mfd101

One of the reasons the Soviet Union collapsed in more or less slow motion over about 20 years is that all statistics were faked so none of the SU's 'leaders' could possibly have an accurate view of the state of the nation, in any area - economic, social, educational, health ...

See any parallels?

7 hours ago, keith101 said:

Is doing a 90 day an essential task in order to leave home ?

Of course it's essential. Just think of the unemployment levels for unskilled workers if we were to stop!

12 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

Truth is not valued in Thai society, only what is convenient for the purposes of the moment is important, and any moral messages are lost very quickly. It's possible, perhaps even probable, that there are some people in Thailand (including in the government) who value truth for its own sake, but in my view, it's a very small percentage people who are smart enough to the stand above the prevailing culture. Thai culture, apart from not valuing truth, is extremely intolerant of people who do no people who do not comply with the Borg, and who wish to follow their conscience. Thai culture is a group game, not an individual game, and people that do not comply are quickly ostracised or otherwise punished for the impertinence (or, more accurately the impudence thinking they're better than other Thais). Like forest animals in a forest clearing, they were always equate what is culturally familiar, with what is safe.

Yes, these are characteristics of a not-yet-modern society with a small & politically weak bourgeoisie. As the latter grows in numbers & power, and the expectation of planning, law & clarity that go with it, so Thai culture will change.

But it's a 50-year project and hardly begun. Meantime the feudals, plutocrats & generals do whatever they want.

I'm going to Kap Choeng next week for my 90 days. We don't have masks - basically pointless if you're fit and our (fitful & unenthusiastic) inquiries here in Prasat haven't found any.

So I plan to send b/f in with my p/p and I'll hang around outside the windows grinning & waiing ...

If you increase the numbers of tests, you increase the numbers who are sick.

Clearly the Government's early policy was the correct one.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

If there's anyone in the neighborhood, can you pop over to Government House and check if there's actually anyone at home

The lights are still on but there's noone home.

LOO. Land of Optimism

23 hours ago, GuyFawkes said:

What is the situation here in Thailand regarding the need for treatment if any of us is unlucky enough to get the virus.  Many, including me, are too old to be insured or find such insurance too expensive, albeit I now understand Covid-19 has been removed from policies.    I have no idea what it would cost to  an individual here in Thailand but in a worst case scenario a lengthy stay in ICU would doubtless be expensive.

 

Would we be turned away or treated?

Triage is already well-established in Italy and starting in the US. Can it be different here? No, once the hospital beds are all taken and the doctors & nurses overwhelmed ...

23 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

It is highly unlikely that the situation would have improved in Thailand. Do you really want to go to  a country that does not handle stress very well? Stay where you are and wait 3-6 months. You will have a very good idea  the direction Thailand is going  in 30 days, and I don't expect that it will be welcoming.

Yes, given the (so far) total incompetence of the Thai government in this matter, and given the (already on display) lack of self-discipline of many many Thai people (as elsewhere in the world too), the chance that things will be better here in May are close to nil. More likely a disaster zone.

1 hour ago, Teee said:

Why did he travel? Does he not understand what is going on in the world???

But that's the problem with many people who have led a trouble-free life - off they go on their dream trip, never thinking for a moment that anything could go wrong and no idea of keeping informed of world or local events while traveling ...

On the other hand in Jan 1990 when the 1st Gulf War fighting began and Scud missiles started coming out of Iraq towards Israel, hundreds of people in Adelaide Sth Australia (!) rushed out to army surplus stores to buy gas masks ...

Where 'permanent check point' means what? border crossing?

Morons. Can't stay inside for a month because no furniture inside their heads.

3 hours ago, Ian Nagle said:

And .....   1 death.

 

They must think we are morons 

In the modern world, a world of universal connectivity and constant change, ignorance makes you stupid.

Spain has the honour of 4th ranking for infections currently, after China, Italy, Iran.

Today's Le Monde quotes figures from Johns Hopkins which subtract those recovered from those infected. The results are startling: China now has only around 15000 still infected (which leaves open the question of immunity/reinfection) while the rest of the world, including particularly Europe is still climbing swiftly, even when recoveries are subtracted..

Slowness of governments to react & take tough measures gets the blame.

Good news. Time to think. Time to consider sensible alternatives. Time not to make the same ol' mistakes made so many times before.

Today's 'Australian' reports that worldwide internet usage has doubled since people started working from home ...

China, Taiwan & Sth Korea are the 3 countries to watch, because out ahead of the rest of the world. They have lessons to teach us.

Taiwan seems to have arrested the virus at quite a low level. How did they manage this?

Sth Korea highly effective with disciplined populace and high level of testing (with compulsory isolation confined to those who test +ve). The question for Sth Korea is whether they are now seeing a 2nd bout ...

As for China, it has certainly flattened its curve with draconian methods that are hard to do in Western or incompetent countries ... Will that last?

There are the village illegals and there are the government-approved. This applies to the weekly lotteries, cockfights, housing construction, electrical installations, massages, marriages and just about anything else you can think of in this country.

Still today, here in my village, marriages are not registered because divorce is so much easier ... My b/f's oldest 2 full-blood brother & sister are 42 & 39 but they are 'twins' because registered only when the 2nd one came along ... and on & on. Most of Thailand is still the Wild East. A whole lot more interesting to live in than just about any 'Western' country ruled by an increasingly prissy mafia.

Lelak! Lelak! Yo talk to mut. Cleate ploblem.