oldcpu

Not true. Show me your evidence of that. Show me a reference that proves that fallacy.

Well done on successfully registering for Moderna. Both my Thai wife and I tried to do so on line, with separate computers, attempting at the same time. I was just a few seconds behind her (as I had to use Chrome to translate Thai to English language). She succeeded to register and pay, I did not. However my wife has only had 2 Sinovac jabs, while I have had one AZ (with my 2nd AZ planned for September) so clearly she needs a booster jab MUCH MUCH more than myself. We both discussed the possibility (some might say likelihood) of paying and not getting the vaccine. Given my wife's Moderna registration is through a Bangkok Hospital branch (here in Phuket), and given almost all private hospitals are severely suffering financially currently (due to very few medical tourists) we decided if she don't get the jab, and also we don't get our money back, its still ok with us. We would simply consider it a donation to a hospital. .... I note we have given many donations to Thai hospitals since the start of the pandemic, although almost all such donations have been to public hospitals. I have a Thai relative who is a doctor in Thailand, who also registered (and paid) for Moderna as a booster, however he will be getting (and may have received already) a Pfizer booster. So the 2 Moderna jabs he ordered/paid for won't be used by him, and so it will likely go to someone else. He also likely won't get his money back, but like us, he doesn't mind, and he considers it a donation. I concede many are not as fortunate as us, ... not many that can just shrug and consider paying for a vaccine not received from a hospital (in need) as a donation to a good cause. Thanks! Best of luck in getting a Pfizer jab, and the family a Moderna jab. Safe safe.

I don't see any "Sinovac" fanboys on this thread. I think you will find all on this thread agree that Moderna (which Thailand can NOT get now) and Pfizer (which Thailand can not get NOW, except for USA donations) are superior. Are they available in Thailand now? No. Maybe available when?? In 2022? How many will die in the mean time? The bottom line, is despite how much it may irritate you, is the low efficacy Sinovac still saves lives. It saves lives. Sinovac still results in peoples infections being less than it would be otherwise. Is it as good as Pfizer and Moderna ? No. But what is the use of Pfizer and Moderna if not available until 2022? No use. None.

I am glad its not me making the 'call' as to who gets vaccinated and who does not , given insufficient number of vaccines available. I believe (as you point out) there is a concern that migrant workers, if not vaccinated, will because of their cramped living conditions in workers' camps, result in a massive festering cluster of cases - which will then 'break out' and make the situation in Thailand even worse. I think in fact we have read of such. Ergo there is some sort of effort being done to address that. .... Is it this the correct action? I don't know. As I stated, "I am glad its not me making the 'call' as to who gets vaccinated and who does not , given insufficient number of vaccines available."

Unfortunately that was not done. So here we are today - and if orders given today, what? Next vaccine comes in 2022? That's wrong. That's wrong.

I think most agree that Pfizer and Moderna are superior to both Sinovac and AstraZeneca. Unfortunately, other than the USA donated Pfizer, Thailand can not get Pfizer nor Moderna until before Q4-2021 and possibly not before Q1-2022. Whats the use of a different superior vaccine if you can't get it?

I just posted on this. Yes - there is at least one ongoing study.

Even Pfizer and Moderna, are recommending to people who received 2 of their jabs, to go get a booster of their jabs.

Actually, according to an on-going study, 1xSinovac+1xAstraZeneca is almost as good in Anti-body count, as 2xAstraZeneca. While I personally believe 2xAstraZeneca is better with marginally better anti-body count, I note 'politically' AstraZeneca (2 jabs) is more accepted globally than a Sinovac/AstraZeneca mix - although even two AstraZeneca (from Thailand) is not accepted by all countries (such as not yet accepted by the EMA (European Medical Association)). Further, also note, Thailand can not get the amount of AstraZeneca it wants from the local Thai AstraZeneca production (as that facility has contracts to deliver AstraZeneca produced in Thailand to other Asian countries). Further, other than the USA donation, Thailand can not get foreign produced mRNA vaccines now, and at most might get some in Q4-2021 or Q1-2022. How many people will die waiting for Q1-2022?? Further even if Thailand could get more AstraZeneca, it is 8 to 12 weeks between jabs. In contrast, mixing Sinovac + AstraZeneca is 3 to 4 weeks between jabs - ie mixing can be applied quicker for similar efficacy to 2xAstraZeneca - and mixing will likely thus save lives. So since Thailand can get Sinovac now, then by combining 1-Sinovac + 1-AstraZeneca, Thailand can vaccinate faster more of its population. Do I think Pfizer/Moderna would be better ? Of course !! Is Pfizer/Moderna available now in Thailand? No. What is the use of a vaccine if it is not available?

