Thailand must win the fight against Covid-19, says Prayut

[webfact]

Thailand must win the fight against Covid-19, says Prayut

By THE NATION

 

Prayut : Calling for patience and cooperation from the public.

 

Thailand will prevail over the Covid-19 pandemic, says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha via a live national TV broadcast March 16.

 

He said the country could contain outbreak of the virus in a few weeks, citing a strong public health system and collaboration from various sectors.

 

However, the surge in the number of infections last week might have resulted from the mass gatherings of people, he said, adding that it has raised public concerns on the course of the virus.

 

The constant flows of Covid-19 news and unconfirmed reports startled may people and has led to a run on face masks and consumer goods which is not necessary, the premier said.

 

He said people should believe the government could provide them with enough face masks and consumer goods and there was no need to panic.

 

The government has never been complacent in dealing with the situation and has worked effectively to identify infected people through screening in line with global standard practice, he pointed out.

 

He added that the government has given full support to medical personnel and related staff in terms of equipment, safety and morale as they hold key in the fight against the virus , not to mention bringing the infected back to health.

 

The government will also announce more stringent measures to contain the outbreak, including a temporary ban on mass activities and closure of high-risk venues such as sports stadium and entertainment premises. It has already stepped up the screening of both foreign and local arrivals at the ports of entry to the Kingdom.

 

He added that Thailand would overcome the crisis via public cooperation, including cancelling plans to go abroad and practise self isolating for 14 days after returning from a high-risk area.

 

He also asked for collaboration not to circulate unconfirmed news which might lead to further unease among the people.

 

Thais must share a common understanding that the outbreak will continue for a certain period but we must be patient in order to pull through together, the premier said.

 

"Thailand must win," he said.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384200

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-17

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[Jingthing]

This approach doesn't sound aggressive enough based on what the world knows already about what needs to be done to avoid becoming another Italy and Iran. 

[ThailandRyan]

How about looking at it as a worldwide problem with a true perspective. This has never been about just Thailand. However, what was just about Thailand was the monetary policies that were of more concern than stopping this virus and trying to contain it.  Denial that it could ever occur here was then shifted to blaming westerners, "Dirty Westnerers".  The way forward is to take things seriously and not with a glib attitude and response.  Please take care of yourselves and families. I hope that true numbers and the medical assistance is there when needed.

Edited March 16, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[Thaiwrath]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

The government has never been complacent in dealing with the situation

Apart from his initial statement that it was 100% under control !

[Creasy]

How about free testing for the Wu-Flu ?

[leeneeds]

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Thailand must win," he said

Maybe the world should be included in this statement.

[daak]

What a great man with great ideas 

555555555

Edited March 16, 2020 by daak

[webfact]

PM calls on everyone to help confront COVID-19 pandemic

 

 

Thailand can survive the COVID-19 pandemic, but only with the cooperation of all Thai people, by delaying all foreign travel, strictly observing the 14-day self-quarantine upon their return and heeding the advice of health officials on what to do during a health crisis, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday night.

 

He urged people to take care of their health, to eat only well-cooked and clean food, to avoid sharing spoons and glasses, to wear face masks in high-risk areas, to wash their hands often with soap and water, especially if they have touched hand rails and door knobs, and the avoidance of crowds.

 

In a nation-wide address, on the threat posed by COVID-19, the Prime Minister said that the rapid increase in new COVID-19 cases since last week, compounded by inaccurate news reports about the death toll and new infections, have caused panic among some members of the public, who have started stocking up on essential items, resulting in shortages of items like face masks.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-calls-on-everyone-to-help-confront-covid-19-pandemic/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-03-17

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[ukrules]

If they want to control it as much as possible then we need a lock down and restrictions on movement of people.

 

If they don't do this now they will need to do it later anyway but it will be much worse.

 

Right now it's a choice, later it will be a forced move due to failure. The choice is theirs.

Edited March 16, 2020 by ukrules

[Number 6]

I'm still absolutely unable to find facemasks or alcohol other than the initial amount I was able to scrounge up. Just asked yesterday at another ten pharmacy.

 

Conspiracy to sell (millions?) of TONS of facemasks (did I read that correctly???) to Communist China might be an issue. So too the death of Chinese in Huay Kwang related. Another huge amount reportedly bad masks, soiled sold to Chinese for 2m baht.

 

Western countries should really note this nation's alliegences and treat accordingly. Tariff on western food items is ridiculous. Virtually no western products in stores

 

Just have this horrible feeling it's gonna get ugly for us farang by govt edict. None of what comes out of it ever makes a bit of sense.

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Number 6

[daveAustin]

Blah blah. Transparency, please + start testing folk en-masse and investigating/reporting recent deaths by 'pneumonia'. Your current tally is incredibly low and a tad suspect... it almost makes me want to book a flight... begins as it's so safe n all.

/ Cynic mode off //

[sammieuk1]

Yesterday I lost my spanner could not find it anywhere until I read this story and it made me remember I left it on the over tightened nut thank you general ????  

[Justgrazing]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He said the country could contain outbreak of the virus in a few weeks

Good luck with that one .. 

