Thailand closes borders to foreigners

[Mung]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

Stu 

the one disadvantage the US has is that their standard of living is a lot higher than here.  There are too many companies and businesses that if they can not be up and running will go under.  The government is trying to float them some cash but the sooner they can get them open again the better.  TRUMP said he would like to see them open at Easter so that people could go to church and such but he is also listening to his experts.   

 

As to someone dying you need to read the whole article He medicated himself with stuff he had at home.

 

The man and his wife were admitted to a Banner Health hospital after ingesting chloroquine phosphate, which is typically used to clean fish tanks. The wife is in critical condition.

Trump has totally dropped the ball on this one. I am neither left or right, but it's easy to see how he's c0cked this one up good and proper. He failed to prepare properly, didn't take the right actions, tried downplaying it up until even now which gives a false sense of security, and seems to be clueless to basic logic and science. The US is going to be the new epicentre for this pandemic in the coming weeks thanks to him 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Mung

[Isaan sailor]

Seems like the right move.  But shoulda been done last month...

[trainman34014]

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

Can't wait to see how tat put a spin on this maybe tourists will be up by millions according to them

Simples; they will count all the Thai's coming back, Diplomat's and Aircrew, add a few 0's and they are back in business !

[FruitPudding]

Wonder how long it will last?

[Tchooptip]

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Yes.

 

Diplomats and WP holders are specifically mentioned as OK.

 

Of course TiT so who knows in reality.

 

 Bad luck for someone with a family, wife and children who would have had a bad idea to leave the country, he can no longer return "home" unless having a work permit. ????

[Call]

Just to compare, 934 cases and 4 dead so far in the corona flu. 

Approx 25.000 dead in traffic accidents a year. 

 

 

[tifino]

1 hour ago, Assurancetourix said:

Eldery people must stay home ..

okay, okay...

But at which age are we old ?

 

I'm 71 old and when I cycle with my MTBike, a lot of young 40 year olds find it hard to follow me ..

your only out, is if the cops etc are trying to follow you on bikes

[anchadian]

22 minutes ago, EricTh said:

You really think that immigration cares to read Richard Barrow's tweets?

 

These are his thoughts and only his thoughts.  Think about it.

[Searat7]

Trump feels that some areas of the USA can get back to normality by April 12- Easter. He is under no illusion that the entire country will be ready to do this, especially New York. 

[khunyod]

4 minutes ago, Mung said:

Actually the writing was on the wall back in January. I am still astonished how people saw what was happening in China, and thought they were safe from this. It was only a matter of time, and everybody had amble time to prepare. What's even crazier is how certain countries still are not reacting and are far from prepared this late in the game. Reacting is not sufficient in such an event, proactive preparation is crucial 

Very few countries were paying attention, but one was: Vietnam. They closed they created a plan and declared it an epidemic on Feb 1st. They've since closed schools, bars, festivals, etc., and have instituted actual quarantines (not "self-monitoring") for those few allowed into the country (mainly returning vietnamese). This is a poorer country than Thailand and one even more dependent on tourism and trade with China. A model to follow.

[1duckyboy]

1 hour ago, twocatsmac said:

The Chinese will be the first tourists welcomed back when the virus subsides. 

They may be welcomed but their numbers will be relatively few. China is also suffering economically from the virus and the ongoing trade war with the U.S. Descretionary travel money in China will be little or none conpared to past years. IMO

[LukKrueng]

1 hour ago, Assurancetourix said:

Eldery people must stay home ..

okay, okay...

But at which age are we old ?

 

I'm 71 old and when I cycle with my MTBike, a lot of young 40 year olds find it hard to follow me ..

What I read is: 

People can still leave their homes but government strongly advice 3 groups of people to stay home, 1) those above 70 years old, 2) those with health complication particularly respiratory conditions, 3) and children under the age of 5

so you can go out if you want as long as there's no curfew

[Christie Paul]

2 hours ago, twocatsmac said:

The Chinese will be the first tourists welcomed back when the virus subsides. 

 

The Chinese economy has been shattered - there's a major dollar squeeze - and so I doubt the Chinese will be returning in serious numbers anytime soon. 

