Thais Only: Bus companies, Bangkok temple bans foreigners citing COVID-19 restrictions

[connda]

New Tourist Campaign Suggestion:

Come to Racist Thailand.  Come and enjoy a 14 day quarantine in "Hi-so lodgings" created to please the sensibilities of our dirty foreign guests.  Come and enjoys our cultural heritage sites except for all those we have closed to dirty foreigners.  Enjoy Thailand extensive transportation system, well, those parts of the system that will allow dirty non-Thais to board and ride.  Yes, yes - come and enjoy racially segregated life in our systemically racist country.  Or even better - just book your tours in advance and then stay home!  Yes, welcome and enjoy Racist Thailand! 

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, petedk said:

We have a friend who owns a Spa-Beauty Clinic and she told me that they will not be accepting foreigners as customers. 

I asked her why not. Her reply was "we are afraid of foreigners. They are dangerous and can have Covid-19"

Are you, also being a foreigner, the proverbial exception?

I would discuss the blatant statement she made, to find out if it is due to her not being able to express herself well in english or whether it is thinly veiled racism or simple stupidity.

If not cleared up it would surely affect my friendship with her. 

[Traubert]

41 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

No! I'm informed.

 

And there's me thinking it was Jesuitism.

Easy mistake to make.

 

They both end in -ism. There's a lot of '-isms' flying around at the moment.

[Walker88]

10 minutes ago, mr mr said:

good thing my thai wife and son worked their baws off for 5 years to gain canadian citizenship eh ? 

Maybe. Maybe not.

 

China always recognizes the original nationality of ethnic Chinese, even if they obtained Canadian citizenship. China can prevent these people from leaving China, and really doesn't care if the Govt of Canada makes a demarche.

 

It's always wise to consider the unthinkable and plan accordingly.

[pixelaoffy]

racist country

[tlandtday]

New TAT slogan :  "Get on that train Wayne this bus is for us... Amazing Thailand."

[Bkk Brian]

19 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Richard Barrow, the same guy that was posting a couple of pictures of army trucks and telling everyone there was another coup happening.

 

This is nothing more than a temple closed to tourists for renovation, its closed to "all" tourists, its still open for Thais to visit as a temple, to pray, to make merit etc. Foreigners visit a temple as tourists, Thai visit a temple as Buddhists.

 

As The OP quotes Richard Barrow:

 

Richard later tweeted that a message posted on the Wat Pho Facebook page that said foreigners had not been permitted entry for their own safety and that the temple had been closed to tourists due to restoration work which is currently taking place.

 

 

That's not correct, its also from officials:

 

“COVID-19 is not stable yet. The temple can do it if they’re scared,”  Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s deputy clerk Sompong Wiengkaew said. “It’s up to each temple what measures they want to implement.”

 

In other words official racism. 

 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/bangkok/2020/06/11/officials-say-temples-can-deny-entry-to-foreigners-because-virus/

[473geo]

Only yesterday we had yet another guy on here on Tvisa joining the chorus if I am asked to 'sign anything I just sign Mickey Mouse'

We have seen many who constantly state mask wearing is useless and refuse to conform

We have seen those stating when entering shops they refuse to give a contact number or write a nonsense number

All failing to consider that new outbreaks of infections in Thailand are slated as being mostly from abroad, showing no consideration for the efforts of their Thai hosts to contain the virus, and showing little consideration for Thai people and their concerns given the current reputation of foreigners being a major risk

 

Now bleating because they 'reap what they sow' having behaved like errant and awkward children

 

The spotlight has been on the foreigners from the first reported and continued imported outbreaks, and what does the foreigner do to alleviate Thai concerns, complain and blatantly refuse to follow instruction!!!!

 

 

 

[KhunKenAP]

Discrimination, plain and simple. Where are our own Government Embassies, they should be making diplomatic protests and making sure all travelers to Thailand from their countries know about this B.S.

 

If this is how Thailand wants to attract tourists, will the last man out please turn off the lights.

[edwinchester]

2 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

I expect the Chinese will still be allowed in

Yeah, all foreigners are equal but some are more equal than others.

[Sujo]

25 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Richard Barrow, the same guy that was posting a couple of pictures of army trucks and telling everyone there was another coup happening.

 

This is nothing more than a temple closed to tourists for renovation, its closed to "all" tourists, its still open for Thais to visit as a temple, to pray, to make merit etc. Foreigners visit a temple as tourists, Thai visit a temple as Buddhists.

 

As The OP quotes Richard Barrow:

 

Richard later tweeted that a message posted on the Wat Pho Facebook page that said foreigners had not been permitted entry for their own safety and that the temple had been closed to tourists due to restoration work which is currently taking place.

 

 

Thais dont need to worry about their safety?

[Denim]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

foreigners had not been permitted entry for their own safety

 

Yes.....totally agree. The alms bowls have been a bit empty the last couple of months and there are stories on social media of gangs of marauding monks mugging temple visitors of cash and valuables , then quickly ' defrocking ' and heading for the nearest KFC or noodle stand.

