Thailand has always been a popular tourist destination among Indian travelers. However, with the ongoing pandemic situation, there has been a lot of confusion about whether Thailand is open for tourism now for India or not. In this article, we will discuss the current situation and the latest updates regarding travel to Thailand from India.
Travel Restrictions between India and Thailand
Thailand had closed its borders to international tourists in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, there have been strict travel restrictions in place for all foreign nationals, including Indians. However, on 1st July 2021, Thailand announced that it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists under a new program called “Phuket Sandbox.”
What is Phuket Sandbox?
Phuket Sandbox is a special program launched by the Thai government to reopen the country’s tourism industry safely. Under this program, fully vaccinated foreign tourists can enter Phuket province without the need for quarantine from July 1st, 2021.
Conditions to participate in Phuket Sandbox Program
- The traveler must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.
- The traveler must have a negative RT-PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours before departure.
- The traveler must stay in Phuket for at least fourteen days before traveling elsewhere within Thailand.
- The traveler must download and install the “Thailand Plus” mobile application on their smartphone.
Is Thailand Open for Tourism Now for India?
As of now, only travelers from countries with low to medium risk of Covid-19 transmission are allowed to enter Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox Program. Unfortunately, India is currently categorized as a high-risk country, and Indian travelers are not eligible to participate in the Phuket Sandbox Program.
However, Thailand is continuously reviewing its travel restrictions and may allow Indian tourists in the future. The situation is subject to change, and we recommend that you keep checking with your travel agents or the nearest Thai embassy for updates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thailand has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists under the Phuket Sandbox Program. However, Indian travelers are currently not eligible to participate in this program due to their country’s high-risk status for Covid-19 transmission. We hope that Thailand will soon lift these restrictions for Indian tourists and welcome them back to this beautiful country.