jphasia

Thanks for that. That's what I thought. For the onward ticket, this is not really an issue for me as this is paid by my company as all expenses for this trip. Unless the situation is much worse than now, I still planned to come back to Vietnam. The best way to reach Phuket no from Saigon is with Singapore airlines. Fortunately Singapore airlines offers tickets with change dates free of charge. I will then book a return ticket within the 45 days and change date later. Worse case, my company is willing to pay another ticket from Phuket to Vietnam if necessary. They really want me to come back here. Thanks again for the feedback.

Sorry, i need a small clarification here: I have usued visa exempt to enter Thailande since many many years and i believe to remember that time i was given you permission of stay for 30 days. Do you mean that now it has change to 45 days or still 30 days but it can be extend for additional 15 days? Just for information, as I know it depend on the type of passport, I have a French passport. My question is in regards to Phuket Sandbox as I believe on visa exempt, I will need a return ticket which match with my initial permission to stay date?

Thanks a lot. Very detailed and clear.

Thanks. Here in Vietnam is getting worse right. Lockdown is not like in Thailand. Here you are not allowed to go out of your house / apartment. Food and medicine is distributed by the military at your door. So I might skip the Vietnamese process to be allowed to come back and proceed for the sandbox without delay. Even if the situation is not getting better in Thailand, at least i can stay with my family...

Actually, I have another question regarding Phuket sandbox. As mentioned earlier, I am French citizen, leave in Thailand but been relocated in Vietnam for work last year in October. I need now to reach Phuket (where I have a house and family). Now my question is more about the entry process. I have already read a lot on internet and it look like I will fit all the requirements: - immigration: my last Thai visa (non O based on Thai child) expired while i was here and won't be able to apply for a new one as the Thai consulate here is closed due to full lockdown. However, I have been answered in this forum already that it won't be an issue to enter on visa exempt and convert it while in Thailand. - insurance: I have a valid insurance from Aetna Thailand with a full coverage up to 5 millions THB that have been renewed for the last 20 years. Aetna provided it to me also a separate certificate for the Covid coverage ( it work when I came to Vietnam last year). - vaccinations: I am fully vaccinated (actually 3 shots 1 AZ and 2 moderna) and it will be more than 14 days from planned travel dates. - Flights: I checked and the most convenient to reach Phuket from Saigon (avoiding Bangkok) is through Singapore with Singapore Airlines. They have flights available which a convenient (1 and half hour transit in Singapore) - Sha+ hotel in Phuket booking should not be a problem. There are plenth available online even close to my house. Now my question is related to the process timeline: I understand that i need to apply for COE which can be done online. What else in needed (of course PCR test prior to flight)? How long this process can take in average? My question is related because for me to leave Vietnam and be able to return later, i need to follow a process here which will give me a "permission to come back" before leaving. This process will avoid me to restart a full process off autorization to enter Vietnam from Thailand (having an expert status, work permit and resident card). This process can take up to 8 weeks. So my expecting return date to Thailand won't be before November. Depend on the process duration for entry approval in Thailand, I might wait to finalise my approval from the Vietnamese authorities before starting the sandbox process. Singapore airlines offers tickets with free booking dates change which is good. Thank you.

Thanks.

I am also considering to come back to Thailand via the Phuket sandbox. I actually leave in Phuket. I am French but currently in Vietnam for work. I got 1 shot of Astra Zeneca through registration of my company. 1 got a certificate of vaccination for that shot but it's all in Vietnamese. Later on, I got the opportunity to register on French vaccination campaing and got 1 shot of Moderna beginning of August. They told me they will give a international vaccination certificate but only after i get the 2nd shot of Moderna (which is scheduled for next week). Do you know is there are some special requirements regarding the vaccine certificate to enter via the Sandbox? I know for example that to enter Vietnam, you vaccine certificate need to be legalised by the Vietnamese Embassy in the country you depart. Thanks

Thanks.

Ok. That was my understanding also that my son is too old to apply for extension based on Thai child. But do you mean that i can enter Thailand on visa exempt (30 days?) and apply there for non O 90 days and then extension (retirement)? My understanding was that i need to enter Thailand at least with a visa (tourist...) that can converted to Non O and extension in the countru.

I am highjacking this tread because I have about the same questions in my mind. For me, I have been based in Thailand for very long time now but working abroad most of the time (in SE Asia). I am not married (divorced actually) but live with Thai partner for than 15 years now. I also have a son from my ex-Thai wife who is leaving with me since I divorced. My son is now 22 years old. For many years, I have been on Non O 1 year multiple entries based on my son. Very convenient for me as I was always in and out Thailand for short terms. I stopped working in 2019, then get stuck in Thailand when the Covid started. I had my last Non O 1 year in November 2019. In October 2020, I left for Vietnam as I had a job offer. Since I have been in Vietnam. Now it's time for me to consider going back home in Thailand to see my family. My company is cooperative and understand the situation. They want me to keep my job here but will allow me to go back to Thailand for few months working online from there. I got 2 shots of Vaccine here (Moderna) and actually I live in Phuket. So the Phuket sandbox seems to fit for me. I have the minimum requirements, fully vaccinates, valid insurance 100kusd with Covid coverage certificate (Aetna 5MTHB plan). Now, in terms of immigration: My last Non O expires. As my plan is to stay in Thailand for few months before coming back to Vietnam (well with the current situation nothing is always sure), I am considering to go for a Non O 3 months single entry to apply for 1 year extension once I am in Thailand (with re-entry permit). For the Non-O, I believe I have 2 choices: - based on Thai child but my son is 22 years old now so not sure if it will work now. - based on retirement as I am 53 years d now. Financial requirements are not an issue for me. But: we are on very strict lockdown here in HCMC for the last 2 months. Not allowed to leave house. This lockdown has been extended until 15 Sep. While on lockdown, the Thai consulate here has been closed. So no way to get a visa at this time. So, my option is to go back to Phuket on visa exempt (French passport) but the question is how can i get proper extension once I am in Thailand without visa?