Looking for local info on Phuket

[earthscar]

I am looking to travel from the USA to Phuket here in the next few weeks. While things seem to be shifting and rules changing I'm curious what the on the ground experience is for people who are there now. 

 

My interest isn't for the bars, clubs or restaurants so I'm less concerned about hearing that they seem to be forced closed at times. The trips main focus is seeing my GF who i have not seen since Jan 21th almost 2yrs ago. I had planned on renting a airbnb in Phuket w/ a kitchen and spend the time traveling around Phuket taking advantage of what few(?) activities are available.

 

I have heard that the rollout seems to have had some hitches. Changes in policy in regards to hotels you can stay at when you arrive, how long you can stay before being allowed to travel outside of Phuket(should that be your desire) and expenses directly associated with Covid 19(tests/insurance/etc)

 

Even if my main goal or interest is not going to be impaired by the bar/club/restaurant closures is it worth going to Phuket with this sandbox? I'm aware that "worth" is subjective i'm looking mainly interested in getting more insight outside of press releases I'm seeing from Thai Officials. 

 

appreciate any insight you can give.

[coastguard]

I did it from July 22-August 7. Once you get your COE I found it ran smoothly enough. The three total tests are a nuisance, but it was SOOOOO much better than an ASQ hotel for 15 days. I found plenty to do: swim at the hotel, eat at the beach, sightseeing, even a snorkeling day trip. The mall opened when I was there too: I went to the first movie in 2 years. 

 

Like you, I had no interest in the bars and nightlife, so I enjoyed. It was actually much more fun than now, where I'm living it virtual lockdown in a dark red zone. 

 

A tip: I'd head for the Rawai/Chalong area. I found more restaurants and activities (like the boat trip) there. I think it is due to the fact that there are a lot of ex-pats in that area, and the area caters to them. Good luck, go for it!

[skatewash]

Is your GF currently in Phuket?  If not, she will need to be vaccinated according to the following graphic in order to enter Phuket domestically.  Will also need to have a negative covid test (rapid antigen is allowed as is the more expensive RT-PCR) and have pre-paid lodging in Phuket.

After a rocky start to the Sandbox in July (largely because things weren't approved until the very last second) the Sandbox has settled down considerably.

You need to prepay for ASQ Plus lodging for 14 days.  See what's available here:

https://asq.in.th/phuket-sandbox-hotels
 

After you graduate from the Phuket Sandbox program in 14 days you would be able to stay in your airbnb.  You would also be able to leave Phuket to see the rest of Thailand.

You can also look on agoda and booking dot coms but you might want to eliminate the middleman and deal directly with the hotel (my recommendation).  Your hotel will be sending you a SHA related things that you need to get your Certificate of Entry from your Thai Embassy/Consulate.  Sometimes having agoda or booking dot coms between you and your hotel is an impediment.

You will book and pay for in advance 3 RT-PCR tests while you are in the Sandbox.  Cost is fixed at 8,000 baht total.

If you wish your GF to join you in your SHA Plus hotel you should list her on the reservation as sharing the room.  She may also need to wait to join you until your negative covid result has come back from the test you will take at the airport on arrival.  That has been taking on average 6 hours.  For that period of time you are confined to your hotel room and during that period your GF would not be able to join you.  Following receipt of a negative covid result you can leave your room and your girlfriend should be able to join you in staying there.

You also need to purchase covid insurance in the amount of $100,000 USD coverage.  There are advantages to the Thai insurance policies as they are sold here knowing the situation on how the Thai government treats symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and some of those policies will pay directly to the hospital rather than you being reimbursed for expenses.  Some foreign insurance providers will reject coverage for hospitalization if you are asymptomatic as in their opinion it's not medically necessary.

For Sandboxers there has been remarkably little change since July 1.  A fair number of SHA Plus hotels were kicked out of the program because they had never bothered (over a period of three years) to get a proper hotel license.  The list of SHA Plus hotels given above should all be OK to choose from.

If you want to know what it's like here the best source of that information is the postings of Sandboxers in the Phuket Sandbox facebook groups:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2760898210888839

https://www.facebook.com/groups/388875605677294

[fcbkk]

Arrangements worked smoothly, no hitches i am ware of. Changes to the regulations can be expected and unless for any urgent alerts the regular policy updates seem to be published every 2 weeks. The last one on 1-Sep regulated day tours for Sandboxers outside Phuket and for local tourists to visit the island. 