 

 

[Sujo]

3 minutes ago, 473geo said:

Only yesterday we had yet another guy on here on Tvisa joining the chorus if I am asked to 'sign anything I just sign Mickey Mouse'

We have seen many who constantly state mask wearing is useless and refuse to conform

We have seen those stating when entering shops they refuse to give a contact number or write a nonsense number

All failing to consider that new outbreaks of infections in Thailand are slated as being mostly from abroad, showing no consideration for the efforts of their Thai hosts to contain the virus, and showing little consideration for Thai people and their concerns given the current reputation of foreigners being a major risk

 

Now bleating because they 'reap what they sow' having behaved like errant and awkward children

 

The spotlight has been on the foreigners from the first reported and continued imported outbreaks, and what does the foreigner do to alleviate Thai concerns, complain and blatantly refuse to follow instruction!!!!

 

 

 

What are you talking about. There is no covid issue in thailand. The powers that be keep telling us that.

 

How many foreigners have tested positive. How many thais?

[Walker88]

Racism is a winning formula, especially when there is underlying fear. It has always worked, even in democracies. Populist leaders count on it, use it, abuse it, depend on it to gain and hold power.

 

It's never logical but usually effective. An opportunistic and racist leadership could use the general level of CV-19 fear to ban all farangs, kick out all the retirees, prohibit Thai wives and mixed kids from leaving to accompany their banned husband, etc. There's family separation now and few seem to care.

 

Maybe it's unlikely, but it is possible. Few would have thought a year ago that:

 

-Govt owned transportation companies would ban foreigners

-Husbands and fathers of Thais would be prohibited from entering Thailand

-Foreigners with visas and permission to reside would be prohibited from entering Thailand

 

All have come to pass.

 

Those foreigners who think they are safely ensconced in Thailand and who think nothing of banning entry to other foreigners may well be disabused of their safety notion if certain forces within the current leadership get their druthers.

[tlandtday]

1 minute ago, Walker88 said:

Racism is a winning formula, especially when there is underlying fear. It has always worked, even in democracies. Populist leaders count on it, use it, abuse it, depend on it to gain and hold power.

 

It's never logical but usually effective. An opportunistic and racist leadership could use the general level of CV-19 fear to ban all farangs, kick out all the retirees, prohibit Thai wives and mixed kids from leaving to accompany their banned husband, etc. There's family separation now and few seem to care.

 

Maybe it's unlikely, but it is possible. Few would have thought a year ago that:

 

-Govt owned transportation companies would ban foreigners

-Husbands and fathers of Thais would be prohibited from entering Thailand

-Foreigners with visas and permission to reside would be prohibited from entering Thailand

 

All have come to pass.

 

Those foreigners who think they are safely ensconced in Thailand and who think nothing of banning entry to other foreigners may well be disabused of their safety notion if certain forces within the current leadership get their druthers.

It's always about creating fear and the the govt protecting you. 

[seajae]

really shows just how racist this govt and some of their lackies really are, how pathetic can this govt really get with this is happening under their watch

 

[holy cow cm]

27 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Things could possibly change for the better once the new and younger, well educated opposition movement rises to power

That would take a civil war. Almost impossible unless the hinges really came off. There is a lot more too it than just the military. Think! But the general consensus is the Thai people are way tired of something now as things have changed and there is a lack of love and respect for......

[tlandtday]

Just now, tlandtday said:

It's always about creating fear and the the govt protecting you. 

And never forget Rahm Emmanuel saying "never waste a good crisis".

[BobbyL]

32 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Foreigners visit a temple as tourists, Thai visit a temple as Buddhists.

 

 

 

 

So only Thai people can be Buddhists? What if a Burmese worker living here wanted to go and pray at the temple? 

 

Imagine a religious attraction in a country in the west saying something similar? No chance. 

 

This whole issue could have be solved if they just had a sign that said the temple is only open for visitors wanting to pray. 

[473geo]

6 minutes ago, Sujo said:

What are you talking about. There is no covid issue in thailand. The powers that be keep telling us that.

 

How many foreigners have tested positive. How many thais?

I'll tell you what I am talking about, stupidly providing ammunition, then complain when when people start firing on you - when the best alternative option is to behave like a responsible adult!

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, kimberizi said:

Personally Im affronted with the racism against foreigners. Face masks are not required in public places only when you enter a business as far as I know. Its a slippery slope. At some point in the future I believe that the government will change the property ownership laws and disenfranchise all foreigners that currently own property. When you start down this discrimination path and see little or no resistance then they become more bold and before you know it the gig is up.

Correct. 

[mr mr]

26 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Maybe. Maybe not.

 

China always recognizes the original nationality of ethnic Chinese, even if they obtained Canadian citizenship. China can prevent these people from leaving China, and really doesn't care if the Govt of Canada makes a demarche.

 

It's always wise to consider the unthinkable and plan accordingly.

sure is. a backpack the cover of night and a border run rio grande style to a neighboring countries canadian embassy should do the trick nice.

 

ps... we are talking about thailand right ? china is a little north of here.  

[connda]

You're an apologist for racial segregation.  That's not good.

