Is it safe to travel to Thailand? Latest advice after deadly coronavirus kills 132

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VIRUS WARNING 

Is it safe to travel to Thailand? Latest advice after deadly coronavirus kills 132

Kara Godfrey

 

Thai Airways has been forced to disinfect incoming planes //Credit: Reuters

 

THE death toll for coronavirus has surged to 132 people, with travel warnings issued by countries across the globe.

 

Although China remains most heavily affected by the deadly bug, there are now 14 people infected in Thailand amid fears it can't be stopped.

 

Unlike China, there are currently no travel bans in place for Thailand. However, the country's proximity to China and its popularity as a tourist destination for Chinese nationals means it's a high risk destination.

 

Thailand was the first country to confirm a coronavirus case on January 12, and is currently the worst affected nation outside of China.

 

With the number of people infected now standing at 14, the country's health minister Anutin Charnvirakul has admitted the country “is not able to stop the spread” of the virus because there are so many Chinese travellers there.

 

What's the latest travel advice for Thailand?

 

The UK government has warned: "There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus.

"The virus originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province but cases have been confirmed in other parts of China and the region, including Thailand. "You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities."

 

Full Story: https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/10811318/thailand-travel-advice-coronavirus/

 

-- The SUN 2020-01-30

[smedly]

for Thailand it could be too late since screening is ineffective at identifying those infected, they show no symptoms and can still spread the virus which makes this a very dangerous situation

 

Thailand needs to take some very serious steps now or this will spread out of control if it hasn't already 

[pegman]

I would wait this out before traveling to China or Thailand 

[mike787]

NO not safe anywhere.

[SkyFax]

50 minutes ago, smedly said:

for Thailand it could be too late since screening is ineffective at identifying those infected, they show no symptoms and can still spread the virus which makes this a very dangerous situation

 

Thailand needs to take some very serious steps now or this will spread out of control if it hasn't already 

All I can say is that, if for Thailand it is too late and that this has spread out of control already, I'm glad I'm not in Pattaya.

[neeray]

44 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You have a lot bigger chance to die in traffic.

I always find this line of logic (if it can be called that) to be completely irrelevant.

The road deaths go on regardless. Coronavirus deaths are in addition.

[neeray]

7 minutes ago, mike787 said:

NO not safe anywhere.

There should not be any concern. Prime Minister Prayut said the situation was under control.

 

So come, shop, eat and spend.

[bkk6060]

24 minutes ago, pegman said:

I would wait this out before traveling to China or Thailand 

This comment and similar is being made by others:

"I am going to stay in my room or home until this blows over" 

SARS warnings and infections lasted 9 months to a year in some areas.

So, better stock up and be prepared for an extended stay as this crisis is just beginning.

 

 

 

[miamiman123]

“I would wait this out and not travel to Thailand “...said the Farang unwittingly 

[RotBenz8888]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

You have a lot bigger chance to die in traffic.

Seen lots of people out there on the roads with facemask but no helmet. 

[DannyCarlton]

13 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

This comment and similar is being made by others:

"I am going to stay in my room or home until this blows over" 

SARS warnings and infections lasted 9 months to a year in some areas.

So, better stock up and be prepared for an extended stay as this crisis is just beginning.

 

 

 

No problem. I've already taken to my bed. Have smart TV, internet, en suite and a tray being pushed through my door, every couple of hours with copious amounts of food and drink. Unfortunately unable to help with washing up, gardening and shopping.

 

Life's tough but I'm determined to beat this.

[soalbundy]

some people would panic if a mouse farts. Corona is just influenza with a college education.

[rtco]

31 minutes ago, hrrecruiter said:

I rather pay a tiny amount for Masks for myself and the family even if it doesnt guaranteed 100% protection - got a batch w 10 for 599thb on lazada and they ship home in a couple days. Helps w pollution if nothing else. https://bit.ly/2U6vQ1L

The advice is that masks are next to useless

[Wiggy]

The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-20 infected an estimated 500 million people and killed 20-50 million. Now that was a virus to be worried about. 

[DannyCarlton]

1 minute ago, rtco said:

The advice is that masks are next to useless

But not useless. Anything is better than nothing. I've so far failed to source N95 masks in Pattaya. Got a couple of hot tips last night. Final attempt today.

