The week that was in Thailand news: Jittery Thailand: Paranoia and fear put the country on a knife edge

[rooster59]

The week that was in Thailand news: Jittery Thailand: Paranoia and fear put the country on a knife edge

 

 

You always know when Thailand has experienced the mother of all cock-ups – someone actually apologizes.

 

Admittedly, it’s about as rare as a Thai teacher accepting that a student was right and they were wrong or finding a foreigner who likes fermented fish in papaya salad laced with twenty mouse pooh chilis.

 

But this was no ordinary seven days. Foreigners are usually paraded as convenient scapegoats to carry the can labeled “Thailand’s Shortcomings”. Lo and behold! – the government (and their not altogether unrelated brothers in the army) were to blame!

 

That was a breath of fresh air wafting through their khaki undergarments like a warming blast of launderette hot air.

 

PM Uncle Too had found himself spinning uncontrollably in the dryer and wanted out. He held up his hand to apologize and the press, at least for now, opened the tumbler door and obliged.

 

He was momentarily sorry, if not squeaky clean.

 

Prayut’s "khor thote" was part of the fallout from the government’s utter mishandling of privileged foreigners invited in post-Covid lockdown.

 

Important visitors like soldiers, diplomats and cash bearing businessmen – not those insignificant foreigners parted from their families in Thailand who clearly don’t matter one jot.

 

It involved an Egyptian soldier with coronavirus who set the Rayong economy back weeks by going window shopping and an infected Sudanese nine-year-old and her diplomat family who were allowed to stay in a Bangkok condo rather than the embassy.

 

Less surprising than Prayut’s temporary contrition was the intensely jittery reaction of the Thai public, nationwide but particularly in Rayong. The country is on a knife edge at the moment with renewed fear of the dreaded lurgy despite six weeks of no local transmission.

 

Many think their efforts in lockdown will prove pointless as another virus surge will make the previous economic disaster look like the hors d’oeuvres to an even more unpalatable main course.

 

Thaivisa forum posters grudgingly praised the PM for his forthrightness. It is after all quite pointless to call for his resignation. A NIDA poll revealed that more than 50% of the Thai public don’t want the country opened up to foreigners, distrust the travel bubble plans and think Prayut and his cronies couldn’t score in a brothel (even if Thailand admitted to having one!)

 

The curmudgeons of Thaivisa forum – now perched proudly on their bar stools not needing to socially distance from their Leo - preferred to put this down to their own favorite scapegoat, xenophobia.

 

Twaddle. It’s fear alright, Lockdownophobia Mark II with the potential for months more hardship for all, irrespective of whether one works in the tourism industry. Even some schools closed again in response to the Rayong PR disaster.

 

Dr Thira of Chula fame urged the powers that be to keep Thailand shuttered for at least six months more. That would mean no interlocking of hands at New Year as we sing Auld Lang Syne bidding farewell to a year most would rather forget.

 

Such has been the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 that a majority of the Thai public felt comforted by Dr Thira’s suggestion.

 

Likewise, seeing my young children happily running around at school after so long chez Rooster was less joyful and more tinged with foreboding.

 

The coming weeks could make or break careers, especially those of politicians. Criticism abounds of over-stringent financial and emergency measures and has already led to the resignation of a whole handful of economic ministers.

 

While it would be uncharitable to say that Thailand has not done as least as well as many other countries, the people’s “Court of Covid” is still in session.

 

In other food and health news, mushroom foragers were warned to be on the lookout for dangerous varieties after 275 people were poisoned this year. One of the nasty ones was called “het muak jeen” – Chinese hat mushroom. Nice to apportion blame in the right direction there!

 

People were urged to use a Thai made comparison app to determine which ones are safe to eat. Someone posted pictures of “het khii khwai” or buffalo pooh mushrooms. Rooster remembers seeing those on Samui beach hut menus decades ago under the description: No Name – 50 baht a plate.

 

It’s high time they were reintroduced though a massage lady on the island this week turned to “ice” to relieve her stress due to lack of customers seeking solace in happy endings.

