Just had the COVID inspectors around checking on me.

[MikeN]

???????? I just had a visit from a local health aide who had been ordered to check on “the farang” living in the town.

 I have been living here in rural Ubon for about a year but apparently a couple of local yokels complained to the local hospital, worried that I might be carrying the COVID virus. I thought my presence here was well known, from shopping at the local market, my regular morning walk around town that passes the hospital where many of the staff wave to me and back through the market. When one of the local drunks tried to beg a few baht off me in the market once the bamboo telegraph swung into operation and the missus knew about it before I got home, so I thought my face was known around town.

 But no, they had to send somebody around, and that somebody was rather aggressive about. She repeatedly questioned my wife about my movements, where I came from, how long had I been there. Then she wanted to see my passport, which was a waste of time because she did not look for my latest entry stamp, just at the data page. Then back to asking the wife the same questions again !

 She was enjoying her power trip, I think. Then she got a doctor on the phone who asked me if I was feeling  ok, did I have a cough ? When was the last time I left Thailand ?

 By the time she had finished I was a bit peeved and suggested Thailand and the local noseyparkers should worry more about people like the phi noi who came from Korea but could not be bothered about health checks or isolation, but either the English or the sarcasm went right over her head.....probably best it did !

 So thank you Khun  A-Nut-in (the government) for your racism lately.

[scubascuba3]

I've noticed an anti-foreigner vibe currently. Kind of understandable in this type of crisis, we were all apprehensive of Chinese initially

[drbeach]

You need to learn Thai. Living in the sticks the best English Thais can manage is ngu ngu pla pla.

 

Of course I feel your predicament...I would have given them a tongue lashing. But by not being able to speak Thai (or not well enough) you're putting yourself in a very vulnerable situation.

[RJRS1301]

I find it hard to believe that Thailand has less Dx than Australia at this point in time, possibly because Australia at least doing some testing, whereas Thailand having problems with testing, or  people not attending clinics

 

I guess we are the mongrels to be followed, how many Chinese spreaders in town??

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by RJRS1301

[jak2002003]

That is a sad and unsettling story.

 

It's very unnerving how many people are reacting to this virus, and I think we are seeing the true faces of many raciest and ignorant people now, and it will only get worse.

 

It is not just here in Thailand by any means though.  

 

I also live in a small village, but there are a few farangs here.  There is a very small local bar we go to a couple times a week, for several years, and I know the owners and family really well, we all got along great all this time.  But, lately the attitude has changed of the owners there.  The female owner is so scared about the virus and told me we should in isolation in our house for 14 days.  I though she was joking at first, but sadly no.  last time we went back and they are all frantically washing their hands with some liquid soap every 5 minutes, and we did not do it... so they bought the dispenser to us.  

 

I found myself feeling compelled to do it, even though I read the bottle and it was only anti bacterial soap... nothing to do with viruses and it had only weak alcohol in it.. not enough to kill the virus.  Did I tell them they were all wasting their time using the useless stuff... no... I just played along with it to keep them happy.

 

It was clear that their attitude has changed toward us... and they are scared to come near us now (the lady in particular now does not chat to us and always sits as far away from out table as she can), because of the rubbish their have been watching on the TV and gossiping amongst themselves.  

 

 

[PerkinsCuthbert]

There are always people like this in a large bureaucracy, and during a period when a lot of people are anxious. Best to just shrug it off, it will happen again. Or try a visit to the dragons of Chiang Wattana.

[jak2002003]

9 minutes ago, drbeach said:

You need to learn Thai. Living in the sticks the best English Thais can manage is ngu ngu pla pla.

 

Of course I feel your predicament...I would have given them a tongue lashing. But by not being able to speak Thai (or not well enough) you're putting yourself in a very vulnerable situation.

So what do you suggest OP does now... Learn fluent Thai in a couple of weeks and call the lady back?

 

Even if he can speak Thai well, that is not the problem here... it is a few raciest Thai officials on mini power trips.  They will not listen to him even if he can communicate 100 percent well with them... as they have closed minds and will look down on him as inferior and not a Thai.  

 

They are not interested in his views or opinions.  They want to do it their way only.  Please note I am only talking about a few raciest jobsworths in positions of 'power'.  I am not bashing Thai people in general.  

 

 

[RJRS1301]

2 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

That is a sad and unsettling story.

 

It's very unnerving how many people are reacting to this virus, and I think we are seeing the true faces of many raciest and ignorant people now, and it will only get worse.

 

It is not just here in Thailand by any means though.  

 

I also live in a small village, but there are a few farangs here.  There is a very small local bar we go to a couple times a week, for several years, and I know the owners and family really well, we all got along great all this time.  But, lately the attitude has changed of the owners there.  The female owner is so scared about the virus and told me we should in isolation in our house for 14 days.  I though she was joking at first, but sadly no.  last time we went back and they are all frantically washing their hands with some liquid soap every 5 minutes, and we did not do it... so they bought the dispenser to us.  

