Phuket Sandbox July 2021

[skatewash]

2 hours ago, nkg said:

 

 

Your link doesn't work for me, skatewash. This one seems OK:

 

https://www.phuket-sandbox.com/copy-of-faq-1

Yes, you're right.  Thanks for the correction!

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, skatewash said:

Yes, you're right.  Thanks for the correction!

Good work.......now expect to see the tourists pouring in. Yeah right.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Good work.......now expect to see the tourists pouring in. Yeah right.

Nobody is expecting that.

[bolt]

I wonder what percentage of international arrivals are

 

A.      Tourists

B.      Other (using sandbox as a way of bypassing ASQ-ALQ in Bangkok or other Provinces)

 

I reckon A 1% B 99%

[Old Croc]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Nobody is expecting that.

Some just don't understand the concept that it is a starting point. A start that millions of unemployed and the whole Thai economy desperately need. 

Nobody is going to turn the calendar over on the 1st and Phuket, particularly Patong, will spring into life as it once was. Things possibly will never return to the past, but for the sake of so many, there needs to be a beginning.

 

 

[skatewash]

22 minutes ago, bolt said:

I wonder what percentage of international arrivals are

 

A.      Tourists

B.      Other (using sandbox as a way of bypassing ASQ-ALQ in Bangkok or other Provinces)

 

I reckon A 1% B 99%

My guess A 15%, B 85%

[xylophone]

22 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Some just don't understand the concept that it is a starting point. A start that millions of unemployed and the whole Thai economy desperately need. 

Nobody is going to turn the calendar over on the 1st and Phuket, particularly Patong, will spring into life as it once was. Things possibly will never return to the past, but for the sake of so many, there needs to be a beginning.

 

 

I do understand the concept, but the handling of it, with the frequent changes in dates and requirements has made somewhat of a mockery of it for me, not to mention the TAT nonsense which went from bad to worse and then changed. 

 

Several friends who have messaged me from overseas (and some on TV forums) can't get to grips with what's been going on.

 

I feel very much for the poor Thais and Burmese who are basically living on handouts, and sincerely hope that things do improve, however it's going to be a long road, and confusion will probably rein all the time that this government and its cohorts are at the helm.
 

[sallecc]

23 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Some just don't understand the concept that it is a starting point. A start that millions of unemployed and the whole Thai economy desperately need. 

Nobody is going to turn the calendar over on the 1st and Phuket, particularly Patong, will spring into life as it once was. Things possibly will never return to the past, but for the sake of so many, there needs to be a beginning.

 

 

 

Great comment and completely agree...

 

But they are just dragging it too much like a dead horse... I've seen genuine tourists on FB pages (those who are not on this forum, and has no clue about Thai rule changes and bureaucracy) eager to book flights & hotels, or even booked but then cancelled, disappointed with all the changes and decided to travel elsewhere... Yes returning expats will come anyway to avoid ASQ, but if they want even few tourists to come, they should set clear rules first, and THEN announce opening date, not fanfaring "July/1" for months without any clue, just screwing up those few real tourists and local businesses who expected them.

 

Anyway, let's hope returning expats will help in July, and real tourists probably few months later when all the rules become clear and cabinet/kindergarten decide what they really want lol.

[xylophone]

4 hours ago, xylophone said:

I do understand the concept, but the handling of it, with the frequent changes in dates and requirements has made somewhat of a mockery of it for me, not to mention the TAT nonsense which went from bad to worse and then changed. 

 

Several friends who have messaged me from overseas (and some on TV forums) can't get to grips with what's been going on.

 

I feel very much for the poor Thais and Burmese who are basically living on handouts, and sincerely hope that things do improve, however it's going to be a long road, and confusion will probably rein all the time that this government and its cohorts are at the helm.
 

And this won't help one bit...

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-pubs-bars-to-stay-closed-for-july-1-sandbox-reopening-80295.php

[bolt]

Does anyone know if domestic arrivals can leave Phuket before 14 days, lets say stay for 7 days only?

