Phuket officials deny claims unhappy Sandbox tourists have gone home as fake news

[webfact]

Phuket Sandbox tourists have not flown home early because they are unhappy with their stays, Phuket officials said today (July 14). Photo: PR Phuket

 

By The Phuket News

 

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong has denounced posts on social media that Phuket Sandbox tourists unhappy with their holiday have already flown home as fake news. 

 

Vice Governor Piyapong explained this morning (July 14) that a Facebook post making the claim had been shared many times, and that some news agencies had reported it as news.

 

“A few days ago I saw a news article saying that some Sandbox tourists had packed their bags and flown back to their home countries before completing the [required] 14 days stay because they were not satisfied with our Phuket Sandbox measures,” he said.

 

Phuket Sandbox hotels to suit all budgets

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-officials-deny-claims-unhappy-sandbox-tourists-have-gone-home-as-fake-news-80679.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-07-15

 

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[RichardColeman]

We have had some tourists fly back home, but they left because they did not want to enter quarantine. It’s their right to do so, as they were only high-risk people and had tested negative [for COVID-19],” he said.

 

Maybe flying home was a better option than spending 50,000 odd needlessly on a 2nd hotel after a negative test in Thailand and after a negative test in their home country !

 

Whole thing is just a scam. I truly hope more decide going home is better than being scammed.

 

They will go home , spread the word on Tv. Phuket is digging its own grave with these ridiculous policies on tourists.

[ezzra]

I some how don't put much stock in what this Phuket Vice Governor is saying as it behoove him to not tell the truth and keep the myth perpetuating for obvious reasons of coerce...

[jeffandgop]

Tourists arrive in sandbox= Happy

 

Tourist told that instead of island freedom, they must, as part of "Phuket Sandbox measures", quarantine for 14 days.  Tourists stay= Satisfied & Happy.

 

Tourist told that instead of island freedom, they must, as part of "Phuket Sandbox measures", quarantine for 14 days.  Tourists leave= NOT Satisfied & NOT Happy.

[colinneil]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong has denounced posts on social media that Phuket Sandbox tourists unhappy with their holiday have already flown home as fake news

If they are denying it there must be some truth to it.

[faraday]

"We have had some tourists fly back home, but they left because they did not want to enter quarantine. It’s their right to do so, as they were only high-risk people and had tested negative [for COVID-19],”

 

So they were a bad lot anyway.

 

Good riddance to 'em!

 

 

[ikke1959]

Did they not ask tourists to go home who were in quarantine a few days ago??? 

[smedly]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“A few days ago I saw a news article saying that some Sandbox tourists had packed their bags and flown back to their home countries before completing the [required] 14 days stay because they were not satisfied with our Phuket Sandbox measures,” he said.

I thought it was because they were being forced into quarantine even though they tested negative and were also being hit with huge bills so they decided it would be better to just home since their holiday was ruined 

 

but maybe that was all nonsense - who knows

 

oh wait - quote from article

 

“I have checked with our staff and found that the information is not true. We have had some tourists fly back home, but they left because they did not want to enter quarantine. It’s their right to do so, as they were only high-risk people and had tested negative [for COVID-19],” he said.

 

so they did go home and were not happy

 

I am confused

 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by smedly

[The Farang]

It is a big scam by the government to bring money into the country.  I just got  here today in the Sandbox program.  When I booked my hotel it was like 14,000.  After I booked my plane tickets and was ready to go I was told it is now 22,000 baht because you have to pay for 2 covid tests and a special taxi service to take you 2 km down the road to test.  TBH I am not sure why anyone would come here as a tourist right now (I am here to see family).   You have to pay over priced hotels for 14 days, you cannot leave the island,  2 days out of your stay you are quarantined in your room waiting for covid test results, everything is closed in Phuket and it looks like a ghost town, it rains almost every day all day because of the rainy season.  It sucks when you know you could rent a room for about as low as 500 baht but have to pay tripple.  Lets not forget,  if for some reason you test positive for covid,  you have to pay for another quarantine hotel on top of yours and mind you, insurance will not cover that.

[TheFishman1]

 Sounds very confusing to me TIT

[schlog]

It doesn't matter if this tourists are happy.

