ThaiVisaCentre

They will most likely NOT reduce the exempt entry to 30 days, at least not while AQ entry is required.

But it is something to keep an eye out for.

If you really worry it may be smart to just apply for a Tourist visa to remove that as a possible issue. 

As mentioned you can currently take advantage of the Covid-19 section 5 extensions for an immediate fix (please do not overstay).

You also can contact my team, and they would be happy to provide you with all your options.

LINE @ThaiVisaCentre

You can look at our reviews HERE

Did you upload the following document, there should be a DOWNLOAD VISA LETTER button on their website.

The issue is that this button does not appear instantly, and usually takes an hour or two (hopefully they fix this).

We have personally seen hundreds of clients get approval for their COE using this insurance in the Thai  Consulate in LA.

9 hours ago, wml22 said:

Thank you for all of your thorough and helpful answers.

 

As things stand now, I booked a nice room at a good discount with SHA+ hotels (confirmed it's present in the official SHA+ list link given in a preceding post). 

 

I understand that my girlfriend may not be able to visit me (booking dates are Sep 1 - 15th) but I'll keep everything because I'll still go see her on the mainland after the quarantine period ends.

 

I will contact the first hotel and the second hotel to confirm what I have to do as next / remaining steps now that the airfare is purchased and the hotels are all booked. 

 

Regarding SafetyWing, I haven't seen this before. My plan actually is to change to a non-o visa based on marriage and then do the 1-year extension before the 45+30 days on the tourist visa have elapsed.

 

The SafetyWing insurance appears to be a $40/mo subscription plan. I was under the impression that the COE would be denied if the insurance proof didn't show a plan covering the whole duration of my trip (which will show as 43 days since I booked a return flight that I don't plan on using, just to ensure that I'm not denied entry due to lacking a flight out of the country, and since I wasn't sure if Covid would allow for booking a disposable ticket to Cambodia etc. to satisfy that legal requirement of an outgoing flight).

 

Just to make sure I understand correctly, can you confirm that the $40/mo plan (showcased here: https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance) satisfies the Covid travel insurance requirements for Phuket Sandbox in addition to satisfying the requirements of the non-o marriage visa and 1-year extension, even though it's billed on a month-to-month basis? Or did I misunderstand what you were referring to by SafetyWing?

 

For SafetyWing you would click "specify travel dates" on this page, and choose the exact duration of the policy.

Once your are already in Thailand you should not need this type of insurance anymore for your visa extensions/renewals (unless something changes).


For travelers traveling from countries other than the US it may be smarter to pick up a 5,300 policy that covers 60 days to avoid any issues with insurance from TuneProtect. SafetyWing does not cover asymptomatic cases, and there have been a few reports of the policy not being accepted. The US Thai embassy does indeed accept SafetyWing.

To answer all of the questions

1) I'd like to get the single shot J&J vaccine.
This should be possible as long as you were vaccinated 14+ days before arrival.
 

2) I'd expect to pay 4,000*3 = 12,000 baht for PCR tests during the sandbox.
This is now a flat fee of 8,000 THB for the Phuket sandbox 3 PCR tests
 

3) I'd expect to pay 4,033 baht to cover the 45 days + 30 day extension period of the visa-exempt entry + extension (I'm an American citizen).
You only need insurance to cover the duration of stay, so if you wanted to use SafetyWing it would only need to cover 45 days.

4) I'd expect that I should have no problem entering Thailand on the visa-exempt entry.
Correct, as an American you get 45 day exempt entry
 

5) I'd expect that I'd pay 5,600 baht for the sandbox hotel.
If you are talking about the cheapest possible hotel then yes.
 

6) I'd expect that my girlfriend can fly from Bangkok to Phuket to join me (maybe this would double the cost of the hotel to 11,200 baht for 2 persons) during my sandbox experience.
This may not be possible due to domestic travel restrictions, and as for the hotel charges you should ask them. You can make a booking request to initially connect with the hotel, and then ask the question of having your girlfriend join you. Most hotels require you to give them notice before you actually arrive that you will have additional external guests.