 

The wife might visit, but she not sure if she can stay 14 days

[skatewash]

12 minutes ago, bolt said:

Does anyone know if domestic arrivals can leave Phuket before 14 days, lets say stay for 7 days only?

 

The wife might visit, but she not sure if she can stay 14 days

Yes, domestic arrivals have absolutely no restrictions on how long they stay.  They are not really affected by the Phuket Sandbox which is a set of rules governing international arrivals.

Domestic arrivals have to have been vaccinated, or received a negative covid test in the last seven days in order to enter Phuket.  Once in Phuket they can stay anywhere and leave Phuket whenever they want.

 

[skatewash]

3 minutes ago, skatewash said:

Yes, domestic arrivals have absolutely no restrictions on how long they stay.  They are not really affected by the Phuket Sandbox which is a set of rules governing international arrivals.

Domestic arrivals have to have been vaccinated, or received a negative covid test in the last seven days in order to enter Phuket.  Once in Phuket they can stay anywhere and leave Phuket whenever they want.

 

 

[JCP108]

On 6/6/2021 at 2:14 AM, sqwakvfr said:

For comparison from July 2021:

 

Phuket:  Fully Vaccinated

               14 days of Island Quasi Quarantine

               2 PCR Tests

               $100,000 Mandatory Insurance

 

Bangkok:  Not Vaccinated

                   15 days of Quarantine(First Day is "Day Zero")

                   3 PCR Tests

                    $100,000 Mandatory Insurance

 

I have Round Trip ticket  that lands in BKK in a few months.  I cannot change my return destination on the ticket so I will end up BKK at a Quarantine Hotel. A one way on Emirates from LAX to HKT is over $1,000(no thanks).   Also, ANA has a one way to HKT but it stops in BKK and I believe the "SandBox" requires a direct flight flight into HKT? Phuket seems a little better than BKK.  If someone knows better than please correct me.  

I thought the sandbox scheme included your having to have 3 PCR tests during your 14-day stay.

[KarenBravo]

On 6/6/2021 at 12:41 PM, Felt 35 said:

Can hardly see a problem for a genuine tourist that he have to stay on the island for two weeks. Most tourist goes for 2-3 weeks anyway booking a flight and a good hotel, enjoy the hotel facilities, sun bathing, the beaches and some cheap shopping. Usually their holiday is for a relaxed time at one destination not a sweating backpacking tour through Thailand and South East Asia for 6 months which I think most are aware that maybe not are the best kind of travel now considering covid -19 restrictions everywhere.

Felt.

 

Not correct.

The average length of staying in Phuket by foreign tourists is 4.9 days...........nowhere near the figures you quoted.

[bolt]

59 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

I thought the sandbox scheme included your having to have 3 PCR tests during your 14-day stay.

The "how many tests is required" is a wee bit tricky, heres my 50p worth

 

ASQ-ALQ

1 pre boarding at country of departure

1 day 5

1 day 12

Then 1 when you eventually leave Thailand, I don’t know where you can fly to without having a valid negative test now

So 4 in total for ASQ, or 3 if you never leave Thailand

 

Sandbox

1 pre boarding at country of departure

1 day 5

1 day 12

1 when (if) you eventually leave Phuket if you’re going to another province in Thailand.

And or 1 when you eventually leave Thailand, I don’t know where you can fly to without having a valid negative test now

 

So 5 in total if you travel to other parts of Thailand and leave from BKK or UTP, or 4 if your entire stay is Phuket and you leave from Phuket to another Country  

The other items are the similiar, food, accommodation transport and Tiffin

So the cost difference is nothing really 1,500-2,000thb

[bkk6060]

Siam Rath quoted Thailand's tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan as saying that the much vaunted opening of Phuket under the "sandbox" no quarantine scheme will not happen on July 1st.

 

Looks like a no go now another thread running ..

[dukeandduke]

On 6/10/2021 at 6:28 PM, xylophone said:

And this won't help one bit...

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-pubs-bars-to-stay-closed-for-july-1-sandbox-reopening-80295.php

Yeah, I'm out if that's the case.

