Lissos

1 hour ago, 7fish said:

You are being played like a fiddle. 

I always find it amusing how subscribers to these alternative theories (event 201 is a genuine exercise, but the notion that what we see now is that continuing) always see themselves as smugly exempt from whatever they claim is going on. It's always "they" (usually referred to as Sheeple) and "You", as if adherance to certain theories makes one free. One of the propogators of this mind set is David Icke, currently pulling in the views about how all the current mitigation measures are an excuse to bring in a fascist world order, and ridiculing the public like he does, while obediently staying at home (the elephant in the room). He's just as subject to whatever is going on, as anyone else, as are his followers.

13 minutes ago, Logosone said:

We gave you your language, 

Odd way of putting it, as in 'giving' to somebody else, because we're not apart from you, we 'are' you - North Germanic peoples. I at least have no problem seeing us as Germanic. Anyway, yes this couple simply need to get on the next flight home and call it bad luck with the timing. I would have done it quietly myself rather than going to the press and opening myself up for a stoning from angry citizens at home (or expats in Thailand). People back here in Britain are rightly pointing out online that for every article coming out daily now about someone claiming to be marooned in Thailand with flights costing many thousands to return, the schedule for April is full of flights going down to about £260 one way towards the end of the month now that the panic is over. 

50 minutes ago, Leslie850 said:

As a person who has stayed here  in Thailand for 8 years I’m making an offer to any family who are stuck in Thailand and can’t get home and are with little or no funds a room at my house until they can get home. Could I ask also other expats to make a similar offer in this time of need. I live in the Rayong area of Thailand, anyone who needs the offer is on a first come first served basis.

contact me by email [email protected]

Generous offer, Leslie. Thank you. I aim to leave tomorrow if all goes to plan, but if that should fall through and a long term situation arises I would certainly apply ????

On 3/24/2020 at 3:12 PM, toenail said:

I realize Thais also have worries but it would be nice not to get rude looks of disgust  or frowns. I really feel like farangs are being blamed for the coronavirus in Thailand  by Thais.  Strange vibe 

This year I've found Thais really polite actually, but yes the current situation has the potential (in every country) to undermine all that when anxiety really starts playing on people's minds. It's among the reasons I'm leaving tomorrow. I said a while ago that the majority of us only have experience of being in this country as a tourist or expat in peace time. If foreigners ever start to be seen as a resource burden on an already struggling system, I personally don't want to stand out like a sore thumb. 

1 hour ago, HeijoshinCool said:

So he's ignorant because he does not want to be tracked for no good reason? Not only will tracking not provide any beneficial info to the Thai government, it is totalitarian.

I don't know the poster, but I assume for the moment that he's a guest in this country? 

21 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

It will depend on where you are going and who you are flying with. Yesterday it was looking like a complete shutdown of flights was imminent. Certainly was for Australia.

I was on the last QANTAS flight. Finished , kaput, no more for the duration.

Mine is EVA air BR67 to London Heathrow. Emailed me around 3pm confirming its status as still on, so from their end it looks okay. The Government end is now a little clearer but there is still the potential for a curve ball coming.

2 hours ago, hottrader77 said:

What i want to know is this state of emergancy does it mean that all flights back to uk will be cancelled and all flights in will be cancelled ? does anybody know if uk residents can still fly home to uk ??

Nobody knows, at this time. The announcement about a coming announcement only served to open up anxiety for foreigners on the verge of flying home, and for Thais about how life will be here now.

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

It's all a bit surreal at the moment, like half the population thinks it's the end times, while the other half still thinks it's a party.

I take the view that people are having a party while they still can because they 'know' it is the end times anyway!

10 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

If flights closed, do you have a plan B??

As I'm in the same position as him, in my case I've registered my presence with my embassy here and given the reason. I'm not sure there is a plan B option short of staying here for whoever knows how long, like the many thousands of people who are either doing it by choice as being preferable to the west, or are seemingly oblivious to the climate at the moment. I kept looking at the incoming information (mixed reports) about what they intend to do for overstay, if it comes to that. Alternatively, now that Emirates airline is operating once again but today would be the last slot and probably extortionate (edit : none showing today, and on the 27th is B34,000)

15 minutes ago, rabang said:

 

My main concern is the transport, if they stop everything altogether, as I would have to get to the airport.

