Surat Thani, Thailand-
The following is an extensive FAQ provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand regarding the “Samui Plus” program to visit the major islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, or Koh Phangan in Thailand starting from the middle of this month. Their statements, thoughts, and opinions are their own.
Preparing for Travel
Q: What do foreign travelers planning to visit under the Samui Plus program need to know/do before they travel?
A: They should make sure they have covered all the necessary requirements and have all the required documentation. This includes:
- A passport with at least 6 months validity;
- Have been in a Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved country for 21 days or more;
- Been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO);
- Have booked and purchased return air travel;
- Have booked and paid for accommodation, and required RT-PCR test/s at an ALQ or SHA Plus hotel;
- Have purchased medical insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least US$100,000;
- Have tested negative for COVID-19 no longer than 72 hours before travel.
Q: Does the required documentation need to be in English?
A: Yes, all documentation must be in English only. If the paperwork is not complete, the visitor will be placed in ALQ for 14 days or until they can leave Thailand, the expenses of which the visitor must cover.
Q: What countries/territories am I allowed to travel to Thailand from?
A: The list can be viewed here.
Q: If I am a Thai national or foreign resident of Thailand who is returning from overseas, do I need to have been in a CCSA-approved country for 21 days or more?
A: No, it is not necessary.
Q: What flights can I take to Samui?
A: You can fly to Samui on a direct international flight only, or transit via Bangkok on an approved airline only. Connecting flights on non-approved airlines is not permitted.
Please check www.bangkokair.com for flight schedules.
Q: If I am traveling with a child under the age of 18, does he/she need to be fully vaccinated?
A: Children under 18 are not required to be vaccinated if traveling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but must have tested negative for COVID-19 no longer than 72 hours before travel.
Applying for the Samui Plus Programme
Q: How can I apply for the program?
A: Providing you meet all the above points, you can go to https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ to apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE).
Q: How long does the COE application take?
A: As long as you meet all the requirements, it takes 3 working days for the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General processing of the application.
Q: Will I be notified of the application result?
A: No. You will need to check the result at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/.
Q: Do I need to apply for a visa?
A: Yes, if required.
Day of Travel
Q: Do I need to bring all the documentation that was required for the COE with me?
A: Yes.
Q: If the test result that I used for the COE application is older than 72 hours, will I need to take another test?
A: Yes.
Q: Will I have to undergo exit screening at my point of departure?
A: Yes. Please note that if your temperature exceeds the safe limit, you will be denied boarding.
Arrival in Samui
Q: What is the procedure after disembarking from my flight?
A: You must pass through health and control and Immigration procedures, and then travel directly to your hotel.
Q: After I clear health control and Immigration, do I need to proceed directly to my hotel?
A: Yes. You will need to go straight to your hotel where you must wait for the test result.
Q: Can I stop en route to the hotel for any reason?
A: No, this is not permitted.
Q: Can I take public transportation for the airport-hotel transfer?
A: No. The transfer is pre-arranged.
Q: How long will I have to wait for my test result?
A: The result will be available within the first day of your arrival.
Q: How do I count the days?
A: If you arrive during 00.01-18.00 Hrs., the day is Day 1.
If you arrive during 18.01-00.00 Hrs, the day after is Day 1.
Q: Where can I go in Samui?
A: After waiting for the test result in your hotel room on first arrival (Day 0) and the result is negative, you can travel around as follows:
• Day 1-3: Can leave the hotel room for designated areas in the hotel only;
• Day 4-7: Can travel within designated routes and on tour programmes on Ko Samui only;
• Day 8-14: Can travel within Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao;
• Day 15: If the last test on Day 12-13 is negative, can go anywhere in Thailand.
At all times, visitors must strictly follow the DMHTTA precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.
Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with two or more people.
Visitors must also abide by the measures put in place by Surat Thani province during their stay.
Q: If I test positive, what will happen?
A: You will be sent to a hospital for appropriate treatment, and will need to pay the expenses which should be covered in your insurance.
Q: What transportation, tours and excursions, and restaurants should I use while in Samui plus Ko Phangan and Ko Tao?
A: During their stay, visitors must use SHA Plus certified transportation and tour companies only. Renting of private vehicles is not permitted.
