Do I need to buy a flight ticket to apply for the Phuket Sandbox program in Thailand?

Jan 1, 2022
3 years ago
Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Trying to go to the Thai Pass website and sign up for the Phuket sandbox, it's asking for a flight number to sign up?

Are people buying tickets for the sandbox, before being issued approval for it?

How long does it take to get approved for sandbox, since I was hoping to travel in less than 7 days?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When applying for the Phuket Sandbox program through the Thai Pass, you are not required to purchase a flight ticket upfront. You can provide just the flight number and date, even before securing your ticket. However, your application may require confirmation of hotel bookings, insurance, and PCR tests. Approval typically takes around 7 days, but applying through an agent may expedite the process.
Vinegar *****
I applied for my Thai Pass b4 booking my flight. There was only 1 route I could realistically take, so I just put that flight number & they obviously didn't check that I'd booked yet. My TP took exactly 7 days: then I booked my flight. A qr code on your vax cert seems to speed it up (mine didn't have one).
Vinegar *****
I was "Test & Go" to BKK. I assume the same processes would also apply to your situation.
Mitchell *******
You are cutting this quite close. Mine took 7 days from submittal to approval. You need the flight number. I don't know if they actually check that you are booked for said flight though. Also, you need to have your hotel, insurance, PCR tests all pre paid before starting the Thai pass. You also need transport directly from the airport to the hotel (I personally would just book it through the hotel.)
Kevin ***********
If you want to expedite it, use an agent.

These generally get good reviews:

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Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
7500 thb for filing out the forms. It's pricey. I ended filing everything by myself.
Kevin ***********
@Rogerio *****
It's not the filling it's the expediting you need. If you're not in a rush DIY is fine.
Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
They have access to people inside who approves?
Kevin ***********
@Rogerio *****
Apparently so. They've solved a lot of people's problems.
จิตดี *********
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David *********
You don’t have to buy the ticket just give the flight number and date
David *********
@Rogerio *****
for the Thailand pass you must have insurance, a hotel confirmation including pcr tests, vaccine proof of required and your flight info, you can’t get approved without this, it has to for a specific date your are traveling on + 3 days for flight delay
Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
ok, i have insurance and vaccine proof. If I wanted to fly this week I guess I can't (last minute, I know), since I have to assume it may take up to a week to get the thaipass approved, would that be correct?

BTW, is the sha+ list of hotels pretty much useless? there's no pricing on the list, no availability of rooms information, so we basically have to google each hotel and contact them separately? just making sure I'm doing it right.
Vinegar *****
Agoda.com lets you search for sha+ hotels. Just bear in mind if a hotel seems suspiciously cheap you'll only see the total cost on the final payment page.
Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
so is the flight number and departure then basically just for show? because obviously I also don't have a set arrival or departure date? will it be an issue if i arrive in a different date than specified in this form?
Brett **********
@Rogerio *****
yes, it should be the flight you intend to take. There is a 72 HR allowance from your planned arrival time to allow for delays/cancellations so check out your flight options arriving in that window
Rogerio ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
Do you know how long does it take to get the Thai pass approved, or, sandbox is instant?
Mitchell *******
@Rogerio *****
, mine was 7 days to the minute.
David *********
@Rogerio *****
it can be a few seconds to 7 days, you should allow 7 working days, mine was 4 days
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