. Of course, it's mostly okay for now, but there may be new variants that can't be controlled. If the measures to restrict areas and control the spread aren't in parallel with vaccinations, if people only think it's all good now after getting a jab, I think this is dangerous," Dr. Prasit said.

"If there is a new outbreak in Phuket, I think it would make the economy even worse," he added.

The "Phuket Sandbox" project has got many tour operators and hospitality businesses in Phuket excited about the return of foreign tourists, who were once their main source of income. The details of the project are, however, not yet finalised, causing confusion and uncertainty among the prospective tourists.

Initial plans were to have the tourists stay in Phuket for a minimum period of seven days, before travelling off the island, but this requirement has changed to 14 days. Discussions are underway about where the tourists will be allowed to go and when further COVID-19 tests should be conducted.

Phuket currently enjoys the largest percentage of population vaccinated, compared to other parts of the country, with up to 61.62% having received the first dose, and 28.1% being fully vaccinated.



Bangkok Post highlights 16/6

 

All foreigners living in Thailand as non-immigrants will in the future have to prove they have insurance coverage of at least US$100,000 (three million baht) against Covid-19. Bangkok Post

 

Virus cover needed for long stays

All foreigners living in Thailand as non-immigrants will in the future have to prove they have insurance coverage of at least US$100,000 (three million baht) against Covid-19.

The proposal was approved in principle by the cabinet yesterday and Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy spokeswoman for the government, said it would apply to all holders of the one-year, non-immigrant visa (NIV).

NIVs are awarded in four categories: marriage, work, business and retirement.

The new rule follows an amendment to the regulations approved by the cabinet in April last year.

At present, holders of the NIV must be insured to the tune of just 40,000 baht for out-patient treatment, or 400,000 baht for in-patient treatment at a hospital.

Future NIV applicants must produce proof they have taken out the far higher insurance against Covid-19 and if they are eligible to state-sponsored welfare or insurance, the same minimum coverage applies.

Those seeking to renew their NIV are free to buy the insurance from abroad.

If they have access to state-sponsored insurance, they must submit documentary proof certified by the Bangkok-based embassies of their respective nations or by authorised official of the Foreign Ministry of their native countries.

If someone is denied the requisite Covid-19 insurance because they are deemed to be in an at-risk group, they must present the rejection document as well as proof of financial security, bank account or other health insurance valued at a minimum US$100,000.

Ms Traisuree said that since the cabinet had approved the new rule in principle the next step would be for the Immigration Bureau to publish full details and make it official.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry will also work to improve the NIV application procedure while the Public Health Ministry and the Interior Ministry will be in charge of modifying related regulations and telling the public about them.

Ms Traisuree said the current NIV regulation was flawed as foreign nationals aged over 70 could not buy insurance in Thailand, causing them to be disqualified from remaining long-term in the kingdom.

This is a useful Infographic comparing international and domestic entry to Phuket. I’ve already decided that if I am not vaccinated I am not going in July. If I do a rapid test on arrival it would be like playing Russian Roulette. I could end up going to hospital. Would you risk it? Richard Barrow

 



”Är det inte det ena så är det andra......”

 

Thai Airways International won court approval on Tuesday for restructuring its 400-billion-baht debt load as the airline that is already under bankruptcy protection seeks to turn around its fortunes. Bangkok Post



Court nod paves way for makeover of THAI B400bn debt

(Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Thai Airways International won court approval on Tuesday for restructuring its 400-billion-baht debt load as the airline that is already under bankruptcy protection seeks to turn around its fortunes.

The court ruling removes the last hurdle to the implementation of the plan, seen as critical for the carrier which last year posted a record loss of about 141.2 billion baht.

The Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok said in its order it approved the rehabilitation plan. The court did not make any changes to the plan that was previously approved by creditors.

A hearing was postponed after two complaints were filed against the plan by certain creditors.

"We are satisfied with the decision," Somboon Sangrungjang of law firm Kudun and Partners, which represents 87 saving cooperatives, told Reuters.

The plan covers the airline's debt of 400 billion baht, he said.