There is no difference between me, a non-Thai Theravada Buddhist, and a Thai Theravada Buddhist - Except: 
The Thai Theravada Buddhist can enter the temple "to pray, to make merit etc."
This American Theravada Buddhist can not enter the temple "to pray, to make merit etc."
I'm not allowed in because of my skin color and ethnicity.

 

The Thai government does nothing to address this racism meaning they explicitly condone the racism.

Before Covid many of these same temples allowed Thais Buddhists to freely enter their temples "to pray, to make merit etc." but foreign Buddhist must pay "to pray, to make merit etc."
I must pay because of my skin color and my ethnicity.

Nowhere in the Buddhist scriptures does the Buddha condone racism.  Had he condoned racism then Buddhism would have died out in Northern India long, long ago as a religion limited only to the race of people inhabiting Northern India.

Thai racism is extremely ugly and vile;  Apologizing for this systemic racism is condoning the racism and is equally as vile. 

"Foreigners can not enter (Wat Po) for their own safety" is a lie which is breaking a core Buddhist precept.  If it was for 'safety' reasons then no one other than construction workers and monks could enter.  None of the general public would be allowed in if it was truly about 'safety.'  "Foreigners can not enter" because foreigners are seen as dirty, Covid-carriers - a fiction that seems to have gained momentum via the rants issued out of the Health Ministry. 

That is the ugliness of systemic racism:  Non-Thai - Dirty; Thais - Clean. 
Vile.  Ugly.  Disgusting. 
There is no place for racism in Buddhism, yet, here it is!

Edited June 12, 2020 by connda

[Walker88]

3 minutes ago, mr mr said:

sure is. a backpack the cover of night and a border run rio grande style to a neighboring countries canadian embassy should do the trick nice.

 

ps... we are talking about thailand right ? china is a little north of here.  

Yes, but the students do learn from their teachers.

[Mr Meeseeks]

First they came for the married people, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not married.

Then they came for the retirees, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a retiree.

Then they came for the foreign workers, and I did not speak out—
     Because I was not a work permit holder.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[MikeN]

20 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Thais dont need to worry about their safety?

Of course not, they should have bought the right amulet to protect them. That's why they probably rode there on their motorbike, all 3 of them on the one bike, no helmets of course.

[mr mr]

Just now, Walker88 said:

Yes, but the students do learn from their teachers.

so i am a padawan and have much to learn ? 

[BobbyL]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

You're an apologist for racial segregation.  That's not good.

There is no difference between me, a non-Thai Theravada Buddhist, and a Thai Theravada Buddhist - Except: 
The Thai Theravada Buddhist can enter the temple "to pray, to make merit etc."
This American Theravada Buddhist can not enter the temple "to pray, to make merit etc."
I'm not allowed in because of my skin color and ethnicity.

 

The Thai government does nothing to address this racism meaning they explicitly condone the racism.

Before Covid many of these same temples allowed Thais Buddhists to freely enter their temples "to pray, to make merit etc." but foreign Buddhist must pay "to pray, to make merit etc."
I must pay because of my skin color and my ethnicity.

Nowhere in the Buddhist scriptures does the Buddha condone racism.  Had he condoned racism then Buddhism would have died out in Northern India long, long ago as a religion limited only to the race of people inhabiting Northern India.

Thai racism is extremely ugly and vile;  Apologizing for this systemic racism is condoning the racism and is equally as vile. 

"Foreigners can not enter (Wat Po) for their own safety" is a lie which is breaking a core Buddhist precept.  If it was for 'safety' reasons then no one other than construction workers and monks could enter.  None of the general public would be allowed in if it was truly about 'safety.'  "Foreigners can not enter" because foreigners are seen as dirty, Covid-carriers - a fiction that seems to have gained momentum via the rants issued out of the Health Ministry. 

That is the ugliness of systemic racism:  Non-Thai - Dirty; Thais - Clean. 
Vile.  Ugly.  Disgusting. 
There is no place for racism in Buddhism, yet, here it is!

Fantastic post. Anyone disagreeing with this is completely deluded. 

[Peterw42]

9 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

So only Thai people can be Buddhists? What if a Burmese worker living here wanted to go and pray at the temple? 

 

Imagine a religious attraction in a country in the west saying something similar? No chance. 

 

This whole issue could have be solved if they just had a sign that said the temple is only open for visitors wanting to pray. 

I can imagine a similar closing of a religious attraction, years ago I visited St Peters in the Vatican and it was closed to tourists for renovation and only open to attend mass.

[BobbyL]

1 minute ago, Peterw42 said:

I can imagine a similar closing of a religious attraction, years ago I visited St Peters in the Vatican and it was closed to tourists for renovation and only open to attend mass.

Yes, but I bet the mass wasn't prohibited to 'Italian only'. This is the difference here. I am sure they had the brains to realise that Roman Catholics can come from any country and are allowed to pray.

 

Here it seems that Thailand once again thinks they are the epicenter of the world and nobody outside of Thailand can be Buddhist (even though Buddhism didn't even originate here).