Me too, mate. It's my 'only' concern, apart from the possibility of the airport itself also closing of course, which seems less likely but we have seen that happen in Peru. All I need is to get on the Phaya Thai airport link and I'm done. I see the 'potential' for BTS and this associated link being very curtailed to access for use unless you can prove it is essential travel (in our case, we should be able to get by).

Quite a number of people intend to leave on that date as the concern shows up all over the net in response to this announcement 'about' a coming announcement. It could be one of the earliest flight slots left. The timing of this is spectacular, but I've had this feeling since last Friday that absolutely anything could happen before this Friday 27th. 

22 hours ago, phetphet said:

I changed  GBP 100 yesterday here in Samui. Got 37.25.

Looked in one of those BP exchange booths that are everywhere here. They were offering under 35.6 !!

Lowest I have ever seen.

Nightmare. I changed a large amount of cash about ten days ago before going to Koh Samet, as I saw the threat initially of when Kasikorn closed its change booths, then the chance of an unannounced lock down and having to potentially pay big money to get back to Bangkok, or extend stay on Samet if inter-provincial lock down happened, and lastly the chance of the rate dropping further. Fingers crossed I only have a few more days in the country but anything could happen between now and Friday.

Having to get more money out at that low rate, knowing that my main reason for choosing not to return to Thailand in future (not related to this crisis) after doing so on and off over the span of 21 years, was due to how expensive being here is now, wouldn't be much fun.

I

Ifthis exit fails and I end up having to hunker down here for a long time, it really won't be a bargain if that rate slides further. Happy New 2020!

9 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I’m out Tuesday. With any luck I might just make it before the closedown. 

Good luck, and I should imagine you'll make it if flying tommmorow. I fly Friday (EVA air) but at the pace things are going with developments, who knows. It was already cancelled once and this reschedule was the earliest they have. I have continued to research things such as extensions etc incase it doesn't go ahead. Emirates was the other option if that fell through. Now that option has been removed. Friday is a long and now underlyingly anxious 4 days away.

22 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

But perfectly acceptable for Trump to continue to denounce Asians, in spite of there being known cases of attacks on Asians?

I guess it was a stupid move of the PRC to try and pass the blame for this viral disaster onto U.S troops, then. China should know by now that if you take Trump on, he'll hit back hard. It came from China. Everyone seems to agree on that, apart from China seemingly. It was staggering for them to have attempted such a cheap deflection, yet there was no outrage about the attempt until Trump faced them down. The 'Ethnic smear' accusation is simply an attempt at vacous point scoring by those who still haven't got over the fact that he's their President and not Clinton, transparently so. 

Has anyone any very recent experience of what is actually happening on BTS now, with this? I've read all the pages here. I return to Bangkok tommmorow from Ban Phe, will get onto the BTS at Ekkamai and will only go a few stops before self isolating for the most part in a room for a few days before flying home.

The last time I was on BTS I didn't use a mask because well every virologists worldwide tells you the kind being worn here are useless to contain or defend against this, so I was highly vigilant at the hand level instead, using my own 70% alcohol gel as well as that supplied on the BTS, and never ever touching the poles or hanging hand holds. I got very efficient at this. 

If they are going to insist on a mask now, to ride, I have a problem tommmorow unless they supply them (which they won't).

I've since come round to the idea of wearing one for flying home, not because they work, but not wanting to draw attention to myself right now. I was hearing they were a bit more available now (as hand gel is, compared to weeks ago) and intended to get one in BKK just so as not to (as somebody above pointed out) look as if I'm deliberately defying something. 

It is still useless, but the atmosphere now is such that 'appearing' to them like I'm intentionally going out of my way to put them at risk due to vanity (certainly not) or something, is the last impression I want to give. 

5 hours ago, Monkeyrobot said:

You would think 7/11 would be a breeding ground for it , hundreds of people in and out every day and night in close proximity exchanging money for goods , picking things up of the shelves then putting the back and how many hands touch the door handle on the refrio to buy beers because the bars are shut. 