 

You are aware that you must stay in an SHA+ (not SHA) licensed hotel during the Sandbox period i.e. first 2 weeks? 

 

Local infections have risen to some 200+ daily, i hear of clusters (recently in Rawai) via local friends, but have not found any single reliable public source of such news.

 

Many of the fantastic local food places are open and can do with income, some with restrictions such as reduced opening hours and no alcohol being served. The quality of covid precautions differs somewhat and so does the behaviour of many guests. But it is fairly empty/quiet and usually possible to choose places to sit with distance or out in the open with good air circulation. 

 

Not sure how much of any organised activities may be available, many seem closed. You need to check as during Sandbox you will only be permitted to take part in SHA+ licensed operators. I did not investigate this as i was very happy spending my time outdoors trekking or so and in that sense Phuket Sandbox offers a lot. 

[stevenl]

16 hours ago, fcbkk said:

Arrangements worked smoothly, no hitches i am ware of. Changes to the regulations can be expected and unless for any urgent alerts the regular policy updates seem to be published every 2 weeks. The last one on 1-Sep regulated day tours for Sandboxers outside Phuket and for local tourists to visit the island. 

 

You are aware that you must stay in an SHA+ (not SHA) licensed hotel during the Sandbox period i.e. first 2 weeks? 

 

Local infections have risen to some 200+ daily, i hear of clusters (recently in Rawai) via local friends, but have not found any single reliable public source of such news.

 

Many of the fantastic local food places are open and can do with income, some with restrictions such as reduced opening hours and no alcohol being served. The quality of covid precautions differs somewhat and so does the behaviour of many guests. But it is fairly empty/quiet and usually possible to choose places to sit with distance or out in the open with good air circulation. 

 

Not sure how much of any organised activities may be available, many seem closed. You need to check as during Sandbox you will only be permitted to take part in SHA+ licensed operators. I did not investigate this as i was very happy spending my time outdoors trekking or so and in that sense Phuket Sandbox offers a lot. 

Agree with a lot you write, but this "You need to check as during Sandbox you will only be permitted to take part in SHA+ licensed operators." Is not true. First transport from airport to hotel has to be SHA+, after that you're totally free in your choices.

[fcbkk]

5 hours ago, stevenl said:

Agree with a lot you write, but this "You need to check as during Sandbox you will only be permitted to take part in SHA+ licensed operators." Is not true. First transport from airport to hotel has to be SHA+, after that you're totally free in your choices.

Free choice perhaps because no-one checks or unlicensed operators need the revenue and don’t mention it? 

The need for SHA+ licensed operators during the Sandbox period is mentioned on tatnews.org (which publish all provincial & sandbox regulations) for all yacht, boat and ferry trips, for any other activities i’d recommend to let the hotel manager check. 

[stevenl]

9 minutes ago, fcbkk said:

Free choice perhaps because no-one checks or unlicensed operators need the revenue and don’t mention it? 

The need for SHA+ licensed operators during the Sandbox period is mentioned on tatnews.org (which publish all provincial & sandbox regulations) for all yacht, boat and ferry trips, for any other activities i’d recommend to let the hotel manager check. 

Free choice. From the site you mention "

Q: What tours and excursions, transportation, and restaurants should I use while in Phuket?

A: It is recommended that you use SHA Plus operators for tours and transportation and SHA Plus restaurants for dining although this is not compulsory.",

[fcbkk]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Free choice. From the site you mention "

Q: What tours and excursions, transportation, and restaurants should I use while in Phuket?

A: It is recommended that you use SHA Plus operators for tours and transportation and SHA Plus restaurants for dining although this is not compulsory.",

Good to know. When was the article published that you quoted from? The Sandbox info article that stated maritime activities being possible via SHA+ operators was last updated 26-Aug. Anyhow, not sure what is fact, i did not investigate beyond this point as mentioned i have been happy doing other activities anyway hence recommended to check with hotel manager.

[Espanol]

15 hours ago, fcbkk said:

Good to know. When was the article published that you quoted from? The Sandbox info article that stated maritime activities being possible via SHA+ operators was last updated 26-Aug. Anyhow, not sure what is fact, i did not investigate beyond this point as mentioned i have been happy doing other activities anyway hence recommended to check with hotel manager.

