Thailand has reopened its borders, all the info on SHA+ Hotels and Thailand Pass APP

Today, November 1, 2021, at least for all vaccinated Italians, the requirement to go through the Sandbox protocol Phuket or Ko Samui. 

Goodbye also to the laborious practice of obtaining COEs. by the embassy before you can take off to the Southeast Asian nation, it is now much easier even though there are still stakes to be met and rules to follow, at least for the first day.

There are two steps required to travel to the nation that most of all in Southeast Asia has built its reputation on tourism: registering on the Thailand Pass app and booking your first night in a SHA+ hotel.

What is the Thailand Pass APP

While until yesterday it was necessary to obtain the COE, or certificate of entry, as of today it is necessary to have registered on the Thailand Pass app.

It is important to understand what the entry rules are. The first is that it does not depend on the nationality of the traveler, but as was the case with the U.S. travel ban or in Singapore's VTL, it relates to the traveler's history. In fact then the only thing that matters is that one has spent the last 21 days in one of the 63 nations deemed safe by the Thai government.

Of course, Italy is on this green list.

That is why the first question asked by the Thailanda Pass website is which route you want to take to access Thailand. Italians, or residents of Italy can go through the Test and Go.

The requirements are to be vaccinated, have a valid passport with at least six months validity, have booked at least one night in a SHA+ facility, and have travel insurance with specific coverage for Covid-19.

All these documents will need to be attached to the application to get the green light for the Test and Go program.

What are SHA+ hotels

These hotels have been authorized to work with tourists from abroad and have completed all the bureaucratic and health paperwork necessary to obtain recognition from the Ministry of Health and Tourism, the main one being that at least 75% of the workers must be vaccinated.

This vignette is nothing more than a kind of green light to be able to implement the health protocol, not only the one for those who, like Italian tourists, can move freely, but also for those who, Italian or not, fall into one of the other situations that require them to go through a sandbox or quarantine period.

It is important to check before booking that the hotel is certified because it is mandatory to spend the first night, after arrival in Thailand, in one of these facilities. It does not matter if you are staying in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai or any other location.

Why one must compulsorily spend the first night in a SHA+

The reason is simple. Every traveler who arrives in Thailand and falls of the free-visit assumption without any restrictions must undergo a PCR swab, so one that must be analyzed by a laboratory and not one of the rapid ones.

This procedure takes time, typically 6 to 12 hours, the swab is taken upon arrival at the airport and must be prepaid by the traveler along with the night at the hotel.

Singapore also implements a similar policy, a sign that this check before takeoff and immediately after arrival is considered a sufficient deterrent to control contagions while still allowing tourists and business travelers to move freely.

This means that when you book the first night you will be compulsorily charged for the pad as well for all occupants of the room, approximately 1700 bath per person, you will then be transferred to the hotel without the possibility of any intermediate stops with transportation arranged by the hotel itself.

Upon arrival at the hotel, having completed check-in procedures, you will be escorted to your room. Room that CANNOT be abandoned under any circumstances until the hotel receives the results of the swab.

In case of a negative buffer, the vacation can begin and you can do whatever you want, go wherever you want without any restrictions, staying overnight with friends, in hotels or in tents.

Obviously in case of a positive swab the doors of mandatory quarantine in a government facility and at the tourist's expense will open. Therefore, it is good to remember that it is also mandatory to have the Insurance that can cover medical expenses.

All hotels with SHA+ certification have certainly updated their profiles and info on the various portals, in case you have any doubts this is the official website Updated daily with new entries and possible exits.

In conclusion

The new procedure is very streamlined, the requirement of the first night in a certified establishment does not add much cost to travelers, and as time goes on, it is likely that all major hotels will acquire this certification in order to work smoothly with international tourists.