 

Dengue fever is also on the rise and many forum posters outlined their dire experiences of that debilitating disease. A 4,200-pupil school in Bang Lamung was shut for five days cleaning after ten kids got it and three came down with chikungunya.

 

The director cleaned up for Covid too; inevitably there were rumors online that it wasn’t only Aedes mosquitos biting.

 

Then it was announced that ginger (khing), lemon grass (takhrai) and galangal (khaa) might soon be declared “hazardous substances”. I mentioned this to Mrs R who put my comments down to going outside in the midday sun without my topi. Either that or I was a Ginger Nut.

 

I tried to explain that I was not taking the pith helmet but she wouldn’t have it.

 

In QUOTES – the Queen Of The Eastern Seaboard if you are a TWTW newbie – mayor Sontaya caused some titters by claiming that the flooding will soon be over when all his blasted, busted pumps are repaired. While in Jomtien plans were unveiled to dredge sand from under the sea off Koh Larn to widen and improve the beach like the main one over the hill. One forum wag feared Koh Larn may sink like Atlantis, even deeper than the Thai economy.

 

Fortunately, the beach improvements are a cut price 1.1 billion baht. One hundred million for the sand and sea defenses and a billion for seafood lunches. Pattaya officials always know how to “stimulate the economy”.

 

Also in Jomtien, the residents complained about a pack of dogs, no not the deckchair and watch vendors, but canines on a vacant plot who have been biting kids. Plod called the council and the four-legged miscreants were soon rounded up, hopefully headed for Vietnam.

 

In Walking Street, DPM (Dat Pesky Mongrel) Anutin sent in his Rottweilers and found people smoking. Even e-cigarettes, the dastardly devils! And to make matters worse the bars were advertising alcohol. How dare they!

 

The authorities will be speaking to McDonald’s next for illegally promoting burgers or Toyota for flagrantly supplying their vehicles with tires.

 

What all this had to do with Covid-19 remained a complete mystery. Fines of 5,000 baht for smokers and 50K for bar owners were promised as Anutin returned to base to see if Prayut had the balls to sack him.

 

Unfortunately, he didn’t.

 

Prayut likened the coronavirus debacle to being hit by a plane. Well, he did wing it.

 

Sadly, later in the week Uncle Too was back to his old tricks blaming the press for scandalously writing the truth about new cases.

 

You can take the boy out of the barracks but you can’t take the barracks out of the boy.

 

Carnage continued unabated on the nation’s roads. Daily News reported 7,414 dead at the scene so far this year, a fraction of the real number after those that succumb in ambulances and hospitals are added. An error in an infographic meant they reported Wednesdays’ 38 deaths as Thursday.

 

Not to worry, it was bound to be just as bad the next day.

 

On the Cha-Am to Pranburi bypass a man was found dead with his face smashed in behind the wheel….but why was there no damage to the pick-up and why were there bloody fingerprints on the outside of the passenger door!?

 

All was soon revealed in classic Thai fashion as his wife surrendered to the cops to admit she (and probably others including her new love interest) had killed her husband and staged an accident.

 

She should be sentenced to 30 years compulsory viewing of Forensic Files to teach her a lesson.

 

In visa news the temporary office in Muang Thong Thani reopened and speculation was rife about whether the amnesty would be renewed or dropped come the end of July. Then a grace period was announced to September 26th after which tourists would be in trouble if they were still in Thailand.

 

Also at Muang Thong the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show represented the biggest public event since lockdown release. A million went last time it was held – 1,000 to look at the cars and 999,000 to ogle the pretties.

 

When I suggested to Mrs R that I might go to look at some chassis she threatened to cut off my ‘conjugals’, and give her mother’s ducks a feast.

 

In international news the Eton Mess in Number 10 has finally decided that the English must wear face masks in shops or face a 100 quid fine. It won’t be enacted until next Friday to give people time to adjust.

 

Strange that. It takes me about 10 seconds to put one on and, like most everybody in Thailand, I’ve been doing it for months.

