The order, No. 2056/2565, was marked to apply to all Thai nationals and foreigners arriving from within the country.
The order rescinded previous provincial orders mandating the entry requirements for domestic travellers coming to Phuket.
The order was marked in effect from Mar 23 and to remain in effect until further notice.
Under the order, all domestic travellers must be fully vaccinated or show the results of an RT-PCR or ATK test conducted within three days of arriving to confirm they are not infected with COVID-19.
The only exemptions from the requirements are children under 5 years old travelling with parents or caregivers, persons travelling with a medical emergency vehicle, lifeguards or rescue services, and people who have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days. These people do not need to show any test or proof of vaccination in order to be allowed onto Phuket.
The requirements apply to all people arriving at any “port” to Phuket, including all boat transport piers, the road checkpoint at Tha Chatchai and at Phuket airport.
The order defined fully vaccinated as people who had received any of the following…
- Sinovac - 2 doses
- Sinopharm - 2 doses
- AstraZeneca - 2 doses
- Pfizer - 2 doses
- Moderna - 2 doses
- Sputnik V - 2 doses
- Johnson & Johnson - 1 dose administered at least 14 days before arriving
- Crossed formula - 2 doses of any of the combinations of COVID-19 vaccines as approved by the Ministry of Public Health
People under 11 years old must have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before arriving, or present RT-PCR or ATK test results issued in the previous three days to confirm they are not infected.
All travellers entering Phuket must download and install the “Mor Prom” app on their phones in order to show their vaccination history or test results.
Of note, The Phuket News has been unable to discern any difference between the entry measures for domestic travellers issued last night and the domestic entry measures that were already in effect. The new order appears to have been issued solely to ensure that the public are aware of the entry measures for domestic travellers as required by provincial order.
However, The Phuket News also understands that officials at the ports of entry to the island, especially at the checkpoint at Tha Chatchai may have been relaxed in enforcing the provisions. With the Songkran holidays approaching and the new order issued last night, that might be about to change.
The order included the standard warnings that as the order is being implemented under the Emergency Decree, parties may not exercise their right to object under Section 30 paragraph two (1) of the Administrative Practices Act B.E.
Any person who violates or fails to comply with the order may be punished under Section 51 of the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558, which incurs a penalty of a fine of up to B20,000, or Section 52 of the same Act, which incurs a penalty of up to one year in jail or a fine of up to B100,000, or both.
Violators may also be punished under Section 18 of the Royal Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, which incurs a penalty of up to two years in jail or a fine of up to B40,000, or both.
Kurt | 25 March 2022 - 01:00:00