Thailand lifts travel restrictions for yachts

Thailand's national flag © Guy Nowell / Phuket King's Cup

New regulations for flying in to Phuket will make it easier for crew changes and the eventual reopening of Thailand scheduled to take place on 1st November

“The Thai government’s aim is to allow all vaccinated crew/guests to fly into Thailand without the need for quarantine. Yacht check-in is also scheduled to get easier”, reports Gordon Fernandes in Phuket, co-founder of Asia Pacific Superyachts. Thailand will waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions from 01 November for vaccinated arrivals, authorities said on Monday.

After months of strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand is gearing up for a return to normalcy by easing some travel restrictions and quarantine requirements and allowing normal tourists to enter the country. The government has introduced 'Sandbox' programmes allowing vaccinated travellers to enter the ‘Land of Smiles’ without quarantine. The ‘Phuket Sandbox’ programme has welcomed over 35,000 travellers since it started on 01 July 2021. Fully vaccinated travellers from eligible countries who are visiting Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox are not required to undergo a mandatory quarantine. The Phuket Sandbox travellers are required to stay for 7 nights in a designated SHA+ hotel in Phuket only.

The ‘Samui Plus Sandbox’ programme has welcomed international travellers since it started on 15 July 2021. Fully vaccinated travellers visiting Thailand through the Samui Plus Sandbox are not required to undergo a mandatory quarantine. Samui Plus Sandbox travellers are required to stay for 7 nights in a designated Samui Extra Plus Hotel in Samui before they are allowed to travel to Koh Phang Ngan or Koh Tao.

The Thai government plans to promote tourism next year and set up of a tourism promotional fund to transform Phuket into a world class destination. Restrictions were eased as vaccinations hit 50m doses after record 1.4m doses last week. The ambitious plan for Phuket and the tourism sector was approved during an online meeting last week of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. A tourism promotion fund, with the support of the private sector and civil society, will be set up, not just to promote tourism but also to effect changes in the tourism industry for sustainable growth, as well as reducing as much red tape as possible to promote tourism and welcome more foreign-flagged yachts and superyachts.