For the Phuket sandbox, are direct flights the only option? I am flying from Chicago, with a layover in Abu Dhabi. Does this flight not qualify since I am not arriving in Phuket directly from America?
TLDR : Answer Summary
For the Phuket Sandbox program, it is required to have a direct flight into Phuket from outside Thailand. Layovers in other Thai cities, such as Bangkok, disqualify your flight. Arriving into Phuket directly from an international location is essential.