As I have covered my personal experiences of applying for the Certificate of Entry to Thailand, booking and transiting to Phuket from Europe on Singapore Airlines, and my arrival experience to the country, readers have asked me several times to write about my time and thoughts whether it is worth visiting Phuket and Thailand right now.
Let me start by saying that the experience in Phuket and Koh Samui is very different from my previous visits to the country. I will be in Bangkok next week when there is still a curfew in place from 9 PM until 4 AM.
Note that the entry requirements to Thailand can change with very little advance notice. For example, there are currently talks allowing direct non-quarantined arrivals to Bangkok without going through Sandbox first. Also, the time spent in the Sandbox may be lowered from 14 to 7 days.
What we have covered previously:
- Phuket Sandbox Arrival Experience
- Phuket Sandbox “Your registration/application for COE has been confirmed”
- Thailand Phuket Sandbox Application Completed
- Thailand Phuket Sandbox COE Amendment
- Singapore Transit Experience
Pros of getting to Thailand via Sandbox:
- Thailand continues to require 14-day quarantine in a hotel in Bangkok for those arriving from overseas regardless of their nationality or vaccination status.
- Many Thais and foreign residents of Thailand arrive in the country through one of the programs that allow them to roam free within a specified area before entering other parts.
- You are only not allowed to leave your accommodation until the test result from the airport arrives. Mine came in roughly five hours (perfect to have a nap). You are then allowed to continue your business as usual but need additional PCR-RT tests on days 6 and 12.
- Businesses that cater to locals are open, and some of those catering to tourists too.
- Hotel prices are very reasonable at the moment.
Cons of getting to Thailand via Sandbox:
- The COE documentation requirements are rather extensive for those that are not used to apply for various visas. I ended up with 10 documents.
- You will end up in a hospital for 14 days if you test positive in the first, second, or third tests.
- If one of your traveling companions’ tests positive or even a person who sits close to you in the airplane, but yours come back as negative, you will end up in a hospitel for two weeks and not allowed to leave your room. In addition, you are required to pay hospital or hospitel expenses.
- You must stay and prepay for SHA+ accommodation before arriving in Thailand, and you need a certificate number issued by the hotel for the COE application. Even if you happen to own property on the island, you must pay for and stay at the hotel.
- Hotels may be open, but not all the facilities are.
Phuket
Phuket has seen roughly 35,000 arrivals through the Sandbox by now and Koh Samui less than a thousand. According to the TAT, there are approximately 5,000 people on the island via the sandbox scheme at any given time.
I rented the car and drove around the island a few times. The most lively area for visitors was Patong, and there was some life also around Rawai. Karon was utterly dead.
Jungceylon and Central on the other side of the road in Patong were closed. The Big C in Jungceylon was open, however.
The massive Central Festival Phuket and Central Phuket Floresta (next to each other with a walk bridge) were open, and most shops were functioning. However, some of the F&B outlets at these two malls were closed.
Remember that bars should still be closed, and none of the “restaurants” should be serving alcohol. However, you can buy some from the stores, and hotels can sell through in-room dining.
I was saddened that there were some “dining” establishments with gogo’s serving magical beverages openly in foam cups. Also, I am not sure what the patrons were drinking from the coffee cups at the Irish Pub?
Conclusion
I was contemplating how many times I have been in Thailand since my first visit in 1992, and it must be around 100. Bangkok has been my base in Asia, from where it is easy to transit to other countries and to spend few nights in the city.
It won’t hurt that most major airlines fly into the country, and airfares tend to be very competitive. Even during normal times, the hotels have an excellent price to quality ratio, and now they are 50% to 70% off.
If you are after the 2019 Thailand experience with lively nightlife and shops and tourist attractions open, now is not the right time to go. I would go to Brazil or Mexico instead. However, if you are after a quiet beach scene, it is the best time ever.
You have to give Thailand credit for opening the country to international tourists without locking them up in hotel rooms for 7 to 14 days. I quit adult beverages more than four years ago, so it is not personally essential for me to whether “bars” and restaurants can serve alcohol or not, but I understand that it is for many.
I would avoid crowds until you have tested negative on the last test. You can only imagine all the variants spreading at the former gogo bars that have become dining establishments. You will end up in a hospital if you test positive, even when asymptomatic, for two weeks, and anyone else traveling with you can enjoy a hospitel.
I got into a daily rhythm quite fast. I tended to start at the Starbucks in Patong early in the morning, have a break in the early afternoon, and later drive to the Central Festival/Floresta before wrapping up the day.
