Ask question

What are the current requirements for re-entering Koh Samui under the Samui+ sandbox program, and how can I manage hotel stay requirements?

Samui+ Sandbox Program Visa Rules COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Thailand Immigration SHA+ Hotels Returning to Thailand Expat Life in Thailand

Jul 29, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I live on Koh Samui and returned to the US for some business and to get vaccinated.  Now I'm looking for the easiest way back to my home.  I have a house in Samui, Thai ID card, yellow book, etc.  If I apply for the Samui+ sandbox program it is requiring me to show the purchase of 14 days in a SHA+ hotel!   I understand the requirement up to the first Covid test (when you are free to roam), but after that I intend to stay in my house.  Anyone else run into this problem and suggest any workarounds?

Failing that what is the absolute cheapest SHA+ hotel -- since booking will be money thrown away.

Thanks.

1,563

views

3

likes

39

all likes

17

replies

1

images

9

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation revolves around the challenges faced by a resident of Koh Samui trying to return home after a trip to the US. The user seeks guidance on navigating the Samui+ sandbox program which mandates a stay in a SHA+ hotel for 14 days, despite having a house in Samui. Responses emphasize that participants must stay overnight in a designated hotel and will be monitored through an app and hotel check-ins to ensure compliance. Suggestions include searching for the cheapest SHA+ hotels as a workaround.

Paul *******

In Phuket you’ll get a decent place for 700 baht. Free to roam then Bangkok airlines goes to Samui

Like

Reply

David *********

Its done by the Morchana app and you have to report to reception every day for them to check the app and your temperature.

Like

Reply

Paul ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks All. I guess I've lived in Thailand long enough that I should not expect logic 😏 from Thai processes.

I am curious though. How does the hotel police the overnight rule? I'm not trying to avoid it but I'd like to know what to expect. Timed curfew? Someone knocking on door in the middle of the night? Or do they just track through the app and you are expected to be at the hotel some of the evening.

Like

Reply

Gene **********

Like

Reply

Charles ********

You have to check in with the hotel every day and they will monitor if you sleeping there. If you are missing, they call the police.

Additionally, you are tracked through the app.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Charles ********

Reply

Dick **********

Apparently, the hotel will check you are back every night. That is what is happening in Phuket

Like

Reply

Channel **********

@Dick *********

...Believe it or not but that's what the Tracking App is for 🤫

Like

Reply

Paul ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dick *********

Really! That is going too far. Is that because of a curfew in Phuket? How does the hotel know you are back at a certain time? I guess I'm a corner case returning home but really why would anybody want to visit as a tourist with this level of oversight? 😲

Like

Reply

Jae *******

I believe you have to scan in and out of your hotel when you leave and come back

Like

Reply

Channel **********

Yes I would and I am 🤣

Like

Reply

Gene **********

@Channel *********

tourist? You look Thai? 555

Like

Reply

Channel **********

@Gene *********

...Malaysia but educated in UK.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Channel **********

Reply

Michael ********

Check on agoda for SHA plus hotels

Like

Reply

Michael ********

The warned Phuket residents not to do that otherwise they would arrest them/ chuck them in quarantine if they did not spend nights in the hotel.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

It's NOT POSSIBLE to stay in your own home. You can go there all day but you must sleep in your hotel every night or you will be arrested. I'm not joking either. This has been made very clear through the Phuket program. The purpose of these is tourism so you have to pay for a hotel in Samui or you can sit locked in your hotel in Bangkok for 15 days.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

From what others have posted, the hotels in Phuket are cheaper, so if you are price conscious spend your "sandbox" time in the cheaper Phuket hotels and then fly to Samui. You could also do 7 days in Phuket and then transfer to Samui. I think it's more expensive if you do the entire time in Samui because the first 7 days there are more like AQ so they have to feed you and such.

Like

Reply

Darren *******

@Brandon ***********

I believe the 7 days Phuket then transfer to Samui has been knocked on the head for the time being.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Darren *******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

What are the current requirements for arriving in Koh Samui under the Test & Go program?

3 comments

3 years ago

Can I book SHA EXTRA+ hotels only for the first and last days of my stay in Thailand?

12 comments

3 years ago

What are the differences between SHA++ and ASQ hotels, and do I need to book a hotel for my 5-day stay in Thailand as a vaccinated traveler?

34 comments

3 years ago

What are the current domestic travel requirements for the sandbox region in Thailand?

9 comments

3 years ago

What are some budget-friendly SHA Plus Extra hotels in Bangkok for a five-day stay with PCR tests?

8 comments

3 years ago

How can I travel from Bangkok to Phuket on February 18th without a Thai Pass?

8 comments

3 years ago

What are the current requirements for the Test and Go scheme in Phuket, and are there differences between SHA+ and SHA++ hotels?

3 comments

3 years ago

Can I fly into Bangkok despite changes in quarantine regulations and what is the current process?

10 comments

3 years ago

What are the current visa rules for entering Thailand, particularly regarding the Bangkok sandbox and related hotel bookings?

123 comments

3 years ago

Is it acceptable to stay at a SHA Plus hotel for the Sandbox program after Test and Go was canceled?

7 comments

3 years ago

What are the current requirements and experiences for the Phuket Sandbox program?

15 comments

3 years ago

What are the latest requirements for SHA+ Hotels and Thailand Pass in light of recent changes?

29 comments

3 years ago

Can you stay in an SHA+ hotel for one night before moving to another hotel in Thailand?

2 comments

3 years ago

What are the requirements for staying in a SHA+ hotel in Pattaya during my trip?

5 comments

3 years ago

How can I find a one-night SHA+ quarantine package in Bangkok?

7 comments

3 years ago

What are the latest quarantine requirements for travelers to Thailand and how can I navigate them?

65 comments

3 years ago

Can I travel from Koh Samui to Hua Hin without quarantine after staying in Phuket Sandbox?

8 comments

3 years ago

Can I do 7 days SHA after returning to Rawai, or does it have to be 14 days?

16 comments

3 years ago

Can my fully vaccinated Thai girlfriend join me in the Koh Samui sandbox program in December?

12 comments

3 years ago

Is it still required for travelers entering through the Phuket Sandbox to stay in an SHA+ hotel?

13 comments

3 years ago

Is it possible to book a house for the Phuket Sandbox program?

14 comments

3 years ago

What requirements and testing options are needed for the Phuket Sandbox program in Thailand?

18 comments

3 years ago

Do I need to stay 7 days in Phuket hotel before traveling freely within Thailand?

16 comments

4 years ago

What are the current quarantine rules for arriving in Thailand, specifically Samui and Phuket?

22 comments

4 years ago

How can I book a quarantine hotel in Thailand with uncertainty about the duration based on vaccination status?

22 comments

4 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.