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Is the Phuket Sandbox officially approved for reopening?

Phuket Sandbox Thailand tourism COVID-19 travel regulations Thai visa rules government announcements TAT travel restrictions reopening plans

May 30, 2021

3 years ago

Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Guy, the "Phuket Sandbox" is NOT OFFICAL yet. The government (and Bangkok post) have been talking about it since LAST July. Remember when the private plane flew in 2 people to Phuket? 

We're not approving anymore daily questions asking about it and please stop making comments stating it's offical because some guy on Twitter "tweeted" about it (I swear I deleted a comment from a Thai woman who said it was official and cited David borrow). 

Just be patient, no one would be happier for this to happen than me as I'm planning a July return to Thailand myself, but it's been planned and canceled numerous times already, just have to wait and see.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the uncertainty of the Phuket Sandbox initiative's official status for reopening amidst COVID-19. Community members express skepticism over claims of it being officially sanctioned, referencing government statements and the role of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as primarily promotional. There are debates about visa requirements, the need for a Certificate of Entry (COE), and differing opinions on the credibility of information being shared regarding travel to Thailand. Participants urge patience and caution concerning any announcements.

Pat *********

Anyone know where to get reasonably priced rapid COVID test near Phuket xenophobic Border?

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David *********

Spot on mate!!!! Well said 👏 could not agree more

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Chris ************

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

They've said that 3 times in the past year. Remember not only 1 month ago when vaccinated foriegners only had to quarantine for 7 days? Remember 3 weeks ago when Thailand approved the vaccine passport? Remember the travel bubbles?

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Chris ************

@Garrett **********

so I should not share the newest announcements??

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Chris ************

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Andy ******

Phuket will open up in 2023. And be back to pre-covid in 2025. That is my prediction and i am willing to bet 100 baht on it :)

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Andy ******

@Cliff ********

that’s a deal! Get ready to buy me a big Chang :)

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Cliff *********

see you and raise you 20 baht......Phuket open by the end of this year! ( my prediction)

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Cliff *********

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Bert *********

Lekker😂

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Charlie ********

Fyi

From th govt, posted may 27, 2021

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Julian ********

What is this then? Its as official as it gets. you are wrong

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Dave ***********

This is a press release from TAT, which is essentially a tourism marketing department, to hype up tourism businesses.

The meeting they mention in the letter, where the group chaired by the PM "approved" the plan, was from 2 months ago.

That means that 2 months ago they approved of the ideas in the proposal.

It does NOT mean it was approved and made official by the government of Thailand.

Until it is officially approved by the PM and the CCSA, signed into law and then published in the Gazette it is not official, it is a proposal.

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Michael ********

@Dave **********

ah someone who gets it

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Julian ********

@Michael *******

ah TAT just reaffirmed that they will open on 1.July. Its officiall, no matter how you try to twist it. Wanna join a bet?

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

yesterday was official Bangkok was opening parks etc, 2 hours later goverment cancelled it.

Bangkok governors order was official

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

i hope it does as i am due to come back in July, it probably will open in some form to save face, but not as open as they are saying.

I dont trust TAT a lot of windbags, worked with them for many years.

Whats the deal on bet.

1) Any body with full vaccination

2) No Quarantine.

3) Allowed to travel freely in the country after 7 days.

Sign me up

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Julian ********

@Michael *******

i am working with TAT as well and they seem to be serious this time. Lets see. For the specifics i would say point 1+2 ( no quarantine for vaccinated visitors)

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

from Todays TATnews, you ever been to a TAT trade show in Bangkok ?

Been to about six all badly organised.

TAT are all talk, they been riding on the rise of tourism in the country without actually having much to do with it. Lonely planet has had more to do with the growth than TAT.

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Julian ********

@Michael *******

totally unrelated to TAT but ok. i have been on a few trade shows in Thailand and at the Amazing Thailand booth / WTM London. Overall i would say that they are doing a good job.

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

They are supposedly bringing a group of American tourists to Phuket in June as a trial run, probably be like the group they brought last year who all turned out to be travel agents not paying tourists.

Smoke and mirrors

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

I was with Sea Canoe and at that time were being featured in National geographic (got awards) even got awards from TAT and the people they did match ups to you were useless. Also did a few TAT fam trips, i can say no buisness came from them.

They blow a lot of hot air and it is relevant as they wrote the 'official' document you posted above

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Julian ********

@Michael *******

like I said let's see. We seem to have a different opinions about TAT and thats ok. My company has won 5 Tourism awards in the past and TAT is allright, for Thai standards. Don't you think? There are more incompetent organisations out there. 😉😉

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Michael ********

@Julian *******

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one hour ago, hinting might have to stay longer in Phuket if from certain countries.

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/?type=3 one hour ago, hinting might have to stay longer in Phuket if from certain countries.

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Julian ********

@Michael *******

that makes sense actually. Wish they had banned chinese early on in 2020.

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Julian ********

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Julian ********

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Julian ********

Approved by the PM and signed by the Governor. What else you want? I work with TAT and thats legit. Wanna bet that they gonna open?

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Steve *******

@Julian *******

I wanna bet. This covid bs has me sitting in my room developing a gambling addiction.