 

Ghislaine Maxwell, stiff pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s procurer of underage girls, was thankfully denied bail. Hopefully this madam will be even uglier than she is now before she ever sees the light of day.

 

UK health secretary Matt Hancock denied that Britain was a vassal of the United States after the government decided to ban Huawei from 5G networks. Earlier the POTUS intimated he was behind this about turn after the UK angered America by appearing to get into bed with the Chinese telecom giant in January. Britain seemed to forget the huge trade they have with China and that Brexit makes them less able to be independent than its supporters imagine.

 

Researchers said that the world will have two billion fewer people by 2100 than UN projections suggested. I guess this can’t be a bad thing but Rooster can’t take any of the credit for getting the ball rolling after siring at least four nippers. Two of those went back to school on the same day in Bangkok this week. Us parents pretended we would miss them all day, then did a massive high five around the corner. It’s been 20 weeks so who could blame us.

 

In London a former Bangkok international school music teacher was on his last legs of a 40 day hunger strike protesting against a major hotel chain who he blames for causing him to lose his Krung Thep flat after they built a car park. His claims were deemed defamatory so Thaivisa demurred. Many years ago, I worked with John Shepherd, now 62, and found him a very witty if slightly off the wall character.

 

The early days of my school featured several “fruity” characters. One deputy head of primary was wanted for underage sex in South Australia and a kindergarten teacher for mischief at a summer camp in Kentucky. The former was eventually murdered after setting up a language school in Tripoli while the latter thought he could get away with returning to the US but was promptly jailed for four years.

 

Fortunately, international schools in Thailand have now smartened up their recruitment act; Rooster would probably never get back in, so I guess you’re stuck with me!

 

In Bristol on the plinth where a statue of a slave trader once stood before it was unceremoniously thrown in the harbor, a beautifully sculpted and proud black lady with a clenched fist took his place. While I said some weeks back that we should learn from history rather than try and erase it, this seemed fitting and it was not surprising to learn that the good folks of Bristol as well as local leaders wanted the new statue to stay. It was soon removed because it lacked permission but may be reinstated after consultations.

 

Bristol City – previously most famous for being cockney rhyming slang - could do with it as a tourist attraction.

 

Back in Thailand a former chef at a well-known Hua Hin hotel was caught in Kamphaeng Phet after befriending then drugging a German tourist in order to steal a million baht’s worth of goods. Whether Hans will ever see his money again is debatable, however, as the thief spent her ill-gotten gains on cosmetic surgery.

 

It would have been nice to see some before and after shots, instead we got Vaseline. I doubt she went under the knife to avoid capture, a circumstance that failed miserably thanks to the good work of the CSD police.

 

Outspoken animal rights activist Edwin Wiek from the Netherlands spent four days in a cage that previously housed a chimpanzee called Canoe to raise funds for his sanctuary and highlight the abuse of caged wild animals in Thailand. It gave him a great perspective on their mistreatment and raised $25,000, enough for three weeks' board and lodging for the huge number of rescued animals who have a second chance of a half decent life in his brilliant jungle-like environment.

 

Through the noughties Rooster took hundreds of international schoolchildren to his Phetchaburi base. Mostly Thai, they also gained a fresh perspective on the sins of their adult compatriots. The sanctuary is the polar opposite of soi-dog homes run by arch shysters for profit that I have criticized aplenty in this column. And maintaining it does not come cheap.

 

Edwin is a brave and sincere man who has risked his safety and personal liberty for maltreated animals through decades of dedicated work in Thailand. I would urge a visit or even a donation to the bank account mentioned at the end of the story in the link.

 

Luckiest guy of the week was a Ratchaburi man who parked and exited his ancient Mitsubishi only to see it crushed ten seconds later by a ten-wheel pork carrying truck! It was no surprise that he survived – he was an amulet trader.

 

Less fortunate was a serial cat burglar in Nonthaburi who plod arrested after a 200,000 theft from a house. Nabbed at a hospital restaurant, he was wearing the gold chain and amulet he had just pinched.

