Phuket Lockdown ‘shall end on Apr 30’

 

Image: NBT / as posted by PR Dept

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has extended all lockdown orders to Apr 30. The previous orders were set to expire on Apr 26.

 

The “Phuket Lockdown” was extended through a handful of orders dated as issued on Wednesday (Apr 15), and marked as in effect from Wednesday, but were only publicly posted after 8:30pm last night. (See here.)

 

The only explanation given for extending the lockdown was to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-lockdown-shall-end-on-apr-30-75746.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-04-18

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

"Phuket Lockdown 2.0 will start at 00:01 on May 1st"

 

Just a prediction from my crystal ball.

43 minutes ago, Crossy said:

"Phuket Lockdown 2.0 will start at 00:01 on May 1st"

 

Just a prediction from my crystal ball.

I don't agree - they can't afford it, but removing the lockdown fixes nothing - no tourists no money no trade .......................nothing for at least 12 months 

18 minutes ago, smedly said:

I don't agree - they can't afford it, but removing the lockdown fixes nothing - no tourists no money no trade .......................nothing for at least 12 months 

At least those of us here can start going to the beach again, not too mention possibly being able to go to other parts of the island.  While on the subject, maybe even able to buy a beer if one chooses to.

The longer they delay reopening the island the more they are doing harm to themselves and hundreds of thousands of others.  If they were realistic and had half a brain cell they would have a plan to start lifting different lockdowns bit y bit.... and this could/should be starting by no later than 25th with the current status of new infections.

4 minutes ago, steelepulse said:

At least those of us here can start going to the beach again, not too mention possibly being able to go to other parts of the island.  While on the subject, maybe even able to buy a beer if one chooses to.

exactly: here in Kamala, Big c is ok..... BUT>>>>>>>>>
I expect backpackers to be traveling by june/july and some tourists will return come nov

 

11 minutes ago, smedly said:

I don't agree - they can't afford it, but removing the lockdown fixes nothing - no tourists no money no trade .......................nothing for at least 12 months 

Quite agree, and I have been out and about over the past few days and true enough there have been a couple of handfuls of people shopping in Big C and one or two in Patong Central, but most "disturbing" for me is the number of small businesses/shops which are already showing signs of disrepair, and most of those with for sale/lease signs in them.

 

In fact yesterday I saw a queue of Thais outside of the car park of Makro, who seemed to be queueing up to pick up water, but it turns out they were waiting for someone to deliver some food (rice etc in polystyrene containers) for them.

 

I knew one of the ladies standing in the queue because she used to be a cook at the pub/bar called, "The Beach house" in Nanai and she was a good cook as well, so I stopped to talk to her and she said she was queueing for some free food and showed me a couple of little vouchers that she had in order to pay for it.

 

I asked if she was okay and she said that she had no money that's why she was queueing, so I gave her a thousand baht to be going on with and wished her well and drove off. But it was not until a little later when I saw her and a few others traipsing back to their one-room apartments in the rabbit warrens behind Nanai, that I felt very sorrowful indeed, because these people have nothing and do virtually live from hand to mouth, and of course now there is nothing to buy food with, and I felt so inadequate because although I have given some money to various people during this time, it's never really going to be enough.

 

I know the little money that I gave her will not go far, but at least she has some food vouchers to help her along, but I wonder how others are coping and how they will cope once the lockdown ceases. This because a lot of the smaller businesses that they were once working for won't open again, and even the slightly larger ones will be struggling.

 

I don't think the small businesses in Patong will ever be the same again.
 

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

"Phuket Lockdown 2.0 will start at 00:01 on May 1st"

 

Just a prediction from my crystal ball.

Then they must have much more troops on Phuket to control the situation. If not i predict 2014 2.0.

57 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Quite agree, and I have been out and about over the past few days and true enough there have been a couple of handfuls of people shopping in Big C and one or two in Patong Central, but most "disturbing" for me is the number of small businesses/shops which are already showing signs of disrepair, and most of those with for sale/lease signs in them.

