We have covered the ins and outs of Thailand’s reopening for limited tourism, first with Phuket’s Sandbox and then with Koh Samui’s. The country intends to open to more significant tourism later this year, although many have their doubts.
I purchased a Singapore Airlines ticket from Paris to Phuket. Then I started the Certificate of Entry (COE) process the other week with the initial application (read more here and here) that was approved.
Thailand’s Steps for Getting to Sandbox:
My next steps were:
1. Request the two hotels to withdraw payment from the credit card on file and issue the SHABA documents (need these for the next step)
2. After I had received these confirmations, I could then apply and pay for the Covid-19 swabs in Phuket (3 in total).
3. Attach the airline ticket to the application.
Both Hilton hotels were very reasonable in issuing the SHABA documents after I sent them emails:
I then could access the website to book and pay for the Covid-19 tests. Previously the hotel would have handled this step.
You need the SHABA hotel codes to set up the appointments. You can book the appointments at Thailandpsas.
With the tests confirmed, I was issued a receipt. I attached all these documents with the Singapore Airlines ticket, sent them off and waited.
First reply from the embassy:
I noticed from the COE application that you will leave from France. Are you currently living in France? If not, when will you leave Finland to France?
This email came from Thailand’s embassy in Finland that thought I might be living in France because my ticket was ex-Paris (only because of the price). I replied that it was not the case.
The second email from the Embassy
Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki has rejected your registration/application.
Due to 1 Please attach flight from Helsinki 2 Please attach SHA plus certificate
My ticket was ex-Paris, and I had not included an e-ticket that would first show Helsinki – Paris flight. So I issued a second ticket.
I had also made a mistake with the application and included only the SHABA number but not the certificates themselves. I fixed that also and resubmitted.
Third reply from the embassy
Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki has rejected your registration/application.
Due to 1 Please attach flight from Finland to France and put its detail. 2 Please select the first hotel from dropdown list.
I made another mistake because when you add documents, you cannot add additional ones before the embassy rejects your application in their system. I attached the SHABA certificates but couldn’t add the Finnair e-ticket because the application was “processed.”
Fourth email from the embassy:
Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki has approved your COE to enter Thailand.
Please download your COE from the weblink below:
https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/consider/cerdca?id=HELREMOVED
Or click “check the result” menu on https://coethailand.mfa.go.th Your 6 digit code to check your registration/application status is :
REMOVED
Entry to Thailand
1. หลังได้รับหนังสือรับรองฯ (COE) กรุณาจัดเตรียมเอกสาร เพื่อแสดงต่อสารการบินที่เคาน์เตอร์เช็คอิน ดังนี้
1.1 Passport and valid Thai visa/ re-entry permit (if required)
1.2 A print out version of Certificate of Entry (COE)
1.3 Medical certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, using RT-PCR test, issued within 72 hours before departure (in case of connecting flights, before embarkation from initial port).
1.4 Insurance or letter from employer guaranteeing that the insurance company or employer will cover a minimum of 100,000 USD of medical costs incurred by the applicant in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that applicant contracts COVID-19 (The insurance must cover the total duration of stay in Thailand)
1.5 T.8 Form (Health Declaration Form). You can download T.8 Form at https://bit.ly/34X6sAJ
* Documents (1.3) (1.4) (1.5) must be in English or Thai only. Certified translations into English or Thai are acceptable in the case that the original copy is in a foreign language.
2. Please download and register Thailand Plus application. Download manual :: click
3. The above mentioned documents in (1 ) and Thailand Plus application in (2) must be declared to the immigration and disease control officers once the passenger has arrived in Thailand.
Note: If encounter any problem during the registration, please contact the embassy/consulate-general which the applicant has registered in the form.
T.8 Form
Thailand Plus App
The official ThailandPlus app apparently is not getting excellent reviews in the Google Play store.
You need the application and COE numbers for registration purposes.
Previous Articles:
Phuket Sandbox “Your registration/application for COE has been confirmed.”
Thailand Phuket Sandbox “Certificate of Entry” COE Application Process
Singapore Airlines Email: “Changes To Your Travel Advisory” (My Sandbox Ticket)
Purchased Singapore Airlines Paris – Phuket (Sandbox) Business Class Ticket
Conclusion
It is now exactly two weeks away from when I should be on the Singapore Airlines flight from Paris to Phuket via Singapore. I have not been to Thailand for two years, and I believe that the situation in Phuket and Koh Samui are pretty different at the moment.
I need one more thing before I can board the Singapore Airlines flight: the negative Covid-19 PCR-RT test. I should also hope for the best that there are no positive cases on the short-haul Singapore Airlines flight to Phuket because it may lead to mandatory quarantine as a few sandbox visitors found out.
Overall, the response times from the Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki were always less than 24 hours. Should you decide to make an application for the sandbox, you need to make sure that you have all the right documents attached to the application.
