Whats the current covid situation like in Phuket?

[Mama Noodle]

Getting ready to pack up the truck and move to Phuket in 2-3 weeks and will be driving from Surin all the way to the southern end of the island. Rawai area. 

 

At the moment, what's the situation? Resturants/7-11/etc can sell alcohol? Beaches still open? 

 

Ive been scouring the internet for a definitive list/resource for driving FROM a low risk province THROUGH red zones (without stopping in them) and arriving to phuket by car and I can not for the life of me find anything definitive. Can anyone please assist with this? Everything im seeing is all over the place. 

 

All I really care about is getting there, if the beaches are open, if I can get beers at 7-11, and still get a takeaway pizza/foodpanda every so often. Couldn't care less about bars/nightlife. 

 

Also, If anyone reading this has any experience driving through red zones at all, do they require any documentation to pass through? Difficult to make out what the rules are when every province seems to be doing its own thing. 

 

Any input welcome, Thanks. 

[LivinginKata]

Beaches are all open.

 

Last I looked bars and eateries are open. Booze available at shops.

 

Downside many eateries closed but Rawai is mostly open.

 

[Mama Noodle]

14 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

Beaches are all open.

 

Last I looked bars and eateries are open. Booze available at shops.

 

Downside many eateries closed but Rawai is mostly open.

 

I was there in October-November a few weeks ago, before this new outbreak, so is it about the same as then? Or even more closures since? 

 

Do you have any idea what is required of a person arriving by car from a yellow zone, but who drove through red zones to get to phuket? 

[KarenBravo]

Relatively safe compared to the rest of the world.

Only cases of Covid in Phuket are from people that visited Phuket from other places.

No local cases for months now.

[zzzzz]

ONLY 3 cases in the past 8 months ( a biker that went to Koh Lanta for a party, came back and gave it to his 2 kids)

 

Things might change Feb 1st as the rules regarding red areas was to end Jan 31st

Beaches all open, Bang Tao, Patong, Karon, Kata devastated with 90% closures.

lovely here, little traffic, malls all open . Food delivery services doing lots of business

 

Think you need the Thai channa or Morchana apps showing where you have been.. and you might be stooped for temp checks on the way down

[briofoz]

One thing you need to do is register on the https://www.gophuget.com/inout site. As mentioned the app as well. Schools reopened today so my guess is there will be more things relaxed as time passes with no new infections.

[Agusts]

No alcohol after 12am midnight currently, so all entertainment establiments in the island close at that time ...., that's the difference from Oct/Nov and due to current rules...

 

Is it possible to go to Krabi for a few days and back to Phuket with motorbike...!? Do I need all those apps and web registration hassle...?

 

 

[Felt 35]

It was actually a program report about the checking practice at Tha Chat Chai on NBT TV today and as far as I understand and as said by another poster you need to register online on go.phuget.com. and/or eventually provide documentation showing necessity of your travel to Phuket, then you should be good to go!

Felt

[beechbum]

On 1/21/2021 at 11:36 AM, Agusts said:

No alcohol after 12am midnight currently, so all entertainment establiments in the island close at that time ....

 

Almost all, might find a place at the Laguna complex in Rawai open after 12!!

[Jeffr2]

What's the best place to go now? Rawai? I've been thinking of Kamala. Hopefully. We'll be there in a few weeks.

[beechbum]

14 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

What's the best place to go now? Rawai? I've been thinking of Kamala. Hopefully. We'll be there in a few weeks.

Rawai/NaiHarn.

[zzzzz]

17 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

What's the best place to go now? Rawai? I've been thinking of Kamala. Hopefully. We'll be there in a few weeks.

much more open, more choice of accommodations, (some beach front with pools which Rawai does not have at all)  better beach and beach front restaurants, bars and a even a high priced club in Kamala

 

I ate in one of the beach side restaurants a few weeks ago, what a rip off, better food, better prices at Kaen Eang  ????

 

But up to you

[zzzzz]

fyi;

 

my comment 
 

Quote

ate in one of the beach side restaurants a few weeks ago, what a rip off, better food, better prices at Kaen Eang

refereed to one of the numerous Rawai beach side seafood restaurants,  NOT Kamala beach front 

sorry for not saying this

[Dermah]

Are the taxi drivers still behaving like aholes and holding out for 200 a trip?

