Transport from/to the islands Phangan, Tao and Samui

[DrPhibes]

On 7/7/2021 at 11:21 PM, khunPer said:

Samui+ sandbox...

Thanks to Nicha for an amazing informative work.
You can follow Samui Info by Nicha on Facebook HERE.

Who in the world would go through all of this for a vacation in a country where the main hub of the country is deep red with covid, vaccines in short supply, and rules changing daily?  

[khunPer]

22 hours ago, DrPhibes said:

Who in the world would go through all of this for a vacation in a country where the main hub of the country is deep red with covid, vaccines in short supply, and rules changing daily?  

Please keep rant in a separate tread for that purpose, this thread is meant to be informative for Samui travellers, many thanks...????

[khunPer]

According to Samui Info by Nicha Bangkok Airways seems to stop temporarily operating domestic flights between Bangkok and Ko Samui from July 21. Samui Plus flights should not be affected.

 

[Neilly]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

According to Samui Info by Nicha Bangkok Airways seems to stop temporarily operating domestic flights between Bangkok and Ko Samui from July 21. Samui Plus flights should not be affected.

I presume that's what this msg from Bangkok Airways is about...

 

[khunPer]

Domestic flights out of red zones cancelled from July 21st
Richard Barrow has 18th July 18:45 posted (my bold)...

 

BREAKING: Starting from 21 July, domestic airlines are not allowed to fly passengers out of the dark red zones. This includes Bangkok. Exceptions are Sandbox and Samui+ flights, medical flights and emergency landing. Other routes can only fly at 50% capacity.

 

As I am sure the airlines cannot afford to fly just one way, expect some of them to announce cancellation of all flights. Looks like Bangkok Airways will do just that. I’m not sure about the others yet. I was just talking to one airline and they said they will announce tonight cancellation of all of their flights.

 

What does this mean for the Phuket Sandbox people? Well, they might be trapped there until at least 4th August. Unless they can organize transport by land. Or one airline, maybe VietJet (?), decides to keep flying.

 

Anyway, as soon as each airline makes their announcement I will update this post. Good luck!

 

UPDATE 1: Nok Air has posted to confirm they will operate on 19th and 20th July. However, for flights from 21st July onwards, passengers must check schedules on their website or from the QR code in the graphic. I’m not sure what that means. Are they cancelling flights or not? Lots of questions in the comments on their Facebook but no answers yet.

 

UPDATE 2: Thai Lion Air has just posted their response which only confirms that they will operate domestic flights as normal until 20th July. After that, we can presume they are cancelling all flights. Please standby for more updates.

 

UPDATE 3: Thai Vietjet has posted to confirm that they are flying their normal domestic schedule until 20th July. Beyond that date, they are neither confirming or denying that they will be flying. So, please standby for further updates.

 

[gearbox]

50 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Domestic flights out of red zones cancelled from July 21st
Richard Barrow has 18th July 18:45 posted (my bold)...

 

BREAKING: Starting from 21 July, domestic airlines are not allowed to fly passengers out of the dark red zones. This includes Bangkok. Exceptions are Sandbox and Samui+ flights, medical flights and emergency landing. Other routes can only fly at 50% capacity.

 

As I am sure the airlines cannot afford to fly just one way, expect some of them to announce cancellation of all flights. Looks like Bangkok Airways will do just that. I’m not sure about the others yet. I was just talking to one airline and they said they will announce tonight cancellation of all of their flights.

 

What does this mean for the Phuket Sandbox people? Well, they might be trapped there until at least 4th August. Unless they can organize transport by land. Or one airline, maybe VietJet (?), decides to keep flying.

 

Anyway, as soon as each airline makes their announcement I will update this post. Good luck!

 

UPDATE 1: Nok Air has posted to confirm they will operate on 19th and 20th July. However, for flights from 21st July onwards, passengers must check schedules on their website or from the QR code in the graphic. I’m not sure what that means. Are they cancelling flights or not? Lots of questions in the comments on their Facebook but no answers yet.

