SHA Thailand
Official Hotels Guide
The benchmark for hygiene in Thai hospitality.
Every SHA, SHA Plus, and SHA Extra Plus hotel in Thailand, explained. Know the tiers, pick a verified hotel, book with confidence.
What does SHA hotel mean in Thailand?
Definition and meaning
SHA stands for Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration. It is a formal certification project launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health. The project was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that tourism businesses met specific hygiene and safety standards. A hotel with a standard SHA badge has been inspected and verified to follow rigorous cleaning protocols, staff health monitoring, and social distancing measures.
Are SHA approved and SHA certified the same?
Yes. Both mean the hotel passed Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) inspection and wears the SHA logo. As staff vaccination requirements were added during the pandemic, two higher tiers appeared: SHA Plus (+) and SHA Extra Plus (++).
Do I still need a SHA hotel in Thailand?
Are SHA hotels still required in 2026?
Thailand has fully reopened. No quarantine, no forced SHA Plus or Extra Plus stay for entry. You can book any hotel, certified or not.
Why verify certification?
Not mandatory, but it is the clearest signal of a well-run property. SHA hotels follow government-verified hygiene standards. Unregulated guesthouses do not. In a crowded market of 20,000+ Thai hotels, the badge is the fastest way to sort quality from noise.
Certification tiers comparison
Understanding the safety standards for Thailand travel
| Safety feature | SHA | SHA Plus (+) | SHA Extra Plus (++) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Basic hygiene protocols | Staff vaccination focus | Medical partnership |
| Staff vax rate | Recommended | Mandatory (70%+) | Mandatory (70%+) |
| Hospital partner | Contracted partner | ||
| Relevance 2026 | Standard cleanliness | High safety assurance | Maximum assurance |
What is a SHA Plus hotel?
The SHA Plus (SHA+) standard
The Plus adds one rule on top of SHA: at least 70% of staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Less risk for guests, especially in close-contact areas like reception, housekeeping, and restaurants.
SHA Plus Phuket and the Sandbox
SHA Plus was the required tier during the 2021 Phuket Sandbox reopening. That entry rule is gone, but the badge still signals the same thing: serious staff welfare, serious guest safety. Planning to island-hop? Book ferries and speedboats ahead, most routes sell out in peak season.
What is SHA Extra Plus Thailand?
Understanding SHA Extra Plus (SHA++)
SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) is the top tier. Everything SHA Plus covers, plus a formal partnership with a certified hospital for RT-PCR testing and emergency care. This was the must-have tier during Test & Go, when travelers needed a hotel with medical protocols built in.
Relevance today
Test & Go ended, but the hospital partnerships did not. SHA Extra Plus hotels still have direct lines to partner hospitals, useful for elderly guests, immunocompromised travelers, or anyone who wants that safety margin. They can arrange private taxis and medical transfers on short notice.
Evolution of travel standards
A chronology of safety standards in Thailand
-
2020
SHA introduced
Launch of the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration.
-
2021
SHA Plus rollout
Vaccination requirements added for the Phuket Sandbox.
-
2021-2022
Test & Go (SHA++)
Hospital partnerships required for entry schemes.
-
2023
Restrictions lifted
Thailand fully reopens; certification becomes a quality badge.
-
2026
Standard of quality
SHA remains the benchmark for hygiene in Thai hospitality.
Top Destinations
SHA-certified hotels across the seven cities we cover, ranked by Agoda guest score and verified against TAT records.
Bangkok SHA Hotels
Top-rated stays across Sukhumvit, Riverside, and Silom. SHA status verified on the booking page.
SHA Certified
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
The icon of Bangkok luxury since 1876. Faultless riverside service, legendary Authors' Lounge, and a spa that sets the standard for the city.
SHA Certified
Capella Bangkok
Only 101 rooms, each one a suite with a private pool or terrace. The most private five-star address on the river.
SHA Certified
Rosewood Bangkok
Skyscraper design, Ploenchit BTS on the doorstep, and some of the most thoughtfully designed rooms in the city.
Phuket SHA Hotels
Beachfront resorts across Patong, Kata, and Bang Tao. SHA status verified on the booking page.
SHA Certified
Royal Phuket City Hotel
Phuket Old Town base in the Sino-Portuguese quarter, 5 minutes from Thalang Road. For travelers who want shophouses and street food, not beaches.
SHA Certified
Keemala
Conceptual villas themed on mythical Thai clans, nest, cocoon, pool villa. The spa is one of Asia's best.
SHA Certified
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort
Has Kata Noi beach almost to itself, the quietest of Phuket's west-coast bays. Six pools, a two-band kids' club, reliable swimming October to April.
Chiang Mai SHA Hotels
Old City boutiques and Nimman cultural stays. SHA status verified on the booking page.
SHA Certified
99 The Heritage Hotel
Highest-rated sub-$100 stay in Chiang Mai's Old City, 12 minutes from Tha Phae Gate. Courtyard pool and a proper Northern Thai breakfast with khao soi.
SHA Certified
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Working rice farm, private-pool pavilions, and a cooking school. The only Thai property where you can plant rice in a five-star setting.
SHA Certified
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
A former British consulate on the Ping River. Colonial architecture, exceptional Thai cooking school, and the best riverside sunset in Chiang Mai.
Pattaya SHA Hotels
Ocean-view and beachfront hotels in Central Pattaya and Jomtien. SHA status verified on the booking page.