 

Finally, a caddy in Chiang Mai went to the police with her course director after a foreigner whacked a golf ball into her eye causing blurred vision and redundancy. She was asking for 500,000 baht and Chiang Mai News claimed she was paid.

 

The story reminded me of a Japanese housewife whom I taught English in Bangkok in the 1980’s. She looked decidedly pleased with herself when I arrived for her lesson. There was a golf ball on the dining table.

 

Barely able to contain her glee, she proceeded to tell me how she had got a hole-in-one at the weekend and, according to Japanese tradition, had to treat everyone in the club to gifts and drinks.

 

“Didn’t that cost you a small fortune?” I enquired. “Oh yes” she said, “but that didn’t matter”.

 

Unlike the caddy she had taken out insurance against her ace in the hole.

 

Rooster

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-07-18

 

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

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[Samui Bodoh]

An interesting read as always...

 

31 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Many think their efforts in lockdown will prove pointless as another virus surge will make the previous economic disaster look like the hors d’oeuvres to an even more unpalatable main course...

 

... A NIDA poll revealed that more than 50% of the Thai public don’t want the country opened up to foreigners, distrust the travel bubble plans and think Prayut and his cronies couldn’t score in a brothel (even if Thailand admitted to having one!).

 

Respectfully, if I may paraphrase Amazon; people who believe Thai polls also believe in Unicorns, Amulets and Nessie. Somehow, I don't think they polled the unemployed hungry people. I would believe the Prayut and his cronies part, though; Thai women have standards.

 

I find the argument(s) between 'safety' and 'economics' in the virus re-opening debate fascinating; it is introducing, or perhaps better said 'intensifying', the split between those who have secure incomes/finances and those who don't. Those who have "Virus-Proof" incomes tend to argue that the Kingdom should not re-open, but those who lack the guarantees enjoyed by the first group see it differently.

 

In one corner the government employees; Civil Service, military, medical people and others with government-funded paychecks, state health benefits, state pensions, air-conditioned offices, and virtual immunity from prosecution in wrong-doing tend to argue that the Kingdom must stay closed until... the virus is wiped out (it is always almost but not quite defined). I would also include a certain segment of TVF members on this side; those on secure pensions and those whose employment is mostly 'Virus-Proof'. This side uses State resources to make their case, but is (I would say) slowly coming to realize that they went too far (see the hysterical overreaction to ONE Egyptian soldier walking free in Rayong on Pattaya's hotel bookings).

 

In the opposite corner but not as loud are the people who do not have a 'Virus-Proof' income; street-sellers, the staff from 'entertainment' industries, those involved in tourism and tourism businesses, transportation workers, hospitality workers, export-dependent private sector employees, etc. As above, I think that there is also a certain element among TVF members who do not have 'Virus-Proof' incomes. This side does not really have a strong public voice, but the sheer number of people who could be badly hurt and thus rebel strikes terror in the heart of the first group; what if everyone demanded a guaranteed salary like a government or 'Virus-Proof' employee? Those who have it would lose some of their spoils, and they know it; consciously or unconsciously, they are afraid.

 

How is this debate going to play out? I don't know, but there are exceptionally good arguments on both sides;

 

"What do you mean open the Kingdom? I want my young children to be safe!"

 

"What do you mean keep the kingdom closed? My young children are hungry!"

 

Whichever side of the financial divide you fall on will inform your thoughts (with exceptions; humans are an odd and ornery bunch). No matter which side wins this debate, it is going to have profound implications on human social structures and norms with consequences that I can only begin to imagine. I wonder if we are looking at one of those weird human moments where we can all see 'effects' without really seeing the 'causes', yet still insisting that we know what we are doing. 

 

Perhaps we should have stayed in the trees and hurled feces at passers-by.

 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!

 

PS I see that the Thai government is extending the visa amnesty for another two months.

 

This is good for the visitors and for those who need a wee bit of extra time to get sorted.

 

This is good for Thai people who rely on the spending of the first group.

 

Most importantly...

 

This is GREAT news as it will annoy the TVF 'Grumpy Pants Brigade' to no end...

