peter48

1 hour ago, SantiSuk said:

Should not pick on particular groups of people. A mask wearing rule should be applied to all people in specified high risk situations. Public transport, attendees at events where large groups congregate in enclosed situations. Those who have a specified health condition (which is what Thais typically did voluntarily before Covid - if sick they would choose to wear a mask to protect others - credit to them)

My approach/attitude is based on personal experience of the effectiveness of masks in stopping the spread of bacterial infections. I have a lung condition called bronchiectasis (not the same as bronchitis). Sufferers are prone to pick up bacterial infections quite regularly and some of those can turn nasty. Prior to covid I would catch an infection that was unpleasant roughly 3 to 5 times a year and one of those typically would put me in hospital with a bad flu, pneumonia or worse every year.
With the advent of covid I was a supporter of the Thai masking rules and wore them whenever outside. During (and since) covid I have had only one bacterial infection to speak of and that was easily cleared by standard antibiotics having not developed into the likes of flu/pneumonia. I am convinced that mask wearing has a significant effect on the reduction of serious bacterial infections (you will note that I cannot extend that determination to viral infections as I still get an occasional cold or runny nose).   

Japan did far, far better than Johnson's high Covid deaths UK during Covid Pandemic. Japan is more densely populated, has far more elderly people than UK. Clown Johnson delayed and delayed masks in 2020 despite Far East superior performance. UK got highest global Covid deaths in Spring 2020. Wear a mask especially in very crowded subways/buses/planes   like Bangkok or London especially in mid winter, flu times or whenever things are worse in Thailand. This goes especially for those with a poor health record or likely over 75s. Its difficult but you have to make that judgement sometimes. The Chinese medics established in 2020 that Covid began to spread from longer coach journeys.

11 hours ago, Celsius said:

it's okay. I have nothing against this requirement. I spent the whole 2 months in Canada sick because the people are filthy. First the cold and now bronchitis that won't go away.

I think the thing is once you get into mid 70s for example and you get a prolonged chest infection which gets serious and you 've never had that before in your life, you do think twice. In UK if you get even a little bit of blood in your plegm thats a red flag and you get blood tests, x-ray and hospital Scan within days. Mostly its not serious (if as is the case your scan shows nothing serious) but I wonder in Thailand what's the costs of those quick triple tests would be? 

PS You will always be asked: Do you/have you Smoked

 'see that Thaksinism is becoming the New Vogue'. 

Well good for those who lived in Thailand at those times that is what Thai voters wanted and generally those parties tend to win the popular vote.. It was democracy. Most times since have been harder for the low income groups, for farmers, for healthcare, for being less outward looking, for inward bound tourists,  less modern and less progressive. 

You will of course have noted what happened this year ...

Let's hope she returns to Thailand after she had to leave following the last Coup. The real message is there in bold: 

Supreme Court dismisses Yingluck in abuse of power case

We're they stood around with the purple urine? Not a drink I know. Also people would be there late cause you know from yrs ago you go anywhere when young & want drink. Also what's with the incredulity about sexuality? Younger & some olders too are  progressive thinking about like diversity so why would you worry about that. All are welcome surely in Thailand. 

The BBC article is very clear on this as mentioned above. It certainly puts Thailand in its place regarding accidents & likely consequences. With this incident what's important is not just the fact that driver  may had sleep issues etc., its what the Thai government will do about it? What reforms can be made? With a new or more responsive government for ordinary people who travel like this - its to be hoped the politicians will pick it up. 

In all Western Nations of Europe & America/Canada & Australia this would be a serious major news. A full  enquiry into the circumstances of so much loss of life would be major judicial thing. Someone saying Thaland has 72 Million people & its likely things happen - well I doubt it. Germany, France, crumbling UK, USA, Canada, Japan - all have larger or similar populations & large fatalities are very rare. 

Many years ago I recall catching long distance overnight large bus from Pattaya to Chiang Mai  and that had I beleve 2 drivers. Back then I would not put my kids on any Minibus. Although I have used in recent years the coach from BKK airport  to Hau Hin which  seems well run with safety belts etc., If I was travelling long distances I think I would use a hire car with pleny of stops and rest overs. 

It's hard for Farang &  Thai to have a complete relationship. But physically it's key. You need to be attracted. Then you need compatibility in other ways like sense of humour, some similar interests , Good friends will help. Good family will help.  Walking, days out whatever. The big problem is money. So many Farang Thai relationships end because of money issues.  The boundaries of what she wants needs to be clarified early on. Get out quick if money is going out your bank at a pace which is unstainable for year after year or you will end up broken and poor for your later years. 

