Minister promises MotoGP in Buriram to be Covid-19 free

By THE NATION

 

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has promised effective preventive measures against Covid-19 as Thailand is still determined to host MotoGP next month.

 

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

 

Speaking at a press conference in Bangkok today (February 27), the deputy prime minister displayed confidence in the preparation by all sectors involved to facilitate visitors from their arrivals in the Kingdom. Thailand is to hold the second circuit of the MotoGP in 2020 between March 21-22 in Buriram province.

 

He said: “Regarding the measures put in place to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19 virus among the fans; the organisers, riders and teams, staffs, hotel and restaurant operators and other businesses in Buriram and surrounding provinces are confident that the Ministry of Public Health is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Buriram Provincial Administrative Organization and other relevant agencies to best guarantee a safe environment. We hope to promote the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 as a Covid-19-free race, it will increase confidence in the country and its public health system that will be recognised worldwide, resulting in more income for the country and its people.”

 

According to the deputy prime minister, Thailand has generated over Bt6 billion from the first two editions of the Thailand MotoGP (2018-2019).

 

“This year, the figure might be slightly affected by the current global situation, but it is believed that, once the situation improves, the MotoGP race will once again be the magnet that draws even more motorsport fans from around the world to Thailand. That is because they lauded the Thai circuit as one of the best in the world for entertainment value, and their trips around the country impressed them. After this year’s race, we aim to announce our plan to continue to host the race in the next five years. We are committed to turning this racing event into the top attraction that draws the largest number of visitors to the country,” he added.

 

 

Pipat Ratchakitprakan, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, said despite the decreasing of overseas travel, domestic tourism is still unaffected, and Thailand is still a safe place. Over the past three years, Buriram has been regarded as one of the top destinations that helped generate a huge amount of revenue to the country, thanks to its position as the top hub sports tourism in the country. This year, the ministry is still confident that we will still be able to boost the overall economy of the country by hosting a world-class event like MotoGP.

 

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has upgraded its Pavilion to be even greater than the previous years. Under the theme of Amazing Thailand Festival @ MotoGP in Buriram, the Pavilion is built to showcase distinctive local festivals and Thai customs that are admired internationally. The interactive presentation is designed to highlight Buriram as one of the world’s top tourism destinations in the country. In addition, there will be an exhibition that promotes tourism in the four regions of Thailand, cultural performances, as well as a Thai dessert corners demonstrating the making of traditional Thai snacks and dessert to international visitors. The aim of this is to offer an exotic experience of Thailand that is truly one of a kind.

 

Tatchakorn Hatthatayakul, governor of Buriram Province, said the province is working with medical and related agencies to establish an action plan to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The mobile checklist units will be deployed to track and monitor the health of tourists at their accommodations.

 

“ Buriram is 100 per cent and we would like to assure and welcome tourists and motorsport fans to join us in making history together in Buriram ”.

 

Newin Chidchob, President of Chang International Circuit, concluded that: “Combining our experience from the previous two years with suggestions from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), we are perfectly ready in every aspect. We also take feedback from last year's attendees to improve this year’s event to an even greater level. In terms of the track preparation, everything has been in place, almost 100 per cent.

 

Regarding the Covid-19 situation, our experience hosting many large-scale events which have welcomed around ten thousand of participants to Buriram assures that we have public health measures in place to screen and effectively control spread of the virus . We hosted the “Buriram Marathon” recently, welcoming more than 70,000 runners and their families to our province. We were able to manage the running event effectively without any issues , ensuring us to be qualified as the Silver Marathon organiser , the first of the country, before stepping up to secure the Gold Label in the following year. This certifies our readiness in all aspects, contributed by the so-called Buriram Model by integrating the private and public sectors.

 

As for the organisation of the MotoGP, Chang International Circuit has prepared strict measures on motorsport fans. Screening points will be set up, more than 100,000 prices of Buff mask will be distributed, and hand-sanitising gel will be provided at the entrances of the circuit and along the way to the stadium. Moreover, visitors will have access to a guide detailing measures that they can take for protection of the virus, which will be handed out and can be downloaded at “BURIRAM HEALTHY” application.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30382965?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-02-29

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No need to wear a mask then?

it is not up to him

How do they plan to monitor my health at my accommodation ?

Lot's of HOT exhaust being spewed.

And there won’t be thousands of stalls selling uncovered food that hasn’t been coughed over and domestic tourism is doing well and everything is under control and we don’t need to take advice from health PROFESSIONALS concerning re: avoiding large gatherings if possible..... 

2 minutes ago, lemonjelly said:

And there won’t be thousands of stalls selling uncovered food that hasn’t been coughed over

I don't recall thousands of stalls selling in uncovered food last year.... guess I must have missed them.