 

 

 

[w94005m]

Despite six weeks of no DETECTED local transmission, would be rather more accurate. Or did I miss the story about the dramatic increase in testing?

[Kalasin Jo]

18 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always...

 

 

Respectfully, if I may paraphrase Amazon; people who believe Thai polls also believe in Unicorns, Amulets and Nessie. Somehow, I don't think they polled the unemployed hungry people. I would believe the Prayut and his cronies part, though; Thai women have standards.

 

I find the argument(s) between 'safety' and 'economics' in the virus re-opening debate fascinating; it is introducing, or perhaps better said 'intensifying', the split between those who have secure incomes/finances and those who don't. Those who have "Virus-Proof" incomes tend to argue that the Kingdom should not re-open, but those who lack the guarantees enjoyed by the first group see it differently.

 

In one corner the government employees; Civil Service, military, medical people and others with government-funded paychecks, state health benefits, state pensions, air-conditioned offices, and virtual immunity from prosecution in wrong-doing tend to argue that the Kingdom must stay closed until... the virus is wiped out (it is always almost but not quite defined). I would also include a certain segment of TVF members on this side; those on secure pensions and those whose employment is mostly 'Virus-Proof'. This side uses State resources to make their case, but is (I would say) slowly coming to realize that they went too far (see the hysterical overreaction to ONE Egyptian soldier walking free in Rayong on Pattaya's hotel bookings).

 

In the opposite corner but not as loud are the people who do not have a 'Virus-Proof' income; street-sellers, the staff from 'entertainment' industries, those involved in tourism and tourism businesses, transportation workers, hospitality workers, export-dependent private sector employees, etc. As above, I think that there is also a certain element among TVF members who do not have 'Virus-Proof' incomes. This side does not really have a strong public voice, but the sheer number of people who could be badly hurt and thus rebel strikes terror in the heart of the first group; what if everyone demanded a guaranteed salary like a government or 'Virus-Proof' employee? Those who have it would lose some of their spoils, and they know it; consciously or unconsciously, they are afraid.

 

How is this debate going to play out? I don't know, but there are exceptionally good arguments on both sides;

 

"What do you mean open the Kingdom? I want my young children to be safe!"

 

"What do you mean keep the kingdom closed? My young children are hungry!"

 

Whichever side of the financial divide you fall on will inform your thoughts (with exceptions; humans are an odd and ornery bunch). No matter which side wins this debate, it is going to have profound implications on human social structures and norms with consequences that I can only begin to imagine. I wonder if we are looking at one of those weird human moments where we can all see 'effects' without really seeing the 'causes', yet still insisting that we know what we are doing. 

 

Perhaps we should have stayed in the trees and hurled feces at passers-by.

 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!

 

PS I see that the Thai government is extending the visa amnesty for another two months.

 

This is good for the visitors and for those who need a wee bit of extra time to get sorted.

 

This is good for Thai people who rely on the spending of the first group.

 

Most importantly...

 

This is GREAT news as it will annoy the TVF 'Grumpy Pants Brigade' to no end...

 

 

 

Quite so. And not only in Thailand. The world and all its countries too.

My income is not Covid virus proof nor brexit proof. I've already suffered an annual drop of around 20% on exchange in to the currencies I must use. The great British State Pension alone has not for some time met Thai extension monthly income requirements on a marriage basis, let alone a retirement basis. Fortunately I have other, but fast dwindling, resources still.

 

My daughter in the UK works for a travel company. She has just been told she is being made redundant. Fortunately her husband has not, yet, received such a notice. They have 2 young children under the age of 4. What future for them let alone us.

[rosst]

19 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always...

 

 

Respectfully, if I may paraphrase Amazon; people who believe Thai polls also believe in Unicorns, Amulets and Nessie. Somehow, I don't think they polled the unemployed hungry people. I would believe the Prayut and his cronies part, though; Thai women have standards.

 

I find the argument(s) between 'safety' and 'economics' in the virus re-opening debate fascinating; it is introducing, or perhaps better said 'intensifying', the split between those who have secure incomes/finances and those who don't. Those who have "Virus-Proof" incomes tend to argue that the Kingdom should not re-open, but those who lack the guarantees enjoyed by the first group see it differently.