 

In fact yesterday I saw a queue of Thais outside of the car park of Makro, who seemed to be queueing up to pick up water, but it turns out they were waiting for someone to deliver some food (rice etc in polystyrene containers) for them.

 

I knew one of the ladies standing in the queue because she used to be a cook at the pub/bar called, "The Beach house" in Nanai and she was a good cook as well, so I stopped to talk to her and she said she was queueing for some free food and showed me a couple of little vouchers that she had in order to pay for it.

 

I asked if she was okay and she said that she had no money that's why she was queueing, so I gave her a thousand baht to be going on with and wished her well and drove off. But it was not until a little later when I saw her and a few others traipsing back to their one-room apartments in the rabbit warrens behind Nanai, that I felt very sorrowful indeed, because these people have nothing and do virtually live from hand to mouth, and of course now there is nothing to buy food with, and I felt so inadequate because although I have given some money to various people during this time, it's never really going to be enough.

 

I know the little money that I gave her will not go far, but at least she has some food vouchers to help her along, but I wonder how others are coping and how they will cope once the lockdown ceases. This because a lot of the smaller businesses that they were once working for won't open again, and even the slightly larger ones will be struggling.

 

I don't think the small businesses in Patong will ever be the same again.
 

100%

 

out and about today I saw hundreds of people in very long lines about pattaya city all waiting for free handouts of food etc 

 

This country is in dire trouble and the government better step up and start spending the huge money they claim to have or else this is going to be a disaster and as I said - no ending of lockdowns is going to solve anything, this junta government better get with the program - this is going to continue for months - they better step up or there will be anarchy on the streets of Thailand 

8 minutes ago, schlog said:

Then they must have much more troops on Phuket to control the situation. If not i predict 2014 2.0.

I predict 1997 meltdown with 2014 to top it off - a double whammy that will outstrip both - like I said the government better step up or else

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Quite agree, and I have been out and about over the past few days and true enough there have been a couple of handfuls of people shopping in Big C and one or two in Patong Central, but most "disturbing" for me is the number of small businesses/shops which are already showing signs of disrepair, and most of those with for sale/lease signs in them.

 

In fact yesterday I saw a queue of Thais outside of the car park of Makro, who seemed to be queueing up to pick up water, but it turns out they were waiting for someone to deliver some food (rice etc in polystyrene containers) for them.

 

I knew one of the ladies standing in the queue because she used to be a cook at the pub/bar called, "The Beach house" in Nanai and she was a good cook as well, so I stopped to talk to her and she said she was queueing for some free food and showed me a couple of little vouchers that she had in order to pay for it.

 

I asked if she was okay and she said that she had no money that's why she was queueing, so I gave her a thousand baht to be going on with and wished her well and drove off. But it was not until a little later when I saw her and a few others traipsing back to their one-room apartments in the rabbit warrens behind Nanai, that I felt very sorrowful indeed, because these people have nothing and do virtually live from hand to mouth, and of course now there is nothing to buy food with, and I felt so inadequate because although I have given some money to various people during this time, it's never really going to be enough.

 

I know the little money that I gave her will not go far, but at least she has some food vouchers to help her along, but I wonder how others are coping and how they will cope once the lockdown ceases. This because a lot of the smaller businesses that they were once working for won't open again, and even the slightly larger ones will be struggling.

 

I don't think the small businesses in Patong will ever be the same again.
 

Sad indeed, thank you for your post, and generosity to that lady, as you said, you can only feel sorrow for these people because you know what the reality is down the line.

 

Would love to see the government starting to show that it cares for its people and start up food shelters everywhere because worrying about Covid-19, is one thing, but the aftermath will be people starving to death, or dying from illnesses related to malnutrition in my opinion. 

 

For those of us fortunate enough, and see some Thai's down and out, spare some change for their next meal/s.