(7), I'd expect that maybe I'm paying 4,000 to get ripped off by the taxi that transfers me from the airport to the sandbox hotel,
Usually hotels will offer this service for 800 to 1,200 THB 

(8) I'd expect that I get overcharged for food and have to spend about 2,000 baht per day on food.
You would need to confirm with the hotel.

It may be better to spend a litter more for a bigger hotel room, and some amenities if you plan on having your GF over. It should be well within your budget.

On 7/28/2021 at 1:38 AM, driver52 said:

I had a quick look at the US Thai Emabssy website https://thaiembdc.org/asq/ and at the list of 'approved hotels but I couldn't see the calypso patong on it?

maybe I'm going blind in my old age ???? 

 

Their list is outdated.

https://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AQ-SHAphuket-July-6.pdf

Last updated July 6th.

The ASQ.in.th website is regularly updated to match the official SHA+ List (which is updated daily).

These are indeed real prices, which the hotel published themselves.

But please keep in mind that it would not include any meals, and the room in question is extremely small.

ASQ.in.th will directly connect you to the hotel, and you will pay the hotel directly.

There is no scam here, only direct booking.

Also PCR tests are now paid through here (no longer to the hotel, and the total price should be 8,000 THB for all 3).

Also you can always confirm if the hotel is indeed SHA+ approved by going here, and typing in the hotel name in question. But all hotels listed on ASQ.in.th are either SHA+ approved or AQ's approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

 

It's possible if you arrange with the hotel before arrival.

Also you will have to wait for the first test result before they can stay with you.

We do see interest in the Samui Plus program.

The issue is that its taken a while to get all the hotels to release package prices.

We are trying our best to get all hotels to release prices on our platform here

Samui Plus Hotels

You pay the hotels directly.

Which is why it is advisable to contact the hotels directly, or use booking platforms like AQ.in.th which connects you directly with these hotels in a structured manner.

3 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Op - You mentioned that your hotel were not aware of and couldn’t help with the PCR test requirement.

 

Have you already paid in advance for your hotel ???

 

IF so, what are the refund options ?

IF not, cancel the hotel and chose a hotel which will itemise the 3 Covid-19 RT PCR tests in their bill. 

 

 

 

 

All Phuket SHA Plus+ hotels should be doing this as it is the new required process.

I would like to know which hotel so we can contact them directly, as we do not wish to list hotels on ASQ.in.th which cannot or will not meet the current requirements.
 

Just now, Salerno said:

Have you actually clicked the upload button?

 

They really should fix that UX issue, it has caused people so much trouble.

The COE website now as the sandbox option

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

1 hour ago, Salerno said:

No argument with that, but doesn't answer my question to the OP.

 

AXA was being touted a few months back as the "best" to meet the requirements and it covers being tested positive. I'd be interested in what policies the OP has found that met the requirements at less cost.

According to one of the big insurance sales agents for this type of insurance less than 1% have tested positive in quarantine. ????

Take a look at the prices here for the SafetyWing plans.

But please bear in mind this insurance is not full coverage like the one you would be getting from AXA.

14 minutes ago, Andy1961 said:

I have booked to stay at the Centara Grand Resort from early August and they have today sent me the SHABA certificate with QR code.  Brilliant customer service from a lovely hotel.

Thank you for updating.

We have also seen many SHABA certificates issued today so it seems that this will not be an issue, so the last step is for the COE website to accept submission. ????????

It is confirmed COE Registration for Phuket Sandbox will start on the 28th.

We stand by our advise to booking after July 4th, or move your bookings if possible.

https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/

Another wave of SHA Plus+ approvals today.

We now have listed 285 SHA Plus approved hotels in our directory

https://asq.in.th/phuket-sandbox-hotels

Hopefully we get another update regarding COE / SHABA.

Today they held a training session to help all the SHA Plus hotels learn how to use the SHABA system.

Still waiting for Tuesday but one of the big changes is

• You must have been in your departure origin country for at least 21 days.

Also additional areas will be joining the Sandbox program as follows.

On July 15th

• Koh Samui
• Surat Thani

August (first few weeks)

• Krabi
• Phang-nga
• Ko Phi Phi
• Ko Ngai
• Ko Railay
• Khao Lak
• Koh Yao