Thinking of hopping on the next flight to Thailand? The Phuket sandbox will let you do just that. The new scheme that lets travellers visit the popular tropical hot spot quarantine-free is the kingdom's next hope for a tourism revival. But what do visitors need to do prior and during your trip to the sunny island? Here's everything you need to know.
All visitors entering Phuket must:
- receive two doses of WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before travel
- produce a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before departure and in Phuket
- have a Covid-19 insurance worth US$100,000
- obtain a certificate of entry
- stay in a SHA+ accredited hotel in Phuket for 14 days before travelling to other parts of Thailand
How much does a trip to Phuket cost?
Credit: AXA
Air fares from Singapore to Phuket range around $200 to $300. You will also need to purchase travel insurance with coverage of at least S$135,000. According to the Thai Embassy, the COVID-19 insurance may be provided by an international insurance provider or by Thailand-based insurance providers, which includes AXA Thailand. For a 30-day coverage, the insurance starts at s$113.39. There is also the cost of numerous Covid-19 tests, including pre-paid tests to be taken in Phuket. One PCR swab test on Klook by a medical group in Singapore starts from $167. The cost of three Covid-19 tests in Phuket is around S$336.
How long can you stay in Phuket?
Travellers entering must fly into Phuket with no transiting in Bangkok. If you are staying less than 14 days in Phuket, you must have a confirmed flight ticket out of Thailand. If you wish to travel to the rest of Thailand, you must remain in Phuket for 14 days and take three Covid-19 tests during this period. You are allowed to roam freely while on the island but it is recommended that
The good news for Singaporeans is that we're among the low-risk countries that can travel to Phuket from abroad. While there's still a muted response and opportunities may seem ambiguous now, the Phuket sandbox is one of the first tries of a new model to bring tourism back alive. We certainly can't wait for more successful re-openings in the future! Share this to let your loved ones know!