If you don’t intend to rent a car, I would choose to stay in the Patong area where there is at least something open within walking distance. Although taxi prices have come down a bit and you can now use Grab, they are still double/triple compared to the similar trips in Bangkok.
It is pretty telling that there wasn’t even a single plane on the ground in Phuket when I left for Koh Samui past Wednesday.
Does not sound worth it to me. Sounds like more like a trip to the dentist office than what should be a relaxing vacation.
But I’m glad the people that rely on tourism at least are getting some income again.
The most annoyance were the day 6 and 12 tests. Just make sure that your book the appointment for early in the morning or late afternoon, and not right after their lunch break when there are some ques.
“You have to give Thailand credit for opening the country to
international tourists without locking them up in hotel rooms for 7 to
14 days.”???????? Can you name another country with such prison like conditions?? The world is opening up to vaccinated tourists…Thailand had best get on board QUICKLY…THE LOSS OF 2 HIGH SEASONS WILL SHUTTER A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF BUSINESSES AND JOBS THAT RELIED ON TOURISM
s@gasman1125:disqus Are you DUMB? What about Hong Kong and Vietnam and Korea Mister Smart Gas???
Don’t forget Singapore 😊
You are not locked in a hotel room in Phuket for 7 or 14 days. At most overnight, until the results from the first test at the airport arrive. Mine took four/five hours.
Unless you receive a false positive test…or sit in the same metal “tube” as another positive pax…NO THANKS…I will patronize WELCOMING COUNTRIES
High season is GONE…
I must agree with gasman1125, albeit in a less ranting way. There are tons of great holiday destinations around the world that don’t have such harsch restrictions and bureaucracy surrounding the visit. All the worrying and uncertainty leading up to the arrival is just not worth it for me.
I spent this summer on Madeira and the Seychelles. Both of them had clear and easy entry requirements and best of all: they didn’t constantly change the rules.
Just my ¢2.
I must agree with gasman1125, albeit in a less ranting way. There are tons of great holiday destinations around the world that don’t have such harsch restrictions and bureaucracy surrounding the visit. All the worrying and uncertainty leading up to the arrival is just not worth it for me.
I spent this summer on Madeira and the Seychelles. Both of them had clear and easy entry requirements and best of all: they didn’t constantly change the rules.
Just my ¢2.
Pretty much every country in Asia requires 2 weeks quarantine, if they allow tourists in the first place as many does not.
Why would someone want to vacation in a country that requires you to quarantine for two weeks? Thailand doesn’t if you do the Sandbox.
John,thanks for your insight. I’m still holding off for less stringent entry requirements. As much as I like it there as well as being a former resident, for me personally its not worth the effort. I think this part of 1 of your,”Pros” should be listed under “Cons” though,”but need additional PCR-RT tests on days 6 and 12″. After all the other hoops you had jump throughout it seems minor but a needless PITA nonetheless. My 1st visit was a 5 day R&R from Okinawa in 1972 during the war. I am more interested in your Bangkok update when available.
I think that it is ok if you plan to stay bit longer, but not worth the hassle for an usual stay of week or so.
Here’s the breakfast view in Koh Samui.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a0ae0086a04880ec409b3e99a0603ab916888d41a43f95997dda8d50baafabf6.jpg
I am planning on 5 weeks.
Lol. You were “saddened” that the bars were serving alcohol. How lame.
I was saddened that they were breaking the rules, although that was expected.
when the rules are stupid they need to be break.
There more important measure to contain the virus than alcohol.
But you know the rules before coming. If partying is important, I would suggest that anyone goes to a country with no restrictions such as Brazil or Mexico.
We have enough COVIDiots in Cabo already, happy to break the rules from the moment they arrive at the hotel by losing their masks. And walk all over the city mask-less while every local wears their mask.The rules are in place for a reason.
