Three More Provinces Added to Sandbox Program, Test & Go Pre-approved Applicants Allowed to Enter Thailand

[ASEAN NOW]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government will add three more provinces to the sandbox program that currently only applies to Phuket and still allows applicants who were already approved under the Test & Go quarantine-free scheme to enter the country.

 

A top-level policy meeting on Friday approved three islands in Surat Thani province - Koh, Samui, Kao Phangan, and Koh Tao - as additional sandbox destinations, as well as the entire provinces of Krabi and Phang-Nga. The provinces’ inclusion date has not been determined.

 

The sandbox program allows tourists to travel freely inside a given province or island without the need to enter quarantine, but they must stay in that area for seven days before proceeding to other areas in the country.

 

The administration is attempting to strike a balance between revitalizing the tourism industry and easing fears of a new COVID-19 outbreak, with disease measures being reinforced in 69 provinces and the ban on nightlife upheld. The announcement was made following the latest meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the Test & Go one-quarantine-night-only entry program will be reconsidered at another meeting on January 15th, 2022. He also assured that pre-approved arrivals will be allowed to enter the Kingdom until further notice.

 

The CCSA kept the status of the eight provinces approved for tourism promotion unchanged, meaning eateries in these provinces can still serve alcoholic beverages until 9 PM. The eight provinces comprise Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang-Nga and Phuket.

 

The CCSA spokesman said the CCSA also resolved to step up public health controls in 69 other provinces. These include a ban on alcoholic drinks at restaurants. Additionally, the closure of night entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke parlors, has also been extended until further notice. Meanwhile, offices are advised to let their employees work from home until the end of this month to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-09

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[ThailandRyan]

So until the 15th the 1 day Test N Go approved folks are still in a hold pattern.

[JackGats]

Just now, ThailandRyan said:

So until the 15th the 1 day Test N Go approved folks are still in a hold pattern.

Yeah that's what struck me as well. Having to wait until the 15th to know whether you're allowed to enter as from the 15th, happy planning.

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Yeah that's what struck me as well. Having to wait until the 15th to know whether you're allowed to enter as from the 15th, happy planning.

Makes it hard for folks who are already scheduled and approved and were able to only take a vacation from work during a certain period of time to come.

 

Many of the Thais I know in the US were able to get time off over the first few weeks in February to come visit family during Chonese New Year and now are puckered up with the uncertainty. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[Tropicalevo]

28 minutes ago, ASEAN NOW said:

The provinces’ inclusion date has not been determined.

According to another newspaper, it was announced in the Royal Gazette yesterday. Starts on Tuesday 11th Jan.

[aussiexpat]

34 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

So until the 15th the 1 day Test N Go approved folks are still in a hold pattern.

That's not correct. Currently all with a Test & Go Thai Pass are allowed to enter until further notice as per the Gazzette. The 15th date is now just when the next meeting is to occur where it can be discussed.

 

I'm sick of all these rumours as the official status of Test & Go since 22 Dec has never changed for people that had a current Thai Pass. All this talk about the 10th cut-off  and then 15th cut-off has never been approved at any level. 

 

Note: I canceled my 13th Jan trip because of all these cut-off rumours. Luckily I was able to reinstate everything after Friday's meeting with only an additional $70 for flight

 

Edited January 9, 2022 by aussiexpat

[stigar]

This country is so crazy about money from foreigners that they skip every chances to make the thai peope safe.Why do u think they open alot of hospitels?Good luck to all of u who take the chance.

[Tropicalevo]

 

31 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

 The 15th date is now just when the next meeting is to occur where it can be discussed.

I would be surprised if the one day quarantine isn't suspended for an indefinite period.

 

We have seen three groups of guests who came under the Test and Go umbrella.

They tested negative on their first  PCR test.

Left quarantine but tested positive on their second PCR test at their holiday accommodation.

They are then in quarantine for between 10 - 14 days at that accommodation. ie until they are clear.

Edited January 9, 2022 by Tropicalevo

[ikke1959]

With rising infections, more restrictions, flipflopping rules, you can hope that tourists will come, but it will be a dream... Coming into Thailand is one thing, but enjoying a holiday is something else, especially when you test positive on OMicron/Covid 

[stigar]

8 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

I would be surprised if the one day quarantine isn't suspended for an indefinite period.