It matters that phuket is open that deals can be done easy.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/thailand-uses-phuket-sandbox-to-clinch-a-4-75-billion-deal

[NCC1701A]

"Excuse me, I am looking for my girlfriend I met on Thai Friendly. I gave her 30,000 baht for the bus ticket. She was supposed to meet me here" 

[Sticky Rice Balls]

36 minutes ago, The Farang said:

It is a big scam by the government to bring money into the country.  I just got  here today in the Sandbox program.  When I booked my hotel it was like 14,000.  After I booked my plane tickets and was ready to go I was told it is now 22,000 baht because you have to pay for 2 covid tests and a special taxi service to take you 2 km down the road to test.  TBH I am not sure why anyone would come here as a tourist right now (I am here to see family).   You have to pay over priced hotels for 14 days, you cannot leave the island,  2 days out of your stay you are quarantined in your room waiting for covid test results, everything is closed in Phuket and it looks like a ghost town, it rains almost every day all day because of the rainy season.  It sucks when you know you could rent a room for about as low as 500 baht but have to pay tripple.  Lets not forget,  if for some reason you test positive for covid,  you have to pay for another quarantine hotel on top of yours and mind you, insurance will not cover that.

Sadly I would agree,,,,it sure seems to be a cash grab and if you stay in LOS long enough this would not come as a surprise.....I was willing to suffer the 7 to get back in  but bailed when it went to 14, as that just instilled my suspicions,,,the truth is always revealed, sooner or later..

 

I would even choose the Bkk ASQ as it seems a safer option and you get what u pay for as apart from sand and water it almost seems the same if not worse..hence the thai saying ..money #1......or the rice bowl theory of who can get the most rice in their bowl by any means necessary.......thai mindset

 

I just wanna get back to CNX and id do an ASQ there and then get paroled after my ASQ sentence

[Sticky Rice Balls]

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

"Excuse me, I am looking for my girlfriend I met on Thai Friendly. I gave her 30,000 baht for the bus ticket. She was supposed to meet me here" 

Solly Mista....mai dai..cannot....she was here waiting, but suddenly her buffalo texted her on LINE app saying was velly sick, so she had to go back to isaan to take care...after all, family #1...now come with me as my test is telling me you sat too close to other farangs so must go thai government ASQ....

[Sticky Rice Balls]

11 minutes ago, schlog said:

It doesn't matter if this tourists are happy.

It matters that phuket is open that deals can be done easy.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/thailand-uses-phuket-sandbox-to-clinch-a-4-75-billion-deal

To repeat, Money #1 in LOS...Never forget this one thing and u will be fine..(if have said money)

[Bangkok Barry]

“Some tourists came to Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, stayed less than 14 days, and flew back to their home countries,” he said. 

 

So he denies the report and also says it's true. I love this country. Every day a new joke to laugh at.

[stevenl]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

I some how don't put much stock in what this Phuket Vice Governor is saying as it behoove him to not tell the truth and keep the myth perpetuating for obvious reasons of coerce...

If you read the full story it is very plausible the VG is telling the truth, together with the health chief.

[stevenl]

17 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Deleted.

 

3 hours ago, The Farang said:

It is a big scam by the government to bring money into the country.  I just got  here today in the Sandbox program.  When I booked my hotel it was like 14,000.  After I booked my plane tickets and was ready to go I was told it is now 22,000 baht because you have to pay for 2 covid tests and a special taxi service to take you 2 km down the road to test.  TBH I am not sure why anyone would come here as a tourist right now (I am here to see family).   You have to pay over priced hotels for 14 days, you cannot leave the island,  2 days out of your stay you are quarantined in your room waiting for covid test results, everything is closed in Phuket and it looks like a ghost town, it rains almost every day all day because of the rainy season.  It sucks when you know you could rent a room for about as low as 500 baht but have to pay tripple.  Lets not forget,  if for some reason you test positive for covid,  you have to pay for another quarantine hotel on top of yours and mind you, insurance will not cover that.

Wow, the amount of nonsense written here.

 

Many hotels have excellent offers at the moment, plenty of 500 Baht per day options available in 3-4 star hotels.

 

Far from overpriced hotels, you don't have to stay 2 days in your room, it doesn't rain almost every day, you get a refund for your SHA+ if you test positive so payment is not on top and insurance does cover if you test positive and also everything is closed in Phuket is far from the truth.