“The rules are in place for a reason” . . . spoken like a true hall monitor. Do you actually believe that statement is true? Bro, you can use whatever terminology you want (although I haven’t heard Covidiots in a year or so), placing blame on easy targets, but people walking around maskless outside aren’t the ones causing Covid, neither are tourists who came from Sandbox. I’m not an anti-masker or anti-vaxxer, I’m liberal, my family and I are obviously fully vaccinated, and I appreciate safety and necessary precautions. But the reality of the bad/worsening Covid situation in Thailand, is that it’s ONLY because of a lack of quality vaccines for Thai citizens (they’re scared of Sinovac, rightly so). Now the corrupt Thai government has withheld/misplaced 20 million Pfizer vaccines donated by the USA months ago. 20 million vaccines donated – that means just under a third of Thailand should be vaccinated with Pfizer. Clearly that’s not what has happened (unless you’re rich or connected to the government), do you even talk to common Thai people? They’re furious over the situation, and they should be. Thailand will miss me? If by me, you mean people like me, who come here because they embrace Thai culture, and do what they can (however small) to help struggling local businesses and oppressed citizens, yes, Thailand will miss me. They always do, and I’m always welcomed back with open arms by those locals. So, it’s unfortunate that miles of businesses (just along the road from Karon to Kata) have been decimated, life savings have been lost from hardworking people, that money ain’t coming back. It didn’t have to be this way. So when Thailand teases this Sandbox scheme, giving a tiny ray of hope for Phuket – then after a couple of weeks yanks the rug out from underneath the businesses who prepared AND the tourists who gave a shit enough to be here after meeting the ridiculous, arbitrary and unnecessary requirements for said scheme – I think a little frustration is expected. I’m the first to champion a Thai holiday to anyone thinking about it – but not anytime soon. Thailand’s people will continue to suffer because of government mismanagement, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. But enjoy your visits to the Marriott I guess . . .
With all the craziness in that reply,it shows being away from a functioning society has affected your ability to reason. And save your personal attacks for the middle school threads you excel in,”bro”.
m@disqus_BZ6gi2qeoF:disqus
If you cannot afford a stay at a Marriott, you can only blame yourself.
Why are you criticizing those who can.
Not everyone is into backpackaging nor has the age to sleeping in overcrowded hostels. Some of us worked hard to be in a position to afford a relaxing holiday
Bro – I’m a self made millionaire at 41 years old, I own one of the best reviewed restaurants in Los Angeles – if you want to compare bank accounts, I’m pretty confident that I’d come out on top. I can afford to do whatever I want whenever I want, and yes, I worked hard for it. I just prefer that my money supports Thai based businesses while I’m staying in Thailand.
Most of these hotels are owned by locals including the Hilton that I stayed at.
@m@disqus_BZ6gi2qeoF:disqus Lol do you think you impress me? I’ve worked in private equity and I don’t need to compare my net worth with a restaurant owner. We know the restaurant business is one of the worst sector to be in to make money. I’ve come across multiple pompous folks like you in my career who like to casually bring in the millionaire card. Most of them are low digit millionaires with high debt who think they owe the world
I couldn’t care less who’s impressed by me, I was only contradicting your statement that I can’t afford to stay at a Marriott, when affordability has nothing to do with it. Btw, zero debt.
What do you mean we knew the rules before coming? I’m about to wrap up 3 months here in Phuket, jumped through all kinds of crazy hoops to be here for Sandbox, and the rules have changed three or four times since I’ve been here. Bars were open, then closed. Then restaurants had to stop serving alcohol. Then they could serve it again. Then they couldn’t, and no billiards. First we could train at a Muay Thai gym, then we couldn’t. Then we could, as long as it’s not Muay Thai, just “fitness programs” instead. Look, I love Thailand but until the powers that be get their heads out of their asses, I’m not coming back, too many hassles. You were saddened that they were breaking the rules? You mean trying to eke out a living? Ok Chad . . .
I’m sure Thailand will miss you very much.
The idea of the Phuket sandbox is ok.
But they miss to understand some things about foreigners.
First of all .. Western tourists usually have a limited time for their holidays, Usually 2-4 weeks.
And most wants to have hassle free time off, just order our tickets, book and go.
There are many options. Me, myself for example, I live in Scandinavia and pretty much just would love a timeout and chill on a beach somewhere. So what do I do? I search for places to go. And there are so many options. Thailand is only one of them.
Spain? Just pack my bag and go
Denmark? Just pack my bag and go
Mexico? Just pack my bag and go
Thailand? well, that is another story ..
First of all I need a visa. And that is not like a walk in the park to get actualy … Even a tourist visa needs lots of paper works. And after the paper works is ok, you have to travel to the embassy to deliver your passport personally. If you don’t live in the neighbourhood, but for example 800 km away? Well .. that is your problem, not ours they say.
Once the papers are accepted (like copy of health insurance from a Thai (!) insurance company, copy of paid airplane tickets + +) you might get your visa.