They should put these guys in charge of the WHO, then the whole world would be safe.

Definitely a no go.Dreaming of the money.The money that’s already been spent and needs the event to go ahead to be recovered.Bad luck dude you’ve made your bed now enjoy trying to lie straight in it and hope it’s not a hospital bed.

13 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Definitely a no go.Dreaming of the money.The money that’s already been spent and needs the event to go ahead to be recovered. Bad luck dude you’ve made your bed now enjoy trying to lie straight in it and hope it’s not a hospital bed.

I doubt the health minister or his office has tipped much money into hosting the event.

By the sounds of things this morning I think they are practicing near where I live

My bet - unless the virus is brought under control in a week or so, the event will be cancelled - just like the LPGA event was.  Dont buy tickets or pay for accomodations yet - you probably will not get a refund.

 

Just now, AussieBob18 said:

My bet - unless the virus is brought under control in a week or so, the event will be cancelled - just like the LPGA event was.  Dont buy tickets or pay for accomodations yet - you probably will not get a refund.

 

Doubt it.

33 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

I don't recall thousands of stalls selling in uncovered food last year.... guess I must have missed them.

Ah come on. A little embellishment helps get the point across. ????

4 minutes ago, neeray said:

Ah come on. A little embellishment helps get the point across. ????

Yeah FarFlungIdiot like to embellish.

Meanwhile, the number of infections is frozen at 40 (x100)

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

resulting in more income for the country and its people.”

 

There's the bottom line... No interest in helping contain the world wide spread of this, at all...

 

 

1 minute ago, Vigilante said:

Meanwhile, the number of infections is frozen at 40 (x100)

41 now, it was my understanding it aint real keen on warmer climates.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

We are committed to turning this racing event into the top attraction that draws the largest number of visitors to the country,” he added.

About 65 million currently taking place in an ongoing one !

Us British understand this syndrome. Centuries ago we had a leader who believed that he could hold back the tide by mere force of words. Canute was his name as I recall.  

Hmmm.

 

can not have flash mobs of people angry  because ban FF for fake reason = because will spread coronavirus 

 

but

 

can have have people come from other coronavirus countrys around the world to mix with local people = is ok no corona virus

 

???

38 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Hmmm.

 

can not have flash mobs of people angry  because ban FF for fake reason = because will spread coronavirus 

 

but

 

can have have people come from other coronavirus countrys around the world to mix with local people = is ok no corona virus

 

???

They're working on the principal of "if the shoe fits, wear it".

2 hours ago, Don Mega said:

I don't recall thousands of stalls selling in uncovered food last year.... guess I must have missed them.

In all honesty, I was ranting a bit. I’ve never been to the moto gp, would love to go one day but I’ll wait till vaccinated. I’m surprised at lack of piles of cooked noodles not being on display, even though the “minister for health” (engineering degree, possibly genuine, who knows) shouldn’t be encouraging large gatherings to placate Buriram mafia at this point. 
 

<<We hope to promote the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 as a Covid-19-free race, it will increase confidence in the country and its public health system that will berecognised worldwide, resulting in moreincome for the country and its people.”>>
The government is still obsessing with tourist revenue over public health which makes me worried concerning stats re: infection rates etc in the near future. Seems like Prayut & co are challenging Hun Sen in the race for the Stupid Trophy 

3 hours ago, smedly said:

it is not up to him

He is such a numpty. Just spits out what his mentors tell him!!!????????????????????????????????

In the headline it says he promises, but in the article it says that they are confident that !  This is a Thai way of saying "we don't have a clue but you must believe what we say !"  Its only about the money.  Tourists money has dried up.  On a good note, it will be a great event if its gonna be better than last year, which was fantastic for riders and fans.

Another Thai reality bender. Maybe it'll work. I've always thought Thailand existed in some alternate reality, parallel to ours, the portal being Suvarnabhumbi. Ha!

When you stop saying nonsensical things, you and your colleague Pipat are competing for the biggest shooter.
It is time to concentrate on finding a solution and not to preach a rosy future.

Oh build a huge dome over the entire event, 48 hrs before start filtering ALL the AIR inside , stringent tests on everything connected to the event including the cars , allow 24 hrs to get all the spectators and equipemnt in, Then seal the entrances and have a race . However if ONE person tests Positive during or after the event, then quarantine everyone for 14 days .

 

Which planet is this Minister on, certainly NOT this one many people have tried including a King and failed to master the environment . Work with it or not but control it NO-WAY  !   

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

more than 100,000 prices of Buff mask will be distributed

A Freudian slip ...?

How dumb can a minister be? In the meantime in Geneva they have canceled the Motor Show, which is one of the main  events of the year. While there are zero cases in Switzerland, but quite an explosion in neighbouring Italy and France.