Brought to you by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thailand’s launch of the Phuket Sandbox programme on July 1, 2021, and the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension on August 16, 2021, gave the world the highly-anticipated signal that the destination are once again ready to amaze visitors – this time with all the necessary health and safety measures in place.
Phuket’s beaches are more pristine and beautiful than ever, each one offering its own individual vibe and atmosphere, from the energetic buzz of Patong and its restaurants, shops and souvenir stalls to the relaxing settings of Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and Mai Khao with their silky-soft sands and glistening waters gently caressing the shoreline.
Away from the glorious beaches, visitors can as always discover much in the way of culture and heritage, soft adventure and family-friendly tropical fun. Whether it is visiting the island’s glittering temples and shrines, thrill-seeking on zipline rides and 4WD excursions through lush jungles, or discovering the picturesque beauty of landmark locations like Promthep Cape, Krathing Cape, and Karon Viewpoint to make that perfect photograph, Phuket does not disappoint.
Health and wellness opportunities abound for those seeking the chance to rejuvenate and recharge in the tropical surroundings of dedicated spa resorts and world-class spas at many a hotel and resort. Delicious cuisine created with the freshest seafood and tantalising, exotic ingredients can be found the island over, positioning Phuket as a gastronomical destination of international renown and earning its place in UNESCO Creative City listing. Community-based tourism experiences provide the opportunity to appreciate a unique and fascinating local way of life.
Directly north of Phuket on the mainland, Phang-Nga’s stunning landscape vistas must not be missed. This natural beauty is best appreciated from famous Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, with spectacular 180-degree views across Phang Nga Bay and its many limestone formations and small islands. Among the area’s islands is Ko Yao Noi, featured in the James Bond movie The Man With The Golden Gun. And when the sun sets, the Milky Way comes into view.
On the Phang-Nga coastline, the 20km stretch of beaches in Khao Lak make for a serene, welcoming and idyllic sun, sea and sand experience to remember. Here, the days are quiet and unrushed, and one could be excused for thinking they had discovered an untouched tropical hideaway – from an enchanting shoreline to jungle-clad mountain backdrops.
There is no better time than now to visit Phuket and Phang-Nga, two delightful jewels in the ever-dazzling crown that is the tropical paradise of southern Thailand, where shimmering seas, beautiful beaches and countless off-shore islands await travellers.
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Fully vaccinated travellers from non-high-risk destinations entering Japan from Friday (October 1) will have their mandatory quarantine shortened from 14 to 10 days, said the government on Monday.
“As the vaccination rate increases, the government will revise entry restrictions in phases. This will be the first revision we will make,” chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato was quoted by The Japan Times as saying during a news conference Monday.
The new policy will require travellers to provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, and they will be able to observe the shortened quarantine period at home or an accommodation of their choosing.
However, the relaxed rules will only apply to those who have received one of the three Covid-19 vaccines approved by the Japanese government: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca.
Currently, all visitors to Japan, regardless of vaccination status, are required to undertake a pre-departure Covid-19 test, be tested on arrival, and serve a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
With the new ruling, vaccinated travellers will be able to take a Covid-19 test on the 10th day of quarantine at their own expense, and will be permitted to end their self-isolation if they test negative. However, travellers will still be required to undergo tests prior to departure.
The shortened quarantine policy will not apply to travellers arriving from countries and regions that are deemed as high-risk due to a high number of cases involving the Delta variant, even if they are fully vaccinated.
These travellers will be required to serve the first three, six or 10 days of their 14-day quarantine at designated facilities. If they test negative at the end of that given period, they can then serve the remainder of their 14-day quarantine at home or at an accommodation of their choosing.
These include arrivals from more than 40 countries including Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the UK.
Non-vaccinated arrivals from regions that are not on the list can self-isolate at home or at an accommodation of their choice for 14 days.