When you finally (hopefully) get your visa approved. You have to pick it up personally, so you book a flight ticket and goes to the embassy again. And that is a good feeling actually. Yes, I am travelling soon!!
However, once you got your visa, you also need to apply for a “certificate of entry” !!
And some of the requirements are pre-paid Covid tests (ca 8000 baht), pre-paid transportation, pre-paid accomondation, copy of your Visa etc.
Not to mention that you need to spend most of your holidays in quaranteen ..
I am so amused to see the predictions from the Thai governement. They always estimate that there will be millions of tourists coming back once they so kindly granted access to enter the country again. While at the end of the day, they end up scrathing their heads, wondering why the tourists didn’t come.
Nowadays, no tourists will go to Thailand due to all obsticles and formalitites. The ones who are returning are expats, which are ok with all of the formalities. Tourists? Nope! Forget all the Excel sheets with astronomic numbers of revenue and income. It just won’t happen. Sorry to say.
On a sidenote, Phuket is the center of tourist scams in Thailand. Karma is a bitch
@@BjarneBe:disqus I though the whole COE & Sandbox application was done online? Why do you need to visit the embassy?
To get the visa sticker in the passport
You don’t need a visa sticker, you can use the visa waiver program and they even extended the stamp by 15 days to make up for the two weeks in the Sandbox so now you get 45 days. The entire process is done online and response is quite fast unless you send them documents that aren’t clear or don’t meet the requirements.
@SebastianAtLoyaltyLobby:disqus
That’s great news. So, where in the process of applying for a COE, or talking to embassy about travelling to Thailand did I miss these easy steps?
When applying for COE it was a requirement that I uploaded a scan of the visa sticker. Which was provided by the embassy prior to my COE application.
I was in Thailand on the STV visa last year. Now I am granted access on a tourist visa (60+30 days). But I see no difference in the paper and stamp fetish requirements.
However, could be if you are from a different country though. I am from Norway, and we seriously still have these not so tourist friendly requirements.
You can disregard that, just select the appropriate entry type in the initial menu:
11 (EXEMPT) MEDIUM TERM VISITOR – VISA EXEMPTION
The tourist visa label buys you a few days more but that’s about it. STV was bonkers as far as their requirements were concerned. They even want a police clearance certificate which can be a pain to get depending on the country you’re from.
It started on 26-Sept. Applicants no longer need to send in their passport to get a sticker. It is now a “stickerless E-visa”. You probably just missed the start of it and are one of the last to receive the traditional “stickered visa.” Details on the new system here: https://thaievisa.go.th/
It started on 26-Sept. Applicants no longer need to send in their passport to get a sticker. It is now a “stickerless E-visa”. You probably just missed the start of it and are one of the last to receive the traditional “stickered visa.” Details on the new system here: https://thaievisa.go.th/
Thanks John.
I wish I could fly directly to Bangkok.
Some of the best Marriott and Hyatt properties have very competitive rates. These won’t last
Yes. The rates are really low at most of the hotels, although some try to keep their rates up by offering F&B or other credits worth the room rate.
Still don’t understand why risk to be put into hospital for two weeks, when there are so many tourist destinations without these crazy restrictions (Dominicana, Mexico, Maldives, Seychelles, Tanzania, Cuba, Greece, Spain etc.)
I just left Phuket last night after spending a month there. Previous trips have mostly been 2-3 nights up to maybe a week. This was prolly the best time I’ve had despite it being different. I got to explore all the Marriott properties, the island, different areas, meet more locals and foreigners living in Phuket. I’d love to go back, things are so cheap at the moment and I can have a bigger impact.
When I arrived mid-August most of Patong was closed, I read before I left some where “opening”. I found areas like Boat Ave and Bang Tao, much better places to hang out. Karon/Kata were mostly dead, but nice vibe for the sunset which had a good mix of folks playing music and games
The COE was confusing, but I kept emailing them back until I got it straight because my decision was last min. I’d love to go back again during this time. Prolly the most chill and relaxing I’ve seen Phuket.
Quarantine needs to be better explained. The 14 days isn’t like Singapore where you’re stuck in a room. Once you get the negative results, you are free to roam the island and you’re supposed to check-in daily during those 14 days. However, you can go to the beach, lounge at the pool, go island hopping provided it’s within the jurisdiction of the sandbox. I’ve never seen hotels this cheap.
If you want to enjoy the beaches, it is good time to go. 90% to 95% of the businesses in the Patong area were still closed as of last week.
