Visit the Kingdom of Thailand through its Blue Zone Sandbox Program!
IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of 9 January 2023, Thailand is fully reopened to all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. Only visitors traveling to countries that require an RT-PCR are required to have health insurance
If you’ve been itching to visit Thailand, then you’d be happy to know that the country has opened its doors to the world and you can do so through its Blue Zone Sandbox Program!
This scheme allows travelers from any country or territory to enter the country through its Blue Zones, which are areas where at least 70% of their population have been vaccinated, such as Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Surat Thani.
Visitors entering through this scheme are required to stay in a SHA+ hotel within the Sandbox for 5 days, starting this December 17, 2021 (it used to be 7 days). Once you’ve finished the mandatory stay, you can leave the Sandbox.
Photo credit: @erik_karits on Unsplash
Eligibility and Requirements
Aside from the mandatory stay, there are other things to take note of, specifically the requirements and who is eligible to enter through this program. Let’s go through them one by one!
- Have booked at least a 5-night stay at a SHA+ accommodation within the Sandbox Area they’re in.
- Procure a USD50,000 health insurance policy. This should be able to cover any medical concerns related to COVID-19 during your stay in the country. You may avail of a health insurance policy via AXA Thailand’s official website
Blue Zone Sandbox Areas
Photo by Amm Aroontherawong
Currently, there are 17 Blue Zone areas in the country. You can visit any one of these for the Sandbox Program:
- Bangkok
- Krabi
- Chon Buri (Banglamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, and Sattahip – Na Jomtien and Bang Sarey)
- Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng)
- Trat (Ko Chang)
- Buri Ram (Mueang)
- Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae)
- Phang-Nga
- Phetchaburi (Cha-Am)
- Phuket
- Ranong (Ko Phayam)
- Rayong (Ko Samet)
- Loei (Chiang Khan)
- Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
- Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao)
- Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai, and Tha Bo)
- Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han, and Prachaksinlapakhom)
Each area has numerous SHA+ hotels. Learn more about SHA and the best SHA+ hotels you can book for your stay at Sandbox areas like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya to help you decide where to stay! The Blue Zone Sandbox Program is just one of the three schemes that you can go with to enter the country. The other two are: Test & Go and Alternative Quarantine. Those have their own requirements.
The TEST & GO program is applicable for fully vaccinated travelers coming from ANY country or territory, but will require you to isolate and take 1 RT-PCR test on Day 1, and you must bring and take your own ATK (Rapid Antigen Test) on Day 5.
The Alternative Quarantine are for travelers that are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and will quarantine in their AQ hotel for 7 or more days. Remember to find out if you’re eligible for the TEST & GO program or what you need for the Alternative Quarantine scheme before booking your trip!
If you end up picking the Blue Zone Sandbox Program, waiting out the mandatory 5 days will be worth it. After that’s done, you’re free to explore the Kingdom to your heart’s content! If you happen to be planning on going on an adventure in areas like Phuket, Krabi, and Pattaya, you’re in for a treat because there are numerous exciting activities to try that will enrich your stay in these tropical paradises!
Happy and safe travels!