A committee of five, including the airline's acting chief executive Chansin Treenuchagron and its former CEO, Piyasvasti Amranand, will administer the plan.

Mr Piyasvasti helmed the airline the last time it was profitable in 2009 to 2012.

The airline was in difficulty well before the coronavirus pandemic grounded many flights across the globe, booking losses nearly every year after 2012.

The restructuring plan, which relies heavily on debt extensions and debt-to-equity conversions, limits most of the haircuts to late interest payments.

The carrier said in March it plans reduce its fleet size to 86 jets by 2025 from the current 103. Thai Airways says it has cut 30 billion baht in expenses.

The Thai government holds a 47.86% stake in the carrier, but it is not governed by the country's state-enterprise law.

Thai Airways is due to hold a news conference later on Tuesday.

The airline this month resumed routes between European cities and Phuket in anticipation of a government scheme to allow vaccinated tourists to skip a mandatory quarantine.

THAI shares have been suspended from trade since May 18 this year. They last traded at 3.32 baht each.   

DE KOMMER TÄTT NU DESSVÄRRE!!! - Ex-policeman dies 5 days after AstraZeneca jab June 15, 2021 TNR.



A 73-year-old former policeman who previously worked at Plubplachai police station in Bangkok died in his Samut Prakan home this morning (June 15) five days after receiving the AstraZeneca coronavirus jab, Sanook.com said.

A Bang Pu police station team rushed to a townhouse in Bang Pu Mai subdistrict after being alerted of the death of Pol. Sub. Lt. Songpop, 73.

Upon reaching they found him lying unconscious on the floor in front of his home with rescuers from Ruam Katanyu Foundation giving him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but they failed to revive him.

A physical examination showed no sign of injuries and his body was handed over to the rescuers to be taken for an autopsy at Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital.

Mrs Wanporn, 70, the deceased policeman's wife, said her husband who aside from working as a policeman also practiced law, had retired ten years ago.

On June  9 he got an AstraZeneca jab but after only five days he today complained of shortness of breath, exhaustion, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and suddenly fell unconscious. She had called paramedics for help but it was too late.

Mrs Wanporn added that before the vaccination her husband was in normal health and was asymptomatic for his three underlying diseases – high blood pressure, diabetes and arteriosclerosis.

She believes that the vaccination led to his death.

Meanwhile the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said there were 3,000 coronavirus cases over 24 hours to this morning (June 15) and 19 more fatalities taking the overall death toll to 1,485.

This raised the cumulative confirmed total since the start of the pandemic to  202,264 and in the current wave that started in April 173,401.

Of the new batch of cases  1,814 emerged in surveillance and service systems,  541 through proactive search in communities and 640 in prisons and detention centres while five overseas arrivals were found to be infected.

Another 4,774 patients were cured taking total recoveries to 162,718 while 38,061 are still undergoing treatment. 

Chonburi har för tillfället lämnat ”10 i Topp” listan. Hoppas det förblir så.



Failure to quickly vaccinate 450,000 people could see Pattaya high season delayed until OCT 2022. Thai Visa



 

The acting head of the Chonburi Tourist Business Association told the Thai media that he will be visiting with Thailand's tourism minister next week to discuss plans for "Pattaya Move On" - the latest buzzwords for the reopening of the resort to foreign tourism. 

 

Targets for the plan are mostly Asian including golfers and families and involve only a sealed route in Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts. 

 

It is hoped that up to 20,000 foreign tourists will visit each month from August 1st.

 

But Thanet Supharothatrangsi will be taking a stark message to Pipat Ratchakitprakan - get 900,000 doses of vaccine or the next tourist high season will be October 2022 not this year. 

 

Thanet outlined his plan for the two Pattaya districts which will be broadly in line with the proposed Phuket Sandbox scheme due to start next month. 

 

He said he hoped that between 10,000 and 20,000 foreign tourists will come from August 1st.

 

They will need to be in a "sealed area", stay in Pattaya for 14 days before going elsewhere and possibly have to quarantine for the first three days at one Pattaya hotel

after a negative test.

 

All tourists will have to have been vaccinated prior to arrival.

