Thailand reopens sandbox with new entries, relaxes travel curbs

Dhaka: Thailand will be reopening its sandbox programme from January 11 with three new entries Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao) in addition to Phuket, following a halt since December 22.   

Meaning, from January 11, international travellers will be able to again travel to Thailand under the Sandbox programme, and can choose to undergo their mandatory seven-day stay in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, or Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao).

The island nation, popular among tourists, will also lift the ban on entries from eight African countries on January 11, said Tourism Authority of Thailand in a release on January 7.

However, the Test and Go procedure with one-day quarantine is still temporarily suspended, said Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

The deadline for those with approved Thailand Passes for the procedure, was extended from January 10 to 15. “No entry via this procedure will be allowed after January 15,” he added.

The CCSA estimated that almost 10,400 people are approved for the procedure and still waiting to enter between January 7 and 15.