Philharmonic

2) June 16 2021 Submitted second step application (hotel, flight) - rejected after three days for "incorrect flight number" presumably because I wrote "singapore airlines 726" instead of "SQ726".  I was invited to reapply.

3) June 19 2021 resubmitted exact same first step application - rejected after one day because "we do not accept insurance cards, you must submit proof of health insurance amount and duration."  What?  First of all, the card was on the first page of the 8 page document, the officer must not have scrolled to the second page.  Second of all, how was this perfectly fine the first time but not ok the second time?  I was invited to amend my application.

4)  June 20 resubmitted exact same application with health insurance details on first (visible) page instead of second page. Application rejected after 2 days for exact same health insurance reason.

5)  June 23 resubmitted application, instead of using my $2500 normal health insurance, I paid another $100 to Tune Insurance for a 30 day policy which specifically mentions covid coverage.  After two days my first step application approved!

6)  June 25 Attempted to submit second step for Phuket Sandbox only to see the warning that Phuket Sandbox registration will only open 28 June ... all SHA+ hotel options have been removed from the site.  I guess the previous process was just for show after all.  Now the dilemma ... play it safe(r) and book the ALQ or wait a few days and take a chance SHA+ will actually happen?  My flight July 4th so that's cutting it awfully close.  Wait a minute, ALQ at Senses is $8000.  SHA+ at Senses is $500. Waiting it is. 

7) June 27 (June 28 0100 Thailand time).  Gamble did not pay off.  Thai website still not accepting SHA+ applications, although perhaps they meant 12pm Thailand time, not 12am.  To cancel or not to cancel?

???? June 27 (June 28 1300 Thailand time).  Thai government COE site is up and running with all Phuket SHA+ destination added back.  I booked 14 days at the 4 star Patong Resort Hotel for total $383.  Wow.  There was some short drama when I called the hotel to get my Safety and Health Administration Booking Authentication (SHABA) form, they couldn't find my reservation from Agoda, but after a phone call the clerk emailed me one within 15 min.  

9)  June 28  Application rejected with the reason "Traveling to Phuket, pls re-apply".  WHAT KIND OF IT SYSTEM ARE THEY RUNNING HERE.  I resubmitted my first step application, but this time there was an additional phuket sandbox option.  I checked the box.  My flight is in six days.  

10)  June 30 First step application approved after impressive 28 hour turnover time.  Perhaps there's hope.  New drama - application site requires "proof of vaccination funds - please contact hotel" but the hotel had no idea what I was talking about.  Well I sent the wire transfer confirmation from my bank and hoped for the best.  With a heroic effort on the part of the thai embassy this could still happen.  Second step application submitted.  

11)  July 1 Logged into my account and found out while everything was uploaded, I had taken too long to complete the form and had timed out of the system before hitting the submit button.  My application had not been submitted.  There was no warning.  Sigh.  I faced the paper tiger and was found wanting.  I submitted one last time (for real this time, make sure to check for your confirmation email), still 30 hours left.

12)  July 1  Six hours later my COE approved.  It's on.  Los Angeles Thai Embassy came through with 26 hours to spare.  I am suitably impressed.  

 

Notes

I've lived and worked in Bangkok for 8 years already traveling to the US on business.  I would have gone back through ASQ program if the Sandbox didn't work out.  We'll see whether absolutely everything is closed in Phuket, but regardless it's better than 14 days trapped in ASQ, and way way cheaper ($742 = $383 hotel + $251 covid test + $108 HKT>BKK cf $2000 for ASQ).