How Covid-19 can have a longer term impact for Expats in Thailand

By Dan Cheeseman

 

I cannot remember in my lifetime a situation as grave as this across the world. Our daily lives have been ground to a halt and we are now self-isolating. When I read about what the future landscape could look like even the experts are just making best guesses. They have never had to deal with such an uncertain pandemic.  From everyone I speak to online from expats across Thailand to my friends and family back in the UK, we are totally consumed with what will happen now.

 

From a working point of view, like many, I no longer go to my office in Pattaya. Life has very quickly morphed into something very different. I see a meme online joking ‘what day is it now?, and that feels about right. What’s interesting is how my family and I have adapted to ‘a new way of life’ with ease. In just a week we have a new routine.

 

Sometimes it is easy to be extremely worried for ones health, but it does appear those with pre-conditions are most at risks. Being in Thailand, although nothing seems to be confirmed, there was hope that the high temperatures were impacting the ability of the virus to spread. Rates being reported at this time do suggest that at very least it is helping. But, and a large reason for such fear among people is, we just don’t know. Hence why we are hanging on to any news report we can read online.

 

Thaivisa.com is currently operating around the clock on reporting the latest news and I would suggest you follow this site on Facebook to be kept up to the minute on updates – click here.

 

The big issue is no one knows just how long this issue will go on for. I am certainly in no position to comment, but would recommend an excellent article by a New York science writer, ‘How the Pandemic will End’ (click to read). It’s as interesting and informative as it is chilling.

 

Where does that leave us Expats?

For now as an Expat in Thailand we are in the same boat as people world over, when will this end or at least when will we be able to get a degree of normality back?

 

It has been a tough time for many Expats even before the coronavirus with tightening of visa regulations for retirees and a strong baht impacting on pensions. In turn the Western Expat market shrunk and put more pressure on business targeting that segment. Western business needed to increase their share on a declining pie or adapt and diversify. For many of these business though they don’t have the know how to do this, it’s not easy.

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/03/29/how-convid-19-can-have-a-longer-term-impact-for-expats-in-thailand/

 

Some businesses will just hit restart, and catch up. I'm working from home, so my employer has not stopped doing business, but challenges are like never experienced before. Hope that all of you can restart when the dust is clear. 

30 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

How Covid-19 can have a longer term impact for Expats in Thailand

 

Thai Rak Thai

 

When this virus gets truly rolling & it will ..... & hospitals run short as all are in the world of respirators

then IMO you will see another impact on Expats/Non Thai's

 

 

Edited March 31, 20206 yr by meechai

3 hours ago, meechai said:

 

IMO you will see another impact on Expats/Non Thai's

And what would that be? 

3 hours ago, meechai said:

 

 

 

I remember some time ago I saw in an office a sign:

Q: How to eat a mammoth?

A: One piece at a time.

 

This is how I look at the situation. I think it's difficult to imagine how things will develop - in many ways.

Maybe it will get a little worse. Maybe it will get a lot worse, and maybe even worse than that.

I think speculating now what might happen produces probably a lot more headache than it helps.

 

The best we can do it try to keep our distance and try to stay calm. Relax. Deep breath...

 

3 hours ago, meechai said:

 

Thai Rak Thai

 

When this virus gets truly rolling & it will ..... & hospitals run short as all are in the world of respirators

then IMO you will see another impact on Expats/Non Thai's

A read about a well know private hospital: When people arrive first they check the temperature. And second they check if you have an insurance. Guess what happens with people without insurance - and it won't matter which nationality they are.

Look forward to hyperinflation.....governments are spending massive amounts of borrowed money giving it to businesses and to prop up stock markets. This situation is unsustainable....the US is simply printing money and calling it something else. The structural deficit is over 1 trillion a year and they owe 23.6 trillion.....Trump is adding over $1 trillion a year so after another 5 years of Trip we will owe $30 billion. Most people already know the debt cannot ever be paid for, especially as idiots like Trump keep cutting income taxes to inflate the stock market. Government revenues are falling fast and corona will push it over the edge.....soon we will see the first 2 billion dollar deficit what with wars against Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea to fight.....all off budget. 

Faith in the dollar is already falling and it is alright the FED saying 0% interest rates, but the folks buying the Treasuries will sooner or later demand something better than a real negative interest rate for investing in US inc. When this happens that 30 trillion or so debt is not sustainable at all with an interest rates of 5% on long term bonds....ergo default looming in the next decade.

