Bangkok Airways to Operate Sealed Flights for Phuket Sandbox
Starting February 1, 2022, Bangkok Airways will start offering two special sealed-route flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) to Phuket Sandbox per day.
The new direct sealed route is a product of deliberations and a notice by Phuket officials confirming that tourists who wanted to go to Phuket were not permitted to transit in Bangkok, but were permitted to transit in Bangkit for Samui flights.
The first outbound flight, PG5275 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:00hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 14.05hrs.
The second outbound flight, PG5279 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17:10hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 19.15hrs.
It is important to know that your Bangkok to Phuket flight must be included in your international flight booking.
For further details on flight schedules, travelers can go to: https://www.bangkokair.com/flight/flightSchedule
Test & Go Resumes on Feb 1, 2022
Seeing a slowing of coronavirus infections, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that the new application for Thailand Pass under the Test & Go travel scheme will resume on February 1. 2022 at 9AM Thailand time.
Those who enter the country under the Test and Go program need to do COVID test on arrival and again five or six days later, with their whereabouts being tracked through an application as agreed by the tourists.
To apply for the Thailand Pass: Test and Go, please visit: https://tp.consular.go.th/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave Thailand thru Bangkok even if I entered through a Sandbox destination?
Yes, you can enter Thailand via Phuket or Samui Sandbox and leave Thailand through Bangkok. Please be advised that you are only allowed to travel to Bangkok from Phuket or Samui once you have completed the 7-night Sandbox Stay.
What if my second RT-PCR test result turned out positive?
You have to inform the hotel about your situation. They will then inform you to stay in your hotel room while they sort the process. Based on your symptoms, they might send you to a hospital, move you to a “hospitel” or a hospital hotel, or even let you stay in your hotel room. After your quarantine, ask for a “Certificate of Recovery”.
When will Thailand reinstate the Test & Go scheme?
As of January 20, 2022, the CCSA has approved the resumption of new applications for the Thailand Pass Test and Go on February 1, 2022. This will become official once published in the Royal Gazette.
Can I refund my RT-PCR test?
Yes, you can go to https://www.thailandpsas.com/refund or send an email to [email protected]
My children only have one dose of the vaccine, can they fly to Thailand?
Children below 18 years of age may enter Thailand without vaccination as long as they will travel with parents or legal guardians. Children who are traveling alone must have at least one dose of COVID vaccination.
Cabinet Approves New Visa for Affluent Foreigners
New regulations to attract the rich, retirees, remote workers, and experts got the thumbs up from the cabinet in a move to help boost the economy and investment in Thailand.
The new regulations will target foreigners with enormous wealth, wealthy pensioners, highly skilled professionals, and foreigners who want to work from Thailand.
The long-term resident (LTR) visas will be offered wherein the applicant can cover up to four family members including legal-aged children. This is according to the Interior Ministry while the qualifications will be set by the Board of Investment.
The visas will be valid for five years, renewable for up to five years, making the validity period capped at 10 years. An annual fee of 10,000 baht will be paid by the visa holders. They can then apply for a work permit.
Those who have their own business can seek work permits for up to five years and the permits can also be renewed for up to five years at a time.
Tourism and Health Ministries to Propose Test & Go Resumption
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Public Health Ministry are set to propose for the resumption of the Test and Go Program by February 2022 to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
Tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn mentioned that the Ministry of Public Health can control the spread after data shows that the number of new cases has decreased each day and that the Kingdom has already passed its infection rate peak. This was also aligned with Thailand’s vaccination rate which is doing well.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the Public Health Minister, also added that they want to see a balance struck between disease control and rebooting the struggling economy.
Last December, the new application for the Test and Go Program was temporarily suspended due to the Omicron variant concerns.
Sandbox Destinations Updates
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
When Thailand temporarily suspended the Test and Go scheme, Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, mentioned that the number of tourists visiting fell by up to 30%.
The chairman also mentioned that he talked with the Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn noting that the number of tourist arrivals might not be met. Because of this, he has suggested the government reinstate the Test and Go in the third quarter of this year.
Krabi
A total of 84 hotels have agreed to offer 10% of their rooms for those tourists who have been infected with COVID-19, adding to about 3,000 hospital rooms and 2,000 alternative quarantine (AQ) rooms of the province.
Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, president of the Krabi Tourism Association, mentioned that many tourists are still asking many questions regarding the rules and restrictions after the suspension. She noted that it’s due to a lack of communication with a case in Phuket where there had been a misunderstanding in terms of the process.
Phang-Nga
200-300 visitors who spend an average of 5,000 baht are arriving in Phang-Nga daily. Before the pandemic, 80% of visitors to the province were from overseas, mostly from the UK, Germany and Scandinavian countries and 20% were Thais. After Covid-19, the numbers were reversed.
Frequently Asked Questions
I plan to go to Thailand. How is the situation there?
It is not only in Thailand, but the whole world went to a pause. However, it is not as strict as before wherein the borders were closed and the curfew was enacted. Because of the restrictions, some destinations have fewer tourists and are not as busy as pre-pandemic days. Thailand welcomes tourists from around the world. You may enter Thailand under the Bangkok Quarantine or Phuket Sandbox programs.
How do I transfer from the airport to my hotel?
Your hotel booking package should include the transfer as it’s the government’s way to trace the tourist’s quarantine. However, there are also transfer services when you arrive at the airport.
Can I extend my insurance?
You can contact your insurance for this. However, some insurance companies don’t offer extensions or applications for those who are already in Thailand. It’s better to directly contact your insurance provider for this matter.
What kind of insurance is allowed in the Thailand Pass application?
Any insurance that covers the expenses when you contract COVID-19 is allowed. However, based on experience AXA Sawasdee Thailand is the most popular option. Please visit: www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance for more information.
Thai Insurance Firms to Launch COVID Packages for Tourists with Mild Symptoms
Foreign tourists will now have a chance to apply for Thai health insurance after the Department of Health Services Support (DHSS) mentioned that Thai insurance companies will be allowed over packages to cover COVID-19 treatment for foreign tourists and expand hotel isolation for patients with mild symptoms.
One key problem among foreign tourists is that the health insurance that they bought does not cover the expenses when they are infected with COVID-19 and show mild symptoms, as explained by DHSS director-general Tares Krassanairawiwong.
“This will help foreign tourists to make faster claims for treatment expenses. It normally takes 7-10 days to claim expenses with some foreign health insurance companies,” he added.
This is also a part of the government’s move to attract more tourists. Recently, hotels were also given a green light to have “hospitels” or hotel isolation rooms.
“Treatment expenses under the hotel isolation scheme will remain at 1,000 baht per person in line with National Health Security Office regulations,” Tares added.
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Phuket Sandbox and COVID Test FAQs
Who gets the “free” second COVID testing?
Travelers approved before the Thailand Pass suspension and who arrive in the Kingdom from December 24 onwards must do a second RT-PCR test, shouldered by the government, on the 5th or 6th day at a government-approved medical facility.
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) mentioned in the December 24 briefing that travelers will have to fill in a port health letter upon arrival at the airport, which will be signed by a border control officer and certified by the Department of Disease Control. The border control officer will then provide you with a copy and a QR code, stating the venue for your second RT-PCR COVID-19 test at no additional cost.
You will present the port health letter to your hotel, which will key your records onto the COVID-19 Surveillance Tracking and Evaluation platform, and arrange for your first COVID-19 test. On day 5 or 6, go to your designated laboratory center for your second RT-PCR COVID-19.
I already have a COVID test appointment for Phuket Sandbox, do I need to register again?
It depends on your COVID test provider. You can contact the hotel or the laboratory that you registered prior.
For those who are coming to Phuket who had already registered through www.thailandpsas.com for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:
- Choose your booking details and click the "Edit" icon.
- Click "Additional Swab Appointment".
- Pay the fee
Can I travel to other places in Thailand even if only the Phuket Sandbox is available?
You need to complete a 7-night stay in Phuket before being allowed to travel to other areas of Thailand. Once you receive your first negative test result in Phuket, you are able to travel freely around Thailand’s largest island. After you receive your second negative test result and have completed a 7-night stay in Phuket, you are able to travel to any other area of Thailand.
With the suspension, are there changes to the number of quarantine days?
Seven (7) days quarantine applies to travelers who have a certificate of vaccination to confirm that they have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine for at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand. 10 days quarantine applies to travelers who do not have a certificate of vaccination. 14 days quarantine applies to travelers from African countries other than the previously designated high-risk countries, which are constantly being reviewed.
Can we change our flight schedule?
Flight changes are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time registered in the Thailand Pass without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR Code, provided that all other required documents remain valid or updated.

