mstevens

Given the TAT always puts a positive spin on things, I'd expect the drop to be much larger than 10 million.

1 hour ago, donnacha said:

You are interpreting those documents incorrectly but, yes, the situation is laughable.

That 2,953 figure is the number of cases that have met the strict criteria necessary to qualify as "patients under investigation". It does not matter if a patient presents with all the symptoms, he will not become a PUI unless he also meets all of those criteria, including travel in an outbreak region. This is precisely designed to avoid having to discover, investigate, and admit to the community-transmitted cases that would trigger other countries to restrict travel to Thailand.

There has been an ongoing, untreated, and uncontained outbreak in Thailand since before the outbreaks in Japan, Korea, Iran, and Italy. It is almost certain that the number of infected in Thailand is higher than any of those countries. Thailand's innovation has been to control the numbers by not counting them. The inevitable consequence is that, within a few more weeks, Thailand will become the new, unstoppable epicenter for Covid-19.

Pretty much every doctor in Thailand understands the true situation and will tell you to act as if you are in the midst of a major outbreak. This week, more countries will follow Kuwait's lead and evacuate their citizens, despite the official infection count remaining below 50.

I do not know what the Thai government thought they were doing, perhaps they genuinely believed this would all blow over once the weather improved, but they have permanently destroyed what little credibility Thailand had. There is a good chance that their response, compared to Korea's, will become a notorious footnote in human history.

If this is true - and I have no idea if it is or it isn't - it needs wide coverage in the mainstream press.

19 hours ago, JustAnotherHun said:

Good times to come for residents.

I wouldn't count on it. Thais can be fun to be around and to party with when all is well, but many Thais employed in the tourism industry / businesses frequented by foreign customers can be downright miserable when things aren't going so well and the money isn't flowing.....and don't be surprised if the scams ratchet up as they try to make up for lost income.

9 hours ago, fhickson said:

anyone else find it strange that the op has left after 10 years and is having a great time back in the uk, and then comes back here to blab?

 

thats about the last thing im thinking about when i go back home to the usa

 

i only come back to the board when im in thailand or shortly before coming back...

Don't find it strange at all. He spent a long time in Thailand and may have a lot of friends, family, former colleagues etc that he keeps in touch with. Leaving the country doesn't mean he wishes to sever all ties with the place. And besides, like a lot of people - irrespective of whether they are in Thailand, the UK or anywhere else for that matter - find ThaiVisa a source of entertainment. Doesn't matter where you are. Dissing someone because they still tune in despite leaving the country is a popular way to try and discredit people. The problem is there are many valid reasons why people still stay in touch with Thailand via forums like this one.

Thailand has a sizeable underground economy in which some very powerful and influential people are heavily involved. I really don't think they the idea of going cashless and hence everything being traceable will go down well with them!

Cashless will probably come at some point in places with very low corruption like the countries of Scandinavia, New Zealand etc but Asia becoming cashless? Perhaps another generation, say 20+ years until that happens, I reckon - and even then I would not be so sure.

If you're willing to lead a lifestyle like a local which might mean pretty basic accommodation, not own a vehicle and eat in some modest outlets, you can live for not a lot of money in Thailand. If you wish to live a similar lifestyle in Thailand as you do at home with a property built to Western standards, your own vehicle, eat similar food to home, then it might cost around the same as it would at home, or possibly even more than it would in your own country.

I think the great thing about Thailand is that there is a lifestyle for all budgets. If you have a small amount of money / low local salary / small pension you can still have a semblance of a life. And if you're wealthy / on a high income then you can live high on the hog. It's up to you!

Proof as if it was needed that this place is governed by morons.

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Is the next generation eg those in their 30’s and 40’s going to retire to Thailand?

I think the financial requirements to retire in Thailand are going to push it out of reach for many. Factor in all of the other issues expats are grumbling about - some of which I don't think will EVER improve - and it's hard to argue against that statement.

I'd expect the number of Westerners retiring in Thailand to dwindle as the years roll by. Some will still choose Thailand but many will head elsewhere, or stay in their homeland.

The low cost of living was one of the main reasons many chose Thailand. The cost of living in Thailand is up markedly, especially if you want your Western comforts. Why choose a place where you may pay similar to home for a lifestyle fraught with hassles, problems and let-downs?

Thais generally don't care for the heat, the sun or the pollution and to be honest, who can blame them?

When in Bangkok, I like to visit Lumpini Park but after an hour or so I really need to get out of the heat and pollution and in to the relative comfort of air-conditioning.

59 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

A lovable rogue on his way home with a ban let us hope. 

Granted, what he was doing wasn't right, but it wasn't exactly harmful to Thailand, was it? Is a ban really necessary? Give him a fine and let him know if he does it again the consequences will be more serious. Banning him from Thailand seems extreme and unduly harsh to me, and hardly fitting of the crime.

4 hours ago, SteveK said:

4. It had great weather. Well that hasn't changed at least.

I think we were fooling ourselves thinking the weather in Thailand was great. I too used to think the weather was great because it never got cold. But actually, it's too hot for most of the year in Bangkok and the cool season reprieve may only last a week or two. So count me among those who now thinks the weather in Bangkok is not a positive at all.

Not the answer to your question I know, but I would have thought it best to wait a bit before meeting her family members. Meeting family of a Thai lady you’re dating usually is an indicator the relationship is getting serious. Kinda surprised she wants you to meet her family so soon.