 

 

[mehrdad]

Okay! Thank god now i stay here in thai and living so wait for what will happen.. in future 

take cere guys and stay safe every one ,, 

 

[Mung]

2 minutes ago, khunyod said:

Very few countries were paying attention, but one was: Vietnam. They closed they created a plan and declared it an epidemic on Feb 1st. They've since closed schools, bars, festivals, etc., and have instituted actual quarantines (not "self-monitoring") for those few allowed into the country (mainly returning vietnamese). This is a poorer country than Thailand and one even more dependent on tourism and trade with China. A model to follow.

China acted terribly originally and tried to cover it up, but after the initial farce they acted in a stellar fashion. South Korea also, and as you mentioned Vietnam too. Thailand cared about money over people and allowed in Chinese tourists up until only a couple of weeks ago, now they are reaping what they have sewn. I just hope nations around the world learn from this because it will happen again, and next time it may be an insanely weaponised virus of some sort. We are far from prepared for even a somewhat tame coronavirus

[Peterw42]

10 minutes ago, Call said:

Just to compare, 934 cases and 4 dead so far in the corona flu. 

Approx 25.000 dead in traffic accidents a year. 

 

 

Do you realise that traffic accidents are not contagious and the number doesn't double every 4-5 days.

[khunyod]

7 minutes ago, Call said:

Just to compare, 934 cases and 4 dead so far in the corona flu. 

Approx 25.000 dead in traffic accidents a year. 

 

 

It is not the "corona flu" and for sure the data is incomplete, to say the least. The issue is, with a ~3% mortality rate, and a highly infections disease, if just 10% of the population were exposed to this, we are talking 200,000 dead. Or basically 8 times the yearly traffic mortality. Even if 1% were exposed, the sick and dying would overwhelm all healthcare. Think a little bit about what this viral disease can do and is doing in countries like Spain and Italy, before doing some nonsense "comparison".

[young Farrang]

So i get it, you all hate people like me, however I am on a long term tourist visa for the past 6 years living off savings

 

What do I do? I got 20 days left on my tourist visa and usually stay for 4*60 days (240 days a year in thailand (30 days + 30 days extention) + 120 days in vietnam.

 

now when both countries are closing their borders for foreigners and I have no other home country, where can I go? My passport is swedish but I have no family/place to return to.

 

I guess i just stay put and pay massive overstay fees and get banned from re-entry when this all blows over?

Edited March 25, 2020 by young Farrang

[Chicken Man]

It's obvious to anyone with common sense to stay put where you are for the time being. Why would anyone be moaning about not being able to enter USA  Thailand, or EU at the moment? All these zones are closed plus many more. You have had weeks and weeks to prepare. If you did not, then more fool you.

[khunyod]

8 minutes ago, Mung said:

China acted terribly originally and tried to cover it up, but after the initial farce they acted in a stellar fashion. South Korea also, and as you mentioned Vietnam too. Thailand cared about money over people and allowed in Chinese tourists up until only a couple of weeks ago, now they are reaping what they have sewn. I just hope nations around the world learn from this because it will happen again, and next time it may be an insanely weaponised virus of some sort. We are far from prepared for even a somewhat tame coronavirus

Here is a rundown of what Vietnam has done in reverse chronological order. They stopped issuing visas to Chinese citizens and banned those who had traveled through China from entering on January 30th. https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-business-operations-and-the-coronavirus-updates.html/

[JackThompson]

56 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

I think it will be after as well. Perfect time to start rejecting visas after everyone is out. Those that are caught here are going to have to leave one day and if they keep on with certain restrictions, you may have trouble if you have a long history of Tourist Visas getting back in. They have been turning the screws up for ages and now is a great time to implement change.

 

Maybe this is little too late, yet if something gets done right now, it is better than not starting at all. I can see after the decree gets implemented, things changing a lot in the next few days. 

One would think they will be happy to have anyone here spending money, when things get going again.   But, admittedly, I am thinking of what is best for Thais / employment - not the Anti-Western agenda of another country in the region.
 

27 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Depending on where you live Thailand can be expensive especially in the big cities and tourist places.

Even there, expensive compared to where?   Latin America is cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

  

8 minutes ago, khunyod said:

Very few countries were paying attention, but one was: Vietnam. They closed they created a plan and declared it an epidemic on Feb 1st. They've since closed schools, bars, festivals, etc., and have instituted actual quarantines (not "self-monitoring") for those few allowed into the country (mainly returning vietnamese). This is a poorer country than Thailand and one even more dependent on tourism and trade with China. A model to follow.