3 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Look forward to hyperinflation.....governments are spending massive amounts of borrowed money giving it to businesses and to prop up stock markets. This situation is unsustainable....the US is simply printing money and calling it something else. The structural deficit is over 1 trillion a year and they owe 23.6 trillion.....Trump is adding over $1 trillion a year so after another 5 years of Trip we will owe $30 billion. Most people already know the debt cannot ever be paid for, especially as idiots like Trump keep cutting income taxes to inflate the stock market. Government revenues are falling fast and corona will push it over the edge.....soon we will see the first 2 billion dollar deficit what with wars against Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea to fight.....all off budget. 

Faith in the dollar is already falling and it is alright the FED saying 0% interest rates, but the folks buying the Treasuries will sooner or later demand something better than a real negative interest rate for investing in US inc. When this happens that 30 trillion or so debt is not sustainable at all with an interest rates of 5% on long term bonds....ergo default looming in the next decade.

And then? (It's a serious question)

I think, so far, Thailand has handled this crisis pretty well, much better than my home country, the USA. My province, Phetchabun, has pretty strict rules about wearing face masks when you're out, and most large stores take your temperature before they allow you to enter.

I expect/hope the spread here will not be as fast, although I do agree whenever it peaks, I imagine there will be a lot of deaths. Still, unless you have an pre-existing medical problem, your chances of surviving is very good -- about 99%.

The way the government and immigration have treated foreigners during this virus outbreak will stay in people's memories for a long time.  Any holidaymaker stuck here and being messed about my immigration is unlikely to return.  Expats will definitely reassess as to if they will continue to stay.

It is a pity. Thai people are lovely and it is a great place to live

30 minutes ago, Toany said:

The way the government and immigration have treated foreigners during this virus outbreak will stay in people's memories for a long time.  Any holidaymaker stuck here and being messed about my immigration is unlikely to return.  Expats will definitely reassess as to if they will continue to stay.

It is a pity. Thai people are lovely and it is a great place to live

And do you think those people who think about leaving will check how their new host countries worked through this crisis?

I.e. who knows if things are handled so much better in the Philippines or Cambodia or Lao or wherever? 

I don't deny that things could be handled better in Thailand. But I am pretty sure that can be said about every country. And looking at the news it's a lot worse in some countries.

The corona outbreak will have a big impact for (some of ) us expats .

First they will roll out the vastly expensive dreaded compulsory health insurance for ALL visa's/retirement extentions.

Second : Mandatory quarantines going home , and on returning to thailand.

Since the Thai are not going full financial ret_rd like the west , the THB will stay stronger making it even more expensive

living here (with some inflation caused by western money printing) , and giving a double blow to the ridicuously expensive health insurance.

Even a compromise of having more than the 800k in the bank to dodge the insurance , will still be expensive because of the exchange rate.

 

For years to come the airlines are going to scr-w us even more when booking from Thailand to europe , just to recover what they have lost during this crisis.

 

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I remember some time ago I saw in an office a sign:

Q: How to eat a mammoth?

A: One piece at a time.

 

This is how I look at the situation. I think it's difficult to imagine how things will develop - in many ways.

Maybe it will get a little worse. Maybe it will get a lot worse, and maybe even worse than that.

I think speculating now what might happen produces probably a lot more headache than it helps.

 

The best we can do it try to keep our distance and try to stay calm. Relax. Deep breath...

 

I hope you're not near a person that has symptoms , while you take that Deep breath .

Well written.  I would like to add that I have found many Thais especially helpful, even in IMMIGRATION...I changed my address when the virus first presented...didn't do all the paperwork properly and when I did my online 90 day report, was rejected...I wrote an email to Imm and surprisingly, they called me and helped me through the process. The impact of immigration, baht and virus are challenging but not insurmountable.  Keep hope alive.  Take care out there...

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

A read about a well know private hospital: When people arrive first they check the temperature. And second they check if you have an insurance. Guess what happens with people without insurance - and it won't matter which nationality they are.

I had a physio appointment at 1.30pm today at a very very good Hospital in BKK. I used 70% alcohol before I left the unit to wash my hands and at the same time took my temp. I got to the car park and had my hands rewashed and temp taken again before I could even get to my Vespa. I thought I would buy a bottle of Gin in case there is a lock-down and so the Supermarket kindly washed my hands and lasered my forehead once again. 10 minutes later I arrived at the Hospital and they gave me a thorough cleaning and temp check before I was allowed in. The lift had a hand gel machine and I couldn't resist it. I checked in where they nodded at the hand gel and then I was led to get my BP, temp & heart rate checked. Upon my return to the Condo I had another temp check and got doused in gel once again. In the lift was another hand wash gel and I thought "In for a penny, in for a pound" and had another splash around. So all in all, in the space of 2 hours I had 9 hand washes and 6 temp checks. Am I alone thinking the world has gone crazy?

