Covid-19: Hundreds flood into Udon immigration - no virus prevention measures at all

[webfact]

Covid-19: Hundreds flood into Udon immigration - no virus prevention measures at all

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Thai media Naew Na - usually very supportive of Thai immigration - attacked the immigration bureau for providing no protection measures to hundreds of foreigners who turned up to extend visas at the Udon Thani office after the three day holiday on Tuesday. 

 

The media said that RTP chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda had issued specific orders about checking temperatures, hand washing and seating two meters apart at police stations and places like immigration offices. 

 

None of this was provided at all as great crowds fearing fines for overstaying crammed into the small space. 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Many of the applicants were from neighboring countries who live in Udon, Nong Khai and the surrounding area. 

 

One Laotian woman said she didn't expect to see many people but needed to renew her visa to avoid 500 baht daily fines. She said she went to the closed border at Nong Khai and was redirected to Udon. 

 

She described the situation at the Phosri Road office in the downtown area as "scary" with no protection measures in place at all. 

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

There have been eight cases of coronavirus in Udon Thani, said the media, but thousands have been in quarantine.

 

Many people in Thailand have called on immigration to issue automatic emergency extensions to avoid such scenes as seen in Udon on Tuesday. 

 

But the authorities continue to drag their collective feet creating an opportunity for the virus to spread, say critics.

 

Source: Naew Na

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-08

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[keith101]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

But the authorities continue to drag their collective feet creating an opportunity for the virus to spread, say critics.

They always talk about what they might do but they always drag things out which appears to be the Thai way of doing things .

[RogerJ]

I was there this morning for my 90-day report, and everything seems to be OK. We where given a number and offered chairs put up with good distance apart. We where brought in to an officer, and there was one person allowed in per officer. All counters had alcohol for disinfection. All had masks.

[Jimbo2014]

And thats why the lockdown will last for months... because its completely pointless without a comprehensive strategy which this government is incapable of delivering.

[thecyclist]

7 hours ago, keith101 said:

They always talk about what they might do but they always drag things out which appears to be the Thai way of doing things .

Exactly, Thais are fast talkers and even faster drivers, but when it comes to logical thinking and rational organizing they are snails. 

[mrfill]

So none of these people made any effort to distance themselves? Do they have to be told before they do it?

 

Prevention methods can be practised without needing shouty people in uniforms or bits of tape on the floor.

Unless these people were instructed to crowd together - something not mentioned at all in the OP - it is down to them.

[recom273]

I do feel for those guys, however, I went to Makro in my city on Monday, I didn’t see any westerners. There were no markings on the floor, but everyone queued up leaving 1-3m gaps, people were sensible waiting for people to leave freezers or shelves before approaching. There was no signs, no one told anyone what to do .. but everyone just did it.

 

Did no one there have enough sense no to sit so close? or the balls to turn around to a person behind and ask them to stand so close.

[hotchilli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

But the authorities continue to drag their collective feet creating an opportunity for the virus to spread, say critics.

And creating an opportunity to make thousands of baht before common sense prevails.

It's about time some of our collective embassies started openly criticising the immigration fiasco on behalf of it's mis-treated citizens!!

[TKDfella]

1 hour ago, mrfill said:

So none of these people made any effort to distance themselves? Do they have to be told before they do it?

 

Prevention methods can be practised without needing shouty people in uniforms or bits of tape on the floor.

Unless these people were instructed to crowd together - something not mentioned at all in the OP - it is down to them.

This is part what I wrote (#54) on the thread titled; 

Infections will skyrocket without social distancing, says official

'This is good I thought...Then it all falls apart...Suddenly I get called by an IO and he beckons me to the counter. Now I have to stand in between the two still being served...and it gets worse. He takes my required documents, sorts out those he wants to keep and promptly hands back the remainder slapping them down right on top of the papers already on the counter belonging to man still being served on my right.

The man on my right is served and walks out almost stepping on my feet as he does so.

I'm told to sit at the counter...'

And that was at the Udorn IO.

[tomauasia]

Deplorable governance really making a statement. We are 3rd world.

[rickudon]

I was at Udon immigration a week ago and it was fine. Outside, 5 people were sitting only in alternate chairs, and were only admitted when an officer was free inside. They checked your temperature, before you were allowed inside, putting a sticker on you, and handgel on the desks. For 90 day report a chair was placed a metre away from the desk, so giving a social distance of nearly 2 metres. Only 3 couples inside for extensions.

 

I suspect there was a mad rush because of the holiday, announcement  of the curfew a couple of days before and panic setting in.

 

I guess the staff could have made all the extra people stand outside in the sun .....

 

So i have to say I think Immigration in Udon are doing the best they can, considering the lack of proactive help (no online or automatic extensions) from Bangkok.

[Wee Man]

4 hours ago, TKDfella said:

This is part what I wrote (#54) on the thread titled; 

Infections will skyrocket without social distancing, says official

'This is good I thought...Then it all falls apart...Suddenly I get called by an IO and he beckons me to the counter. Now I have to stand in between the two still being served...and it gets worse. He takes my required documents, sorts out those he wants to keep and promptly hands back the remainder slapping them down right on top of the papers already on the counter belonging to man still being served on my right.

The man on my right is served and walks out almost stepping on my feet as he does so.

I'm told to sit at the counter...'

And that was at the Udorn IO.

Aways the same in there.. No Privacy at all.

[Burma Bill]

Utterly disgraceful Thai Government - Anutin take note you idiot!!