WalkingOrders

1 hour ago, pacovl46 said:

Well, Germany started out very slow, too, but over the past two weeks we went from 1200 to 44000. Thailand won’t be different. They’re at 1045 right now. Check back in 4 days.

Thailand's rate of growth is definately, factually, NOT, a mirror of the rate of growth of other countries, nor are other countries growth rates mirroring each other. So explain to me why Thailand must mirror Germany?

Just now, pacovl46 said:

If the numbers double every 4 days like they do in Germany, it’s gonna be 256000 by the end of April. 

But they aren't 

Even if this prediction proves low, the Thai numbers are very good. So far so good. Reporting from Bangkok with a population similiar in size to NYC but doing far better.

16 hours ago, expat1010 said:

He has known about the seriousness of Covid-19 for at least 2 months now, probably longer. Only now is the government taking the necessary steps appropriate to halt the spread of the virus in Thailand. Does the governments actions to date to control the virus inspire trust?

Thailands numbers? Not bad.

1 hour ago, Prairieboy said:

Obviously the Construction Engineer in charge of the Health Ministry is providing the much needed guidance!

I listened to an English interview he had with Singapore News Channel CNA the other day. Despite my knowledge of his previous racist remarks, everything he had to say sounded quite reasonable. 

As it would be near impossible to hide if Bangkok hospitals were piling up with the sick and dead, I have to take the numbers reasonably as being truthful. Thailand is still doing well compared with Europe, USA, and elsewhere in Asia. Why that is so is something to ponder.

Living in Bangkok I have no choice but to have faith in his leadership. 

Having said that NYC and Bangkok have similiar populations.

I can't really fault Thailand's handling of this. Despite all the haters it appears that the Thai are doing well in this battle and it gives me pause for thought. 

18 minutes ago, belfast3 said:

The policy will most likely be scrapped in the coming days, and replaced with something else. There is already refutes from the government about it, and there has been several flip-flops on other COVID-19 related policies in the past few weeks. 

Worst case scenario is that it's in place for 21-30 days, but there isn't a chance in hell this will become a long-term thing once they realise that tourist numbers have been decimated as a result. 

I am quite sure the Thai Government knows exactly that the tourist numbers have been driven to zero. Obviously. No one is flying.

Also sure they have already estimated roughly the hit to their economy in terms of loss over time as best as possible not knowing when exactly this ends, but sure they have several time estimates.

Harder to factor is how exports may be hit short and longterm, and other costs associated with the global economic slowdown. Things like sales of capital goods inside Thailand, automotive manufacturing etc.  Unemployment. The percent of the Thai economy that comes from tourism is a known. Where those tourists come from also known. 

Hard to factor also is potential loss of life, or how many become inapacitated. I think Thailand is doing the best it can. All decisions being made all over the world are being second guessed by people who don't know squat.

1 hour ago, Lissos said:

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. 

I think you made the right choice. For you.

I think that there could be something on the negative side to be said for shared ventilation systems. Most condos have their own aircons. I seldom see anyone in hallways. I feel very safe.

16 minutes ago, Lissos said:

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.

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?

1 minute ago, Suzy said:

The government need to take a serious look at the social health habits of Thais. A pick up delivering food to the local caff passed me this morning. The driver had his arm hanging out the window holding a cigarette, and then cleared his throat and spat a large gob of mucus into the street. Ideal for spreading any disease. This is not an unusual practice! Coupled with open coughing and sneezing everywhere from homes, restaurants, schools and shopping malls, I'm not surprised at the amount of flu in this country. Aren't Thais taught to cover their mouths or use a handkerchief or tissue????

Why did you ever come to Thailand? You can see people spitting all over the world.

2 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

better hope expats aren't on you revolutionary list lol ...

Just had a look off the balcony, everything looks calm. Going for a swim. More reports direct from Thailand to follow. Over and Out

1 hour ago, raccos21 said:

Every time they always come up with some crazy term of policy to make money. The best way is just to avoid traveling to Thailand and isolate this country in the near future.

I've been living here going on 5 years. Still loving it.

1 minute ago, nomad2019 said:

How to hell is joe bloggs going to get insurance cover for carona..not a single company will cover any of us against this virus atm. And even if they did it would be an extortionate price maybe 1000s pounds.

This is the end surely ?

No farangs getting in then how would economy survive in tourist areas.   Westerners refused so obviously chinese and iranians etc will be refused.

This wont work

Why not call a company and ask them.

30 minutes ago, smedly said:

and what about your travel insurance you just arranged for your holiday

 

I wish people would stop posting about their medical cover "in thailand" it has no relevance to this topic

If I have health insurance that covers in more then one country I would have no need for additional travel insurance, and people were posting that health insurance does not cover covid-19, which triggered my post. So cool your jets man.

Just now, smedly said:

are you now trying to educate me ?

What is with people here man? Just posting a couple of links, as there is debate over antibody strength and length, not trying to educate anyone. Thought I was being nice with some info.

5 minutes ago, zydeco said:

And then one day you were infected with the conronavirus and died. But, hey, you were covered!

Jesus man  you must be the life of the party, but not me jack, I'll kick that virus to the curb in a heartbeat!

19 minutes ago, smedly said:

you get the flu again and again because it mutates - a new vaccine needs to be created every year to combat it - if the flu didn't mutate then we would only get it once 

 

when someone gets COVID 19 and survives their body has antibodies and will find it easier to eradicate the virus next time ............................. unless of course it has mutated then all bets are off

Ok after some reading, there still is some debate, as to strength or length of antibody protection  but my blanket statement on lack of immunity is incorrect.

More here:

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615375/what-is-herd-immunity-and-can-it-stop-the-coronavirus/

And

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-immunity-reinfection-get-covid-19-twice-sick-spread-relapse-a9400691.html

10 minutes ago, Sujo said:

In a few days the US will be the epicentre.

I expect Kuala lumpur

6 minutes ago, Canuck1966 said:

You hope so!

No. I know so. Why the negativity man? I'm chilled out. Covered. Under control. Business handled. Healthy.

3 minutes ago, Canuck1966 said:

Apparently you do get immune to the strain that is going around. 

Obviously these things morph but the yearly flu jabs do have an effect worldwide

Where did you read about immunity?

1 minute ago, dallen52 said:

There is NO insurance coverage for coronavirus. 

Its specifically excluded from my latest travel insurance policy..

And Australia is on a level 4 restrictions. 

I'm hopeful of getting back to Thailand day 28.

And staying there for the duration. 

My family is there.

Thai Airways are accepting bookings. 

No advice regards having a health certificate. 

Or insurance. 

(Your GP will not test you for coronavirus unless you have symptoms, and you will not be travelling then)

I just checked my current policy. AETNA bought in Thailand. No exclusions for pandemics, corona virus, new viruses etc. I am fully covered.

2 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

The silver lining to all this....Hopefully the Baht will tank!

Tanking would not be good.