thanks!
so actually nobody, who use Samui+ or Sandbox for returning to Thailand instead of ASQ-quarantine...?
Samui+ and sandbox is still a bit more risky (to catch the virus or to be called off or to get stranded), need a bit more preparation and is also more expensive

If you're vaccinated and don't live in Bangkok, Phuket/ Samui makes a lot more sense if you're returning home to Thailand. I know two people arriving into Samui+ in the next few weeks who live/ are based here. It's true that I haven't seen any returnees through Samui+ yet... I guess the scheme is so brand new.

Actually, should I have to travel out and return, although living in Bangkok, I would seriously consider the sandbox for returning to Thailand for the sole reason of being able to be outside for the duration. That said, the decision would be contingent on being able to fly to Bangkok after the two weeks.

I think it's quite likely that normal domestic flights will be back in September, but I definitely wouldn't bet money on it. But yeah, Phuket in particular is a whole lot more comfortable than being cooped up in a Bangkok hotel room. I just have to figure out if it's worth the delay if I return after I get my vaccination before I'm counted as vaccinated by the Thai Govt, or whether I should just go and get it over with in Bangkok.

does anyone have an actual updated list of Samui Extra Plus Hotels (the hotel that you have to stay during the first 7 days; afterwards you can move on to a SHA+ Hotel)
I have two different versions:
Samui Extra Plus hotels launched for international visitors to Samui - TAT Newsroom
with overall 19 hotels
and this one with only 8 hotels and prices starting from 35'000 THB for just 7 days
All 8 Samui Extra Plus Hotels (7 Night Packages) (asq.in.th)

so which one is valid?

deleted

and another list....
Samui Extra Plus Hotels for entering Koh Samui | THAIest

this list is in particular misleading as it is linked to booking.com....but that one show prices for normal stays...for Samui Extra Plus you have to book extra package directly with hotel....I heard

...and here a google map with 19 Samui Extra Plus Hotels and many more SHA+ Hotels

Samui Map

Thaiest and another one you posted are referral sites or booking sites that make a commission. Surely, there's an official list somewhere, but the only one I've seen is that list you reposted from TATnews.

The google map is pretty good if it's accurate.

I thought the Samui+ program was overly complicated compared to Phuket Sandbox. And because of the airport ownership more complicated to get in and out. With all that nonsense, unless you really want to or need to be in Samui, not much point to it, IMO.

-David

fully agreed, but my return flight goes into BKK and that airline or its partner does not fly into Phuket...so it's Samui Plus or Quarantine, unless they open Phuket for transit and that's unlikely to happen at the moment...

Some hotels claim, that also during second week, I am not allowed to rent a car and move around the island and can only visit SHA+ facilities…

So is following allowed during second week or not:

- Stroll along the beach outside the resort

- Walk to a 7-11 or other conveninence store and purchase some stuff

- Walk to a nearby restaurant and have dinner

- Take taxi, grab etc.

And if only SHA+ transportation and SHA+ facilities are allowed : are there many SHA+ restaurants and SHA+ transportation at reasonable prices ?

First I've heard of this ... Samui+ -> Sandbox?

https://thethaiger.com/news/national...dbox-programme

Nothing is official until it's officially announced, so I'd take this as a possible heads up and a good move if it's true, assuming they solve the how to get there and get back to other areas after 7/14 days issues.

-David

I thought that I would provide a few words about my experience with the Samui+ program since I just got back.

Booking and SHA certificates:
We chose The Lamai Samui for the first week and it was very easy to just email them for the SHA Extra Plus certificate required. The next 3 nights were planned to be at the Conrad, after which I would fly home. Also no problem getting the SHA certificate from them and I was able to apply for my CoE and was applied within a few hours I think. My partner however was going to stay a few more days and wanted to island hop up to Koh Tao for some diving. Based on the ferry schedule, she tried to book a hotel near the pier for one night and then would ferry to Koh Tao the next day, so she ended up with a few hotel bookings which provided her with SHA certificates. When she applied for her CoE though, it was rejected. We couldn't find this information published anywhere, but apparently you can change hotels one ONCE during that second week even if you are only booking SHA+ hotels. By this point we were 3 days from our departure flight, so I just panic booked the Renaissance for the entire second week because they had a great rate for 7 night stays. Got the SHA certificate from them and she was then able to be approved for her CoE.

This meant that I had a CoE for the Lamai and the Conrad and she had a CoE that listed the Lamai and the Renaissance. We also both had SHA+ certs for the Lamai, a 3 night stay at the Conrad, and an overlapping 7 night stay at the Renaissance. We figured as long as we had the CoE's in hand, we could work it out there.

Stays
The stay at the Lamai Samui (previously Le Meridian) was great and the staff were super friendly. I think there were 4-5 rooms occupied the entire time but we rarely ever saw the other guests. After some communication between all of the hotels, we were able to lock down that we would spend one night at the Conrad and then rotate to the Renaissance after that. The Conrad was super helpful in contacting the Samui+ "Command Center" to make sure everything was alright and we wouldn't get in trouble based on what our CoE's happened to say. We stayed on site at the Conrad due to booking an FHR rate and having a ton of FB/Spa credit to use during our one day. After that we transferred up to the Renaissance and started doing a bit more touring. We weren't specifically researching SHA+ closed route tours, but were able to do everything that we booked with pickups from the hotel. One was an island safari tour around Koh Samui and another was a longtail boat tour to Koh Mudsum and then some snorkeling. Both were private, so no input on doing shared tours during this second week.

Overall
I really appreciate that Thailand is being careful with their re-opening. There are certainly some aspects that feel like it's a bit of overkill safety, but everybody will have their own opinions about that and I appreciate that they are at least erring on the side of caution. That being said, once you are walking along the beach, you obviously have the freedom to basically do whatever you want and as far as scooter rentals, restaurants, etc go, nobody asks you how long you have been on the island before renting or eating. Do with that information what you will.

If anybody has any questions, I can try to answer based on my experience.

I posted a bit of information on this, so check out that post, but in my experience, I had no problems walking around on my own during the second week. And obviously once you're off the resort grounds, you have full freedom to do whatever you want.