Donga

24 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Average what?Points scored during survey?Or halfway between 180 which is 90 on the list which is as anyone can see makes Thailand below average.Sorry but I fail to see how that's and alternative fact by the way is transparenct.org's facts not Bkk Brian's fact anyway.So a bit of a low blow there Rob of The Real facts.

The doom tribe is at it again. Maths not being a strong point of these coves, so let me introduce per capita.

Are any of you able to review the data on that basis or are you happy to compare Thailand with say Norway? By any means, with 1623 cases and 9 deaths per million Thailand's performance is outstanding, certainly in top 10%. Deaths per mill still less than Australia and a tiny fraction of UK (65,291 cases and 1872 deaths per million).

Get a grip guys and when you're ready, why not give me your best estimates for daily case numbers in Thailand by the end of June. Be good for a laugh and see your continued doom forecasts fail again.

3 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

I said its a fact that Thailand has never dealt with the UK variant before, why does that kill you?

 

You can quote the worldometers stats as much as you want, we are talking about Thailand and its disastrous handling since 1st April of this new wave and outbreak.

 

What exactly is it you fail to understand about that?

They're dealing with it now, Brian just as they did the previous waves. UK variant is not such a big deal.

Let's see how things stand at the end of June. Until then you can bat away each day hoping the Thais will screw this up, just as you think they will, without predicting anything tangible.

10 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Actually I don't make predictions with numbers I just know for a fact that Thailand has never dealt with the UK variant before so comparing it to previous waves is irrelevant. They way they've performed so far is disastrous and unless they get a grip it could get far worse.

You guys kill me with your "facts".. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-guide-to-the-uk-variant-fuelling-thailands-third-wave-of-covid-19/

Way they've performed is disastrous? What do base that on, clearly not the international numbers. Get a grip man and smell the roses...  https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Actually wonder if you have a problem with numbers period, hence might struggle with predicting them - as you don't seem to understand the facts from the database used by all the media.

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Lots of questions there that are obviously challenging your logic, you could try and make some predictions yourself first

Seriously. I'm not the one making the assertion there is rampant Covid in the 143 prisons, but for giggles will go for 15,000, which would take total cases for Thailand to around 110,000 on today's numbers. That be around 1600 per mill, which compares with Americas and Europe in the tens of thousand per mill.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

Furthermore, predict Thailand will manage this wave by the end of June, like they did the other waves.

Your turn.

14 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Take a look before you heap scorn when you don't have all the facts.

 

Inmates in #Thailand’s notoriously overcrowded prisons are being hit hard by a #COVID19 outbreak that has seen at least 5,664 reported infections in just four prisons. With an estimated 330,000 inmates in 143 prisons, the true number could be much higher. No news about deaths.

 

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1393891008954322945

 

Yep, could be much higher. He's sure right about that. Is that a fact in your book?

How much higher? How many prisons are there outside greater Bangkok? Do you think the authorities might be focusing on these most likely ones first?

Let's see how this plays out. 5,664 now - how many cases do you think will end up in the 143 prisons? And how would this place Thailand with total cases per mill and deaths per mill.. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

The Op was on 3 jails reporting out of 143, so tell me, regarding all of the jails, some more since you believe the OP answered the question I asked about the Post I responded to. 

 

I stated this:

"I know for a fact that there are many field hospitals setup inside the prisons but I have never observed a report on the severity of the cases like we do for those from outside of the prisons.  How many are serious, how many are possibly on ventilators, and how many more are PUI."

 

So answer the Post I made if you have the answers instead of saying its a doomsday post, and where is there a denial of the way Thailand has responded to the crisis.  Please do not link my posts when you only want to use it to suit your agenda without answering the questions it asks.  Have a good day.

Are you suggesting Covid is in 143 prisons? You "know for a fact there are many field hospitals setup inside the prisons", like how many?  You go around the country counting them? There is not a lot of Covid outside of greater Bangkok and Prachuap Khiri Khan these days.

The article talked about two prisons and of the 621 cases, "six were sent to hospitals outside the prison for treatment." What don't you understand?

I don't have a clue how much Covid there is in the prisons and doubt you do either, even with your "fact". I do know Covid is pretty much under control (under 20 cases last 24 hours) in most of the provinces now - is concentrated around Bangkok and adjacent provinces plus PKK (pineapple factory cluster). Or are you suggesting the Health data is fake? https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/sunday-covid-update-2302-new-infections-and-24-deaths-provinces

See so much disparaging innuendo from much the same tribe, day after day, and guess you guys get your jollies with it. Me, I love the place even with it's faults, and managing Covid is not one of them.