For island travel between Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, and Ko Tao, only approved boats at approved ports can be used; public boats must not be used.
For those visitors staying longer than 14 days, public transportation can be used from the 15th day onward.
For dining, it is recommended that you use SHA Plus restaurants although this is not compulsory.
A choice of SHA Plus transportation providers, tour agencies, and restaurants can be viewed here.
Q: Do I have to stay at an ALQ (Alternative Local Quarantine) hotel for the first 7 nights?
A: Yes. Visitors from overseas staying 14 nights must stay at an ALQ hotel on Ko Samui only for the first 7 nights, after which they can move to an SHA Plus hotel on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, or Ko Tao for the other 7 nights.
Q: Why do I have to use ALQ and SHA Plus accommodation?
A: It is for your added safety, as these are hotels that are government-approved with respect to required health and safety measures. SHA Plus certification indicates a hotel meets the safety measures to control COVID-19, and also that 70% of its workforce has been fully vaccinated.
ALQ properties can be viewed http://www.hsscovid.com/.
SHA Plus properties can be viewed here.
Q: Can my friend/family member who is already in Samui, Ko Phangan or Ko Tao join me at my hotel?
A: This will depend on Surat Thani’s health and safety measures stipulated for Thais and ex-pats in Thailand.
Q: Can I stay at an ALQ hotel in Samui for the first 7 nights, then move to another hotel in another province; such as Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Chon Buri for the next 7 nights?
A: No, this is not permitted. You have to stay in Samui (plus Ko Phangan or Ko Tao) for 14 nights first before you can travel to another destination in Thailand.
Q: Can I stay at an ALQ hotel in Samui for the first 7 nights, then move to another hotel in another nearby island, such as Ko Phangan or Ko Tao for the next 7 nights?
A: Yes, providing that you move to an SHA Plus hotel.
Q: Can I stay at an ALQ hotel in Samui for less than 7 nights; for example, only 5 nights, and then leave Samui for another country?
A: Yes you can, but you must not be traveling from Samui, Ko Phangan, or Ko Tao with a group of people unless it is the same group with which you came to Thailand.
Q: Does this mean that, likewise, after 5 nights in Samui, I can travel to other Thai destinations?
A: No, you cannot. You must leave Thailand immediately.
If you want to visit other Thai destinations, you need to first complete a 14-night stay in Samui. This can be 7 nights in an ALQ hotel on Ko Samui plus 7 more nights at an SHA Plus hotel/s on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, or Ko Tao.
Q: How many more tests must I do during my stay?
A: If your stay is less than 7 days, you must take one more test on days 6-7.
If your stay is between 10 and 14 days, you must take more tests on Day 6-7 and Day 12-13.
If your stay is less than 5 days, you are not required to take an additional test, but you must leave Thailand immediately.
Q: Where can I get an RT-PCR test done in Samui?
A: Every hospital can provide an RT-PCR test. The cost ranges from 2,500-4,000 Baht per person and is at your own expense. However, the cost for your required RT-PCR test/s must be prepaid when booking accommodation at an ALQ or SHA Plus hotel.
Q: Must a test be prepaid?
A: All required testing must be booked and prepaid through your hotel; the number of tests depends on the duration of your stay.
Q: What should I do if I feel unwell, or suspect a possible COVID-19 infection?
A: Any person experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must immediately get a test done. If the person is traveling in a group, every person in the group must undergo a test.
Q: What happens if I test positive?
A: In the case a traveler tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand, he/she will be responsible for the medical expenses, which should be covered by the required insurance.
Leaving Samui
Q: I plan to visit one or more other destinations in Thailand after my Samui visit. Will I face entry requirements at these other places?
A: Yes, of course. Each destination in Thailand has entry requirements, and you should check on these beforehand to make sure you meet them.
Q: What about the entry requirements of the country/territory I will fly to after my stay in Thailand?
A: It is up to you to make sure you meet the requirements of your specific international destination. Thailand is not responsible or able to assist on this matter.
As Samui joins Phuket in reopening to visitors from around the world, we wish everyone an enjoyable, safe, and rewarding holiday. We’re sure you will join us in hoping the ongoing safe revitalization of Thailand’s nationwide tourism sector is achieved as envisioned.
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