 

UPDATE 2: Thai Lion Air has just posted their response which only confirms that they will operate domestic flights as normal until 20th July. After that, we can presume they are cancelling all flights. Please standby for more updates.

 

UPDATE 3: Thai Vietjet has posted to confirm that they are flying their normal domestic schedule until 20th July. Beyond that date, they are neither confirming or denying that they will be flying. So, please standby for further updates.

 

Strange....when I go to the Bangkok Airways booking site, flights are not available after 20th. However I have a flight out of Samui to Europe on 28th and have not received any cancellation - that's with Etihad. If I go to the Etihad booking site, there are still 3 flights out of Samui as connections for the ticket.

I guess I need to wait and see..hopefully no cancellation. Hopefully the Samui+ return flights back to Bangkok are still available for international tickets. However Samui+ is inbound...what about Samui Minus? Do the passengers from Samui go through a sealed terminal route to continue onward? Doesn't make sense as the passengers are supposed to be covid free after so many tests in Samui.

[khunPer]

Samui+ flights continues

according to Samui Info by Nicha...

Domestic airlines are not allowed to fly passengers out of to and from dark red zones (13 provinces) from this 21 July until further notice (This is expected to last approximately 2 weeks) Exceptions are Sand box and Samui+ flights, medical flights and emergency landing. Other routes can only fly at 50% capacity.

 

[The Hammer2021]

Let the train take the strain! To Surat Tarni.Then easy-going ferries to the Islandsbnot speed boats

[corkman]

I plan to drive to Samui on Saturday (31st July) or Sunday (1st August), assuming I can get out of Bangkok (that's another story).

 

The latest info, which is a few weeks old now, states that a negative PCR test will get me onto Samui.

 

Based on experience of previous lockdowns and restrictions, is Raja Car Ferry likely to suspend daily services?

 

Thanks in advance.

[khunPer]

16 hours ago, gearbox said:

Strange....when I go to the Bangkok Airways booking site, flights are not available after 20th. However I have a flight out of Samui to Europe on 28th and have not received any cancellation - that's with Etihad. If I go to the Etihad booking site, there are still 3 flights out of Samui as connections for the ticket.

I guess I need to wait and see..hopefully no cancellation. Hopefully the Samui+ return flights back to Bangkok are still available for international tickets. However Samui+ is inbound...what about Samui Minus? Do the passengers from Samui go through a sealed terminal route to continue onward? Doesn't make sense as the passengers are supposed to be covid free after so many tests in Samui.

I wouldn't expect that anyone can book Samui+ outbound as a flight from USM to BKK. Try to contact Etihad for flight information, as they are your transporter, Bangkok Airways only do a code share for the last leg, i.e. first leg when returning.

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, corkman said:

I plan to drive to Samui on Saturday (31st July) or Sunday (1st August), assuming I can get out of Bangkok (that's another story).

 

The latest info, which is a few weeks old now, states that a negative PCR test will get me onto Samui.

 

Based on experience of previous lockdowns and restrictions, is Raja Car Ferry likely to suspend daily services?

 

Thanks in advance.

The ferry line will operate as they also transport daily needs and fuel trucks (on special departures) to the islands, but they might check, or close for, other passengers than delivery van drivers. You should contact Raja Ferry for further information, the situation might also change within the next 10 days.

[Tropicalevo]

I was checking out a guest this morning and he is (was?) flying to Bangkok from Samui on Friday. I suggested that he should move his flight forward.

He argued that the notice in the Thaiger quoted that only flights from Bangkok were cancelled. His flight was still good.

As he argued with me his phone 'pinged'. Message from Bangkok Airways - 'flight cancelled'. They had transferred him onto the last flight out tomorrow. ????

 

Here is the Bangkok Airways announcement for Samui flights.