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Sad indeed, thank you for your post, and generosity to that lady, as you said, you can only feel sorrow for these people because you know what the reality is down the line.

 

Would love to see the government starting to show that it cares for its people and start up food shelters everywhere because worrying about Covid-19, is one thing, but the aftermath will be people starving to death, or dying from illnesses related to malnutrition in my opinion. 

 

For those of us fortunate enough, and see some Thai's down and out, spare some change for their next meal/s.

Also a good post from you, and whilst I/we are on the subject, what I meant to put on the end of my other post was the following.......... 

 

Quite a few times I see posts on here that are levelled at the poorer Thais for "not saving" for a rainy day, or not saving when the times are good, basically saying that it serves them right if they are experiencing hard times having very little to no money.

 

Well that makes my blood boil because the people at the poorer end of the scale are paid a pittance and quite how they manage to live on that, as well as perhaps send money to parents/relatives is quite beyond me. And remember the disparity here between the top percentage of wealth and the bottom is huge, and I can honestly say that I know of no Thai who works in the entertainment/tourism industry here who has money put away because they live from hand to mouth basically.

 

It is no fun being that poor and I'm not saying that my family was that poor when I was a boy, but I passed some exams to go to a grammar school and a uniform was required, so it was down to the local YWCA to sort out a jacket and trousers that looked something like the required uniform, and I was ridiculed for it at school, causing me to get into some fights, and my first very old and second-hand cycle cost 10 shillings and was paid for over six months.

 

It's no fun having no money and as I have said, I do feel for these poor folk.

And then May 7.  Then May 14.....

Like all flu viruses, this coronavirus isn't going away.  And as long as the population is locked away, natural immunity will not be allow to take hold in the community.  "Flatten the curve" is synonymous with "extend the length of state dictated lock-downs."  You don't need a crystal ball.  You just need to understand what is driving the lock-downs in the first place.

 

4 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Sad indeed, thank you for your post, and generosity to that lady, as you said, you can only feel sorrow for these people because you know what the reality is down the line.

 

Would love to see the government starting to show that it cares for its people and start up food shelters everywhere because worrying about Covid-19, is one thing, but the aftermath will be people starving to death, or dying from illnesses related to malnutrition in my opinion. 

 

For those of us fortunate enough, and see some Thai's down and out, spare some change for their next meal/s.

Why hand out change?  Buy some meals from food vendors.  You then keep the small businesses running.  Then hand out the boxes/packages of food to people in need.  Find a food line and hand them out, especially if they have children.  Then you know your funds are going to feeding someone in need.

Most who gravitate toward government power are self-serving.  They care about themselves first and foremost.  Government will never be there for their citizens without strings attached.  Everything those in power do somehow benefits themselves.
Instead, become a part of the solution.  Offer charity with no strings attached. Charity given with compassion for the sake of helping others. 

40 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Also a good post from you, and whilst I/we are on the subject, what I meant to put on the end of my other post was the following.......... 

 

Quite a few times I see posts on here that are levelled at the poorer Thais for "not saving" for a rainy day, or not saving when the times are good, basically saying that it serves them right if they are experiencing hard times having very little to no money.

 

Well that makes my blood boil because the people at the poorer end of the scale are paid a pittance and quite how they manage to live on that, as well as perhaps send money to parents/relatives is quite beyond me. And remember the disparity here between the top percentage of wealth and the bottom is huge, and I can honestly say that I know of no Thai who works in the entertainment/tourism industry here who has money put away because they live from hand to mouth basically.

 

It is no fun being that poor and I'm not saying that my family was that poor when I was a boy, but I passed some exams to go to a grammar school and a uniform was required, so it was down to the local YWCA to sort out a jacket and trousers that looked something like the required uniform, and I was ridiculed for it at school, causing me to get into some fights, and my first very old and second-hand cycle cost 10 shillings and was paid for over six months.

