So tests have not been free for Thai citizens up to now???

That would explain the relatively low number of confirmed cases in Thailand!

If you believe the ‘official’ announcements and information peddled by those in positions of authority then Covid-19 tests have been available to everyone under the 30 baht health care scheme. 

 

The reality as always is quite different - Not enough tests or no tests issued to hospitals, people unable to test as they are nowhere near their registered hospital.

 

This is just one of those area’s where the those in positions of authority make announcements which do not reflect reality.

 

Of course, some people may be able to get access to Covid-19 tests, but in doing so they probably have to queue for hours on end in a hospital risking the very virus they are hoping to avoid. 

Are long term residents who have retirement visa extensions considered "foreign tourists"? 

Pure knee-jerk reaction by those with neither the education or experience to handle this situation.

17 hours ago, vicbkk said:

Just how stupid can they get??

As stupid as the European and American leaders whose incomeptency, lying, cheating, and obfuscation has resulted in a global  pandemic, instead of confined to China only

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/16/coronavirus-pandemic-leadership-131540

do our embassies ever report back to their governments how xenophobic thailand is?

 

let all exclude thais in our home countries for a day and see what happens

Wasn't free today. 

 

1600 baht at Chulalongkorn hospital.

Khaosod EN had this the other day re the plight of farangs here:

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2020/03/18/govt-oks-free-covid-19-treatment-for-foreigners-but-the-money-never-arrived/

 

Quote

 

BANGKOK — Foreigners suspected of having the coronavirus or diagnosed with it are supposed to be eligible for free treatment. But no one knows what happened to the funds.

 

An internal document obtained by Khaosod English shows a comprehensive free medical treatment for foreigners in cases related to the virus was approved by the Comptroller General’s Department as late as seven days ago, yet inquiries to the health ministry on Wednesday revealed the agency has yet to receive the money.

 

“We’re still waiting for the money. We don’t know where the money is,” an official who works in the ministry’s financial office said, while refusing to give her name. “We haven’t been able to give anyone this service yet, because we haven’t received any money.”

 

 

The charge was for a Thai citizen