Edited July 15, 2021 by stevenl

[thaibeachlovers]

7 minutes ago, stevenl said:

If you read the full story it is very plausible the VG is telling the truth, together with the health chief.

Easy enough to find out. How many tourists leave before their original return date? No one cuts their holiday short because they are having such a great time.

[The Farang]

16 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Deleted.

 

Wow, the amount of nonsense written here.

 

Many hotels have excellent offers at the moment, plenty of 500 Baht per day options available in 3-4 star hotels.

 

Far from overpriced hotels, you don't have to stay 2 days in your room, it doesn't rain almost every day, you get a refund for your SHA+ if you test positive so payment is not on top and insurance does cover if you test positive and also everything is closed in Phuket is far from the truth.

https://royalvacationdmc.com/phuket-sandbox-hotels-packages/

 

Here's a list of Sandbox Hotels.  Show me which ones are 500 baht...

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by The Farang

[stevenl]

11 minutes ago, The Farang said:

https://royalvacationdmc.com/phuket-sandbox-hotels-packages/

 

Here's a list of Sandbox Hotels.  Show me which ones are 500 baht...

 

Also, here are some of the Sandbox guideline:

"While waiting for the result of RT-PCR test-guests are required to be in the room, if the result is Negative then the guests can go out travelling around Phuket"

 

A test that can take a day for the results, at which time you have to stay confined in your room.  So like I said, 2 days.

I booked sleep with me, 550 baht per night. And there are quite a few more. You'll have to change your source.

Test result guaranteed within 24 hours. So never 2 days.

Edited July 15, 2021 by stevenl

[eyup]

9 minutes ago, The Farang said:

https://royalvacationdmc.com/phuket-sandbox-hotels-packages/

 

Here's a list of Sandbox Hotels.  Show me which ones are 500 baht...

Look at Booking.com there  are plenty in that price range , not just from "royal vacation"

[Rhacsyn]

36 minutes ago, stevenl said:

If you read the full story it is very plausible the VG is telling the truth, together with the health chief.

The three groups to leave to date are the family travel group from Emirates (and yes, I can sympathise with them), a small tour group who had originally  booked in for less than the 14 days, and the business group who came to sign the take over agreement with PTT.

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

has denounced posts on social media that Phuket Sandbox tourists unhappy with their holiday have already flown home as fake news. 

Fake news about fake news?????

 

[Espanol]

2 hours ago, The Farang said:

https://royalvacationdmc.com/phuket-sandbox-hotels-packages/

 

Here's a list of Sandbox Hotels.  Show me which ones are 500 baht...

 

Better look for SHA+ hotels in Agoda. Much better prices there and you can cancel at any moment.

 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by Espanol

[mancub]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

I booked sleep with me, 550 baht per night. And there are quite a few more. You'll have to change your source.

Test result guaranteed within 24 hours. So never 2 days.

Are you not a local ?

[LivinginKata]

47 minutes ago, mancub said:

Are you not a local ?

 Yes, but he must be returning from outside Thailand = sand box rules.  

[The Hammer2021]

6 hours ago, The Farang said:

It is a big scam by the government to bring money into the country.  I just got  here today in the Sandbox program.  When I booked my hotel it was like 14,000.  After I booked my plane tickets and was ready to go I was told it is now 22,000 baht because you have to pay for 2 covid tests and a special taxi service to take you 2 km down the road to test.  TBH I am not sure why anyone would come here as a tourist right now (I am here to see family).   You have to pay over priced hotels for 14 days, you cannot leave the island,  2 days out of your stay you are quarantined in your room waiting for covid test results, everything is closed in Phuket and it looks like a ghost town, it rains almost every day all day because of the rainy season.  It sucks when you know you could rent a room for about as low as 500 baht but have to pay tripple.  Lets not forget,  if for some reason you test positive for covid,  you have to pay for another quarantine hotel on top of yours and mind you, insurance will not cover that.

But after 2 weeks you can move on. You knew what you were getting into. But it is disgraceful it's raining.

[utalkin2me]

I thought sandbox was no quarantine provided you had vaccination papers. Did they change it? What tourist on earth would fly into a quarantine? 

[Boedog]

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Did they not ask tourists to go home who were in quarantine a few days ago??? 

That's like the infected person that arrived on, l think it was an emirates flight and they sent the 12 people straight back where they came from