Bet 200 baht they don't open!

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Steve *******

@Julian *******

dude, I'm not the one you're arguing with. I'm just here for the bets.

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Julian ********

sorry man. Gonna delete

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Julian ********

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Where did the PM approve it?

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Reiner *********

@Garrett **********

shows that you are not informed.....

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Reiner ********

You're on my last nerve.

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Julian ********

@Garrett **********

its in the first bloody sentence.

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

The PM "chairs" every board in Thailand, that doesn't mean he approved the plan.

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Julian ********

@Garrett **********

you think they would approve it without him knowing? Bullshit. You are just trying to wiggle yourself out of that one. Gonna call you out on 1.july, when Phuket opens.

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Julian *******

I didn't say that, just said it doesn't say he approved it, just a commitee chaired by the PM approved it. He chairs every committee in Thailand.

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Julian ********

@Garrett **********

you are still talking nonsense.

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Julian ********

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

"group of international marketing" yeah sounds top of the food chain...

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Garrett ***********

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Reiner *********

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Rob ******

@Reiner ********

that's from the governor of phuket, not the CCSA or the PM's office.

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Reiner *********

yes it is

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Rob ******

@Reiner ********

the governor of Phuket does not have the authority to change the rules set by the PM or the CCSA until the CCSA or Prime Minister say they can, and they have given no public indicator that the change is imminent. Rather, when asked, they have reiterated the vaccination goals and gave no clear answers on dates.

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Reiner *********

he not change anything. He he work with the CCSA and the PM together to get this model,work ..... nothing else

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Rob ******

@Reiner ********

if the CCSA, PM's office (and ministry of public health) are all on board, why have they all declined to confirm anything? It seems like something they would be promoting. Rather, the only ones saying anything definitive have no authority and great incentive.

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Reiner *********

just stop ....you show more and more that you are not proper informed

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Dave ***********

@Reiner ********

You have no idea what you're talking about

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Reiner *********

welcome to thailand .....did you listen to the last tv presentation of the speaker of the ccsa /..I guess not ...because then you would not ask this question....

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Reiner *********

well it’s seams that you are not informed very well...but who cares....we are here , me included get the vaccination...and we have now...but yes as the PMs deputy was here last week,,,all orders come direct out of his hands.....can you read thai ? Or you just get your information out of bangkok post or so or even only from Richard ....but ok ...

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Reiner *********

Well ROB you can laugh or smile it shows your habit .....

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

but it's Wright in his hand.

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Reiner *********

As the governor has the Wright in his hand ..but just wait for the print in the royal gazette.

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Reiner *********

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Rob ******

@Reiner ********

you're posting things from the TAT, they don't actually have any authority to implement this. The TAT, governor of Phuket, and mayor of Pattaya all have incentives to see this come to be, but no power to do anything other than promote it

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Reiner *********

well phuket is a Modell for thailand ..not pattaya ....

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

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Ադամ ********

@Reiner ********

Most distressing graphic!

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Reiner *********

why .—it’s very clear

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

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Rob ******

I just showed my mask/vaccine/quarantine exempt card from The Qult Awakening dot info and they let me in

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Reiner *********

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

and they are only at about 30 % of population of Phuket which needs another 40% by June 16th allowing for the 2 weeks for vaccination to be effective.

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

well not informed is not ok ...but think what you want ...do you live here ?

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

i lived Phuket for twenty years and have many friends there including one who is in the management of Phuket international Hospital

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Reiner *********

Your figures are wrong...

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

if you live in Phuket you know how many people living there dont register in Phuket, thats a lot of people.

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Michael ********

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

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Reiner *********

@Michael *******

yes ...just wait fir the official print in the gazette

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Michael ********

@Reiner ********

i hope so as my contract in Singapore ends in July so coming from low risk country and fully vaccinated, but not holding my breath especially anything TAT are involved in. Wait and see

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Michael ********

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Reiner *********

Well it seams your are not really good informed because out if third hand information....PM Prayut. In person has it improved ...but I guess you can not read thai.....your flights does not have to do with the Modell project Sandbox....even that you don’t know I guess......so please you need to specify , why your flight with who is canceled ...because every day flights come in with foreigners ...so,may be something is wrong. With your visa or your circumstances..... it was not one private plane . It has been some hundreds who landed with direct flys here ...by the way.... and bankok post. Last year July ...are you funny or why you spread such things

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah, I'm the one that can't read.... why don't you settle on one language first and try and master it.

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Reiner *********

@Garrett **********

well it shows your ignorance....but I don’t care ..I live and work here 15 years , and yes I can speak read and write thai as well... but as an American ..normal

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Reiner *********

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Simon *******

Hi mate will we still need the COE and any idea how much it will be ?

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

How much what will be? I'm sure the COE will be around for a while.

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Simon *******

@Garrett **********

talk of a fee £££ to get into Phuket

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Simon *******

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Rob ******

Who is this David Barrow? 🤣

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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Rob ******

@Garrett **********

I still don't understand who David is

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Garrett ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hahaha, I totally missed that.

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Reiner *********

@Garrett **********

not only that

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Rob ******

@Garrett **********

I thought you were more familiar with Dick

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Rob ******

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