 

He said the Asian targets were Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Target groups were students, people interested in fitness programs, golfers, families and retirees. 

 

Long haul targets included the UK, Germany, Russia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands including many countries in the Eastern bloc where families and holidaymakers were being wooed. 

 

But he noted that so far only 60,000 doses of vaccine had been administered in the area. 

 

He said that 900,000 doses were needed by July to vaccinate 450,000 people. 

 

If that is not done, he said, it could jeopardize this year's high season that is set to begin from October 1st this year.

 

That would mean the next high season for Pattaya would not be until October 1st 2022. 

 

With the vaccine rollout stalling in Thailand amid a whole host of supply and production problems that eventuality for Pattaya must be a very real consideration, notes Thaivisa. 

 

 

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 50 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with two new deaths today, June 15th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 50 new and confirmed cases of Covid -19 with two new deaths, timelines and more business easing included

Tuesday, 15 June 2021, 9:50

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 50 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 with two new deaths today, June 15th.

This makes a total of 5,461 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 808 still in medical care, and with a total of 34 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 4,619 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 83 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 11, Si Racha 22, Banglamung 5, Panat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 3, Pan Thong 4, Bor Thong 1, Ko Chan 1 and one new case transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Risky occupation who meets many people, 6 cases
2. Workers from migrant camps who moved from Bangkok, 3 cases
3. Baan Thung Market cluster in SI Racha, 1 case
4. Back from Chachoengsao and being treated in Chonburi, 1 case
5. Contact from a previously confirmed case in Nonthaburi, 1 case
6. Contact from a previously confirmed case from New Market cluster, 2 cases
7. General close contacts:

– Family members of previously confirmed cases, 9 cases
– Co-workers of previously confirmed patients, 14 cases

8. Close contacts under investigation, 4 cases
9. Under investigation in general 9 cases

In the last day, a total of 218 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 414 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community. All are pending results.

The Chonburi Public Heath Office last night (June 14th) has released another timeline to inform people who went to specific places last month and this month to notify health authorities and monitor their health. The following is an English translation of the release.

1. Kormarapat Herbal shop (next to Soi Sophon) on Pattaya Third Road from May 30^th to June 12^th from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M..
2. Worakit Bueng Market in Bueng, Si Racha on June 10^th from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M..

If anyone has problems with respiratory symptoms and/or fever within 14 days from when they had visited those places, they must go to a hospital, according to the Chonburi Public Health Office.

Please inform the hospital that you visited the same place as a Covid-19 confirmed case, they continued.

Several more business openings were ordered late last night by the Chonburi Governor Phakarathorn Teanchai.

1. Game shops, internet cafes and all computer service establishments can be opened.
2. Amulet centers, amulet sales and amulet courts can open (except amulet markets)
3. Beauty salons and clinics that provides beauty services licensed as a medical clinic including providing beauty services in private hospitals can open, but the max time per customer is 45 minutes.
4. Tattoo locations open for service except for facial operations. Unfortunately, if you want a facial tattoo, you will need to wait still.

The order takes effect from yesterday until further notice.



Will tourism reopenings and more stimulus be enough to kick-start Thailand’s post-pandemic economic recovery? South China Morning Post

Will tourism reopenings and more stimulus be enough to kick-start Thailand's post-pandemic economic recovery?

The IMF has predicted GDP growth of 2.6 per cent for the kingdom this year, but expects the road forward to be sluggish and uneven As Thailand's third wave drags on amid a sputtering vaccination programme, experts and observers are uncertain what will drive growth

Thai health officials collect samples during a community nasal swab test drive at a local street market in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA

Thailand is pinning its hopes of economic rehabilitation on 

tourism

, with the July reopening of the resort island of Phuket set to kick things off by allowing vaccinated travellers to skip quarantine. It is also considering implementing this quarantine policy in other provinces, although observers such as Pavida Pananond, a lecturer at Thammasat University's department of international business, warned that post-pandemic tourism might not be the same as what had come before.

"This government's subpar management of the pandemic, especially on vaccine procurement and distribution, will slow down the return to normalcy, which then leads to irretrievable economic opportunity costs for Thailand," she said.

Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill allowing the government to borrow US$16 billion to support the public health sector as it continues to fight the third wave. Lawmakers had earlier approved a US$4.5 billion stimulus package that included cash handouts and subsidies aimed at increasing domestic spending, which in turn could boost the economy as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

How Leicester City and Thailand's King Power showed the English Premier League foreign ownership can work

18 May 2021

But Pavida said the stimulus package would not trickle down to SMEs, which were in need of cash to survive. "[SME loans] remain dependent on bank decisions and with the Thai economy remaining in intensive care, it is hard for them to convince banks of their financial viability, leading to a vicious cycle that makes it even harder for SMEs to access [funds]," she said.

Saengchai Theerakulwanich, president of the Thai SMEs federation, said companies with annual revenue of no more than 1.8 million baht (US$58,000), had the most difficulties accessing loans, even when they requested moderate amounts – usually below 5 million baht.

Though banks have issued loan packages specifically for SMEs, Saengchai said larger businesses were usually prioritised. "There are about 3.1 million SMEs in Thailand. I can't say how many of them will be left after the pandemic ends," he said. 

Salespeople wait for customers at a deserted mall in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7. Photo: EPA

While SMEs in the hospitality sector have been hard hit as tourism revenues dissipated, those in retail have also struggled to secure loans.

Natawaj Puthasiriwat, 60, said his request for a loan of 500,000 baht at a commercial bank was turned down. He owns a clothing store at Bangkok's Platinum wholesale mall, where local and international cloth vendors often flocked in search of the best deals. He used to earn between 500,000 baht to 1 million baht a month, but now he is struggling to pay his 20,000 baht monthly rent – a rate Platinum has subsidised to help vendors that has been reduced from the usual 100,000 baht a month. 

Observers and experts have questioned how Thailand's economic growth will be driven in the short term as well as in the post-pandemic future.

Suphan Mongkolsuthree, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the body had proposed that the government increase funds in the co-payment subsidy scheme for food, drink and general goods so as to double domestic spending this year.

The federation has ordered 300,000 doses of Sinopharm from Thailand's Chulabhorn Royal Academy university, which will import about 5 million to 6 million doses in the coming months. Those jabs would be distributed among workers in the industrial sector and paid for by business owners who are members of the body, Suphan said.

Pichai Naripthaphan, deputy leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party and former deputy finance minister, said the economic damage caused by Covid-19 "meant new businesses cannot start".

"We don't know how many years it will take for tourism to recover. The SME sector has plunged. The labour-intensive sector has shifted mostly to Vietnam and the vaccination drive is slow," he said. "So what will be Thailand's growth engine to drive its economic recovery?" 

🔴 #COVID19 UPDATE on TUESDAY: 19 deaths and 3,000 cases (640 from prisons). Full details at 12:30pm. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 15/6

 

Human trials of the first Thai COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Chula Vaccine Research Centre (CVRC) at Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, began today (Monday). PBS World



Human trials of the first Thai COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Chula Vaccine Research Centre (CVRC) at Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, began today (Monday).

Called "ChulaCov19", it is the first vaccine developed in Thailand, but will be the second to be locally made, if approved, after Siam Bioscience's production of the UK's AstraZeneca vaccine.

It is also an mRNA vaccine, a type that provides instructions to human cells on how to make a "spike protein" that triggers the body's immune response.

The vaccine is being administered to healthy volunteers in two phases, under the close supervision of specialised doctors, nurses and researchers at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, according to Professor Dr. Suttipong Wacharasindhu, the hospital's director and dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University.

The first phase involves 72 volunteers. Half are aged 18-55 and half 65-75. Some of them will get 10 micrograms (mcg) of the vaccine, while others will get 25mcg and 50mcg, to determine the most effective dosage. The second phase, involving 150-300 volunteers, will begin in August, if the first phase results are satisfactory.

If both phases of the trial prove high efficacy and safety of the vaccine, the third phase can be skipped and it could be approved for mass production before mid-2022, said Dr. Suttipong.