20 minutes ago, Rod the Sod said:

I had a physio appointment at 1.30pm today at a very very good Hospital in BKK. I used 70% alcohol before I left the unit to wash my hands and at the same time took my temp. I got to the car park and had my hands rewashed and temp taken again before I could even get to my Vespa. I thought I would buy a bottle of Gin in case there is a lock-down and so the Supermarket kindly washed my hands and lasered my forehead once again. 10 minutes later I arrived at the Hospital and they gave me a thorough cleaning and temp check before I was allowed in. The lift had a hand gel machine and I couldn't resist it. I checked in where they nodded at the hand gel and then I was led to get my BP, temp & heart rate checked. Upon my return to the Condo I had another temp check and got doused in gel once again. In the lift was another hand wash gel and I thought "In for a penny, in for a pound" and had another splash around. So all in all, in the space of 2 hours I had 9 hand washes and 6 temp checks. Am I alone thinking the world has gone crazy?

I hope that you don't get dermatitis!  https://www.allure.com/story/hand-washing-eczema-rash-coronavirus

 

Better than getting Covid though!

Yes the worlds gone mad

52 minutes ago, Rod the Sod said:

So all in all, in the space of 2 hours I had 9 hand washes and 6 temp checks. 

Good, means there are measures in place. 

51 minutes ago, Rod the Sod said:

Am I alone thinking the world has gone crazy?

No.

World population: 7.8 billion

Dead from the virus worldwide as of now: 38,769

Damage to world economies: Priceless.

Dead in Thailand from the virus: 10

Dead on Thai roads per year: 25,000

3 hours ago, Pedrogaz said:

Look forward to hyperinflation.....governments are spending massive amounts of borrowed money giving it to businesses and to prop up stock markets. This situation is unsustainable....the US is simply printing money and calling it something else. The structural deficit is over 1 trillion a year and they owe 23.6 trillion.....Trump is adding over $1 trillion a year so after another 5 years of Trip we will owe $30 billion. Most people already know the debt cannot ever be paid for, especially as idiots like Trump keep cutting income taxes to inflate the stock market. Government revenues are falling fast and corona will push it over the edge.....soon we will see the first 2 billion dollar deficit what with wars against Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea to fight.....all off budget. 

Faith in the dollar is already falling and it is alright the FED saying 0% interest rates, but the folks buying the Treasuries will sooner or later demand something better than a real negative interest rate for investing in US inc. When this happens that 30 trillion or so debt is not sustainable at all with an interest rates of 5% on long term bonds....ergo default looming in the next decade.

If you have 1 trillion dollars and spent 1 million dollars every hour 24/7 you wouldn't run out of money for 411 years. The US has a debt of 24 trillion dollars. Western civilization hasn't been around for a trillion seconds, it's a big number.

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

A read about a well know private hospital: When people arrive first they check the temperature. And second they check if you have an insurance. Guess what happens with people without insurance - and it won't matter which nationality they are.

go public

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

The corona outbreak will have a big impact for (some of ) us expats .

First they will roll out the vastly expensive dreaded compulsory health insurance for ALL visa's/retirement extentions.

Second : Mandatory quarantines going home , and on returning to thailand.

Since the Thai are not going full financial ret_rd like the west , the THB will stay stronger making it even more expensive

living here (with some inflation caused by western money printing) , and giving a double blow to the ridicuously expensive health insurance.

Even a compromise of having more than the 800k in the bank to dodge the insurance , will still be expensive because of the exchange rate.

 

For years to come the airlines are going to scr-w us even more when booking from Thailand to europe , just to recover what they have lost during this crisis.

 

That great knowing what is coming, i want to invest in some shares can i please rent your crystal ball i think it will be expensive but i do not know!!!!

I think a lot of people will rethink their situation..especially the elder without insurance...no place like home amongst real friends and family....maybe Thailand will resort to the good ole days for a new generation of sepats...who knows...its day by day at present

47 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Damage to world economies: Priceless.