How to Book COVID Test for Phuket Sandbox
Starting December 23, 2021, Thailand will now require two RT-PCR tests for those entering Phuket.
The first test will be conducted at Phuket International Airport while the second test on the 5th day will be conducted at the test centers around Phuket.
The steps for the RT-PCR test via www.thailandpsas.com are as follows:- Provide flight details and hotel information. You will be asked for your flight and accommodation details.
- Input your personal information like your gender, date of birth, country of origin, and Passport Number.
- Choose your swab test locations. Because the first swab test will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport, you can only choose the location for the second swab test. The swab test date will be automatically shown from the details you input in Step 1.
- Pay the fee. The fee for the RT PCR tests is 4200 THB.
Note: For those who have already registered for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:
- Choose your booking details and click the “Edit” icon.
- Click “Additional Swab Appointment”.
- Pay the fee.

New Entry Requirements for October 1
- Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
- Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
- Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
- Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Phuket Sandbox Hotel of the Week



Domestic Air Travel: Bangkok Airways

Domestic Travel: Thai Smile

Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension Program

Sandbox Express Bus

Phuket to Bangkok flight for Phuket Sandboxers

New Entry Requirements for October 1
- Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
- Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
- Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
- Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Samui Sandbox Hotel of the Week
https://www.agoda.com/the-briza-beach-resort/hotel/koh-samui-th.html