No - actually there is a study (see above).

Since you asked ... although this may not be the study referred to, but it is one in progress that says the same thing. I've posted this a few times already on this forum, so my apologies for those who have seen it already - but it reads like many have not seen it. The article referencing the on-going study is in a Thai language news source: https://mgronline.com/qol/detail/9640000072391 ... perhaps if one is curious to read, the Chrome browser will provide an automatic translation. Here is a chart from that study ... please note the Pfizer plot should be ignored as it has insufficient data to illustrate the Pfizer COVID vaccine is a superior vaccine (at least I believe it to be superior). .... Note in the image below, that clearly 1xSinovac + 1xAstraZenec is very similar to getting 2xAstraZeneca in terms of Anti-body count.

Rare non drinkers .... Rare? ... ???????? Its incredible as to how many "rare" people I know. ???? IMHO whats more sad is a lot of restaurant profit comes from selling alcohol ... so that source of income/profit for restaurants that are currently suffering badly, is not available at present

Interesting - although if I read the article correctly, this hypothetical "Thai COVID pass" is still in the planning stages. The article also mentions measures taken in the "Dark Red" zones, which remind me of last year in Phuket (albeit not as strict as there are no subdistrict border closures mentioned): Fortunately Phuket, as an Orange zone, while 'ugly', is not as bad as the 'Dark Red' for restrictions that are deemed necessary. My noted friend in this thread needs to go from Phuket (Orange) to a 'Dark Red' zone, and then back to Phuket, and interprovincial transport services being closed complicates this for him a lot.

Thinking about this some more, I believe this Phuket official subdistrict letter in essence puts him under the "exceptions" clause and not under the Phuket residents reentry clause, ... i.e it's likely he doesn't need this letter ( unless Phuket entry regulations are tightened again in this dynamic pandemic situation). ... ie the friend is just being ultra conservative to ensure he can re-enter Phuket.

That's good news ! Did you also have to show proof of vaccination and a recent COVID test (negative test result)?

I have an expat friend who is a resident of Phuket, who needs to leave Phuket for a few days (with a valid non-tourist reason, but not in the defined 'essential' list). To try and optimize his chances of being assured to allow to return to Phuket, he has gone to the local city hall of his Phuket sub-district, to get a letter authorizing him to leave and return (he is not one of the identified 'essential' categories). He has been vaccinated (1 jab AstraZeneca). He noted his yellow book ( 'tabien baan' ) has enabled him to get the letter (and he beleves that his 'pink ID' also helped a bit in proving his residence, although I suspect the 'pink-ID' was not needed, but rather passport obviously essential - but heck, if it helps, it helps ). He noted another westerner, at the same time as him, trying the same thing (who had a driver's license but not a yellow book) was refused such a letter by the local city hall (ie this westerner's Thai driver's license was not sufficient, despite it having the Phuket address on it). He leaves Phuket soon. I should know within a week if he is able to return successfully. I have my finger's crossed for him to have good luck

The news also has that wrong from what I have been told by those who read the official Thai language announcement. Not just anyone who has been fully vaccinated and tested can enter the island ... ie Phuket is still closed to domestic tourists even if fully vaccinated and tested. But to read that article one would think otherwise. It's classic poor reporting by news media too much in a rush to print their story with out getting their facts straight.

The issuing of drivers licenses and renewal of driver's licenses has now stopped in Phuket. My Thai wife told me this a week ago (as she read it in local Thai language news) but I have only seen this today in Phuket news: https://www.thephuketnews.com/issuing-of-new-renewed-driving-licences-back-on-ice-81061.php I feel very fortunate that I was able to have my license renewed prior to the renewals having stopped. Of course they note the police have been asked not to 'charge' people with expired licenses, ... but I feel better having a current license in case stopped (I am always a bit paranoid about being asked for 'tea' money when not required).

I live in a beachfront condo that over looks Chalong Bay, with a good view of the Chalong and Rawaii coast line. Occasionally I visit AoYon beach. I can say for Chalong Bay and AoYon, that the long tail boat traffic is a small fraction of the frequency seen before before the pandemic. There has been no uptick in the past weeks since access to the Island for domestic travel was limited (in the beaches/waters that I have seen). The frequency is so low, that any longtail boat really stands out (both visually and with its noise) when it motors by. I can't comment on the price but I suspect one can get very good prices now for a longtail boat + driver rental.

