SHA Plus Program In Focus

A key part of the upcoming Phuket Sandbox reopening process is the requirement for incoming international travelers to stay in an SHA Plus hotel for 14 days, or shorter if only visiting the island. Those who want to travel onward to other destinations in Thailand can proceed after a 14-day period.

As travelers are scrambling for information, the current situation is that next Tuesday the government cabinet will meet to give final approval for the Sandbox, and in the following days, a Royal Gazette issued that clearly outlines the rules.

For readers who want to more about SHA Plus establishments in Phuket, they can go to the following link:

Thailand SHA

We have heard much speculation about hotels pushing high rates or the misconception that this is a quarantine process and will be expensive. Given hotels at every star level are now rushing to get approval, it’s probable rates will be at highly affordable levels.

There has been some confusion about the original Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification and the present SHA Plus. All island tourism establishments need to look at the SHA Plus program in order to gain certification.

One issue that has cropped up is that of unlicensed hotels applying and this continues to be a sticking point for groups like the Thailand Hotels Association (THA) and other similar groups who believe the industry much adhere to government-mandated rules.

We support this position, given it has to be equitable, taxes that are needed to be collected to maintain Phuket’s infrastructure are critical and fire and life safety standards in unlicensed accommodation put tourists at risk.

Now, the rush for SHA Plus is on so expect to be hearing much about it in the days ahead.

While some pundits have been critical of the initiative, the intention of applying standards to elevate tourist’s safety and address public health are fundamental to restoring travel confidence.