kimamey

Not too bad I suppose if it helps those workers affected by the lack of tourists. I'm glad to do my bit and before I returned to the UK at the end of September last year my wife and I made sure we gave bigger than normal tips in restaurants and taxis. If however large amounts are skimmed off by Thai officials and there's no corresponding contribution by wealthy Thais to their own countrymen then it's just corruption and racism.

I don't know the numbers but my wife who works in civil government had Sinovac in Mahasarakham. Her sister who is also in civil government and her daughter who isn't yet in civil government but who works in the same offices in Bangkok didn't have a Chinese vaccination. I think it was Pfizer but may have been AZ. Her daughter got hers first and then her sister and then my wife so being in civil government doesn't mean you get it first.

No it misunderstands

Yes an hour or two break in the Middle East is what like a well. I've never down non stop from the UK so I can't compare but I don't think I'd like it in economy. Business class muggy be different but too much money. A few hours stop in a hotel either inside or outside an airport is a cheaper option.

A shame to hear this and I hope they can save as much as possible. We went to Phimai Historical Park in March last year when of course it was very hot and dry so it seems stabbed that it's now so wet.

Does it mean the government? ????

My wife works for the Department of Skill Development and she's often talking about the need to find jobs for those now out of work. Of course they aren't all from the tourism industry. We're in Mahasarakham in Isaan so many are from other affected sectors although there will be a lot that have returned from lost tourist employment.

At the moment I would think most are returnees. If they are tourists then they will be ones here for maybe a month or more as I can't see anyone doing it for 2 weeks especially when there are other options. It would be interesting to know how much the average tourist spends during their stay compared to someone who lives here, probably with family for the whole year or at least supporting spending by their family even if they are away for part of that time.

In a reply to this I said I'd look for a link to show why this interpretation of the figures you have given is incorrect. https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2021/jun/27/why-most-people-who-now-die-with-covid-have-been-vaccinated https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/08/25/significant-proportions-of-people-admitted-to-hospital-or-dying-from-covid-19-in-england-are-vaccinated-this-doesnt-mean-the-vaccines-dont-work/

I haven't checked but I suspect the figures are correct. It's the conclusion that isn't. https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2021/jun/27/why-most-people-who-now-die-with-covid-have-been-vaccinated https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/08/25/significant-proportions-of-people-admitted-to-hospital-or-dying-from-covid-19-in-england-are-vaccinated-this-doesnt-mean-the-vaccines-dont-work/

Very true. I would point out that the proportion of those getting sick or dying that have been vaccinated is getting higher and I've seen this used to discredit vaccines by some. This increase is perfectly normal. Rather than explain it myself these links should be better. https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2021/jun/27/why-most-people-who-now-die-with-covid-have-been-vaccinated https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/08/25/significant-proportions-of-people-admitted-to-hospital-or-dying-from-covid-19-in-england-are-vaccinated-this-doesnt-mean-the-vaccines-dont-work/

Looking at the figures they seem to have gone down the last 3 days although they did go up earlier. Overall they seem to be a bit lower but maybe that's just looking on the bright side and stable might be more accurate. Where did you see the figures going up?

Vaccinations slow transmission and reduce the chance of infection and severe symptoms including death. They don't stop it. The more vaccinated people you have the the greater the proportion of infected people that are vaccinated will be. I'll try to find a link to an article about this.

At least the numbers aren't going up. It's unrealistic to expect cases to be eliminated but it would be good to see the number slowly declining over a sustained period.

Hopefully in 3 years we will be further on with vaccinations which will make things easier as it did with flu although I don't think it's as likely to cause death but maybe back then it was different. It's likely that Covid vaccines will be needed in future so we won't go back to the way it was but I think that's something we can cope with. There doesn't seem to so much terrorism on planes (hijacking, bombs etc) as there used to be but most of the security measures are still in place which may be why terrorism incidents are less. We may need that with Covid. What might cause a problem is variants and new viruses.

Whilst it may not be perfect it's possible to live without alcohol. I had my last drink in Rayong before flying back to the UK just over a year ago and I'm still alive. Unless lack of alcohol causes an enlarged prostate I've had no ill effects. I'd be more worried about workers effected by people not going out to eat because they can't have alcohol. Having said that I'm not sure if an alcohol ban is really needed. The usual reason given is that there are some people who drink more than they can handle and then act irresponsibly. You can use sunscreen just not with certain ingredients and I suspect most reputable brands don't anyway. Nivea is ok.

Maybe it was just water. That's another way to avoid shortages. ???? I had my AZ jabs in the UK with the first one in February and the second must have been in May and the only problem I had was a slight ache in that arm after the second one but I was having problems there anyway so there may be no connection. Otherwise nothing at all. I do know people that were unwell for a day or maybe two but that's far better than covid symptoms. My son who is 41 had it just before Christmas and although he didn't have to go to hospital he was unable to do much for some time and spent one day in a darkened room.

Just a quick update. I've received the x-rays my wife posted. Looking at the details on the envelope it seems she posted it at 12.45 on 1st September and it was delivered to me in the afternoon on the 17th. On the Parcelforce label it says 'Correlation date 15 Sep' which I guess would be the date it was entered into the UK postal service or at least when Parcelforce took charge of it. Not too bad. At least it got here and I believe there was a quicker service if needed.

I assume there hasn't been a trial yet so he's not been found guilty. Also if the police and judiciary allow what is basically a lynching they're admitting they aren't doing their job properly so they aren't needed and should be sacked. I think the word for that is anarchy. The sentencing may well be wrong but I don't think this is the way to deal with it. Imagine you're driving along a road and for example you hit a pedestrian and kill them, what happens then? You may not be at any fault at all or maybe you were distracted and you may have stopped sooner or maybe it was your fault. That's the role of the police and courts to decide. If the police turn and just let the family friends and neighbours sort it out then you may end up seriously injured or dead which may or may not fit with your level or lack of responsibility. I'm not sure pressing for the death penalty is all that Buddhist but then given grief and the Thai version of Buddhism maybe not that surprising.

I'm assuming this is a joke. At least I hope it is. Afghanistan is at the top of that list and I'm fairly sure they're a bit Islamic and with just a quick scan there's Oman and Egypt as well. That's without a full check.

Yes it's a bit confusing and I think badly written and laid out. I think this refers to last year and is the caption under the picture which is also from last year. At that time Thailand seemed to be doing pretty well although you can never be entirely confident in figures coming from the government. This year is a completely different matter.

Thanks for the information. Looks like I'd better visit as soon as possible then while I still can. ????

You're right but who's letting them in without vaccination or treating?

I have balance problems so I'd have to take that into account. I'm thinking of getting a stick of some kind to help on those frequent occasions where there's nothing to easily hold onto.

Actually they [tourists] aren't immune, either from contracting Covid or transmitting it but they are much less to. If they do contract Covid then the effects should be much less. They will certainly be less of a danger than the untested and single-jabbed or no-jabbed Thais freely traveling in and out of the "sealed area." that you mention. That would also apply to any foreigners living in Thailand who are in the same situation. I'm not sure it makes sense.