Unfortunately the virus spread undetected (due to inadequate # of testing, and loose entry requirements for domestic travel) before and also for a brief time after the Sandbox opened. When the Sandbox 1st opened, the international travelers had massive restrictions/requirements to meet, while in comparison, domestic travelers to Phuket had minimal (I think only a test in the last 72 hours, and it may be been in the last 7 days ??? < unsure > ). I recall reading on another forum many noting the silliness of that approach. So then the local government tightened the restrictions, and required anyone coming to prove they were vaccinated with 1 AZ ... or with 2-Sinovac ... or with a negative test ... Soon after that it was changed to vaccinated AND a negative test. By then thou, IMHO it was too late. The virus was in Phuket and spreading, not detected due to not enough testing IMHO. In June Phuket averaged about 100 tests/day, and in July only about 200 tests/day. Again, IMHO, this was not enough testing to detect the 'festering' pandemic in the Island. So being sealed off means the pandemic that is spreading in Phuket won't have as many new domestic travelers coming to Phuket to spread the virus - and hopefully with that, and MORE testing, that the virus spread in Phuket can be identified, specific isolation put in place, and the spread stopped. I say 'hopefully' as I fear it could be too late to stop this average daily increase.

Let me amplify the last sentence as I thought the 'present time' meaning obvious - but maybe it wasn't. So that last sentence should read: " ... if drinking in the bars and restaurants is needed for ones ideal vacation , then Phuket (nor anywhere in Thailand) is not the place at present time. " ..

Some of us actually like Phuket, especially now with no tourist crowds, empty beaches, light road traffic, and some amazing prices. But if drinking in the bars and restaurants is needed for ones ideal vacation , then Phuket (nor anywhere in Thailand) is not the place

You make a good point IMHO as to many places in Thailand suffering (wrt the part of your post I quoted). I think thou, what we are seeing is the bureaucracy does not move very fast - and Thailand is not unique here. The Phuket "Sandbox" planning has been debated starting last year, with the debates/discussions happening when there basically next to NO known COVID cases in Thailand. The 'Sandbox' idea was bandied back and forth, while most of Thailand was not very suffering much (relative to Phuket (and some other areas that depend almost entirely no tourists)) where Phuket and other resorts were devastated. In the end, despite the fear that Thailand would be re-infected by foreigners coming into Phuket, it was decided to use Phuket as a 'test case' (ie a Sandbox) where the Island could be sealed if the foreigners brought the pandemic back to Thailand. Phuket could be sealed, and the pandemic could then rage uncontrolled (?) in Phuket, while the remainder of Thailand was safe. The planned vaccination strategies were laid out and made with that assumption that any virus introduction would be sealed in Phuket .... ... and I note again that it is very slow for a bureaucracy to make such plans, and once such plans made, it is slow for a bureaucracy to change. of course ... we all know ... it didn't happen that way. Instead, while waiting for the Phuket Sandbox to open on 1-July-2021, back in December-2020 some traffickers brought in COVID infected migrant workers to Thailand with no quarantine, and the pandemic started again in Samut Sakhon. It then spread to other areas, some middle-class/wealthy caught the virus, and they then spread it in some super spreader parties ... and the rest is history. The government kept the Phuket Sandbox plan in place, but of course the circumstances surrounding it all changed. Instead of Phuket risking bringing the pandemic to Thailand, ... it was mainland Thailand that is bringing the pandemic to Phuket. As for whats next ?? - your guess is as good as mine. I suspect we both hope the government (and private hospitals if allowed) succeed better in bringing vaccines into all of Thailand, such that the original plan to open Thailand on 1-October (or hopefully not much later) can proceed.

I do not believe that is accurate. It was true for a short time, but then on 2-August (?) the restrictions were increased, and non-essential fully vaccinated domestic travelers to Phuket were not allowed to enter. For a few days after, each day, hundreds were turned away at Sarasin bridge (according to the local press). THere is an older Thaiger link to the article noting Phuket was closed to domestic travelers. It didn't matter if fully vaccinated or not. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/domestic-travel-to-phuket-all-but-banned-starting-august-2 Edit: Just a further amplification, those who are considered 'essential' and on the exception list, also have to be fully vaccinated AND have had a recent COVID test. Its easy to misread the article.

My Thai wife claims that is a poor translation ( or ambiguous English writing) in the Thai PBS article and that Phuket remains closed to domestic tourists according to the original official Thai language.