If you haven't already heard, Thailand is reopening! Following the launch of the Phuket sandbox, you can hop on the next flight for the 'Samui Plus' programme. For those who choose to visit the country under this island programme, get ready for your next trip of relaxing on the beaches of Ko Samui and Ko Tao ? If the travel bug's got you, here's everything you need to know to book your long-awaited trip to Thailand!

Thailand launches the Samui Plus programme

If you've been thinking of having a beach vacation overseas, Starting from 15 July 2021, the ‘Samui Plus’ programme covers specific areas and routes in Surat Thani province’s three islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao.

Who is eligible to travel to Ko Samui?

The Samui Plus programme is open to fully vaccinated tourists from the following countries:

Credit: TAT Newsroom

All tourists should depart from a country on this approved list and must have stayed there at least 21 days before departure.

What are the travel requirements in the Samui Plus programme?

You may visit the islands if you are travelling from the countries listed above. Tourists travelling under the Samui Plus programme must:

be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by either the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Thailand's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

have received a negative Covid-19 test by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method within 72 hours before the travel date

have medical insurance with Covid-19 treatment coverage of at least US$100,000

obtain a Certificate of Entry (COE)

All travellers under the Samui Plus programme must stay the first seven nights' accommodation in a 'Samui Extra Plus' hotel and the remaining seven nights in an 'SHA Plus' hotel. In the case of staying less than seven nights, only the 'Samui Extra Plus' hotel should be shown in the COE.

What can I do in the Samui Plus programme?

The entire duration of the Samui Plus programme would consist of 14 days. However, the length of stay can be decided by the traveller and relevant documents must be shown in the COE. According to the length of stay, PCR tests will be conducted.

The Samui Plus programme:

DAY 0: WAITING: The first RT-PCR test will be conducted at the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel, and the traveller must wait in their room for the result.

DAY 1-3 Chilling at the hotel: After receiving a negative test result, travellers can then relax and use services in the area that the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel has allocated.

DAY 4-7 Sealed Route: Travellers can travel in the districts of Ko Samui according to the specified route and travel programme.

DAY 6 or 7: The second RT-PCR test will be conducted at the ‘Samui Extra Plus’ hotel.

DAY 8-14 Relaxation: Travellers must stay at an ‘SHA Plus’ hotel, and after receiving a negative test result, can travel within Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao with a follow-up with the specified IT system.