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

And the proof is in Bangkok for all to see.... Lol

Typical, ignoring Thai performance through 2020 and until the recent outbreak as well as comparison with most of the world.

The fat lady is still singing in Bangkok, but she won't be long lol

Funny how news of Covid being brought under control is like repellent to pesky naysayers.

Head to any topic where they have ability to question, ridicule and they'll be buzzing around shamelessly.

Not sure whether to give TV away entirely or just avoid the usual suspects and the topics chosen to bring them around their sh*t heaps.

3 hours ago, roquefort said:

 

Very interesting account. It must have been a shock when you discoved the full story.

 

From your first-hand experience of meeting him, would you say his portayal in the movie is a good reflection of his personality?

Bearing in mind I didn't know he was a serial killer when I met him, I've just watched the first episode and have the following comments: 

1. They certainly found an actor that looks like him.
2. The portrayal is somewhat simplistic as they are focusing on his twisted psyche. They haven't delved into his upbringing, feeling like an outsider growing up in France as an Asian mixed blood and his crimes before he started selling gems in Bangkok. I recall he stowed away on a ship when he was young, and was discovered in Aden and taken back to France.
They do show him as somewhat elegant and sophisticated which we saw as well. He was 8 years older than us.
2. I knew him as Alain. He was charismatic, confident and seemed switched on. He practiced with his numchuka very early on both mornings. He wasn't like the young Europeans we tended to meet. We didn't smoke cannabis on that part of our journey, and weren't into other drugs anyway, though I did buy some speed from a boat vendor on Lake Srinigar haha. So he would not have perceived us as hippies per se, with the vehicle and trying to help him.
3. Alain told us he had some items stashed in his car for India, watches and radios I think, that he planned to smuggle and sell in India for a profit then buy gem stones that he would bring back to Europe. 
4. I accompanied him the first night when we visited a printer and he was jovial, but also hard headed in trying to get the guy to let Alain's mate, also a printer apparently, use his equipment to develop a fake carnet from my one. I recall the Pakistani printer exclaiming when we first arrived, "you drive so fast Alain". They apparently met up earlier that day, before Alain drove to Lahore and then back to Rawalpindi. It was just over 300 kms and there were no freeways then. He had a nice Citroen. Co-incidentally or otherwise, I had a bad stomach the next day, and my mate, Roger accompanied him as I was pretty crook. I tend to think it was a co-incidence as had intermittent stomach issues ever since a boat trip down the Irrawaddy a couple of months earlier.
5. The second morning he settled the hotel bill for our two rooms, thanked me for trying to help him and gave me the blue sapphire. We never kept in touch haha. 

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and here's a quick read of the man and his crimes..  https://hamarajammu.com/the-true-story-of-charles-sobhraj-the-serpent-the-bikini-killer-strange-unexplained-mysteries/

I've read Richard Neville's excellent book (Neville stayed with Sobhraj in prison to get the material) and more fictional The Serpentine, after staying with Sobhraj for two nights at his expense in Rawalpindi in 1976 before he drove on to Bombay and was subsequently arrested by Sergeant Gupta.

Fascinating guy, who had already done most of his killings and was on the way back to India after visiting his Mum in France. He wanted to forge my carnet (passport for vehicle) as I still needed it theoretically for Pakistan but it was much more of a requirement for driving through India, where I'd just come from in my $500 kombi I bought from an ex US army guy in Kathmandu. He'd driven it from Germany to north Africa and on to Kathmandu.

Sobhraj flagged me down on a main road and explained he would pay for meals and air conditioned accom (yay) for me and my car crew, while his printer mate would try get my carnet forged. Sobhraj knew a few printers but none of them could do it in the time frame he wanted.

When we parted ways he gave me a blue sapphire for my trouble. I only realised who he was a year later when I saw a story in Time magazine. Enigmatic dude who spoke a number of languages, got a degree during his years in custody earlier (troubled teen) and practiced karate each morning, was black belt.

My brush with a serial killer ????

4 hours ago, Jaxxper said:

The key to it in my opinion is mass rapid vaccinations of the population of Thailand. Progress appears to have been very slow in this regard to be honest. 

Agree been a slow roll out of the vaccine. Thailand is not alone in this regard.

Until the vaccine program gathers momentum, believe the key is Back to Basics - social distancing, face masks, restrict indoor gatherings (clubs and bars) and protect the vulnerable. The Thais generally are good at this, just the HiSos got tired of it all. Bars, clubs closed, precautions back, contact tracing still possible with the numbers as nothing like Europe, and the health volunteers will help in the provinces. 

I'm hopeful and will be interesting to see which provinces sort it soonest. Expect Bangkok will be last.

They've done very well up to now.