[LivinginKata]

32 minutes ago, Dermah said:

Are the taxi drivers still behaving like aholes and holding out for 200 a trip?

 

Don't see many TuK Tuks. Just no tourists to fleece.

[Dermah]

Just now, LivinginKata said:

 

Don't see many TuK Tuks. Just no tourists to fleece.

Since I have limited mobility these guys were the reason I stopped visiting Phuket many years ago after 3/4 visits a year for over a decade.

[Jeffr2]

8 minutes ago, Dermah said:

Since I have limited mobility these guys were the reason I stopped visiting Phuket many years ago after 3/4 visits a year for over a decade.

Same with me. They threatened us last time. Never went back.

 

It's an ok time to visit. But it's a ghost town with most places closed in the more touristy areas.

[zzzzz]

its a wonderful time to visit as long as ur not into full on pre covid nighttime entertainment 

great deals on hotels, uncongested, light traffic and the beaches are clean

note the center and northern parts of the island, one would not know that anything was any different from a low season.

 

If u cant handle the tuk tuks, rent a car.......

[Dermah]

34 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

If u cant handle the tuk tuks, rent a car.......

Really good advice, except that, the last time we were there, we did.

Drove down to Karon or Kata, can't remember which, and found nowhere to park. Seemed spaces were "controlled" by some thugs.

Drove back to Patong and spotted a parking space on the right side of the road in between the endless tuk tuks.

A gentleman came out of a shop and informed us in no uncertain terms we were not to park there, and if we did the car would be damaged on our return.

We went back to our hotel, returned the car early, finished our stay locally, and never came back to Phuket.

 

[Jeffr2]

1 hour ago, Dermah said:

Really good advice, except that, the last time we were there, we did.

Drove down to Karon or Kata, can't remember which, and found nowhere to park. Seemed spaces were "controlled" by some thugs.

Drove back to Patong and spotted a parking space on the right side of the road in between the endless tuk tuks.

A gentleman came out of a shop and informed us in no uncertain terms we were not to park there, and if we did the car would be damaged on our return.

We went back to our hotel, returned the car early, finished our stay locally, and never came back to Phuket.

 

My experience. 100%.

[LivinginKata]

2 hours ago, Dermah said:

Really good advice, except that, the last time we were there, we did.

Drove down to Karon or Kata, can't remember which, and found nowhere to park. Seemed spaces were "controlled" by some thugs.

Drove back to Patong and spotted a parking space on the right side of the road in between the endless tuk tuks.

A gentleman came out of a shop and informed us in no uncertain terms we were not to park there, and if we did the car would be damaged on our return.

We went back to our hotel, returned the car early, finished our stay locally, and never came back to Phuket.

 

 

Yes that can be a problem, but not now in these quiet times.  In normal times is can be a challenge for a new tourist to find park place.  Even as an  oldie can take me a couple of tries to find a spot. 

[ChasingTheSun]

6 hours ago, Dermah said:

Really good advice, except that, the last time we were there, we did.

Drove down to Karon or Kata, can't remember which, and found nowhere to park. Seemed spaces were "controlled" by some thugs.

Drove back to Patong and spotted a parking space on the right side of the road in between the endless tuk tuks.

A gentleman came out of a shop and informed us in no uncertain terms we were not to park there, and if we did the car would be damaged on our return.

We went back to our hotel, returned the car early, finished our stay locally, and never came back to Phuket.

 

 

Have you tried using the Grab taxi app to arrange fixed price or taximeter Phuket?

 

it is easy to use, very reliable, and no haggling. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Dermah]

2 hours ago, ChasingTheSun said:

 

Have you tried using the Grab taxi app to arrange fixed price or taximeter Phuket?

 

it is easy to use, very reliable, and no haggling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I gave up on Phuket years before Grab was invented. Loathed the attitude of the locals, but would like to visit again one day. Until then am very happy with Vietnam, and a shorter, and cheaper, flight.