I have never previously been in Phuket for more than five days at max. It was good to explore bit of the island, but you really need a rental car.
Yeah. There appears to be some confusion with the COE, most who arrive through this Sandbox are not tourists but Thais, expats or those who have spent considerable time in the country previously.
@m@mjzeekdaniels:disqus Which Marriott properties would you recommend the most for Platinum status holders? Do they have proper work desks?
To be honest it’s hard to say. I currently have Ambassador Elite and because the occupancy was low I got some great upgrades. At Four Points, I got a family room, but it wasn’t a functional desk. At Westin I had a proper desk, but it’s a bit far. Renaissance had a interesting desk that is behind the headboard in their villa. JW also had a nice desk in their villa. The problem with loyalty is with a great upgrade you might love the hotel and come back. With a poor upgrade little interest in returning.
@MJ@mjzeekdaniels:disqus Thank you for sharing this! What are your favorite Bonvoy properties in Bangkok?
In BKK, I like Athenee and LC Sheraton. One of the Marriott’s because of Akira Back. I also liked Le Meridien and W.
In Phuket, I loved Naka Island for the views, kayaking and relaxation. Renaissance for their eggs Benedict, Westin and Four Points for the price and JW for the amazing beach side pool villa.
I believe that the Le Meridien is currently only housing quarantine guests
Thank you for the report. It’s not worth the hassle for me. I’d rather go to MV for a great beach or MX for a nice beach. Thanks but no thanks TH
I spent December 2020 and Jan 2021 in Thailand. It was 100% worth it. The tourist destinations were empty. Imagine being on Railay Beach alone at sunset. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
@@zachberger:disqus
Aren’t you planning to return before far more tourists show up?
Were you in Bangkok and/or Phuket?
Any hotels to recommend?
I will be back again before tourists show up en masse. Last year I spent time in Bangkok and Krabi. I’ll likely spend more time in both again soon!
Love Thailand. It’s my families best spot to vacation. We been going every year for 3 weeks for 10 years. Sadly I won’t be going back to all this bs paper work and testing is done. Especially quarantine hotels and tracking apps. As a father with children, Thailand can no longer be the place to go. So this year we went to Mexico and Columbia. Xmas we will be going to the DR.
I am now presently in Kho phi phi. After spending 14 days in phuket on the sandbox program. It’s all completely worth it. The program is 14 days, where you have to stay at a Shaba certified hotel.
We stayed at 3. In different parts of phuket, first hotel 6 nights, then 3 nights, and then 4 nights.
Yes the phuket is empty of tourists, and a lot is closed, but where ever we went, beaches, hiking, shopping, restaurants, they are very quiet and we had the place to ourselves.
Prices of hotels are greatly reduced. We “Grabbed” a taxi all over with ease and within 10 minutes of ordering.
After completion of the sandbox program on the 14th day we took the speedboat to Kho Phiphi.
It feels like we have the whole island to ourselves. We are staying at an exclusive resort. Where there are only 3 rooms occupied.
This resort pre covid needed a year in advance booking.
Yes its sad that it is so quiet and terrible for the resorts and workers to be so empty. But for me the tourist its wonderful that I have the whole place to myself. Complete privacy.
Yes there was a lot of paperwork to submit and lots of swab tests to do.
But don’t let that bother you or put you off from coming to Thailand.
If you are fully vaccinated including a 3rd booster shot, you will be fine.
Stay away from crowds and besides, there aren’t any crowds anyway so that will not be a problem.
You will be fine.
I am having a tremendous time.
Thailand, Phuket, Kho Phiphi is amazing.
Come and have a marvelous vacation.
You can extend your Tourist Visa additional for 30 days, when you are in Thailand, the cost is THB 1,900.
There is an additional Covid 19 Visa Extention for 60 days, the cost is THB 1,900 again.
It can be obtained at the Immigration Offices in several tourist destinations.
The process takes usually 2 hours.
They granted it till the end of January 2022 and they always extend it.
Is the covid visa extension offered with the 30 day visa upon entry? (American here) or do you need to have had paid for a 60 day visa prior to arrival.
The citizens of over 70 countries don’t need visa to enter into Thailand but tiring CEO documents.
The visa free stay was 30 days now it’s 45 days.
This visa free 45 days stay can be extended when you are in Thailand for additional 30 days (total 75) without any condition.
There is additional 60 days of extentions because of Covid 19.
All these extentions can be done when you are in Thailand, in the several Immigration Offices, every extention costs THB 1,900.