 

It's no fun having no money and as I have said, I do feel for these poor folk.

There is a positive to having been poor at some point in your life.  The experience fosters the development of empathy - for some.  And the empathy allows you to engage in compassionate sharing and charity work later in life. 

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

Also a good post from you, and whilst I/we are on the subject, what I meant to put on the end of my other post was the following.......... 

 

Quite a few times I see posts on here that are levelled at the poorer Thais for "not saving" for a rainy day, or not saving when the times are good, basically saying that it serves them right if they are experiencing hard times having very little to no money.

 

Well that makes my blood boil because the people at the poorer end of the scale are paid a pittance and quite how they manage to live on that, as well as perhaps send money to parents/relatives is quite beyond me. And remember the disparity here between the top percentage of wealth and the bottom is huge, and I can honestly say that I know of no Thai who works in the entertainment/tourism industry here who has money put away because they live from hand to mouth basically.

 

It is no fun being that poor and I'm not saying that my family was that poor when I was a boy, but I passed some exams to go to a grammar school and a uniform was required, so it was down to the local YWCA to sort out a jacket and trousers that looked something like the required uniform, and I was ridiculed for it at school, causing me to get into some fights, and my first very old and second-hand cycle cost 10 shillings and was paid for over six months.

 

It's no fun having no money and as I have said, I do feel for these poor folk.

I know exactly what your talking about.

 

Years ago when I used to stay in Patong for a week or two on holidays at the same hotel, before I moved here, I got friendly with an English speaking Thai guy behind the reception counter and we got talking about what he makes and what I make back home, and when he told me he makes 9,000 baht a month, working 6 nights a week, I cringed, I mean the cost of food in Phuket is expensive as is accommodation, 9,000 baht would be a day's spend for me including the hotel, meals, drinks and entertainment, a little different now as I try to budget on 15,000 baht a week.

 

Those that criticise are either uneducated, never been out of a red light district to see how the rest live in Thailand and don't know that most that do work in touristy areas are from rural Thailand and have families to support and live with 3 or 4 others in a single room, that said, they wouldn't want to know either because it's easier to criticise than to accept the facts, as they say ignorance is bliss, if it suites.

 

I did come from a poor family, couldn't afford a school uniform and used to wear grey jeans as my school uniform trousers, had one pair of Jim boots which were both my school shoes and sports shoes, the teachers knew my parents were poor and that I had 3 brothers, so they turned a blind eye.

 

Only wish Thai's had the same opportunities that I had i.e. to work after school, and then after finishing school, go to Uni while also working, doing two degrees back to back, to set me up on a good salary for years albeit it was a very stressful environment, and making some good investment decisions to provide me with an early retirement here in Thailand.

 

I help those who can't help themselves through no fault of their own when I can, it makes me feel good and will continue to do so when I see someone in distress.

Seen a very long line of people waiting for free food near SCB in Rawai this morning. Bought some rice, water and various canned food and brought it to tessaban. Then went to buy some baby milk, because one of my neighbours did tell me that in a room near by, the grand mother in charge was left without anything. Very difficult times for many people. For me no problem. I save money from not drinking my daily two glasses of wine for the next two weeks...

13 hours ago, Chalong circle said:

Seen a very long line of people waiting for free food near SCB in Rawai this morning. Bought some rice, water and various canned food and brought it to tessaban. Then went to buy some baby milk, because one of my neighbours did tell me that in a room near by, the grand mother in charge was left without anything. Very difficult times for many people. For me no problem. I save money from not drinking my daily two glasses of wine for the next two weeks...

Good on ya!

A group of people from the Tessaban came in my neighborood (Moo 4 Rawai) and went from house to house to ask if people needed some food. Good on them, and I could see that the rice and other stuff i brought yesterday were really distributed. They did ask me if I had some thai people in the house, I said yes, but we are fine thank you. Very polite and well organised.