But unlike some countries, they are also Very Independent of China - long historical reasons for this.  No one tells them what to do; many have tried. 

[madmitch]

10 minutes ago, young Farrang said:

So i get it, you all hate people like me, however I am on a long term tourist visa for the past 6 years due to my field of work (professional online card player) does not qualify for a work permit. Elite Visa is in process but will still take a couple months at the earliest.

 

What do I do? I got 20 days left on my tourist visa and usually stay for 4*60 days (240 days a year in thailand (30 days + 30 days extention) + 120 days in vietnam.

 

now when both countries are closing their borders for foreigners and I have no other home country, where can I go? My passport is swedish but I have no family/place to return to.

Go to Immigration. Tell them you have been earning your living in Thailand by gambling online. Theyll soon find you a way of staying here????

[johng]

12 minutes ago, young Farrang said:

I am on a long term tourist visa for the past 6 years due to my field of work (professional online card player)

(professional online card player)    ????  Go to Las Vegas.

[simtemple]

2 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

Eldery people must stay home ..

okay, okay...

But at which age are we old ?

 

I'm 71 old and when I cycle with my MTBike, a lot of young 40 year olds find it hard to follow me ..

Prince Charles is fit too. 

[Rocking Robert]

Some people live day to day. How are they supposed to stock up for 30 days.  The government is telling them not to work so they shut pay them

[wasabi]

They need to do everything they can to stop people huddling in groups on the street and eating together at tables. I know masks are imperfect but everyone should be wearing one for the time being. If they are not stopping the silly herds who think the virus doesn't apply to them I fear they are not doing enough and this will need to be longer than a month. I'd rather take a dose of strong medicine for a month then weak medicine for a year.

[Dazinoz]

1 minute ago, simtemple said:

Prince Charles is fit too. 

I heard it was his ears....captured so much of the virus.

[JimLuce]

It’s happening I feel like boarding up every door and window in our house and hiding in the basement it’s happening. Nah, it’ll be fine Foodpanda is delivering now!!! Great food. 

Edited March 25, 2020 by JimLuce

[JackThompson]

 

16 minutes ago, Mung said:

Should have done this about 6-8 weeks ago

During the Chinese holiday?  Too much money to be made - and, even more importantly, that might offend the benefactors.  But seriously, I could not believe they let the infected continue to pour in.  I was thinking, "Well, here we go ..."

  

13 minutes ago, Mung said:

Trump has totally dropped the ball on this one. I am neither left or right, but it's easy to see how he's c0cked this one up good and proper. He failed to prepare properly, didn't take the right actions, tried downplaying it up until even now which gives a false sense of security, and seems to be clueless to basic logic and science. The US is going to be the new epicentre for this pandemic in the coming weeks thanks to him 

I think you missed what happened when Trump stopped the Chinese coming in, the day after China (and the WHO) finally admitted that the virus is transmitted person-to-person.  The "opposition" screamed and cried "racist".  Trump claimed only a minority of WH staff (admittedly, most globalist swampers) supported his decision.

 

Trump's error was not banning incoming from all the other countries who didn't block the Chinese entering at that time - an even stronger reaction - and listening to the WHO and their terrible advice (like Italy did) in the first place.

 

6 minutes ago, Mung said:

China acted terribly originally and tried to cover it up, but after the initial farce they acted in a stellar fashion. South Korea also, and as you mentioned Vietnam too. Thailand cared about money over people and allowed in Chinese tourists up until only a couple of weeks ago, now they are reaping what they have sewn. I just hope nations around the world learn from this because it will happen again, and next time it may be an insanely weaponised virus of some sort. We are far from prepared for even a somewhat tame coronavirus

Glad I don't have to explain what China did initially - including lying to the WHO, or buying them off, or both.  I am not so sure China's current situtation matches the numbers they tell the world.   I don't wish ill on China's people, so I do hope they really have turned the corner.

 

South Korea made the mistake of not closing their borders soon enough, got their * together after, though.   But one reason their numbers looked so "bad," was they Actually Tested so many people. 

[Dazinoz]

1 minute ago, JimLuce said:

It’s happening I feel like boarding up every door and window in our house and hiding in the basement it’s happening. 

Its that that worries me more than the virus itself.