Latest entry requirement to Thailand

[Dan]

Not allowed to go out of my room until I receive the on arrival RT-PCR test result. They say it may take 6-12 hours. In the meantime I just catch up on my nap, order room service & watch the beach from hotel window.

 

[Barmaglot]

Not allowed to go out of my room until I receive the on arrival RT-PCR test result. They say it may take 6-12 hours.

Fingers crossed for a negative result

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

More flights to the Philippines added every day, including very budget airlines, especially from March on. Just perfect season for Tubbataha Reef as well as Moalboal, Malapascua, Panglao, etc.

 

[Dan]

Fingers crossed for a negative result

Finally, freedom! Got it after 8.5 hours of waiting.

 

[Dan]

Basically after the on arrival swab test, you’ll be given a QR code flyer, as shown, below, to register your passport & e-mail address for the ATGenes lab to send your test result. Then wait in your hotel room for awhile (in my case, 8.5 hours) to get the result, as shown, below (I removed my name for privacy).

 

[Centrals]

All is NOT well in Phuket!

Phuket ups tests on foreign visitors

Prompted by large numbers of tourists testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, Phuket on Wednesday switched to imposing a repeat RT-PCR Covid-19 test on international tourists arriving under the quarantine-free Test & Go scheme.

www.bangkokpost.com

While over in Bangkok

9,172 new Covid cases, 21 more deaths

There were 21 more Covid-19 fatalities and 9,172 new cases reported during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Thursday morning.

www.bangkokpost.com

 

[Dan]

Something to be aware of. Yesterday I went to the 5th day RT-PCR test at Swab Center Mobile Porto de Phuket at 10am (first available appointment time of the day) and the line was already long. People already showed up then even though their appointments were later on that day. The result was not available until 7:30am on the next day. Thank goodness I got negative result. So no more PCR test until one day before flying home.

The day after tomorrow (Thursday, the 10th) would be my 7th day in Phuket. I plan to go on day-boat diving around Racha Island. I can start roaming outside Phuket province on Friday, the 11th. That means day-boat diving around Phi Phi Island then.

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

I've been in Phuket for 2 days. Transiting in Singapore was the best as usual, though 2/3 of the shops and restaurants were closed (including my favorite bakwa shop ). Arriving in Phuket was very easy and pleasant. My corner in Chalong is dead quiet, though I'm not sure if it's the place or bc of COVID.

I just did my first day today to Phi Phi. Diving was alright, the boat was nice, people were nice, the dive shop amazing, but I got so overwhelmed by the sheer number of divers (they said divers + all crew = 60 heads total). We were always the only boat around, yet every dive site still felt over crowded. I'm really struggling with the experience. I live in one of the biggest metropolitan areas of Southeast Asia. I go diving to avoid people, not to be around even more than I have to at home. Next time when looking for a place to go, I'll really need to research whether diving is done from these massive cattle boats.

@Dan , have you been diving since you got here? Now I have zero doubt diving from a private yacht would be THE way to go. Btw, if you're free on Feb 10, these guys are looking to put together a tiny group (>3) for a special trip of 2 extended dives. They can go anytime of the day, anywhere we want. I just need to do my PCR test that morning. They'll probably do another one next week but they don't have the date yet.

 

[Centrals]

"Cattle boat" is very common in Phuket because not all the operators can afford to run a boat. You have to be very careful.
Night dive at Kata Brach?

 

[Barmaglot]

I go diving to avoid people, not to be around even more than I have to at home. Next time when looking for a place to go, I'll really need to research whether diving is done from these massive cattle boats.

Do a liveaboard once you finish the sandbox. I was at Richelieu Rock two weeks ago, half the time we were the only boat there, and a half-full boat at that. A dozen or so divers over the entire site.