Stefanie Korényi came for the Phuket Sandbox the first week it was reopened. But she was forced to move from her booked hotel to an alternative local quarantine because someone on her flight tested positive, even though she tested negative and was fully vaccinated.
Stefanie sold nearly everything she had to begin her new adventure in Thailand. Furniture, bikes, clothing, etc.,
She has been preparing for this move to Thailand for 6 months.
She wrote,
An adventure I have been dreaming of my whole life. But sometimes dreams just have to mature, especially such big ones. The main reason that kept me from leaving home for good before? Apart from all my belongings, I also leave behind my friends & family. A decisions that hasn’t been easy.
She was planning to stay in Southeast Asia for a long time. Because make no sense for someone to come here for a 2 week holiday at the moment.
Even no quarantine in Phuket, but there’s a good chance you need to do the quarantine when you go home.
Forced to a quarantined hotel in Phuket
Stefanie was forced to a quarantined hotel in Phuket that she didn’t book and paid 52,000 baht (about $1,700 USD) for the 14 nights.
When you’re in quarantine, you can’t leave your hotel, but she came for the Phuket Sandbox. So she paid for her booked hotel, not sure how much that cost.
Then because someone on her flight tested positive for covid. Stefanie had to book for the quarantine hotel for another 52,000 baht (about $1,700 USD).
She wrote here,
What I hadn’t thought of was how quickly the regulations can change over here.
Because the covid situation is constantly changing. For example, Bangkok right now is under a curfew again, from 9 pm-4 am and other restrictions, similar to the first nationwide lockdown.
Confirm cases per day now over 20,000 people.
The authority is making decisions and regulations by the hour or day.
She wrote,
Once I arrive in Phuket, things continue to run super smoothly. My papers are checked 3 times, then I get my luggage, before I have the first PCR test done at the exit. The whole procedure takes less than an hour. My driver is already waiting outside the door to take me to my SHA+ hotel in Rawai Beach. Until the test result comes back, I have to wait in the room. But the room is beautiful, the balcony overlooks the pool, the minibar is well stocked and after the long journey I am tired anyway.
The next morning my test result is ready (about 18 hours later): negative. My vacation can begin! With my rented scooter I first go to Nai Han Beach and Windmill Viewpoint. In the afternoon I relax at the pool and have a delicious Chang beer with two Israelis at the swim-up bar. I am just about to get ready for dinner, when my phone rings…
She was told a passenger tested positive on her flight from Dubai. She was transferred to the quarantine hotel at her own expense.
According to Stefanie, since Phuket started the sandbox program. Many of the quarantine hotels switch to the sandbox model.
So there weren’t many options for a quarantined hotel.
She wrote here,
I would have expected someone from the health authority, the CCSA, to be waiting for me at the reception. But no such thing. I was practically left to my own devices. The instruction to go to an ALQ only went to my hotel. No help from the authorities whatsoever! Null. Zero. Rien. The German Embassy and the Honorary Consulate in Phuket also remain silent.
She said here,
I really wonder what they do with tourists who just can’t make an extra 1000 Euros? Do they go to jail? To the hospital?
She got picked up to go to her quarantine hotel, and she wrote here,
Once there, I get a very nice welcome. Everybody was so sorry for me! My luggage is taken to my room, where dinner is already waiting for me. On days 6 and 13, further PCR tests will be performed.
All that happened about a week ago, The Phuket Tourist Association and the German Embassy contacted her and offer their help.