SHA Certified
InterContinental Pattaya Resort
Hilltop resort above Pattaya Bay with sweeping sea views. Enormous pool, multiple restaurants, and complete removal from the Walking Street crowd.
SHA Certified
Avani Pattaya Resort
The closest resort-tier property to Walking Street, one block off the beach. Three connected pools and a 60-meter lap pool. Ask for a pool view to dodge weekend noise.
SHA Certified
Pattaya Modus Beachfront Resort
Direct on Wongamat Beach, the cleanest sand on the Pattaya coast. Infinity pool on the beachfront, four-star prices, 10 minutes from central Pattaya.
Koh Samui SHA Hotels
Beachfront villas and resorts across Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai. SHA status verified on the booking page.
SHA Certified
Nora Buri Resort & Spa
Hillside villas above the north end of Chaweng, every one with a sea or forest view. Private plunge pools on the higher tiers, buggy service down to the beach.
SHA Certified
Conrad Koh Samui
All-villa clifftop resort on the southwest coast facing the Ang Thong archipelago. The sunsets here are the best on the island.
SHA Certified
Nora Beach Resort & Spa
Beachfront villas on quiet Choengmon, one of the calmest swimming bays on Samui. Direct beach access, a 25-meter beachside pool, optional private villa pools.
Important disclaimer: Certification status changes periodically based on government inspections. Always verify the current SHA/SHA+ status directly on the booking page before completing your reservation.
Getting around Thailand: ferries, taxis, and trains
Seamless transportation
Thailand makes inter-city travel easy: ferries to the islands, private taxis for city-to-city, overnight trains to Chiang Mai. Many transport operators carry the SHA badge too, with the same cleaning standards as the hotels.
Booking in advance
For big routes (Phuket to Phi Phi ferries, Bangkok to Surat Thani trains) book ahead. Last-minute pricing in high season can be double. Tickets sell out on weekends.
Travel insurance for Thailand
Why you need insurance
Thailand is safe, but one medical incident or cancelled trip can wreck your budget fast. Lock in travel insurance before you fly. EKTA covers Thailand from $0.99 per day with 24/7 multilingual support, hospital direct billing, and flexible policy lengths that match how travelers actually move.
What's covered?
Any solid travel medical insurance policy should cover hospital stays, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation. That is the floor. Confirm baggage delay cover, adventure-sport limits, and the deductible per claim before you buy.
Hotels in Thailand: a broader view
Thailand's hotel market goes well past the SHA badge. From budget hostels on Khao San Road to $2,000 suites at Aman Phuket, every budget and every style is here. Moving between cities? Sort your ferries, taxis, and trains ahead of time.
Boutique hotels
Design-led independents were early SHA adopters, partly to signal quality to vaccine-conscious guests. Most are reachable via private transfer.
Luxury resorts
The big Phuket and Pattaya resorts carried the SHA Plus Sandbox program. Airport taxis and speedboats deliver you directly to the door.
In 2026, the SHA logo is less an entry permit and more a shorthand for a professionally run hotel. It correlates (not perfectly, but usefully) with better staff training, cleaner rooms, and faster response when something breaks. For movement between cities, check current transport options.
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Frequently asked questions
Your complete guide to Thailand travel safety
General meaning & administration
What does the acronym SHA stand for?
Who created the SHA project?
What is the primary goal of SHA?
Is SHA recognized internationally?
What is the New Normal in Thai tourism?
How many businesses have SHA certification?
Who inspects businesses for SHA?
Can an SHA certificate be revoked?
What are the 10 categories eligible for SHA?
Differences: SHA vs SHA+ vs SHA++
What is the main difference between SHA and SHA Plus?
What restrictions applied to unvaccinated staff at SHA+ hotels?
What is SHA Extra Plus (SHA++)?
What was an SHABA certificate?
Entry schemes: history & current
What was Test & Go?
What was the Sandbox program?
Is the Thailand Pass still required?
Is COVID-19 insurance still mandatory?
Are masks still mandatory in Thailand?
Medical & emergency
What happens if I test positive at a hotel?
What is Hospital Hotel Isolation?
Are SHA++ hotels equipped for medical treatment?
Booking & logistics
Where can I find a list of SHA hotels?
Do I need to book directly with the hotel?
Does Airbnb have SHA certification?
How do I spot a fake SHA logo?
Recommended hotels & locations
Where are the best SHA hotels in Bangkok?
What are good SHA Plus hotels in Phuket?
Are there SHA Plus hotels in Pattaya?
Amenities & user experience
Do SHA hotels serve alcohol?
Are SHA hotels wheelchair accessible?
Do SHA+ hotels provide free Wi-Fi?
What if I have a complaint about an SHA hotel?
Contact & support
What is the TAT Contact Center number?
Is there a dedicated email for SHA inquiries?
Post-COVID transition (2026)
Is SHA certification mandatory in 2026?
Why should I still look for the SHA logo?
Ready to plan your trip?
Browse thousands of certified hotels with free cancellation options and verified hygiene standards.
Search hotels now →How we review hotels
Independent, research-led, Thailand-focused.
Verified on TAT
Every SHA certification we claim is cross-checked against the official Tourism Authority of Thailand database.
Agoda and Booking data
We pull live guest ratings and read the top recent reviews before we list any hotel.
Thailand climate weighted
Strong AC, smart shade, walkability in heat, and rain-ready design matter in our scoring.
Price ranges always
Budget, mid-range, luxury. Every pick flagged so you can filter fast.