You are aware that hotel front desk will always recommend activities and taxis where they get a commission, aren't you?

[stevenl]

17 hours ago, fcbkk said:

Good to know. When was the article published that you quoted from? The Sandbox info article that stated maritime activities being possible via SHA+ operators was last updated 26-Aug. <snip>

Don't know, you tell me. I quoted from your link, you only claimed your link said something.

[fcbkk]

4 hours ago, Espanol said:

You are aware that hotel front desk will always recommend activities and taxis where they get a commission, aren't you?

Only in the wrong kind of hotel, but anyhow i did not suggest to buy services from the front desk, i only recommended to check detail questions about the regulations for activities during the Sandbox period, e.g. with the hotel manager. 

The hotels have obligations under the Scheme and obviously have a direct link to the related admin offices and can call them for specific questions.

[fcbkk]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Don't know, you tell me. I quoted from your link, you only claimed your link said something.

“You quoted” but “i only claimed”? Funny. 

 

I did not provide a link, i stated the source and told you when the article was last updated, the info was meant as help to anyone looking. i haven’t come across what you said you read, but if that is the case then pick whatever version suits your agenda and enjoy life? Stay safe and keep others safe. 

[oldcpu]

On 9/9/2021 at 2:59 PM, fcbkk said:

 

Local infections have risen to some 200+ daily, i hear of clusters (recently in Rawai) via local friends, but have not found any single reliable public source of such news.

Possibly the 'Sea Gypsy' village in Rawai (as reported by Phuket news) : https://www.thephuketnews.com/rawai-sea-gypsy-village-under-lockdown-81357.php

Edited September 11, 2021 by oldcpu

[stevenl]

12 minutes ago, fcbkk said:

“You quoted” but “i only claimed”? Funny. 

 

I did not provide a link, i stated the source and told you when the article was last updated, the info was meant as help to anyone looking. i haven’t come across what you said you read, but if that is the case then pick whatever version suits your agenda and enjoy life? Stay safe and keep others safe. 

I quoted from an official source, you only gave incorrect information you said you read.

[stevenl]

10 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

Possibly the 'Sea Gypsy' village in Rawai (as reported by Phuket news) : https://www.thephuketnews.com/rawai-sea-gypsy-village-under-lockdown-81357.php

Really locked down this morning there. I was told 84 positive on first test, next day more, so total above 100. It is a small area with people living closely together. Also the 7/11 next door was closed for 2 days for desinfection, surprisingly the supercheap opposite not.

[fcbkk]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

I quoted from an official source, you only gave incorrect information you said you read.

So the same source is official info in your post, but not in mine? It might have occurred to you there may be contradictory info published on the same official sources, or bits were amended over time without older articles being updated? 

 

Attached a screenshot of the article that i referred to (title: “General information - Phuket Sandbox Updated”), last updated on 26-Aug. 

The article that you quoted from may be more detailed, or older, or newer … who knows? Obviously not you, because when i asked you did not know a date nor provide a link and only asked me to tell you (555). Do you think this is a competition here? Get a life mate. 

 

As mentioned already i do not know what is actual fact at the moment as i did not investigate this point further, hence recommended to check locally (and at the time) if such activities are of interest to anyone.  

[stevenl]

32 minutes ago, fcbkk said:

So the same source is official info in your post, but not in mine? It might have occurred to you there may be contradictory info published on the same official sources, or bits were amended over time without older articles being updated? 

 

Attached a screenshot of the article that i referred to (title: “General information - Phuket Sandbox Updated”), last updated on 26-Aug. 

The article that you quoted from may be more detailed, or older, or newer … who knows? Obviously not you, because when i asked you did not know a date nor provide a link and only asked me to tell you (555). Do you think this is a competition here? Get a life mate. 

 

As mentioned already i do not know what is actual fact at the moment as i did not investigate this point further, hence recommended to check locally (and at the time) if such activities are of interest to anyone.  

It doesn't say SHA + is a requirement in your quote. So thanks finally quoting and clearing that up, was it that hard?

Edited September 11, 2021 by stevenl

[fcbkk]

48 minutes ago, stevenl said:

It doesn't say SHA + is a requirement in your quote. So thanks finally quoting and clearing that up, was it that hard?

It’s obviously hard enough for you to project options other than the mentioned SHA+ operators into the article? Get a life. End of story.