Phuket Sandbox open; TAT awards “Amazing Dodgems” moniker

[goji]

I very much see the sense in the Phuket sandbox as a pilot scheme. Test, optimise, expand. If the clowns in charge of the show are capable of doing that.

I've also taken the view that Thailand ought to resolve at least the current covid wave before the peak season, when I would like to take a holiday.
However, at the moment performance is not very impressive, with half hearted lockdown measures, resulting in cases continuing to rise every day and a very slow vaccine procurement programme. So my confidence is decreasing slightly at present.

[gerefan2]

Agree 100% with goji.

I’m hoping to return, to avoid the UK winter, in either mid November or mid December. That’s 3 or 4 months away and a lot can happen in that time.

If the entertainment areas are still closed I will look elsewhere.

I’m hoping that is not going to be the case.

[vnman]

Interesting Sandbox experience. First time I've seen a video from this channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3PDOhHP6oI

[Sen Yai]

That is a good and informative video. Thanks for posting.

At the beginning I thought this was just another whiny-voiced net-nerd vloging useless trash, but I stuck with it and I came to like his presentation style and enjoyed hearing his first-hand experience - from someone it seems who had no previous experience of Thailand. Recommended.

[Dodger]

Interesting Sandbox experience.

Thanks for posting.

Very informative video, but no surprise for those of us who live in Thailand who knew how screwed up this Sandtrap would become.

Anyone considering visiting Phuket in 2021 should watch this video first - and then book their tickets for somewhere else.

As a side note: The guy who recorded this video has the patience of a saint.

[Dodger]

Below is another video shot by a tourist caught in the Phuket Sandtrap.

He mentions the word "closed" about 30 times and then the video ends.

Come on Brad (the Dali Impala), I'm sure the tourists that made the mistake of going would love to hear your explanation as to how this Sandtrap was actually a huge success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XhXyjnyjjg

[vnman]

Thanks for posting.

Very informative video, but no surprise for those of us who live in Thailand who knew how screwed up this Sandtrap would become.

Anyone considering visiting Phuket in 2021 should watch this video first - and then book their tickets for somewhere else.

As a side note: The guy who recorded this video has the patience of a saint.

I agree with Nirish guy, there should be more "like" options. I would have given this one a

[goji]

Interesting Sandbox experience. First time I've seen a video from this channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3PDOhHP6oI

This guy seems to have done everything possible to make his trip a failure.
He attempted to arrive on the first day of the scheme & then, if I'm paying attention, only stayed for a week or so. After flying from Seattle via Doha.

Our own risk of problems is much lower if we allow people like him be the guinea pigs. Monitor how they get on for at least a week, via various sources, then when we understand how the scheme is operating in practice, get our own trip booked.
I'll happily use one of these sandbox schemes in the winter, if Thai covid cases & restrictions are on a downward trend & if it's the best holiday option I can see.

[vnman]

I'll happily use one of these sandbox schemes in the winter, if Thai covid cases & restrictions are on a downward trend & if it's the best holiday option I can see.

I agree, but it would have to be a last minute arrangement.

[goji]

I agree, but it would have to be a last minute arrangement.

Agreed totally.
Loosely monitor the situation for a few months.
Then about 4~6 weeks in advance, check out the rules and people's experiences in detail.
Sort all the bookings & paperwork in the 3 weeks beforehand.

Thanks for the link, vnman. I watched the entire video (the information could have been transmitted in half the time in written form), and that confirmed my subconscious premonition that the COE, with uploading various documents for pre- and then final approval, is bound to have some bugs.

Back in December, my visa arrived just before lunch.
I did the first stage after lunch, which was approved early in the evening.
I then submitted the second stage, which was approved by about 10 pm.

The COE application website was less clunky than the visa application website.

I suspect the requirement to pay for the covid tests before the COE is a way of making sure they get paid.