SKÃ…L WELCOMES REOPENING OF KOH SAMUI TO VACCINATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS IN THE SAMUI+ PLUS PROGRAM

The following is a press release. Their statements and opinions are entirely their own.

(Koh Samui, Thailand – July 16^th, 2021) – Koh Samui – Thailand’s second-largest island and its neighboring islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao – has opened to vaccinated international travelers without quarantine in the new SAMUI+ tourism scheme intended to kick-start the island’s tourism industry which has been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Samui+ model represents months of planning and close cooperation between the key tourism bodies of Thailand, the TAT [Thailand Association of Tourism], THA [Thailand Hotels Assocation], TAKS [Tourism Association of Koh Samui], government and private sector, whose representatives attended last night’s launch ceremony at the Banana FanSea Resort on Samui’s famous Chaweng Beach.

SAMUI+ Plus model – At a glance, how it works for vaccinated international visitors: 

• Travelers must travel from an approved country, and they must have been in that country for no fewer than 21 consecutive days.
• A Certificate of Entry (COE).
• A negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before the travel date.
• Adult arrivals must be fully vaccinated by an approved COVID-19 vaccine no fewer than 14 days before the travel date.
• Travelers under 18 do not require proof of vaccination but must travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians and show a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test.
• Insurance policy covering COVID-19 expenses of at least USD100,000.
• Arrival is via Bangkok’s International Airport Suvarnabhumi and transfers to direct Bangkok Airways terminal for a direct flight to Koh Samui via a sealed transit route.
• Must stay exclusively at an ALQ approved hotel for the first 7 nights of their stay.
• May stay at a SHA+ Plus approved hotel or private villa in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao for the next 7 nights of their stay on Koh Samui.
• All airline and hotel bookings must be pre-booked and pre-paid and include payment for the mandatory 3 x RT-PCR COVID-19 tests.
• Must be tested with RT-PCR COVID-19 test on the following days of their visit:

Day 0 – 1^st RT-PCR test on arrival at the hotel, and wait for the result.

Day 1-3  – If the result is negative, tourists are free to enjoy their hotel facilities.

Day 4-7 – The ‘Sealed Route’ and tourists are free to enjoy 3 pre-determined designated routes: A natural attraction; Wellness Spa or Diving.

Day 6 or 7 – 2^nd RT-PCR test at the hotel.

Day 8–14 – If negative, tourists are free to travel around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao and stay in SHA+ Plus approved hotels.

Day 12 or 13 – 3^rd RT-PCR rest will be conducted at the hospital.  If negative,  tourists are free to travel domestically within Thailand.

• Must download and install alert applications.

See link for complete rules https://www.tatnews.org and attached list of Eligible countries and chart showing the Customer Journey, which applies to Thai and non-Thai nationals alike.

Domestic travelers also enjoy access to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao provided that they comply with the following conditions, which apply to local Thai as well as non-#Thailand visitors:

–          Fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine no fewer than 14 days before travel.

–          A negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before the travel date.

–          Recovered from COVID-19 for at least 14 days.

Meanwhile, visitors to Koh Samui can expect a much-improved island following the local authority’s investment in upgraded infrastructure, public utilities, transportation, and safety measures.

Commenting on the reopening of Koh Samui to international tourism, James McManaman, President of SKÅL International Koh Samui said, “We are absolutely delighted that this day has come, we’ve been watching the Phuket Sandbox scheme which launched on July 1^st very and firmly believe that the Samui+ model which is different to Phuket, has all the elements in place to make it a success.  Obviously, this is a work in progress but it’s a great start to get our beautiful island back on track towards the recovery of its much-needed tourism.”

SKAL International Samui is committed to helping Koh Samui and its people rebuild the local economy, for the past year the organization has been working closely with all stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry on the recovery process through its successful #RediscoverSamui campaign – now adopted by all of our 6 member clubs in Thailand – which has included a new promotional video, media fans, webinars, and talks on tourism recovery through our SKAL Talks Thailand series.

About SKAL International

SkÃ¥l International is the world’s largest global network of Tourism Professionals promoting Tourism, Travel, Business, and Friendship worldwide since 1934. Its members are Directors and Executives of the Tourism sector who connect with each other to address issues of common interest, improving a business network, and promoting destinations. www.skal.org