Phuket Reports

[Dublin12]

Just read this: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tour...phuket-sandbox.

Anyone recall that US TV comedy series "Soap". At the end of the introductory credits which gave an update of previous episodes, a voiceover said, "Confused? You will be"! And so I am.

There is even a suggestion that if you bring your long-term Farang partner with whom you've had a couple of children, you may be obliged to to use separate rooms because you are not married for the first 14 days.

I think TH needs to add a new subject to it's Educational Subjects: Joined up thinking.

[Dublin12]

Just read this. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...vals-in-phuket.

Problem for me is that I can't book a ticket on Thai airways commencing in DUB. I would need to book separate tickets for each leg. Years ago, I was only too happy to book separate flights because I could often save €50 +, but since I moved to Ireland, I've missed three connections to SEA, two of which were bought on multi-tickets. On all three flights, I was stuck in London for the night, and on the two with separate tickets, the rules did not let me claim compensation.

I think I might postpone booking any tickets until I can book a complete itinerary ticket.

BTW, I notice that the BKK post article was based on a statement by the Phuket Governor, and it makes no mention of accommodating overnight guests. An oversight? What do you think? I'm guessing that in a previous life he may have been a doorman at a Patpong scam joint who "forgot" to mention that there are "no beautiful ladies upstairs".

[Dublin12]

They seem to be a little slow with finalizing / disseminating the information down to the embassies. Thai Embassy in London has received no details.

I've booked some flights, an SHA+ hotel and thrown in a hail-mary COE application, 'breaking' the online application portal somewhat in the process.

If I have to re-arrange (I'm off work for the rest of the year), it'll cost me a couple of quid. Be interesting to be among the first boots on the ground 1st of July, if it all comes off.

Though I am in Dublin, there is no Thai Consul here and we need to also use the London Embassy. I received a similar reply to yours. I read somewhere, probably BKK Post, that Thai gov needs to amend the current legislation to make it happen. That might explain the replies we got.

[Danny Duck]

I've seen things talking about that being a rumour / misunderstanding.

I sure hope it is. I've got about 20 girls on the hook. Some real stunners and not offered over 1500 baht. Never been to Thailand, my research is telling me that's cheap for the quality of girl.

I will give in. 1,500 baht may or may not be appropriate.

Show pictures, we can all chime in.

A True Stunner, one that Thai elite go for is nowhere near 1.5 k.

A Stunner found in a Beer Bar by an old German- definitely 1.5 is OK.

[J Janni]

Thanks for posting that good information, although I read the Bangkok Post, sometimes I miss important things. The potential rule against tourists and locals sharing a hotel room is a show stopper for many of us.

I've seen things talking about that being a rumour / misunderstanding.

I sure hope it is. I've got about 20 girls on the hook. Some real stunners and not offered over 1500 baht. Never been to Thailand, my research is telling me that's cheap for the quality of girl.

[HorseTrader]

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

Thanks for posting that good information, although I read the Bangkok Post, sometimes I miss important things. The potential rule against tourists and locals sharing a hotel room is a show stopper for many of us.

[J Janni]

COE application website has updated, showing a message that COE applications for the Phuket Sandbox will start on Monday, 12 pm Thai time.

I have flexible flights and SHA+ booking, covid test booked the day before flying to give me a couple days flexibility.

All very touch and go, but if it's a possibility, I'm going. I've spent too long trapped either at sea or on this dull and miserable little island. I'll update you guys with boots on the ground.

[Danny Duck]

Thanks. I thought that was likely.

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

It appears that the health authorities are not happy at the prospect of of entertaining locals in our approved hotels. So basically, if that is going to be the rule, it's still a 14 day "poison ivy" lockdown where you can look but you'd better not touch.

I think my plans have just gone into hold mode.

I want in too.

But no way with all the paperwork and then quarantine.

Once in what's there to do?

The girls are growing rice and tending to their Buffaloes.

We are the dirty foreigners,. They don't want any part of us right now.

Chill people.

[Dublin12]

I'm not in Phuket. But the bars are not open now. Restaurants either can now or will soon be able to serve alcohol. Gyms can open now or will soon be able too. The thaiger on YouTube is a good source of information. It reports the govt plans but with a bit of scepticism. That's where I got my information.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. I thought that was likely.

Just seen some potentially bad news on the BKK Post as follows: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...in-the-sandbox.

It appears that the health authorities are not happy at the prospect of of entertaining locals in our approved hotels. So basically, if that is going to be the rule, it's still a 14 day "poison ivy" lockdown where you can look but you'd better not touch.

I think my plans have just gone into hold mode.

[J Janni]

They seem to be a little slow with finalizing / disseminating the information down to the embassies. Thai Embassy in London has received no details.

I've booked some flights, an SHA+ hotel and thrown in a hail-mary COE application, 'breaking' the online application portal somewhat in the process.

If I have to re-arrange (I'm off work for the rest of the year), it'll cost me a couple of quid. Be interesting to be among the first boots on the ground 1st of July, if it all comes off.

[Horatio]

I'm not in Phuket. But the bars are not open now. Restaurants either can now or will soon be able to serve alcohol. Gyms can open now or will soon be able too. The thaiger on YouTube is a good source of information. It reports the govt plans but with a bit of scepticism. That's where I got my information.

Hope that helps.

Anybody currently in Phuket that can update me with the reopening of the bars, I would be grateful. Are they open yet / Will they open on Jul 1st?

I've read elsewhere that the gov is stopping bars from opening at present because alcohol increases the carelessness likely to lead to CV.

Thanks in advance.

[Dublin12]

Anybody currently in Phuket that can update me with the reopening of the bars, I would be grateful. Are they open yet / Will they open on Jul 1st?

I've read elsewhere that the gov is stopping bars from opening at present because alcohol increases the carelessness likely to lead to CV.

Thanks in advance.

[Dublin12]

I suspect that the ankle bracelets don't exist in quantity yet.

I am not sure that ankle bracelets are required. My understanding is that you need a mobile phone with a downloaded QR code so that they can do a "track and trace" on you if necessary.

[Dublin12]

If the ASQ is only 1/3 more then that is pretty good. Remember the ASQ hotel also covers your food for the quarantine period as well as your COVID testing and, God forbid, your ambulance to the hospital.



I haven't looked into this much and one of the online doctors can correct me but it seems like even the mRNA vaccines aren't super effective at preventing even vaccinated people from getting the Delta Variant. What the mRNA vaccines do is prevent severe cases and hospitalization/death.

I reread your original post and realised that you wanted the list of countries and there covid rating by TH: Here it is, https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tour...-thailands-ddc.

Also in response to your current post, the prices are about 1/3rd cheaper on Agoda and relates to hotels in the sandbox scheme which you will NOT be confined to 24/7. Thus you can leave and eat outdoors.

[Explorer8939]

Understood. I have done little research on Phuket. When it actually starts to happen I will research.

The 'ankle bracelet' tracking device is a deal killer for me. I'm not a crook.

I suspect that the ankle bracelets don't exist in quantity yet.