Coming to Thailand? What are the Options & Restrictions in August 2021?
Just a quick post to warn you. A lot of people seem to think it’s all fun and freedom in Asia and are even considering a multi-month trip around Asia right now. Yet Asia has never had as many Covid cases. So I’d advise you to come only if you’re ready to stay in one place for a long time.
On the other hand, if you want to move around, change regions every week, or change countries… expect to have to pay for a PCR test every 10 days, even if you’re vaccinated.
Entering Thailand
Right now, you can enter Thailand:
- By landing in Bangkok: then undergo strict quarantine in a hotel room for 14 nights in Bangkok. This is the option we chose because in May, there were no other options. This option is for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
- By landing in Koh Samui with a transit in Bangkok: this is the Samui+ program. You have semi-quarantine for 3 nights, hotel-organized outings for 4 nights, then 7 nights with free movement allowed in Koh Samui / Koh Tao / Koh Phangan. This option is for vaccinated travelers only.
- By landing in Koh Samui with a transit in Singapore: this is the Samui+ program. You have semi-quarantine for 3 nights, hotel-organized outings for 4 nights, then 7 nights with free movement allowed in Koh Samui / Koh Tao / Koh Phangan. This option is for vaccinated travelers only.
- By landing in Phuket: this is the Phuket Sandbox program. Phuket SandboxYou can come to Phuket with a transit in Dubai or Singapore. You must stay in your room until the results of the first PCR test. If it’s negative, you’re free to move around Phuket. You must stay at least 14 nights in Phuket.
Note: for flights with transits, all flights must be on the same ticket: e.g., Paris – Bangkok – Koh Samui. You shouldn’t buy the tickets separately.
All three options require:
- a negative PCR test before departure
- 3 PCR tests on arrival
- After 14 nights, you’re free to move around all of Thailand
What to do after 14 nights?
In theory, you can travel anywhere in Thailand, but right now:
- interregional buses are suspended
- interregional trains are suspended
- there are almost no domestic flights
- Bangkok is in the dark red zone, so it’s recommended not to enter/leave the zone
- Bangkok is almost in lockdown – but they don’t use that term. However, when you look at videos of Bangkok, there’s no one on the streets anymore
- Only Phuket still has flights via Nok Air to U-tapao. And from Utapao, you have either other flights or shuttles to other Thai cities/airports. Here are the destinations offered by Nok Air (by plane):
- Chiang Mai
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Udon Thani
- Sakon Nakhon
- Ubon Ratchathani
Here’s a quick table summarizing the current restrictions. Then, whether you need a PCR within 72 hours or be vaccinated for 1 or 2 weeks… it changes all the time, so it’s up to you to check.
For example, when we bought a boat ticket from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (a 15-minute ride), we were asked to show proof of vaccination or a PCR test. This new measure had been introduced that very day with immediate effect!
| Departure | Arrival | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Other Thai cities | Phuket | Vaccination certificate + PCR test |
| Phuket | Koh Samui | Flights are suspended for now. But you can take Nok Air to Udon Thani, then a ferry to Koh Samui. PCR test required |
| Phuket | Other cities | See the routes offered by Nok Air. |
| Koh Samui | Koh Phangan | Vaccination certificate OR PCR test OR antigen test |
| Bangkok | Koh Samui | Flights are suspended for now. Buses are suspended for now. You can hire a car/driver. Expect a 12-hour journey (car + ferry) PCR test But if you came via the Samui+ program, you’re allowed to fly internationally, transiting through Bangkok. |
| Koh Phangan | Koh Samui | Nothing |
| Koh Samui | Bangkok | Flights are suspended for now. Buses are suspended for now. But if you came via the Samui+ program, you’re allowed to fly internationally, transiting through Bangkok. |
| Phuket | Bangkok | Flights are suspended for now. But if you came via the Phuket Sandbox program, you’re allowed to fly internationally, transiting through Bangkok. or fly to U-tapao with Nok Air, then take a shuttle to Bangkok. |
FYI, we came to Thailand unvaccinated. We got vaccinated thanks to the French embassy, in Koh Samui. And we now have the Thai vaccination certificate, which makes our travels much easier.
Zones and restrictions
Which will likely remain as they are until the end of August.
PI, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui are part of the Surat Thani region.
What are the risks of coming to Thailand?
The biggest risk is testing positive for Covid.Even if you’re vaccinated, the vaccine protects against severe forms, but it’s not a 100% guarantee you won’t catch it. Medical infrastructure isn’t like in France, so it’s better to stay negative at all times.
The problem with a positive Covid test is that you’re taken straight to the hospital, where you’ll be quarantined for 14 days. Even if you’re asymptomatic. Even if you ask for a second Covid test and it comes back negative, you’ll still stay 14 days. This little hospital stay is expensive ($6000/person), and even if you have insurance, coverage for hospitalization when you’re not… sick is not guaranteed.
The second risk is being a “close contact” of a positive Covid case.As a foreigner, they’ll send you to a quarantine hotel. There are very few quarantine hotels in Phuket and Koh Samui, and they’re all overpriced. These quarantine costs won’t be covered by insurance.
So even though Thailand is a cheap country, as soon as you have any contact with a positive case or if you test positive yourself, be prepared to pay a lot. That’s why I think you need to weigh your odds, ask yourself if you’re able to respect social distancing and safety measures – or if you’re the type to wear your mask under your nose and party non-stop.
This article was written and published on August 1, 2021.Note, I won’t update this article anymore because restrictions change every day, even every hour. Follow Richard Barrow on Facebook or Twitter, as well as Tatnews for daily news.
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