Prior to the human trials, the CVRC conducted experiments in monkeys and rats, with a high rate of success in preventing the virus from entering their system, according to Prof. Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham, Scientific Mentor & Founder of CVRC.

When tested for heat tolerance, it was found that the vaccine can be kept in a refrigerator at 2-8oC for three months and can last two weeks at room temperature. It can be manufactured quickly, without the need for massive facilities.

With support from Thailand's Public Health Ministry, the National Vaccine Institute, other state agencies, the private sector and civil society, the Thai vaccine researchers have also received support from Prof. Drew Weissman, of Pennsylvania University, a physician-scientist specialising in RNA biology who laid the groundwork for the COVID-19 vaccines developed by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna.

The CVRC will carry out further experimentation of the vaccine in animals, alongside the human trials, to prepare for mutations of the virus. If the experiments go according to plan, human trials of the vaccine on prominent variants, such as Alpha, Delta, Gamma and Beta, will be conducted in the last quarter of this year, Dr. Kiat said. 

Bangkok, Updated on 14 June, 2021, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to provide the initial information on the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ model to safely reopen Phuket to fully vaccinated international travellers from 1 July, 2021.

Phuket Sandbox

At a glance

TAT Newsroom

Bangkok, Updated on 14 June, 2021, at 14.00 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to provide the initial information on the 'Phuket Sandbox' model to safely reopen Phuket to fully vaccinated international travellers from 1 July, 2021.

The TAT Newsroom will provide the final official details on the Phuket Sandbox model as soon as officially approved directives from the Royal Thai Government are available.

• Applicable for international travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no less than 14 days before the travel date. They must also be 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).
• Applicable for children under 6 years of age travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
• Applicable for children between 6 and 18 years of age travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but they are required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival at their own expense.
• All vaccinated international arrivals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine registered with the MoPH or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
• All arrivals are required to download and install the alert application.
• All arrivals are required to stay in an accommodation establishment that is certified with the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) Plus certification.
  • For 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.
• All COVID-19 tests must follow the guidelines by the MoPH.
• Travellers are allowed to engage in any tourism activities but 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.

Foreign Traveller Journey

Pre-arrival

In order to be eligible to enter in Thailand, vaccinated international travellers – and their children – need to have all of their advance arrangements in good order for arrival and entry. These include:

• A vaccine certificate to proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no less than 14 days before the travel date with a vaccine registered with the MoPH or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO);
• A valid visa;
• A Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate;
• A COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000;
• A confirmation of booking in a SHA Plus-certified accommodation establishment.
• A medical certificate with an RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

Arrival

• Undergo Immigration and Customs procedures, and a COVID-19 screening, including RT-PCR tests;
• Download and install the alert application;
• Check-in at the pre-booked SHA Plus-certified accommodation establishment.

Stay

• You may be required to undergo a COVID-19 test using an RT-PCR or a rapid antigen method during your stay per the MoPH's guidelines;
• Engage in tourism activities or enjoy services in SHA Plus-certified venues and businesses, under the DMHTTA precautions;
• For emergency in case of having respiratory or other related symptoms, please alert the staff at your accommodation or contact the nearest hospital;
• The operator/owner of the accommodation establishment is required to report the name list and status of all foreign guests to the provincial authority on a daily basis.

Departure

• For travelling from Phuket to other Thai destinations, travellers are required to show a vaccine certificate and a medical certificate that they have tested negative for COVID-19;
• For travelling from Phuket to other countries, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of destination.