That's why anything I buy in there gets the soap and water wash down treatment as soon as I get back to my accomodation. Cartons, bottles, any packaging that is sealed against water. I cannot do anything about the proximity issue unfortunately, but I notice one store had taped neon green squares in front of the checkouts, presumably an attempt to signal people to back up and not bunch up queue at the tills. I use 70% alcohol gel upon first entry, after handling the cash and exiting. I feel sorry for the young staff, not supplied with gloves, handling cash all day and given the amount of times somebody touches their face unwittingly per hour, these people are on the front line of danger. 

4 hours ago, Antonymous said:

........

 

Rode through half a dozen villages, paying attention to what everyone was up to. Must have passed by several hundred people going about their business. Lots of smiles and waves as per usual. The usual gatherings in markets, meeting places, restaurants and shops along the way.

 

Not a single person wearing a mask. Not one. In short, everything normal and nothing to suggest that anyone was remotely concerned with the news. No panic here.

I'm on Koh Samet and it is similar in the port village. Cross generational living, eating huddled together, sharing food and beer bottles. Nobody seems concerned, but the Bar and Massage Shop ban of Bangkok eventually reached here this evening. If it every does explode in semi rural Thailand, my god it's going to be brutal given the way multi generations interact so closely. I truly hope nothing happens but feel sorry for these folk because they seem blissfully oblivious about it and the sucker punch will ache. 

40 minutes ago, timendres said:

Shut the malls. Close the BTS and MRT. Take the taxis, buses and minivans off the roads. Close every major entertainment venue. Close every university and school. Close every temple. Close every office building. Close every 7/11. Done. And all of that can be accomplished without the need for police or military, to be honest. Let's hope they are judicious with the closings, and people also act intelligently, and maybe we will get lucky.

Well all that is fine if you live here. As I say, if that was going to happen, I just hope they give everyone at least a day's notice to prepare and get into a more favourable position. I fly out in several days time. No BTS, no Bus, no Taxi, what the hell am I and many thousands of tourists supposed to do in such scenarios? To clarify, I don't object to such a measure if it came - just give advance notice, instead of us waking up to find that we're stuck where we are, in lockdown.

All I want is some f'g notice of a shutdown. Give me a day's notice and I'm fine with it. I just don't want to wake up one morning and find I can't get on a bus back to Bangkok. 

1 hour ago, WalkingOrders said:

Good God! The killing fields? I am in Bangkok, I've been out and about somewhere everyday. No Thai man or woman has treated me with anything other then the usual kindness, I saw no madness, no angry police, no frantic shoppers raping the shelves, no lines out the hospitals I passed, and the trains are still running. Thailand is handling this quite well in my opinion. The killing fields?! Really? This feels to you like an insane communist takeover and push of the entire population into fields to work until dead? That's what this polite calm country filled with gracious people feels like to you?

It is fine right now. Absolutely. 'Right now'. I used the example merely to point out that once a choice is made to stay or return here, one is at the mercy of however it unfolds in the event things do go pear shaped while in another country as a foreigner. Correct? One of my posts the other day also related how this year I have found Thais really polite and helpfull compared to some staggering rudeness encountered very occasionally in earlier years. It is still peace time, and everyone still has cool hearts.

So I'm not speaking from how things are right now, because everything is fine and lovely while that bubble persists. I just have no example to research how Thais and Thai authorities would be in the event of a serious prolonged economic breakdown, combined with a domestic shutdown. Do you?

In the absence of that, hanging around too long while options are whittling down by the day, is s gamble. All I know better is the psychology and various moods of my own people, so have chosen to be in a land I know very well, amongst my own language, with some semblance of duty of  care towards me by my Government, and not as a foreigner far from home. 

It feels like a warm bubble here right now compared to what we see on the news about elsewhere. I hope that continues, but personally I chose to leave while I still can. 

18 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

and I am so relieved I am not in Europe..

I felt like that about 2 weeks ago, but this notion that we're in some kind of safe haven from it all here is probably hugely misguided. It feels like an oblivious bubble. Even right now on Koh Samet where I am, if you didn't turn on your phone you wouldn't really know anything is happening (though there are related announcements in Thai from the Police station ever mid morning, over loudspeakers now) because  nobody here really thinks it will effect them. Maybe it won't, or maybe this is the calm before the storm of infections becoming symptomatic. I see locals eating in huddled groups, sharing from communal plates, swigging from the same beer bottles and cross generational cohabitation, some seriously elderly looking people.