Mneh. There tends to be a sharp rebound for these, however I think that'll be a "dead cat bounce" since there's an underlying debt problem that's been there for years. Recessions come and go, they also present opportunities like the one world needs to take: get rid of China in the middle of all supply chains. In the long term it'll be worth it.

 

And as to the OP, Chailand will swim into the embrace of CCP in the nearby future now that it's economy will be decimated. Then expats need to think do they really want to live in a province of China. 

Edited March 31, 20206 yr by DrTuner

1 hour ago, Rod the Sod said:

I had a physio appointment at 1.30pm today at a very very good Hospital in BKK. I used 70% alcohol before I left the unit to wash my hands and at the same time took my temp. I got to the car park and had my hands rewashed and temp taken again before I could even get to my Vespa. I thought I would buy a bottle of Gin in case there is a lock-down and so the Supermarket kindly washed my hands and lasered my forehead once again. 10 minutes later I arrived at the Hospital and they gave me a thorough cleaning and temp check before I was allowed in. The lift had a hand gel machine and I couldn't resist it. I checked in where they nodded at the hand gel and then I was led to get my BP, temp & heart rate checked. Upon my return to the Condo I had another temp check and got doused in gel once again. In the lift was another hand wash gel and I thought "In for a penny, in for a pound" and had another splash around. So all in all, in the space of 2 hours I had 9 hand washes and 6 temp checks. Am I alone thinking the world has gone crazy?

i am with you there

yes i think the world is crazy regarding this virus.

Don't you think the governments are going at this the wrong way, none of this happened during previous pandemics, for a fraction of the cost currently being doled out the elderly and vulnerable should be looked after and the rest get on with work and life and let the virus take it's course, for those people there is little risk and medically manageable.

The current course is taking us on a path of years of battling this virus and decades of debt recovery, a very different world from the one we left just a few short weeks ago.

All USA hospitals check in is a paymemt/ insurance process unless you arrive critical via ambulance.   

The debt per American was 60,000 usd but now is going much higher.  

I think star trek type virus scanners are in our future for all food,  people,  and shipments. There will be special  communities set up with closure around them.  The rich  and poor will see the true disparity.  Temp checks are so crude and 90% meaningless and in the future will look their true foolishness.  

Masks will be proven to be effective  and we will see the recommendations for no mask unless HCW was just due to massive unpreparedness by all.  

Racial tensions have  been revealed since 2016 and  even more so now. 

China will be revealed as very racist with their goal to take over the World.  Chiland will sink deeper in Chiang's grip. Will anyone care?  Look how the major news stories that only make the obscure news or make one quick 15 second soundbite and 3 hours later are forgotten.  USA has suspended  Government oversight on almost all if not all industry  so the environment is going to suffer massively.   

I will have to think longer on how life will change for the nightly rental folks but I think I rather have 1 good virus free specimen  by my side.  Any good reviews on best sex dolls?  That's a good investment  tip.  Any other advice and you will have to pay. 

Edited March 31, 20206 yr by Elkski

5 minutes ago, johno49 said:

yes i think the world is crazy regarding this virus.

Don't you think the governments are going at this the wrong way, none of this happened during previous pandemics, for a fraction of the cost currently being doled out the elderly and vulnerable should be looked after and the rest get on with work and life and let the virus take it's course, for those people there is little risk and medically manageable.

 

The current course is taking us on a path of years of battling this virus and decades of debt recovery, a very different world from the one we left just a few short weeks ago.

 

Wasn't that what Trump suggested in the USA. Look where they are now... 

I have had no choice but to put my retail business to be bed for 6 months 

At this stage hoping that will be able to open then.

Airlines when they open will be leaner & meaner & maybe only the more affluent will be able to afford to fly (The way it was 40 years ago). I agree with this as the pollution caused by too many folks tripping halfway around the world for a 2 week holiday is crazy

The rest,,, sorry, the crystal ball is on strike (I can't afford to pay it

9 minutes ago, johno49 said:

yes i think the world is crazy regarding this virus.

Don't you think the governments are going at this the wrong way, none of this happened during previous pandemics, for a fraction of the cost currently being doled out the elderly and vulnerable should be looked after and the rest get on with work and life and let the virus take it's course, for those people there is little risk and medically manageable.

 

The current course is taking us on a path of years of battling this virus and decades of debt recovery, a very different world from the one we left just a few short weeks ago.

 

If anything to varying degrees the government responses have not been severe enough OR early enough. But that ship has sailed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 20206 yr by Jingthing