 

We have seen three groups of guests who came under the Test and Go umbrella.

They tested negative on their first  PCR test.

Left quarantine but tested positive on their second PCR test at their holiday accommodation.

They are then in quarantine for between 10 - 14 days at that accommodation. ie until they are clear.

Ur rigth.But the people travel to thailand this time think it want happend.Thailand is ready with many thousands hospitelbeds for those.

[Banjo man]

1 hour ago, aussiexpat said:

That's not correct. Currently all with a Test & Go Thai Pass are allowed to enter until further notice as per the Gazzette. The 15th date is now just when the next meeting is to occur where it can be discussed.

 

I'm sick of all these rumours as the official status of Test & Go since 22 Dec has never changed for people that had a current Thai Pass. All this talk about the 10th cut-off  and then 15th cut-off has never been approved at any level. 

 

Note: I canceled my 13th Jan trip because of all these cut-off rumours. Luckily I was able to reinstate everything after Friday's meeting with only an additional $70 for flight

 

Gday mate totally agree I to have a Thai pass test and go scheme and until the Thai embassy in Canberra tells me any different iam flying to Bangkok from Darwin all other comments are just all NT official if things change I don't mind 7 days quarantine 

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

That's not correct. Currently all with a Test & Go Thai Pass are allowed to enter until further notice as per the Gazzette. The 15th date is now just when the next meeting is to occur where it can be discussed.

 

I'm sick of all these rumours as the official status of Test & Go since 22 Dec has never changed for people that had a current Thai Pass. All this talk about the 10th cut-off  and then 15th cut-off has never been approved at any level. 

 

Note: I canceled my 13th Jan trip because of all these cut-off rumours. Luckily I was able to reinstate everything after Friday's meeting with only an additional $70 for flight

 

I feel sorry for the folks like you who this government has stressed out beyond belief. Hoping this stays in Play as my TNG is approved for late February, the 27th to be exact.

Edited January 9, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[madmitch]

I don't understand why they suspend the test and go but allow the sandbox. Newly arrived tourists are allowed into the local community in the sandbox scheme and can therefore pass on covid to Thais and enceother tourists who could subsequently travel and spread it. 

 

To me it makes no sense. Either open with test and go or quarantine all arrivals.

[BangkokReady]

3 hours ago, ASEAN NOW said:

The administration is attempting to strike a balance between revitalizing the tourism industry and easing fears of a new COVID-19 outbreak

Yes, we wouldn't want a new covid outbreak to happen, would we?  ????

[michael888]

Sounds great.

[ThailandRyan]

15 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I don't understand why they suspend the test and go but allow the sandbox. Newly arrived tourists are allowed into the local community in the sandbox scheme and can therefore pass on covid to Thais and enceother tourists who could subsequently travel and spread it. 

 

To me it makes no sense. Either open with test and go or quarantine all arrivals.

Basically the same right!

[drenddy]

16 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I don't understand why they suspend the test and go but allow the sandbox. Newly arrived tourists are allowed into the local community in the sandbox scheme and can therefore pass on covid to Thais and enceother tourists who could subsequently travel and spread it. 

 

To me it makes no sense. Either open with test and go or quarantine all arrivals.

 

  Mix of incompetence, fear and greed.

[josephbloggs]

18 minutes ago, drenddy said:

 

  Mix of incompetence, fear and greed.

Yawn, another greed comment.  Care to explain the greed involved?   (I am guessing you won't as usually these types of comments are "bash and go" - throw out a generic anti-Thai comment, move on to the next thread and do the same)

Edited January 9, 2022 by josephbloggs

[ThailandRyan]

Duplicate post

Edited January 9, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[drenddy]

17 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Yawn, another greed comment.  Care to explain the greed involved?   (I am guessing you won't as usually these types of comments are "bash and go" - throw out a generic anti-Thai comment, move on to the next thread and do the same)

Why quarantine tourists in Bangkok and not in Phuket?

 

They want to fuel tourists money to the islands.No matter how <deleted>scared, they are about Corona, they still find ways to milk the cow.