Given how it is breaking out in serious numbers through Europe ( Britain's known infected numbers doubled in 3 days to near 1500 over the weekend ) and the U S it borders on wishful thinking of the highest order to suggest it may be contained in a few weeks .. It would be better for any leader to not make fanciful claims about containment when the virus is proving itself to be so virulent at this time .. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Justgrazing
Sp

[GinBoy2]

He said the country could contain outbreak of the virus in a few weeks, citing a strong public health system and collaboration from various sectors.

 

Did I miss the memo about Thailand having a strong public health system? Because that must be in the alternate reality Thailand from the one that I know!

 

[AlexRich]

Prayut has everything under control. 

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He said people should believe the government could provide them with enough face masks

which  they dont  need

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The government has never been complacent in dealing with the situation

welcome  chinese

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

How about looking at it as a worldwide problem with a true perspective. This has never been about just Thailand. However, what was just about Thailand was the monetary policies that were of more concern than stopping this virus and trying to contain it.  Denial that it could ever occur here was then shifted to blaming westerners, "Dirty Westnerers".  The way forward is to take things seriously and not with a glib attitude and response.  Please take care of yourselves and families. I hope that true numbers and the medical assistance is there when needed.

theyll  keep  droning  on  about  all  thais , one  family then  drag  in  "father" etc etc 

[Somtamnication]

With all the ridiculous and conflicting press releases, a new election could help us more.

[geriatrickid]

1 hour ago, Creasy said:

How about free testing for the Wu-Flu ?

There is no wu-flu. There is a SARS CoV-2  virus which results in a deadly illness called Covid 19. You think you are funny, but you are not.

 

There is free testing. Present with symptoms and be in a risk demographic and they will test. Do you not understand that there is a shortage of testing supplies, lab facilities and personnel? The priority is being given to probable infections. At this point, free testing will encourage unnecessary testing.  The priority now must be to prioritize  attention and to trace active cases.  Under current asset limitations, active infections will be given priority.

 

[Thailand]

The truth about the real number of infections might have been a good start.

Nobody believes you and your government!

[dogfish180]

36 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

There is no wu-flu. There is a SARS CoV-2  virus which results in a deadly illness called Covid 19. You think you are funny, but you are not.

 

There is free testing. Present with symptoms and be in a risk demographic and they will test. Do you not understand that there is a shortage of testing supplies, lab facilities and personnel? The priority is being given to probable infections. At this point, free testing will encourage unnecessary testing.  The priority now must be to prioritize  attention and to trace active cases.  Under current asset limitations, active infections will be given priority.

 

 

[Puchaiyank]

Thailand is doing so good at containing the virus...maybe they should send personnel to other countries to show them how to defeat this menace...????

[ThaiBunny]

The interesting question is what happens in a month's time, when hundreds of thousands of Bangkokians leave the city to spend Songkran back in the village with their older parents and aged grandparents. Will Prayut be brave enough to ban such movement?

[englishoak]

5 hours ago, ThaiBunny said:

The interesting question is what happens in a month's time, when hundreds of thousands of Bangkokians leave the city to spend Songkran back in the village with their older parents and aged grandparents. Will Prayut be brave enough to ban such movement?

 

Nope and it wouldnt work anyway... Thais will want to be with family, here in the UK about 60% Thai students have fled home already. 

Edited March 17, 2020 by metisdead
Please do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes or wording.

[Orton Rd]

1 hour ago, geriatrickid said:

There is no wu-flu. There is a SARS CoV-2  virus which results in a deadly illness called Covid 19. You think you are funny, but you are not.

 

There is free testing. Present with symptoms and be in a risk demographic and they will test. Do you not understand that there is a shortage of testing supplies, lab facilities and personnel? The priority is being given to probable infections. At this point, free testing will encourage unnecessary testing.  The priority now must be to prioritize  attention and to trace active cases.  Under current asset limitations, active infections will be given priority.

 

we have German measles, Spanish flu, Japanese encephalitis, zika and ebola, Nile fever and others relating to places mostly where the disease started or was first noticed. So WHY not Wuhan or Chinese flu? because the Chinese did not want the WHO and the rest of the world to call it that, even though it's true.

[ChrisY1]

44 minutes ago, dogfish180 said:

 

If people insist on going to this hospital group....then expect to be charged through the nose for everything....they're usually nice hospitals, but maybe not good hospitals!

[Dumbastheycome]

1 hour ago, dogfish180 said:

 

For those who have a pimple on their nose and turn up with the cash?

How else to  stop the  queues of the paranoid lining up for a "free test?

[SuwadeeS]

I was just curious. So I googled about the real price for a test.

The average price was 50$ - 100$ which sounds realistic.

 

So why does a hospitel want to charge 25.000 Baht??? Which is approx. 800$

 

Actually, in my opinion it should be not called Corona virus, because of the massive damage to an not involved beer company. So I will call it now as it is usual to any virus like that by the name of origine.

Chinese Virus.   

Edited March 17, 2020 by SuwadeeS

[Mossman]

Look on the bright side, at lease you can now get cheap cinema tickets. Nothing like sitting close to a bunch of strangers in a small room.

http://www.majorcineplex.com/promotion/movie-summer-40baht-2020?_m_utk=19c60093a1c891ac2772c6e8fc00f9a8