 

 

P G S A L E S N E W S L E T T E R
w w w . b a n g k o k a i r . c o m
Bangkok Airways Publ ic Company Limited
99 Mu 14 ViphavadeeRangsit Road, Chumphon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. 66 2 265 5678 E-mail: [email protected]
ISSUE DATE: 18 JULY 2021 REF: PG SAL_021 Effective Date 21 July – 03 August 2021
Subject: Announcement of Flight Suspension
Dear All Agents,
Following the current widespread of Covid-19 and the recent Thai Government’s travel restriction policy, Bangkok Airways regret to announce for the flight suspension on all flight services from/to Bangkok, effective on 21 July - 03 August 2021
During this period, flight service for “Samui+ model” on BKKUSM v.v. and HKTUSM v.v. (PG253 / PG254) are operated normally as per schedule. Please refer to PGSAL_019 for the details and conditions of “Samui+ model”.
Kindly refer to our involuntary ticket handling procedure for free revalidation or refunds.
Should you require more information, please contact our Sales team by email at [email protected]
We apologize for the inconvenience caused. Your kind understanding is highly appreciated.
Best regards,

 

[gearbox]

3 hours ago, khunPer said:

I wouldn't expect that anyone can book Samui+ outbound as a flight from USM to BKK. Try to contact Etihad for flight information, as they are your transporter, Bangkok Airways only do a code share for the last leg, i.e. first leg when returning.

I contacted Etihad, who confirmed that according to their system the flight is still confirmed and on schedule. To reconfirm, I contacted also Bangkok Airways and this was their reply:

 

"As we have checked, EY7683 = PG166 (normal domestic flight: 3 digits flight number) is cancelled already.

 

Doh.

 

Seems that the Samui+ flights have a different numbering system. Interestingly who is flying out of Samui with them.

In a nutshell I need to reschedule for early August, and hope that there are no 30k cases/day by then...

[khunPer]

7 minutes ago, gearbox said:

I contacted Etihad, who confirmed that according to their system the flight is still confirmed and on schedule. To reconfirm, I contacted also Bangkok Airways and this was their reply:

 

"As we have checked, EY7683 = PG166 (normal domestic flight: 3 digits flight number) is cancelled already.

 

Doh.

 

Seems that the Samui+ flights have a different numbering system. Interestingly who is flying out of Samui with them.

In a nutshell I need to reschedule for early August, and hope that there are no 30k cases/day by then...

Samui+ fight number were posted in this thread earlier...

 

[corkman]

3 hours ago, khunPer said:

The ferry line will operate as they also transport daily needs and fuel trucks (on special departures) to the islands, but they might check, or close for, other passengers than delivery van drivers. You should contact Raja Ferry for further information, the situation might also change within the next 10 days.

Thanks KhunPer. I've checked. PCR Test + "need to travel" paperwork is needed. So I should be all set. BTW - I am moving to live to Samui for the foreseeable future, so really hope there's no complications. Might see you around ????

 

[khunPer]

Bangkok Airways states on their Facebook-page that Samui+ program continues from July 21st, i.e. only international arrivals can continue in transit at BKK to Samui, and only from lights in code share with Bangkok Airways...

 

The list os Bangkok Airways code share partners (Participating Carriers for Through Check Baggage and Issue Boarding Pass) can be found HERE.

[gearbox]

39 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Samui+ fight number were posted in this thread earlier...

 

I can't see the Bangkok Airways flight numbers code shared with Etihad from my booking, I only see the EY code shared flight number, which is 4 numbers too.

From the above info you posted my  international flight should fit the requirements, but apparently not....

It is a "one ticket" flight, where all the boarding passes can be issued in Samui, and the baggage goes direct too.

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, gearbox said:

I can't see the Bangkok Airways flight numbers code shared with Etihad from my booking, I only see the EY code shared flight number, which is 4 numbers too.

On the Samui arrivals website, none of the Samui Plus flights show code share numbers.

They just show the PG5xxx numbers that khunPer has mentioned.

Maybe pay a visit to Bangkok Airways main office next to Bangkok Samui Hospital and talk to a real person?

[gearbox]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

On the Samui arrivals website, none of the Samui Plus flights show code share numbers.

They just show the PG5xxx numbers that khunPer has mentioned.

Maybe pay a visit to Bangkok Airways main office next to Bangkok Samui Hospital and talk to a real person?