I think of the Killing Fields movie. It all fell so fast, and if you didn't get out you were at mercy of events as they then unfolded. It is hard to predict how Thais (and more crucially, Thai authorities) will act if this country's economy starts to rapidly crumble in coming months. I'm several days from exiting on a coming flight, hoping that I get out before a domestic lock down.

The Thailand that expats here think they know, may not be the Thailand they're living in a few months down the line once they've committed to staying or are in a rush to get back here before it locks down, because it currently feels profoundly laid back. I'm heading back to Western Europe of course, where it is getting primal fast, but personally I'd rather go through that in a land I know like the back of my hand, and know the language, and am not 'the foreigner'.

I truly hope I'm wrong, and that every foreigner who chooses to remain or return here, will ride the storm and encounter hospitality.

2 hours ago, emptypockets said:

I feel your pain. Pulled 10k baht from an ATM this morning. 615 ozzie dollars. Seven years ago I would get 20k baht for 600 bucks.

It's an unsustainable trend. It will always have Russians coming due the being that bit nearer, but for many Western Europeans, Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians and U.S citizens, people are going to question where the offsetting of initial flight cost, went. You could once take the flight cost hit when on the ground things were considerably cheaper than home during a longer stay, but the prices for accomodation and basic shake drinks in some areas now, has become laughable. It's fast approaching Western Europe prices.

My experience this year has been that overall Thais seem a lot more laid back and patient with us than other years I can think of. I suppose we could cynically put this down to the usual Chinese visitor wave being annhilated this year, they can't afford to alienate us, but I don't know - people just seem more polite than I remember on some earlier occasions where staggering rudeness would come occasionally.

I don't speak Thai beyond a few words and don't know what may be muttered behind the scenes (if it is) but I don't sense suspicion or hostility even right now at this Covid-19 time and what will likely be my last lengthy visit here after visiting on and off over 21 years (just finding it too expensive now)

Maybe I'm more aware of my actions and come across better? I've always tread lightly, anyway, but I've just been pleasantly surprised overall by Thai interaction this year.

12 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Get real, back in the UK they neither know or care that we exist. As for the local British Embassy.... dont hold your breath waiting for help.

Agreed. To my knowledge the current UK stance is that it is the responsibility of airlines to get people back, not Government, if the airline cancelled existing flights, and really this has long been the general UK Government leaning regards UK nationals overseas. UK Government is similar to the U.S angle on things, than say France, Italy and similar who negotiate hostage release quietly behind the scenes etc.

Brits are left to it, unless high enough profile people to warrant a rescue attempt and this branches out into overseas policy overall.

My flight from here was cancelled but has been rescheduled. Anyone who has arrived here recently and doesn't have a return flight already to warrant any duty of care for them, they really really need to get something booked fast because all resources are understandably focused on the UK at the moment, not on having to arrange extremely expensive repatriation of people jollying about on beaches when the seriousness of the situation is well known. Only Germany is arranging flying citizens home, i believe. 

5 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

Wasn't the UK put on the high risk list several days ago....? 

It was put in Category 2, which was one of being a country of 'ongoing transmission', or words similar to that. Officially at least, that meant arriving in Thailand still allowed  travel around the country but using this dud reporting app, reporting daily. Category 1 nations (China, Iran etc) were serious problems, an obligatory quarantine in one place.

It sounds like UK is still category 1, but if you need this medical clearance in advance now I can just imagine people cancelling at the UK end because if I read things correctly this certificate has to be presented to the airline at the UK  check in. It wouldn't be worth the hassle coming here now, unless somebody is an expat here. 

Some things are closed, possibly expanding into more close down soon, money changing booths closing, return flights being cancelled by airlines, I say the biggest issue somebody would face would be zero sympathy in Britain for anyone who knowingly leaves UK now and gets stuck. Even at this stage the usual angry culprits are ranting about people who have been out of the country for months, only experiencing issues now when this was largely only China based for the bulk of their time out of the UK.

You can guarantee these people  come out for a rant, just as they harrang anyone who is an experienced hiker and gets into trouble in the mountains 'once' ("Selfish arrogant fools putting others lives at risk", blah blah).

Anyone leaving the UK now will get no support in the event of getting stuck here further down the line- only overt hostility from other Brits.

The current UK stance is that it is not their call but the duty of airlines to assist. People are on their own if they head out here now.