[aussiexpat]

This Sandbox '7 day stay without quarantine' which is now a '14 day stay with 4 PCR tests required' has destroyed what is left of Thailand credibility.

 

They think they may now have it approved end of June for either a 1 July or 1 August start...how can anyone plan a trip around that uncertainty, never mind that bars won't be open

 

They must still think everyone in the World wants to come to Thailand and will just rush in no matter what they mandate

 

Pass

[JCP108]

9 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Siam Rath quoted Thailand's tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan as saying that the much vaunted opening of Phuket under the "sandbox" no quarantine scheme will not happen on July 1st.

 

Looks like a no go now another thread running ..

Source?

[skatewash]

15 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

Source?

 

9 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Siam Rath quoted Thailand's tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan as saying that the much vaunted opening of Phuket under the "sandbox" no quarantine scheme will not happen on July 1st.

 

Looks like a no go now another thread running ..

I know this doesn't happen very often in Thailand, but in this case it may just be a misunderstanding. ????

Stay tuned tomorrow for the inevitable "it was all a misunderstanding" clarification.  I don't doubt that the minister said something like this, but it's hardly the unambiguous announcement as some have treated it.  It's muddled at best.  It appears he made the comment while discussing a future proposal involving Phuket and Samui.  Not at all clear that the Phuket wouldn't be ready comment was about the proposal involving Phuket and Samui.  It was certainly not an unambiguous, straightforward, assessment that the Phuket Sandbox would not start on July 1 because Phuket wasn't ready.

Phuket may not be ready, and the Phuket Sandbox might not start on July 1, but this particular report of the statement is pretty weak evidence that the minister meant to convey that assessment.  

But tomorrow is another day...

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/tourism-minister-reportedly-said-july-1-reopening-will-not-happen

[Agusts]

Do you guys think the new flight schedules directly to Phuket due from 1 July can be effected if the whole idea is shelved , or postponed, or not enough bookings....!?  ( I read some airlines now give credit instead of cash refund for cancelled flight - not very useful if not a frequent flier of that airline ....! ) 

 

 

[wasabi]

Covid has brought out the worst in Thai bureaucracy which already was a fat beached whale of excess.  What before was a sometimes amusing minor annoyance now is an economically deadly shortcoming. All these posters, faqs and ever changing plans are all overengineered garbage bin politics. These keep the pencil pushers employed but accomplish absolutely nothing. Open the country or don't open it. But if you are going to open it then let in vaccinated tourists without any further requirements. All this meddling and half measures to be "safe and sealed" is causing far worse damage than the oft chance a dirty Farang with their disgustingly effective vaccines come in with Covid and infects anyone. Sandbox becomes kitty liter box again. I truly do feel sad for the many innocent Thais hurt by their incompetent leaders. 

 

My guess is not too many tourists from Taiwan. 

UPDATE 1-Taiwan says Thailand prioritising AstraZeneca shots for itself (yahoo.com)

[bolt]

14 minutes ago, Agusts said:

Do you guys think the new flight schedules directly to Phuket due from 1 July can be effected if the whole idea is shelved , or postponed, or not enough bookings....!?  ( I read some airlines now give credit instead of cash refund for cancelled flight - not very useful if not a frequent flier of that airline ....! ) 

 

 

Its very hard to predict what the Airlines will do

I’m sure ALL are desperate for any income or media coverage, so I’m sure we will still see Phuket coverage being published, they don’t care about figures as I’m sure 2021 has been written off already.

 

As always only pay if you a certain you have to travel, if not DON’T pay

You’re right about refunds, new strategy is Credit with airline, at least the customer will stay with us.

 

I have to travel on July 1^st-10^th but I still haven’t booked, I can wait until 48 hours plenty of flight options and accommodation.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, wasabi said:

Covid has brought out the worst in Thai bureaucracy which already was a fat beached whale of excess.  What before was a sometimes amusing minor annoyance now is an economically deadly shortcoming. All these posters, faqs and ever changing plans are all overengineered garbage bin politics. These keep the pencil pushers employed but accomplish absolutely nothing. Open the country or don't open it. But if you are going to open it then let in vaccinated tourists without any further requirements. All this meddling and half measures to be "safe and sealed" is causing far worse damage than the oft chance a dirty Farang with their disgustingly effective vaccines come in with Covid and infects anyone. Sandbox becomes kitty liter box again. I truly do feel sad for the many innocent Thais hurt by their incompetent leaders. 

