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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Gene **********

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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.

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Charles ********

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Dick **********

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

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Channel **********

@Dick *********

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

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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? 😲

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Jae *******

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

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Channel **********

Yes I would and I am 🤣

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Gene **********

@Channel *********

tourist? You look Thai? 555

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Channel **********

@Gene *********

...Malaysia but educated in UK.

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Channel **********

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Michael ********

Check on agoda for SHA plus hotels

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Darren *******

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

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

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Darren *******

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