Relevant information

Child Policy	Children under 6 years of age must travel only with their parents or guardians who have been vaccinated;    In the case the parents or guardians are found to have COVID-19, the children are to be placed in isolation for 14 days.
Countries	The Phuket Sandbox is applicable only for fully vaccinated international travellers 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). *The list will be available soon.    High-risk countries are not allowed entry at this stage.
Visa & Certificate of Entry	Every traveller must obtain a Certificate of Entry (COE) at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/.   Check the website to see the required documents;    Embassy/Consulate-General takes 3 working days to process the application;    Applicants can check the result of the application on the website.
Insurance	International travellers must have an insurance covering treatment and medical expenses including those related to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of US$100,000. The insurance must cover the total duration of stay in Thailand.
Vaccines	All vaccinated international arrivals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine registered with the MoPH or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).    Arrivals must be vaccinated more than 14 days.   Proof of vaccination must be submitted when applying for a COE.
Airlines	Airlines that have announced direct flights to Phuket:  – British Airways – Cathay Pacific – El Al – Emirates – Singapore Airlines – THAI – Qatar Airways    Please check the flight schedule on the respective airline's websites.    Please be aware that some airlines are unable to operate into your home country for your return.
Before Arrival in Phuket	You must get an RT-PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours before arrival in Phuket and submit proof to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs when obtaining your COE.
At the Airport	You must download and install the alert application.    At Immigration, you are required to complete your arrival card, show your COE and passport.
SHA & SHA Plus+	'SHA' is a certification for businesses who meet the basic standards of hygiene and health safety for their products and services in accordance with the nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).    'SHA Plus' is a certification for companies/individuals who have received the SHA certificate AND 70% of the workforce has been vaccinated.    Here is the constantly updated list of SHA Plus businesses in Phuket.
While in Phuket	You can go anywhere in Phuket, BUT you must strictly follow the DMHTTAprecautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.    Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and if there are two or more people in a vehicle.    You may be required to undergo a COVID-19 test using an RT-PCR or a rapid antigen method during your stay per the MoPH's guidelines.    Q. Can a 2nd guest who is already resident in Thailand join a guest who has arrived 'internationally' into a 'SHA Plus' hotel?  A. Yes, providing the guest follows all rules stipulated for Thais and expats in Thailand.
Accommodation	It is mandatory that you book a 'SHA Plus' accommodation establishment for your stay in Phuket.    Residing in a private residence is not allowed for COVID-19 control purposes.    Q. Must I book a consecutive stay in one place?  A. You can move between SHA Plus hotels during your stay.    Q. Booking must be prepaid? or if proof of the booking will suffice?  A. Prepaid.    Q. Are there standardised cancellation and refund policies for 'SHA Plus' hotels for peace of mind agreed upon by all 'SHA Plus' hoteliers?  A. Yes.
COVID-19 Test	RT-PCR test:  – Every hospital in Phuket can provide an RT-PCR test; – The cost of an RT-PCR covid test ranges from 2,500-4,000 Baht per person.  Rapid test:  – You can get a rapid test from hospitals, clinics, and private labs in Phuket; – The cost of a rapid test ranges from 450-1,000 Baht per person. COVID-19 testing is at the travellers' own expense.
Tours & Excursion	We recommend that you only book an excursion with 'SHA Plus' certified companies for your safety;    *Further information under review.
Restaurants	We recommend that you only use 'SHA Plus' certified restaurants for your safety, but you may dine-in at non-certified restaurants, too.
Taxi & Transportation	We recommend that you use only 'SHA Plus' certified taxis and transportation, but you may use non 'SHA Plus', too if you prefer.    If there are more than 2 people in a vehicle, masks must be worn at all times.    Q. Is there is an app or website to be able to book SHA+ transport services?  A. Information will be available soon.    Q. Is GRAB taxi SHA+?  A. Information will be available soon.
Other Activities	Q. What's open?  A. Information will be available soon.
COVID-19 Infected	If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, you must immediately get a test. If you travel in a group, everybody in the group must undergo a test.    In case you are tested positive for COVID-19 in Thailand, you will be responsible for the medical expenses which must be covered by your insurance.
Domestic Travel	After spending 14 nights in Phuket and you are tested negative for COVID-19, you are free to go anywhere in Thailand but you must follow each province's restrictions.
International Travel	You must follow your home country's entry requirements, and Thailand is not responsible or able to assist with such updates by individual countries.

The TAT Newsroom (www.tatnews.org) will continue to provide regular updates on Phuket's preparations to safely reopen to foreign tourists ranging from entry requirements and public health procedures to local vaccinations and hygiene standards.

For regular updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand, visit the TAT Newsroom via www.tatnews.org; Facebook (tatnews.org); and Twitter (Tatnews_Org).

For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand's tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.