Many Travelers Are Asking When Will Thailand Reopen For Tourists
For short term tourists, we simply don’t know when Thailand will reopen for tourists. The various tourist associations on Phuket do have a plan to privately vaccinate the tourist workers. The plan will hopefully enable vaccinated tourists to arrive on the island in October 2021. However this has yet to be approved by the government but we have our fingers firmly crossed.
*Update: Phuket has been chosen for what the government are calling the ‘Phuket Sandbox‘. From 0s1t July 2021, there will be NO quarantine for vaccinated visitors. Despite the current 3rd wave of Covid-19 that has erupted in Thailand, the plan is still set to go ahead.
It all relies on 70% of the Phuket population being vaccinated in time. Most of our staff have already had their second dose so it is happening. You must fly directly to Phuket but after seven days you will be able to leave Phuket to visit other places in Thailand.
Long Term tourists Can Come to Phuket Now!
If you like jumping through hoops and willing to pay for a government approved quarantine then you’re welcome now. Phuket has been incredibly lucky to avoid the pandemic (zero cases for a month) so it’s a great place to hide away for a while.
Currently from most countries you have two visa options:
STV (Special Tourist Visa) – stays of up to 60 days (can extend once for a further 30 days).
SETV (Single Entry Tourist Visa) – stays of up to 90 days (can extend twice for a total of 270 days)
There’s lots of hoops to jump through and it’s not a guarantee that your application will be successful but here’s what you’ll need.
For Both Types Of Visa You Will Need
1. A Fit to Fly health certificate. A signed statement from your Doctor that you have no covid-19 symptoms and in good health.
2. Proof of confirmed ASQ (Alternative State Quarantine) hotel booking.
3. An insurance policy that covers you for at least USD 100,000 medical expenses and of course covid-19. You’ll need to bring copies that show all coverage to the airport or you maybe refused boarding.
4. A negative RT-PCR COVID-19 laboratory result taken within 72hrs prior to departure.
5. Certificate of Entry
6. T.8 Form
7. Declaration form
8. Download “ThailandPlus” Application
SETV Application Documents:
Copy of passport
Home country bank statement with proof of enough funds to cover your trip
Hotel booking confirmation or invitation from friends or family in Thailand
Travel booking confirmation
Confirmation of legal residence in home country
STV Application Documents:
Copy of passport which must have at least 12 validity and three blank pages
Home country bank statement with proof of enough funds to cover your trip
Hotel booking confirmation or invitation from friends or family in Thailand
Travel booking confirmation
Confirmation of legal residence in home country
Health insurance covering at least THB 40,000 outpatient/THB 400,000 inpatient + USD 100,000 covid-19 related coverage for your entire stay.
Different countries will have different requirements so you must check with the Thai embassy in your own country, you can easily find that here. Requirements are constantly changing so the above information may already be out of date.
Why Bother Coming To Thailand?
There’s no doubt that the **15 day quarantine period is the biggest hurdle to jump but if you plan to stay for long enough then it’s worth it. Phuket has never been so beautiful as it right now. The stunning beaches are empty and the sea is crystal clear and warm, the usual tourist attractions are devoid of any crowds.
**Update: From 01st April quarantine will be reduced to 7 days for vaccinated tourists and 10 days for unvaccinated tourists
For divers it’s simply an opportunity that you’ll never get again. Dive boats have very few guests and usually only one boat on each dive site. The Similan and Surin Islands are simply stunning, the usually crowded beach on island no.8 is empty and on a recent trip over Xmas there were only two boats at Richelieu Rock!
So escape the weather and the pandemic and come and join us for a long visit to Phuket with the island at its beautiful best.
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