With its single digit daily new covid 19 cases, and a grand total of 54 deaths, Thailand is embarking on an extra month of lockdown.

 

Meanwhile...

 

Malaysia, with about 6,000 coronavirus cases and 100 deaths (double the Thai numbers, with half the population), is reopening its economy next Monday 4 May.

 

France, still coping with hundreds of daily new cases and deaths, will reopen one week later, schools included.

 

Ditto for Spain and Italy, give or take a few days.

 

Germany and Austria already started reopening many days ago, despite having numbers far higher than those of Thailand.

 

In the US, with its thousands of new daily cases and deaths, the states are reopening one after the other.

 

So, what is Thailand up to?

 

The cowering herd will probably answer that Thailand is the only sane country in a world gone suicidal.

 

Unlikely, but there are a few other possibilities:

 

Maybe they are trying to trash the baht, that remains stubbornly strong.

 

Maybe they want to make the poor poorer, and repossess their unpaid cars, motorbikes, TVs and everything else...

 

...or, maybe they want to make the rich squeal...after all, the rich own the shopping malls, the big brands, the hotels, and many of the businesses that will remain non operational for another month.

 

Anyway and whatever the reason(s), this extra time of lockdown may well be interpreted abroad as "Thailand numbers can't be trusted, the country is not safe".

 

In this case, maybe the TAT should refrain from already counting its chickens (tourists).

You may wish to check the latest government announcements ????

 

2 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

with a ban on alcohol sales to boot

For 1 more day, available on May 3rd.

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

You may wish to check the latest government announcements ????

 

Done and edited accordingly, thanks...

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162203-six-types-of-business-and-leisure-activities-to-resume-on-sunday/

 

From the article linked in that thread:-

 

Quote

Allowed to reopen this coming Sunday will be:

• Markets, including wet, flea, community and sidewalk markets, walking streets with stalls.
• Dine-in food shops or restaurants of a limited size and cafeteria.
• Retail stores, such as IT or smart phone shops and convenience stores.
• Recreational and non-contact sports in public parks or stadia, such as tennis, badminton, shooting, cycling, golf courses and driving ranges.
• Baber’s shops and beauty salons for hair cutting and washing only.
• Wholesale and retail businesses.

 

Which seems to cover pretty well everywhere except the bars.

Thailand did and does not much testing. That makes it likely that the real numbers are higher, maybe a lot higher.

And maybe some people in the government have an idea about how much higher the numbers are. But they don't want to tarnish Thailand's image and release those numbers. That is another possible reason.

But I gave up trying to find logic in whatever Thais do. There might be some logic but maybe not and then it's useless to search for it.

16 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

o, what is Thailand up to?

 

Control, that is what Thailand is up to, got to control the peasants, show them who is the boss.

The Thai gov't is seeking out trolls.

 

Found one!!!!  Brunolem

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Thailand did and does not much testing. That makes it likely that the real numbers are higher, maybe a lot higher.

And maybe some people in the government have an idea about how much higher the numbers are. But they don't want to tarnish Thailand's image and release those numbers. That is another possible reason.

But I gave up trying to find logic in whatever Thais do. There might be some logic but maybe not and then it's useless to search for it.

Less than 1% mortality probably 0.1% as most people get this and recover and are never tested. For true figures you would have to test the whole population which will never happen.

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Control, that is what Thailand is up to, got to control the peasants, show them who is the boss.

Exactly. They will maintain the system that keeps them super rich for as long as they can hoping, praying Thais never grow some.  And so all the silly little rules will be there 'for the good of the country'.

1 minute ago, BobBKK said:

Less than 1% mortality probably 0.1% as most people get this and recover and are never tested. For true figures you would have to test the whole population which will never happen.

For good estimates decent data and statistic experts are good enough. Let's listen to the experts!

13 minutes ago, Gumballl said:

The Thai gov't is seeking out trolls.

 

Found one!!!!  Brunolem

I'd say that they have found more than one-"A chatter of posters"????

If Thailand stopped all the restrictions, lockdowns etc.....it would then show how much their economy relies on tourism....can't have that, loosing face, having to rely on foreigners...This virus really has put paid to the only 10% GDP brigade...Thailand is nothing without tourists.

11 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

For good estimates decent data and statistic experts are good enough. Let's listen to the experts!

Indeed and that's what many of them say. 0.3% in California (for example) and sub 1% globally as most self isolate, get better and recover. Lots of juicy data out there the most recent is here:

 

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162203-six-types-of-business-and-leisure-activities-to-resume-on-sunday/

 

From the article linked in that thread:-

 

 

Which seems to cover pretty well everywhere except the bars.

This is changing by the hour, so it is difficult to keep track. 

 

One day, they send an emergency letter to the governors saying that all the restrictions must remain in place, then maybe they will open a two day window for alcohol sales, then no alcohol sales, then no limit to alcohol sales... 

 

As of today:

 

- are shopping centers fully operating? 

 

- are beaches and swimming pools open? 

 

- is it possible to travel from one province to another, and go stay at a hotel on the beach? (the ones I contacted, in three different provinces, said they were closed until June) 

 

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Control, that is what Thailand is up to, got to control the peasants, show them who is the boss.

I do not know what it is all over Thailand but I can tell you that with us, in the province of Sakon Nakhon, they do not care at all what can say or think M Prayuth and his government.