 

I found myself feeling compelled to do it, even though I read the bottle and it was only anti bacterial soap... nothing to do with viruses and it had only weak alcohol in it.. not enough to kill the virus.  Did I tell them they were all wasting their time using the useless stuff... no... I just played along with it to keep them happy.

 

It was clear that their attitude has changed toward us... and they are scared to come near us now (the lady in particular now does not chat to us and always sits as far away from out table as she can), because of the rubbish their have been watching on the TV and gossiping amongst themselves.  

 

 

It is about lubricating the skin with soap and water, water should break the viral capsule, virus no longer on hands, nothing to transfer to face for entry through nose or eyes unless you have scratches or cuts on your hands the viral particles cannot enter through intact skin. The friction of hand washing for at least 20 seconds is recommended

[RJRS1301]

1 minute ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

There are always people like this in a large bureaucracy, and during a period when a lot of people are anxious. Best to just shrug it off, it will happen again. Or try a visit to the dragons of Chiang Wattana.

People are frightened of the unknown, and feel helpless through lack of scientific understanding and confused messaging from those "in charge".

[soalbundy]

I went to the market town near me in Isan for the first time in a week, WO! how things have changed, I went to Tesco's and about 30% of the public were wearing masks including farangs, neither I nor my family wore them but we weren't treated any differently. In my village nobody wears them yet.

[baansgr]

Understandable, but she's actually put herself in danger without even testing you...Don't be upset, it's better people are starting to take note, whoever ordered the visit probably doesn't know you or your history of staying here so was only being cautious.

[jak2002003]

2 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

It is about lubricating the skin with soap and water, water should break the viral capsule, virus no longer on hands, nothing to transfer to face for entry through nose or eyes unless you have scratches or cuts on your hands the viral particles cannot enter through intact skin. The friction of hand washing for at least 20 seconds is recommended

Where did you get this info?  

 

You may be confusing viruses with bacteria.

 

I was under the impression that to kill most viruses (and the current one in the headlines) the hand sanitiser needs at lease 60 percent alcohol content.  The one they were using was just normal anti bacterial hand wash.... with a very low alcohol content.

 

Anyway, does not matter I suppose... as I made the token gesture of going alone with all the crown so as not to get singles out, which I think is what a lot of people are doing. 

 

 

[Assurancetourix]

20 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've noticed an anti-foreigner vibe currently. Kind of understandable in this type of crisis, we were all apprehensive of Chinese initially

Not at all the same felt for me;
I very rarely go to the city which is 12 km from my village.
I was there 3 days ago to open my mailbox in which there was nothing (as usual); I discussed a few minutes with a postman friend, we left on a good pun concerning the Covid-19..

 

[RJRS1301]

23 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

Where did you get this info?  

 

You may be confusing viruses with bacteria.

 

I was under the impression that to kill most viruses (and the current one in the headlines) the hand sanitiser needs at lease 60 percent alcohol content.  The one they were using was just normal anti bacterial hand wash.... with a very low alcohol content.

 

Anyway, does not matter I suppose... as I made the token gesture of going alone with all the crown so as not to get singles out, which I think is what a lot of people are doing. 

 

 

Infection control 101

Friction running water soap, alcohol as additive (in sanitizers as that is what makes for lack of running water) is good but not necessary and most people do not wash for 20 seconds they do 2 second rub.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by RJRS1301

[cornishcarlos]

It's not an anti farang thing and you aren't that special...

My wife had a visit from the village head man this morning, as she had been to visit me in Singapore last week.

Immigration had notified him apparently, so he was just checking that everything was ok with her.

No panic, no stress just a courtesy visit.

[from the home of CC]

19 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

People are frightened of the unknown, and feel helpless through lack of scientific understanding and confused messaging from those "in charge".

sounds just like Canada now..

[from the home of CC]

I don't blame the Thais a bit for checking out people..

[mngmn]

36 minutes ago, jak2002003 said:

That is a sad and unsettling story.

 

It's very unnerving how many people are reacting to this virus, and I think we are seeing the true faces of many raciest and ignorant people now, and it will only get worse.

 

It is not just here in Thailand by any means though.  

 

I also live in a small village, but there are a few farangs here.  There is a very small local bar we go to a couple times a week, for several years, and I know the owners and family really well, we all got along great all this time.  But, lately the attitude has changed of the owners there.  The female owner is so scared about the virus and told me we should in isolation in our house for 14 days.  I though she was joking at first, but sadly no.  last time we went back and they are all frantically washing their hands with some liquid soap every 5 minutes, and we did not do it... so they bought the dispenser to us.  

 

I found myself feeling compelled to do it, even though I read the bottle and it was only anti bacterial soap... nothing to do with viruses and it had only weak alcohol in it.. not enough to kill the virus.  Did I tell them they were all wasting their time using the useless stuff... no... I just played along with it to keep them happy.