A post with no credible source to support its claims has been removed.

 

If members post making official claims it must be supported by a credible source or it will be regarded as "gossip" and removed so as not to mislead others.

On 4/18/2020 at 9:24 PM, Chalong circle said:

Seen a very long line of people waiting for free food near SCB in Rawai this morning. Bought some rice, water and various canned food and brought it to tessaban. Then went to buy some baby milk, because one of my neighbours did tell me that in a room near by, the grand mother in charge was left without anything. Very difficult times for many people. For me no problem. I save money from not drinking my daily two glasses of wine for the next two weeks...

Well done, however in other areas to the north many locals have been seen (yes recorded but subsequently deleted) taking the daily food boxes & throwing in the garbage. One lady was heard saying that the rice was not pure jasmine so it was only fit for the garbage........ 

With the 83 year old Italian being counted as a new case yesterday, anyone think Phuket will now get things lifted at the end of April?

 

 

1 hour ago, steelepulse said:

With the 83 year old Italian being counted as a new case yesterday, anyone think Phuket will now get things lifted at the end of April?

 

 

My reply disappeared for some reason.

 

Personally I think we will see another 30 day continuation in Phuket, maybe with travel restrictions lifted between sub districts that have seen no new cases. Unfortunately as I live between the ground zeros of Bang Tao and Patong I'm intercoursed.

 

Phuket will be one of the last provinces to have restrictions lifted as it has been one of the Main clusters of infected people within thailand.

 

I hope they relieve alcohol restrictions on 30 Apr though or I may have to recalculate my beer ration.

2 hours ago, steelepulse said:

With the 83 year old Italian being counted as a new case yesterday, anyone think Phuket will now get things lifted at the end of April?

 

 

 

No. Another 3 confirmed today, That will set back relax of regs by at least 14 days.  Expect we need 14 days of zero cases. 

40 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

No. Another 3 confirmed today, That will set back relax of regs by at least 14 days.  Expect we need 14 days of zero cases. 

Agreed, with 4 new cases in 2 days, it isn't looking good.  Would be nice to be able to go to the beach and keep distancing.  With zero tourists here except those that have been here, I can't imagine the beaches will be overflowing with people.  Oh, be nice to be able to pick up a few cold beverages if one so chooses also.

 

From other news sources saying there were locking down and really checking Bang Tao, it doesn't surprise me new cases popped up as it seems the gov't know there were cases there.

I really hope they move into a ‘soft’ lockdown and reopen low risk areas such as parks/dams for exercise.

 

I’ll happily sit in my house for another month if I can stretch my legs once a day and buy a beer to drink at night.

2 hours ago, Nbarcroftr said:

I really hope they move into a ‘soft’ lockdown and reopen low risk areas such as parks/dams for exercise.

 

I’ll happily sit in my house for another month if I can stretch my legs once a day and buy a beer to drink at night.

where we can buy beers

On 4/22/2020 at 9:21 PM, Andartecca said:

where we can buy beers

Cannot, There used to be a couple of places where you could always buy a buy or 2 around where I live this time no, not a cat in hells chance

On 4/22/2020 at 7:17 PM, Nbarcroftr said:

I really hope they move into a ‘soft’ lockdown and reopen low risk areas such as parks/dams for exercise.

 

I’ll happily sit in my house for another month if I can stretch my legs once a day and buy a beer to drink at night.

Id like to think so but yesterday they closed the area at the north end of Karon Beach where the lake is and I read on another thread they've blocked off the whole of Kata Beach Road. These were both popular areas for walkers and joggers and from what I saw there has not been a social distancing problem.

 

I'm happy if they keep Phuket in lockdown but it would be great to get from Karon/Kata to Villa or Tesco Lotus in Chalong; Makro's food choices are very limited!

Yes. Kata beach road is now blocked off. What's the medical reason .... none given. So we take our morning walk along the busier next road.