"And no... Thailand hasn't shot itself in the foot at all....   The heyday for Thai tourism was when there were no rules.. back in the late 90's early 00's". Richard_Smith 

Absolutely agree - too many here have forgotten the Pre 2008 days when farangs from Europe flocked here for holidays all yr round, bought more property, it was relatively cheaper with better tourist rates, happier, dynamic, business growth, Thais got hospital care cheaper etc., 

Of course cheaper flights from big airlines would be icing on the cake. 

23 hours ago, dinsdale said:

It will not boost tourism or the economy. This will cater to a small %.

Disagree - this will be just one of many of the changes now Thailand is no longer run by just Militarity. LOS will start to look like early 2000s when Baht rates helped tourists, when visas were easier, when Thais began to have a bit more money in pockets, when Thailand under Thaksin was more inclusive, when more farang were buying property from UK,EU & Ausie and so on. These are early signs of a renewal & Tourism will be a big winner after previous yrs of isolated government & deep impact of Covid years. 

Think there's quite a few oldies here moaning. Come on this is Tourism like Ibiza, Canaries,New York, LA,Paris, Madrid ...bars open later for younger crowd. Thailand is not just for older ex-Pats who may no longer want to stay up late. Possibly Bars/NightClubs might want to give bar staff some option to have some earlier days. gone 4.00 is late for 7 days per week. 

Well to reiterate McCartney at 80 ( age not important) wowed millions on late night BBC 1 TV at Glastonbury with a performance at least 2.5 hrs long with new songs and all the greats. His talent, energy and connection with the massive crowds was awesome. Age is not important-  its your performance and his fantastic orchestra and guests too.  

Lets not be ageist here. Paul McCartney at Glastonbury was incredible the other week for several energetic hours and he is 80. Surely we should be more forgiving & respectfull to senior gentlemen who go to Thailand  in their later years. There are few other alternatives, surely? 

How happy the people were back when he was in power & we know wealthy elites remove reformers. Just ask the Issan people how bad everything has got since. Drugs were dealt with & ordinary people could get hospital treatment  He was on the world stage, he fought crime, tourism was high, Thailand was open for business not isolated and we tourists would get well over 55 bht to pound.  

If  Thailand really wants more tourists - get the high Baht rate down. Today only getting 42 baht to UK pound - never understood why Thai baht does so well ( and I know UK £ has dropped like crazy post Brexit)  but the days of high tourism back in 2000s you got well over 55 baht per pound. 

I cannot express in words the damage this does to Thailand. It will put loads of people off coming to Thailand both those who have friends/family there as well as Farang tourists seeking sunshine and holiday breaks this year. I cannot understand how a tourist country that has been hit so financially hard by the pandemic can be so tough. Moreover in the west we have had 3 jabs of Pfizer etc especially those wanting to come. I hope Thailand can develop new procedures soon. 

5 hours ago, bkk_bwana said:

2.5% of arrivals in 2019 were British. This is a tiny step forward. Good, but not that significant. 

I think that was partly to do with rising airfairs & falling pound. Recall when crazy Johnson took over in summer 2019 the pound only got what 37 baht. Horrific for tourists - it has to be rembered whatevers happens worldwide Brexit exacerbates things in UK and yes in summer 2019 there seemed few Brits around 

Amazing to still see denial of this pandemic by some here which has killed over 4.55 million fellow humans. That's enough for most people to take precautions like vaccines and avoiding very crowded places . That's what a pandemic is: the figures in 'so called' advanced nations but unequal ones like USA at over 704,000 dead or UK at over 137,000 dead citizens or less developed Brazil at 600,000 dead citizens tells you much. Better off and well organised & doing better than UK is  Germany  at 94,000 dead citizens but still high.  Indonesia has lost 142,000.

In America the highest deaths of family members are in Right Wing Southern Trump states where mask wearing and vaccinations were 'politicalised' which is unsual given that we all have had polio or measles vaccinations or many other vaccs  like flu without any fuss. Covid may seriously & quickly  deeply damage your lungs, limit your oxygen intake etc and ICUs throughout the world are still overflowing with unvaccinated people & busy mortuaries. Things are almost getting back to normal in the advanced EU nations but only because of  double Pfizer or AZ.

Three things will save Thai economy & Thai social cohesion: vaccinate the elderly, vaccinate the middle aged and vaccinate the teenagers . And do it quick then tourists will flock back with cash to spend.