Covid protection fatigue, more likely than long term lurking infections.

Let's hope they can minimise this wave in the coming weeks. 

OMG so all the vaccine stories have brought grown men to their knees fussing about which jab they'll get. Oh petals, don't worry.

Suspect even the Chinese and Russian vaccines work with very, very few aberrations. And the alternative is.. just stay away from everyone or wear a mask.

31 minutes ago, Airalee said:

No idea but I’m sure that self medication runs rampant here both amongst Thais and Farangs.

Agree, and find a lot of weird posts on this topic. Doubt whether these folk understand mental illness, particularly bipolar. Terms like "screw loose" and evidence on TV is quite bizarre.

Mental illness is complicated, but real nonetheless. Very often alcohol and/or drug addiction comes with the territory. While it can be crippling - with the right treatment, support and monitoring - many people can lead normal and sometimes highly functioning lives, e.g. Winston Churchill and many in music, theatre and the arts.

I've also heard, but not competent to gauge, that Thailand has some decent mental facilities and I know Chiang Mai is one of the world hubs for rehabilitation centres - treating many farang from around the world for addiction - often with dual diagnosis, i.e. mental health problems. Better than gaol where many end up.

The Thai figures don't surprise me at all and probably mirror most countries these days. And Mr Derek above,  as far as "A good slap would cure it, like it does in the old movies. Indulgence will make it worse. Tell people they are ill in some way and they'll believe it." Sorry, but you're very wide of the mark.

Though do agree the western world is becoming more neurotic by the day, which is why many of us choose to live in "crazy" Thailand - go figure ???? ????
 

5 hours ago, sirineou said:

The 7 day quarantine for vaccinated people is for only certain areas such as Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Kho Samui. If you want to quarantine in Bangkok, vaccinated or not, you have to do the 10 day quarantine. 

I don't see a list of ASQ Hotels for that area yet, but we are not coming until late April -Early May  so for us there is time, Wife says would like to do quarantine in Chiang Mai , as we have never been there before. 

Anyone sees a list of ASQ hotels for the 7 day quarantine please post. 

Not true. If you're vaccinated and not from one of the those 15 or so countries that they've singled out, then it's 7 days if you quarantine in Bangkok. This was confirmed today with Thai Consulate in Sydney, as advised on the ceothailand.mfa.go.th website...

The gentle art of hashing, Hua Hin

Chiang Mai is already recognised as a regional hub for addiction rehabilitation centres with reasonably priced real estate, medical expertise, food and delightful recovery surroundings.. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-22/australians-addicted-to-ice-seeking-rehabilitation-in-thailand/6397992    

Now that's wellness. Also got the spa and massage capabilities well and truly covered throughout the region.

All we need is enlightened reform with cannabis and yep, Thailand would be right up there.

28 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

At some point a full examination of all aspects of the UK's handling of the pandemic must be carried out, including the issue of just how many deaths allegedly due to the covid virus were in fact due to other causes.

Yes, an investigation is probably on the cards, and here's just a few areas where UK failed miserably compared to Thailand. See row 5 and row 116: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

1. Why did it take so long for UK to recognise the effectiveness of face masks?
2. How did they figure folk could travel around Europe last Summer and return home, without any testing or restrictions?
3. Why did they not enforce proper quarantine until January? 
4. Why couldn't their younger generations have more discipline. Seems to me, they couldn't give a toss.

With a death rate of 1,852 per million, compared to Thailand 1 per million - leaving plenty of room for some minor inaccuracies - British Health could do worse than visit Thailand for some education in handling pandemics.
 

1 hour ago, KhunMorris said:

The Swedish model was a disaster. Don't let the truth get in the way of your agenda.

Look to Brazil to see what an ineffective lockdown in a poor country looks like. Its a war zone there.

Sincerely

Morris

The Swedish model was not the disaster the alarmist media tend to portray, and you can see this in the global data where Sweden is now about 25th in the world with 1,307 deaths per million, which is about average for Europe... https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 

Sweden certainly did better than many countries that went into lockdown, including UK, France, Italy, Spain etc. 

But my real point - imagine how much better Sweden and many other countries would have done if they'd donned face masks from the onset. This is now beyond dispute and is an indictment on the western experts, including the WHO who took too long last year to change tack. The cat got out of the bag, big time.     

Lockdowns are a blunt tool. Sensible distancing, face masks, indoor restrictions where necessary and protection of the elderly would have much better managed Covid in Europe and Americas. Quarantines become essential when other countries fail with community discipline and contact tracing to control Covid.

Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, even Australia and New Zealand make it look so simple (some over the top stuff in Oz and NZ) and it is a pity the rest of world couldn't manage Covid as well as this region has.