dinsdale

Your 1st link seems more of an editorial/personal opinion and again the CDC link is from Dec 2021 and doesn't even mention Omicron. It was Delta focussed. As I have said things have moved on. Delta has gone. We are living in the age of Omicron which for the majority is a mild virus akin to a common cold. People died from Delta yes but people dying from Omicron is quite rare I would think. People dying with Omicron maybe not so rare due to the increadible infectious nature of the virus. Mask wearing now is just business not health as are the vaccinations.

Of course the CDC would say this. They are still recommending 6 month old babies get vaccinated whereas Switzerland has stopped all vaccinations. You want a jab now in Switzerland you have to consult a doctor. You have also linked a 2019 CDC article. Things have moved on quite a bit if you havent noticed. This is an interesting study from a well known teaching hospital in London. St George's Hospital London. Their study was undertaken in the hospital and the conclusion was wearing or not wearing masks showed no significant difference to the transmission of Omicron so the P value must have been >0.05. Have a read. It is interesrting. https://www.medscape.co.uk/viewarticle/mask-wearing-hospitals-had-little-impact-covid-19-omicron-2023a100076l "Masking is a critical public health tool and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask." Simply not true. Covid is airborne. A disposible surgical mask is pretty much the same as no mask at all.

Yes, it's not bad but sorry coming 9th is news worthy? Bit like now every kid wins a medal in competition. "What's that medal for son/daugher?" "We had a running race at school today." Where did you finish?" "10th." "How many were in the race?" "10."

Sorry wasn't meant to be a lecture but sure you're right it comes across that way. My apologies. The fact is IMO that Thais are still wearing masks because no one has told them not to and they still fear Covid, now Omicron, because they simply do not know the reality of this virus. Stupid statements from the govt. like this just adds to a percieved threat/fear from an all up pretty mild virus keeping the populace in a sphere of ignorance. As for BTS/Srt it's still pretty much all Thais wearing masks for the reasons I just gave.

I believe it is not mandatory to wear masks on the BTS etc. As for being polite why would it be impolite not to wear a mask? It's more percieved peer group pressure. Is it impolite to walk into 711 without a mask? Is it impolite to walk down the street without a mask? Is it impolite to walk into Lotus'ssssssss without a mask? More and more Thais are taking their (absolutely ineffective) masks off. It's time for everyone to DUMP THE MASKS. "Out of the recent cases, Dr Thares reported 30 patients as suffering from lung infections and 19 requiring a respirator, representing increases of 58% and 36% respectively from the preceding week." As for this, this is complete nonsense. Omicron does not infect the gas exchange organs otherwise known of as lungs. They may very well of had Omicron (might not have even known they did) but their lung infections are more than likely due to the atrocious air quality.

I might be wrong but I think I remember from not to long ago that exports were forecast to decrease (further) and imports were forcast to decrease but apart from that tourism increases are based on only a few countries, inflation is ticking along nicely and people simply don't have the spending power. Estimated Songkran spending this year of 18.5 billion baht which is down 117.5 billion baht from pre-covid 2019 would tend to suggest this. I'm not an economist but I'm not sure I would describe this as a robust and stable economy.

Interesting comment. So the CCP are NOT being the big bully in this region. I think Taiwan, the Philippines Vietnam, India, Australia, Japan, South Pacific islands etc would tend to disagree with your statement

Silly comment. Your logic states that only people without houses smoke dope.

Being that Songkran lasted 4 days where I am I wonder how much is normally spent in any 4 day period. 117.5 billion baht differece. That is A LOT in anyone's book. As for "cautious about their spending due to economic uncertainty" this is just double speak for No Money.

I think this might be accurate. All the pick ups I saw with four (LOL) 10 people in the back absolutely none oif them were wearing seatbelts.

All 3 are different viruses. Although it can be argued that Delta was worse than the flu this is no longer the case as Delta no longer exists. It's now Omicron and it's variants. As for Omicron and the common cold it is in the public domain that symptoms between Omicron and the common cold are very similar. A quick search on Google will confirm this. People who are in a high risk category such as auto-immune disease are at risk from Omicron but they are also at risk from the flu and the common cold. As for masks I am seeing lees and less people wearing masks which only a week or so ago was almost 100% swhere I am. Now it may very well be the cases of Omicron will now increase due to Songkran but I can guarantee you that the incidence of ear and eye infections will also increase.

Yesterday: "The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that both Thai and foreign tourists will contribute up to 18.53 billion baht during the three-day event. Meanwhile, the Kasikorn Research Centre estimates that Thai tourists alone could spend as much as 23 billion baht." Today: "Tourism representatives say most of Thailand’s Songkran tourists are domestic, while most international visitors are from neighbouring countries, where Thailand is a short haul destination." ".... European travellers are not our primary market during this Songkran period because they normally come to Thailand in the winter to escape the cold.” Guess it didn't go the way their 'expert' figures projected.

You did see how much pensions are. Govt workers get more than this but Bt600 a month? Gone in a day. Bt600 a day is not that much to live on but Bt600 a month is basically nothing. Bt20 a day.

Just went across to 711. This is at a T-junction with lights. Whilst imbibing on a beer I just purchased I saw pretty much everyone on bikes not wearing a helmet. I also saw 2 cops on bikes at different times riding past numerous people riding bikes without helmets. This is reality.

I can only agree. Doesn't make for the best armed forces.

Not sure about that as the news story says this system could be implemented as early as this week.

Maybe TAT needs to keep up with the news concerning the Russians. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-draft-system-overhaul-military-conscription-invasion-rcna79280 Russia set to overhaul draft system, making it nearly impossible to avoid military conscription The changes would help the Kremlin close loopholes that have helped thousands avoid the war in Ukraine. Russian lawmakers on Tuesday voted to enforce an electronic draft system that would make it nearly impossible for men to avoid conscription, According to the law, men would be barred from leaving the country from the day they receive the summons and until they appear at a military recruitment office.

Ah! Self control. Seems to be something lacking in some people globally. This idiot is simply showing off which seems to be a rather strong trait in some people. "The pair were arrested by the party-pooping officers" IMO this is disgraceful 'journalism'

I understand your irony but China has given the world something that will be remembered for a generation.

True indeed. Add to that foxes, cane toads and numerous other things.

Maybe some of this is down to arsonists but we don't know this. There is also the chance of idiots throwing disgarded cigs out of their car or disgarding anywhere else. Doesn't take much to get bushires (Australian lingo) going. Broken bottles magnifying sunlight and setting brush alight? My guess would be idiots.

Silly comment but yes planes are sprayed but NOT with passengers in them. These so-called "white Australia policy politicians" (happily the White Australia policy ended some 60 yrs ago so please try and stay up to date) more rationally known as bio-security is just that. Bio-security. Australia is one of if not the most bio-secure nation on earth and why shouldn't it be. It's a unique and beautiful continent, island and country.

You just can't make this stuff up. It's 100% vote buying and I can't see how it can be seen as anything else. As I have posted previously just how will this work in the majority of villages in Thailand who as of now need to travel more than 4Km to use their blue cards. Absolutelty sure this was a thought bubble by someone high up in the party and of course greeted by huge applause and nodding heads and the openning of a few more bottles of whisky.

Yes SA has a very long border but if you look at a map you will only see a few places where you can come in. At a guess SA is around 90% desert with very few atrerial roads leading into it. It is the only state I believe that does not have a major fruit fly problem although outbreaks do happen. These outbreaks are more than likely from people bringing infected fruit into the state.

Ah! durian. Lovely smell, delicious taste.