Are you somewhere else in Thailand and want to come to Koh Phangan for the corona-free paradise, or maybe you have a friend or family member coming? There are a lot of rumours and information about what to expect when coming to the island. Is there quarantine? Do I need a certificate? Can I even come?
We spoke to someone who arrived in the last few days.
Phanganist’s friend was in Phitsanulok, lower Northern Thailand. She became stuck there when the lockdown came. There are no tourists in this area like there are on Koh Phangan.
She stayed in Phitsanulok for two months when the curfew came.
Around the 18th of May, there were buses and trains running already however many people did not know this and travel information is not very easily accessed.
Our friend travelled by train from Phitsanulok to Bangkok, there were lots of checks in the station and writing where she wanted to go, where she was coming from, how long she’d been there, her contact number in Thailand.
There were police on the train to Bangkok checking passengers and taking photos, our friend was the only foreigner on the journey to Bangkok and also from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, there were not so many checks, she was able to board the train quite easily to Surat Thani.
Upon arrival at Surat Thani, there were temperature checks and a form with an address had to be given. There were no more boats at this time so one night had to be spent in Surat.
Getting the ferry from Donsak pier was easy apart from the usual temperature checks.
Then you arrive at Koh Phangan.
The process to enter is longer than usual. First, they take a photo of you and then you proceed to have your temperature checked.
“You go in a room and they do a check, it’s not clear what it is”.
They check your passport two times and take a copy.
You have to give them the address of where you are staying.
They ask you how long you will be staying and give you a form to give the accommodation to tell them the rules of the new arrival which is mostly to check for temperature.
As it seems from our friend’s experience who came from another place in Thailand, there is no quarantine at a designated accommodation upon arrival to Koh Phangan.
Visitors should just be aware to have somewhere already booked to stay and to give all of this information plus passport and temperature checks when coming to the island.
Let us know if you have a new update on arrivals to Koh Phangan!
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