 

LE.Why 7 or 10 days mandatory on the islands under the sandbox...Why not 11 or 16? It is pure economical.Tourists areas are in desperate need of money.

Edited January 9, 2022 by drenddy

[vandeventer]

43 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Yes, we wouldn't want a new covid outbreak to happen, would we?  ????

Knock on wood, as bird flu is early this year and in many countries.

[katatonic]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

I would be surprised if the one day quarantine isn't suspended for an indefinite period.

 

We have seen three groups of guests who came under the Test and Go umbrella.

They tested negative on their first  PCR test.

Left quarantine but tested positive on their second PCR test at their holiday accommodation.

They are then in quarantine for between 10 - 14 days at that accommodation. ie until they are clear.

So they probably caught it after arriving in Thailand then.

[candide]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

I don't understand why they suspend the test and go but allow the sandbox. Newly arrived tourists are allowed into the local community in the sandbox scheme and can therefore pass on covid to Thais and enceother tourists who could subsequently travel and spread it. 

 

To me it makes no sense. Either open with test and go or quarantine all arrivals.

Not to mention the fact that Thai people are now significantly infected by Omicron and are outnumbering foreign travellers by large. Infection risk by foreign travellers is neglectible compared to the risk of being infected by locals.

[Kerryd]

Seems they are bound and determined to not let Pattaya re-open if they can help it. I can imagine the day, not too far in the future, when they announce that all provinces are fully re-opened, except for Chon Buri and more specifically, the Pattaya Administrative Area.

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, drenddy said:

Why quarantine tourists in Bangkok and not in Phuket?

 

They want to fuel tourists money to the islands.No matter how <deleted>scared, they are about Corona, they still find ways to milk the cow.

It's not milking a cow, it is not greed.  Millions and millions of people who rely on the tourist industry have had little to no income for TWO YEARS.  It is not only hotel owners but receptionists, cooks, dish washers, maids, drivers, gardeners, and all the people who supply them, shop owners, small restaurants, beach vendors.  It is trying to help those people earn a living.   It really annoys me when people throw out this ridiculous TVF "Thai greed" comment when the absolutely destruction of livelihoods is there for all to see..........and these people need tourists back.

People in the cities have other options to a certain extent (Thais still need food and services).  People on the islands need foreign tourists, it really isn't hard to understand.

 

Quote

Tourists areas are in desperate need of money.

Yes, seems maybe you do understand this after all.  So why shout "greed"?

[Millcx]

5 hours ago, JackGats said:

Yeah that's what struck me as well. Having to wait until the 15th to know whether you're allowed to enter as from the 15th, happy planning.

SANDBOX!!!! … You mean get the tourists in and then hit them with positive test to Quarantine for 10 days at 3500 baht a night … Ask the Koh Samui Aussie

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, JackGats said:

Yeah that's what struck me as well. Having to wait until the 15th to know whether you're allowed to enter as from the 15th, happy planning.

Planning and management. This hasn't been the case from the start.

[khaowong1]

5 hours ago, stigar said:

This country is so crazy about money from foreigners that they skip every chances to make the thai peope safe.Why do u think they open alot of hospitels?Good luck to all of u who take the chance.

They know very well, that these tourist dollars are what sustains Thailand in every sector.  They just don't want to admit it. 

[NobbyClarke]

I'm.planning(hopefully) realistically to return to LOS in June.

I've been holding back. and holding back.

Maybe by June it will be sorted out.

I'm lucky I have no children. I speak with the wife on video call 3 times a day. We are both late 50"s so we can wait.

As for the tourists? Do they take the risk or don't they?

The choice is theirs, however, a 4 hour flight from London to the Canaries (freedom to travel) might be a wise choice for now.

Personally I would choose LOS over anywhere but I have a logical reason to visit.

[gearbox]

2 hours ago, Millcx said:

SANDBOX!!!! … You mean get the tourists in and then hit them with positive test to Quarantine for 10 days at 3500 baht a night … Ask the Koh Samui Aussie

3500 per day for 10 days...that sounds like a bargain. Usually the charges are 60k upwards, sometimes more than 200k.