‘7+7’ Extension Model Offers New Hope for Thailand Tourism – Koh Samui Included as Well

Following the Phuket Sandbox (1st July 2021) and Samui Plus (15th July 2021) programmes, Thailand subsequently launched the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension initiative on 16th August 2021. Under this scheme, travellers who had received a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccination were not required to spend a full 14 days in Phuket; instead, after the first seven days, they could move to a designated area in another part of the country to spend the next seven days.

These other destinations included Koh Samui as well as Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, all in Surat Thani; as part of the guidelines for such transfers, travellers must stay at a SHA+ certified hotel or resort; Koh Samui features such options along with Samui Extra Plus certified properties like Avani+ Samui Resort where those arriving directly to the island must spend their first seven nights. Apart from Surat Thani, parts of Krabi and Phangnga also come under the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension that has provided a boost to the Thai tourism industry.