 

It was clear that their attitude has changed toward us... and they are scared to come near us now (the lady in particular now does not chat to us and always sits as far away from out table as she can), because of the rubbish their have been watching on the TV and gossiping amongst themselves.  

 

 

Still taking your money though.

[Psimbo]

'Gestapo'- I personally think you are having an over-precious reaction to this and am willing to bet I know your home country. People from there seem to think they have some form of entitlement.

 

Thai officials will have been given little direction over this as their higher-ups don't even know what is going on. Your attitude reflects a non-appreciation of this and maybe a step back is the better option. Ever think your attitude to HER may have garnered a reaction?

 

the fact that another poster indicates his Thai wife was visited having been out of the country to make sure things are OK is a far better indicator of the approach the Gov't is taking. 

Edited March 19, 2020 by Psimbo

[mfd101]

Lelak! Lelak! Yo talk to mut. Cleate ploblem.

[Thailand]

Scary for many, paranoia and over reaction is normal in this type of situation especially when getting stoked by those with influence who should know better but plainly don't.

 

This Covid-19 has a long way to go particularly here where they have been withholding important information.

Edited March 19, 2020 by Thailand

[Ventenio]

Today at lunch. lady with kid. lady gives me a bad look and says 'farang..... covid'.   the "owner" talked her, since she knows me, and then it was OK.  this morning a kid seemed to scared of me as I walked through the park and was walking away from him (never even got in shouting distance, but I could tell he was not happy to see me).  

 

yes, i'm getting that feeling all farangs need to leave.  

 

but if we are kicked out, I really hope none of us ever return.  it's our money, we should spend it wisely.  

[Orton Rd]

went to local market where I have been going for over 7 years to hear the falang falang warning and at BigC mothers were pulling their kids away lest they get infected from dirty foreigner, the government outbursts from idiot ministers have to bear some responsibility for this xenophobia.

Edited March 19, 2020 by Orton Rd

[MikeN]

37 minutes ago, drbeach said:

You need to learn Thai. Living in the sticks the best English Thais can manage is ngu ngu pla pla.

 

Of course I feel your predicament...I would have given them a tongue lashing. But by not being able to speak Thai (or not well enough) you're putting yourself in a very vulnerable situation.

My Thai is only conversational level, it doesn’t extend to medical terminology but even if it did the official was only interested in talking to my wife. When looking at my passport the woman says “os-sat-traya” ....”khrap, maa jaak  pratet Australia” I reply to her, and she didn’t even look at me.

what I didn’t mention in the OP was that the people who reported me to the hospital knew where I lived so they must have seen me living there for the last year. I sometimes think that I am the local tourist attraction when people stop to watch me exercising on my front porch ! I am certainly no Adonis but one old lady watched me doing curls for about five minutes yesterday. So I thought I was known around the village, not some stranger just arrived.

[scubascuba3]

31 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

Not at all the same felt for me;
I very rarely go to the city which is 12 km from my village.
I was there 3 days ago to open my mailbox in which there was nothing (as usual); I discussed a few minutes with a postman friend, we left on a good pun concerning the Covid-19..

 

I'm not suggesting it's everyone but it's a small minority who are worried about Corona. I double checked with a thai friend and she agreed. Also looking at the govt guidance it's negative towards foreigners i.e. on free testing if you are exposes to foreigners it doesn't cover you

[Dumbastheycome]

An Australian who entered Thailand  just this  early  morning encountered  zero checks at the airport. 4.5 hours  later he  was at his partners house  in East Isaan. She had organized  his "Quarantine "  quarters  to  nth  detail !

Within 3 hours the house was visited by  two Medicos. 

So something or some parts of a system is working. Even if it is down to paranoid locals.

 

 

[Ventenio]

1 minute ago, MikeN said:

So I thought I was known around the village, not some stranger just arrived.

555.  but you are FARANG, so apparently you were born with covid and can instantaneously infect the world.  You are like a ticking time bomb, triggered from the motherland (even though that's not China).   

 

Or maybe they think all farangs hang out in Wuhan, it's easier for farangs to get the virus, and then easier for farangs to infect everyone.

 

now we know what it's like being a minority not wanted.  

 

interesting.  

[BritManToo]

sorry quoted wrong poster

Edited March 19, 2020 by BritManToo

[CNXexpat]

Crazy. Especially with the background that (so far I know) ONLY Thais have the virus right now. 

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, MikeN said:

My Thai is only conversational level, it doesn’t extend to medical terminology but even if it did the official was only interested in talking to my wife. When looking at my passport the woman says “os-sat-traya” ....”khrap, maa jaak  pratet Australia” I reply to her, and she didn’t even look at me.

Don't let them in the house.

Make them stand outside the gate in the sun.

 

As far as I know 'they' don't have the 'entitlement' to enter my property without a warrant.

And unless 'they' send someone round who can speak English, nobody here will talk Thai with them.

Chatting with my Thai female 'hired help' about me ain't an option I'll give them.

Edited March 19, 2020 by BritManToo