 

My guess is not too many tourists from Taiwan. 

UPDATE 1-Taiwan says Thailand prioritising AstraZeneca shots for itself (yahoo.com)

"All this meddling and half measures to be "safe and sealed" is causing far worse damage than the oft chance a dirty Farang with their disgustingly effective vaccines come in with Covid and infects anyone."

It really has nothing to do with this.  The only reason all these measures are in place is the incredible fear of the populace. The government has to be seen as opening up and on the other hand protecting the citizens, while letting the ASQ hotels have business as well. And yes, they do realise this will be used by quite a few expats returning, hence the requirement to book a hotel for 14 days.

[SlyouThai]

2 months ago i have been tested positiv to covid in rawai. I felt pretty fine and i ask phuhet officials if i could quarantine at home. No way i could do that so they sent me to phuket international , old kid room for 15 days 140 000 thb. I have been tested 2 times positive and after that the doc said its useless to test before you leave because you will still test positif possibly for months.

 

So.....

 

A nice tourist comes to phuket sandbox  , he have been vaccinated and tested negative before leaving , my understanding is he can still catch it even tho he will not have much symptoms , could be on the plane or hotel or whatever. PHuket officials comes to test him during his stay at SHA+ and the guy is positive . What will happens to him even if he is vaccinated ?

 

2 weeks locked in an hospital room , maybe with all his family ? If this happens the worldwide media will go nuts and i will be huge disaster at all levels.

 

Why the need to test them 3 times if they are already vaccinated ???

[bolt]

4 minutes ago, SlyouThai said:

2 months ago i have been tested positiv to covid in rawai. I felt pretty fine and i ask phuhet officials if i could quarantine at home. No way i could do that so they sent me to phuket international , old kid room for 15 days 140 000 thb. I have been tested 2 times positive and after that the doc said its useless to test before you leave because you will still test positif possibly for months.

 

So.....

 

A nice tourist comes to phuket sandbox  , he have been vaccinated and tested negative before leaving , my understanding is he can still catch it even tho he will not have much symptoms , could be on the plane or hotel or whatever. PHuket officials comes to test him during his stay at SHA+ and the guy is positive . What will happens to him even if he is vaccinated ?

 

2 weeks locked in an hospital room , maybe with all his family ? If this happens the worldwide media will go nuts and i will be huge disaster at all levels.

 

Why the need to test them 3 times if they are already vaccinated ???

You agree to ALL of this before travelling, you can’t say “I didn’t know’

 

Pathetic Troll attempt

 

If you don’t like terms Don’t come over, if you agree make sure your insurance is real, deal with it move on with your life

[SlyouThai]

2 minutes ago, bolt said:

Pathetic Troll attempt

lol gtfo , when you read the phuket sandbox requirements its not made clear. I have customers booking right now and they have no idea about this

[bolt]

2 minutes ago, SlyouThai said:

lol gtfo

What if the planes crashes?

What if the Taxi crashes?

What if the hospital burns down?  

[bolt]

10 minutes ago, SlyouThai said:

2 months ago i have been tested positiv to covid in rawai. I felt pretty fine and i ask phuhet officials if i could quarantine at home. No way i could do that so they sent me to phuket international , old kid room for 15 days 140 000 thb. I have been tested 2 times positive and after that the doc said its useless to test before you leave because you will still test positif possibly for months.

 

Are you claiming to be released from hospital whilst still showing positive?   

[SlyouThai]

8 minutes ago, bolt said:

Are you claiming to be released from hospital whilst still showing positive?   

thats what the doc said yep and i never get tested again before departure after 15 days ... want me to come give you a big kiss on your chubby cheeks ? ????