[DannyCarlton]

2 minutes ago, Wiggy said:

The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-20 infected an estimated 500 million people and killed 20-50 million. Now that was a virus to be worried about. 

And your reasoning behind thinking that the final toll for coronavirus won't be the same or worse?

[sammieuk1]

Its never been safe to travel to Thailand has it now even more so????

[jsflynn603]

35 minutes ago, hrrecruiter said:

I rather pay a tiny amount for Masks for myself and the family even if it doesnt guaranteed 100% protection - got a batch w 10 for 599thb on lazada and they ship home in a couple days. Helps w pollution if nothing else. https://bit.ly/2U6vQ1L

If it does not say N95 or N99 it offers about as much protection as a chain link fence being able to filter out mosquitoes.

Even N95 or N99, if NOT fit-tested are not very effective.  If fit tested they are since it is not virus you are filtering, it is virus contained in a sneezed/coughed aerosol.  However, as you imply...better than nothing.

[Emdog]

Are there any semi accurate numbers regarding percentage of case that are fatal? Thousands die from garden variety flu every year...

 Time for some binge watching, finally get around to Breaking Bad and the Wire.

“Anything that is done that increases social distancing can help decrease the spread of the virus, said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If you do it right, it’s not impossible it will have positive impact.”
Dang! I was gonna work on being less obnoxious, opinionated, speaking my mind (what's left of it) grumpy old man, but turns out all that is a protective mechanism. Have to hone my "<deleted> off", "Sod off", and very 'Merican "<deleted> off" for openers

[ChrisY1]

IMO, most governments are uniformly under reporting this outbreak...maybe to stop panic, but probably because they don't really have a grasp of the situation.

If a nurse in Wuhan ( report on social media) says their government is not reporting that, according to her, 90,000 are infected.....then other governments would follow suit.

The Thai government really scares me when these situations arise....they seem to have little understanding of epidemic issues...and their response is often muted and watered down.

Thailand has tens of thousands of Chinese tourists here now....Where exactly are they right now?....Have they all be screened?...When, and, are they allowed to return to China?....Were there positive cases identified and if so, (hard to imagine they were all negative) where are they now?

[Gecko123]

Up to you. Myself, I'm already in self-isolation mode as a precautionary measure.

 

[bartender100]

Already far out performing SARS which peaked at 8,000 cases, no one in any country is safe till we know more about it, as the Chinese travel worldwide these days

 

But humans are very clever, a cure will be found

[xerostar]

Last night I had to get a taxi to get home, I noticed the driver had a slight cough. I wondered how many Chinese had he picked up the airport in the last few weeks? I'm sure taxi drivers must feel particularly vulnerable. Not to mention aircraft cabin crew and airport staff.  Staying home as much as possible would make sense but for many people there is no choice.

[jesimps]

41 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Seen lots of people out there on the roads with facemask but no helmet. 

Yes I had the same thought yesterday. Same sort of logic as wearing a helmet but having their kid infront of them bare headed.

[PremiumLane]

Christ, it ain't the bubonic plague.... yes, it is dangerous for the elderly and those with serious health issues already. Yes, we should try to contain it and make sure we can create a vaccine for it. But, the scaremongering and hyperbole is getting stupid. 

[malibukid]

36 minutes ago, Wiggy said:

The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-20 infected an estimated 500 million people and killed 20-50 million. Now that was a virus to be worried about. 

medical science has made substantial advances in the last 100 years in identifying and  understanding virus.  we are also better at tracking and controlling pandemics though shared information technology.  

[Wiggy]

41 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

And your reasoning behind thinking that the final toll for coronavirus won't be the same or worse?

Advances in medicine.

[Chassa]

47 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

A nurse that is working in Wuhan China

Was she on Facebook?

[baansgr]

With a two week incubation period which transmission can happen, the reported numbers will balloon in the coming week. Unless travel to this region is a necessity, best to stay away.

[IamNoone88]

While some progressive countries, Singapore for example, and airlines have restrictions and compulsory quarantine for residents arriving from Hebei Province and Bristish Airways and other airlines has ceased all China flights, the TAT continues to offers Visa free status to Wuhan and Hebei province and other hot areas and now wants to extends that further ..... is it no wonder the authorities are unlikely to contain a virus that is infectious but undetectable during the incubation period? They are creating a massive problem for themselves and the country.