To sandbox or not to sandbox?

[EscapetheUK]

Hi

 

I'm looking to fly from the UK to Phuket in January for a couple of weeks in the sandbox as it seems a bit more stable than the suspended test and go scheme.

 

I found a company advertising online that offer an 'all in one' package including hotel, Thailand pass, insurance, 2 Covid tests and airport transfers, they basically do everything for you (ideal for lazy people like me).

Phuket Sandbox All in One Packages – Royal Vacation (royalvacationdmc.com) Has anyone used this company before / got any experiences to share? Just looking for feedback before i pull the trigger and book with them.

 

Also, my Thai GF lives in Buriram, (she's double vaccinated), who will fly to Phuket to stay with me, can anyone confirm that she is free to enter Phuket and that she will be able to stay in my room after i have taken a negative PCR test on arrival? 

 

Thanks for any feedback and apologies if this has already been covered in another post. 

[richard_smith237]

You’ll still need to provide all your own documents, visa, secure insurance etc... 

 

All an agent would do is submit the information to Thailand Pass and book the PCR tests for you. 

 

As an example: Rawai Palm Beach:

On your website 28,200 baht for 7 nights. 

On Agoda: 21,000 baht for 7 nights.

PCR Tests at 2100 baht each (booked through PSAS). 

 

So, you’re basically paying someone else 3000 baht for something you can easily do yourself. 

 

IF Royal Vacation are accredited as a recognised tour agency and can guarantee refunds / free date change etc... then I can see the benefit.

 

An Travel Agent such as Royal Vacation or any others will still go through exactly the same apppcoatoin process, just on your behalf, there are no additional guarantees or shortened waiting time for approval etc. 

 

IMO, the application process is something which is incredibly easy to do oneself, although a couple of other poster have noted issue with making payment for PCR tests on the PSAS site (using overseas Visa Card).

 

 

 

 

[Emeraldisle]

I was in Phuket last month with Thailand Pass. My bf,  who lives in Khon Kaen, was able to fly from Khon Kaen to Phuket to stay with me.  

He is fully vaccinated.

[drenddy]

Didn't CCSA reduce the length of sandbox from 7 to 5 nights?

Or is it for countries not listed?

 

Theoretically, someone coming from an approved country has to say 7 nights, whereas the other only 5?

 

Or what?

[dontpanic]

I'm not sure about the 5 or 7 day rule, I believe it's still 7 days as I haven't heard of 5 days for Phuket. 

 

On the other hand Royal Vacations (which I'm planning to use around the same time) does also include the required insurance, PCR tests and a one way airport transfer in the price so it would work out cheaper than doing it all separately plus they do the leg work and while it's easy to do, why not chose them if it's cheaper at the same time.

 

If you check out a YouTuber called chocolate man in Thailand he used them about a month ago so check out his previous vids. 

 

 

[MrJ2U]

Probably be cheaper and you can actually pick a nice hotel and location.

 

Of course their getting a commission, skip em.  Planning a vacation with your girl should be fun.

 

Also booking direct with the hotels it'll be easier to make changes if problems arise.

[EscapetheUK]

Thanks for the feedback, @dontpanic the YouTube guy posted some good content, thanks, and i'm still planning on using Royal Vacations although might hold off on booking until the official update on the 4th Jan. Probably better to to see how January pans out and look to fly in Feb, more likely i'll still be saying the same thing in 6 months!