[Jeffr2]

6 hours ago, Dermah said:

I gave up on Phuket years before Grab was invented. Loathed the attitude of the locals, but would like to visit again one day. Until then am very happy with Vietnam, and a shorter, and cheaper, flight.

Flights to Phuket and Krabi are under 1,000 Baht right now.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Flights to Phuket and Krabi are under 1,000 Baht right now.

phuket -bangkok viet jet airlines 399 baht next week

bangkok-phuket  rerun next day  399 baht

 

Cant get much cheaper than that, Of course a taxi from the airport to downtown kamala, Kata, Patong will set ya back another 6-800 baht

[DFPhuket]

37 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

phuket -bangkok viet jet airlines 399 baht next week

bangkok-phuket  rerun next day  399 baht

 

Cant get much cheaper than that, Of course a taxi from the airport to downtown kamala, Kata, Patong will set ya back another 6-800 baht

Be aware that VietJet Air is the only airline flying to Phuket that shows a price before and taxes or fees are added. They also routinely weigh your carry on bag, sometimes at the gate, and charge on the spot if you're over 7kg.

 

For a VietJet 399 booking on March 18, here's the final cost: Fare: 399.00 THB, Optional Seat Assignment and 20kg Bag Charge: 699.00 THB, Tax: 69.86 THB, Credit Card Fee: 82.39 THB: Grand Total: 1,250.25 THB

 

Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways (from BKK) show their final cost on the first screen. They both include free seat assignment, free 20kg baggage and no credit card fee. 

 

On March 18, Thai Smiles' total one way cost is 1,000 THB. Bangkok Airways (including lounge access) is 1,360 THB. AirAsia (adding seat assignment and baggage) is 1,589 THB

 

It's always best to go all the way through the booking process to see the real final cost. Flights to Phuket are cheap, but sometimes the discount carriers are more expensive than full service carriers, especially if you're checking a bag. 

[zzzzz]

the thing is Air asia, Nok, thai smile earliest flight is 10:55

Voet jet  6:00, 7:15

 

flying up for the day 22nd at 7:15, back at 8 pm 

TOTAL including tax, no seat, no bags 1, 169 baht  RETURN

Departure Flight

From: Phuket

To: BangKok - Suvarnabhumi

Departure Date: 22/03/2021 Mon 07:15

Fare: 299.00 THB Charge: 254.00 THB Tax: 31.71 THB Total: 584.71 THB

 

Return Flight

From: BangKok - Suvarnabhumi

To: Phuket

Return Date: 22/03/2021 Mon 20:00

Fare: 299.00 THB Charge: 254.00 THB Tax: 31.71 THB Total: 584.71 THB

Grand Total: 1,169.42 THB

 

same day air asia flight is at 14:25 for 1,390 baht an then i'd need stay the night and next day flight is 12:15 for 890

I'll stick with viet jet

[Old Croc]

The usual Phuket haters are out in force on this thread.

The guy with the lie about air fares, patently proven wrong by many who checked. The whingers who visited once many years ago, had a bad experience probably through their own naivety, and  bring it up like a bad curry every chance they get. 

Sad.

[Jeffr2]

11 hours ago, Old Croc said:

The usual Phuket haters are out in force on this thread.

The guy with the lie about air fares, patently proven wrong by many who checked. The whingers who visited once many years ago, had a bad experience probably through their own naivety, and  bring it up like a bad curry every chance they get. 

Sad.

BS. Phuket has a terrible reputation with regards to "public" transport. Many of us have experienced it first hand. And decided never to go back. Hardly naive.

 

Remember when the mafia there pulled the bus driver out of the first run from the airport and beat him up? Right...probably naive.

 

[zzzzz]

For all the ones that visited over the past few years ( pre covid) and had a bad experience, most attributed it to do with the local transport,

FYI: it was not the airport bus but the Patong-Karon bus  

 

Someday , when the officials wake up, they will get a handle on the tuk tuk/taxi mafia

 

Wonder what you all will complain about than? The touts, price of lady drinks, jet skis, the dam hills one has to  drive up and down.,..

 

BUT for every one that had a bad experience, there are thousands, tens of thousands, that had a great time and many return year in year out