I've chatted with the Bangkok Airways staff via the Messenger, they matched my Etihad EY flight to a Bangkok Airways 3 digit flight, so it appears no go at this time.

Not a big deal anyway, I'll move the flight to early August, hoping that they would resume the flights by then. Although looking at the covid numbers tighter lockdowns are on the horizon...

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, gearbox said:

I can't see the Bangkok Airways flight numbers code shared with Etihad from my booking, I only see the EY code shared flight number, which is 4 numbers too.

From the above info you posted my  international flight should fit the requirements, but apparently not....

It is a "one ticket" flight, where all the boarding passes can be issued in Samui, and the baggage goes direct too.

Did you arrive on a Samui+ flight?

[khunPer]

QR-code for Bangkok Airways' code share partners for Samui+...

 

[gearbox]

13 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Did you arrive on a Samui+ flight?

Nope...I've been here for ages. I have a return ticket to Europe originating in Samui through Bangkok, which is "one ticket", or through-checked as mentioned in your other post.  The return leg is back to Samui in October.

 

Actually...after seeing your latest post, I decided to check with Etihad again what's available, and surprise surprise, there are bookable flights throughout the suspension period (21 July - 3 August), with the Samui - Bangkok leg with a PGXXXX flight, which from your posts seem to be a Samui+ flight.

 

So it looks like I just may call Etihad to tell them to move my flight one day before, there are 3 X PGXXXX flights that day.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

[Tropicalevo]

10 minutes ago, gearbox said:

there are 3 X PGXXXX flights that day.

Book early so as to get into the system.

There are three Samui Plus flights scheduled every day but BA has cancelled at least one every day so far. Sometimes two.

Today - only one flight. The others were cancelled.

 

16:45	16:45	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways PG 5152	Cancelled
17:15	17:16	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways PG 166 Codeshare: AY 6854 / BR 3984 / EY 7683 / HX 3782 / QR 6507 / TG 5763	Departed On-Time
19:20	19:20	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways PG 5172	Cancelled

[khunPer]

If you are going to travel from dark red zone (like Bangkok) in the near future, this posting from Richard Barrow might be important for you...

 

Is your journey really necessary? For any interprovincial travel through, to and from the dark red zones, the public are urged to register in advance for permission to travel. Fill in your details at http://covid-19.in.th which will give you a QR code to show to officials if asked.

 

Basically, starting from Tuesday, the government are saying that you should stay at home as much as possible. You should only leave if it is really necessary such as to buy food, a doctor’s appointment, a vaccination appointment etc. They are also asking companies to increase to 100% their work from home policy.

 

The dark red zones are: Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla.

 

Follow @ThaiNewsReports on Twitter for breaking news: https://twitter.com/thainewsreports or if you don’t have Twitter you can see embedded on this website www.thainewsreports.com. Thanks.

 

[churchill]

[khunPer]

Zone-colors by 20th July...

 

[khunPer]

Approved, after 7 days Phuket Sanbox-tourists can island-hop to Samui and two of her sisters...

 

[khunPer]

Effective from July 23th...
Please note that alcohol is still not allowed in gatherings and parties when you arrive on Samui.

 

[churchill]

Surat Thani announces urgent COVID-19 control Measures for Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the newest round of COVID-19 restrictions and screening requirements needed for domestic travel to Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani, for both Thais and foreigners, effective from today 24 July, 2021, until further notice.

 

continued .. https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/surat-thani-announces-urgent-covid-19-control-measures-for-ko-samui-and-ko-pha-ngan/

 

[goa4711]

18 hours ago, churchill said:

Surat Thani announces urgent COVID-19 control Measures for Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the newest round of COVID-19 restrictions and screening requirements needed for domestic travel to Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani, for both Thais and foreigners, effective from today 24 July, 2021, until further notice.

 

continued .. https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/surat-thani-announces-urgent-covid-19-control-measures-for-ko-samui-and-ko-pha-ngan/

 

"Masks must be worn at all times in public areas and in any vehicle with 2 or more people." - Does that mean I can ride my motorbike without a mask ?