 

In one corner the government employees; Civil Service, military, medical people and others with government-funded paychecks, state health benefits, state pensions, air-conditioned offices, and virtual immunity from prosecution in wrong-doing tend to argue that the Kingdom must stay closed until... the virus is wiped out (it is always almost but not quite defined). I would also include a certain segment of TVF members on this side; those on secure pensions and those whose employment is mostly 'Virus-Proof'. This side uses State resources to make their case, but is (I would say) slowly coming to realize that they went too far (see the hysterical overreaction to ONE Egyptian soldier walking free in Rayong on Pattaya's hotel bookings).

 

In the opposite corner but not as loud are the people who do not have a 'Virus-Proof' income; street-sellers, the staff from 'entertainment' industries, those involved in tourism and tourism businesses, transportation workers, hospitality workers, export-dependent private sector employees, etc. As above, I think that there is also a certain element among TVF members who do not have 'Virus-Proof' incomes. This side does not really have a strong public voice, but the sheer number of people who could be badly hurt and thus rebel strikes terror in the heart of the first group; what if everyone demanded a guaranteed salary like a government or 'Virus-Proof' employee? Those who have it would lose some of their spoils, and they know it; consciously or unconsciously, they are afraid.

 

How is this debate going to play out? I don't know, but there are exceptionally good arguments on both sides;

 

"What do you mean open the Kingdom? I want my young children to be safe!"

 

"What do you mean keep the kingdom closed? My young children are hungry!"

 

Whichever side of the financial divide you fall on will inform your thoughts (with exceptions; humans are an odd and ornery bunch). No matter which side wins this debate, it is going to have profound implications on human social structures and norms with consequences that I can only begin to imagine. I wonder if we are looking at one of those weird human moments where we can all see 'effects' without really seeing the 'causes', yet still insisting that we know what we are doing. 

 

Perhaps we should have stayed in the trees and hurled feces at passers-by.

 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!

 

PS I see that the Thai government is extending the visa amnesty for another two months.

 

This is good for the visitors and for those who need a wee bit of extra time to get sorted.

 

This is good for Thai people who rely on the spending of the first group.

 

Most importantly...

 

This is GREAT news as it will annoy the TVF 'Grumpy Pants Brigade' to no end...

 

 

 

I say sir, give yourself an A plus and an elephant stamp. 

A fine effort and very insightful. 

Entertaining too, look out Rooster he is after your job. 

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, rosst said:

I say sir, give yourself an A plus and an elephant stamp. 

A fine effort and very insightful. 

Entertaining too, look out Rooster he is after your job. 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

However, I am absolutely certain that TVF members, myself firmly included, would like to see Rooster carry on for many, many more years.

 

Cheers

 

[unblocktheplanet]

Rooster, you always make my Sundays far more interesting! Although there's always been dengue in Thailand. Four different strains but once you've had "break-bone" fever, you're immune to getting that strain again. The mozzies used to be day-biters but have evolved to pass the infection both day & night. Dengue infections can progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever which is life-threatening. Far more serious are mosquito-borne Japanese B encephalitis & meningitis. Int'l vaccines for both are available at Thai Red Cross. Chikungunya virus from mozzies is a new one for me. Quick search revealed its prevalence from day-biters, early morning & late afternoon, in BK. No vaccine, and the possibility of lasting complications. Yikes! One more thing to worry about!

[overt2016]

I really don't know what to think of this weeks' effort, so I' ll give it "no comment". 

[Pancho]

Thailand is a proud Democracy!,

What happened?.... sadly, more broken promises.

 

THIS is going to be good

[Mark mark]

Nice Job Rooster - Yes thanks ....

 

... Yes, the Thai's DO have good Reason to be Worried, ! … As the MO of this very Tenacious Virus has proved it is very successful, ... in just about every environment, … unless taken out by TOTAL social Distancing, ...that is Real ! That is very VERY hard to do even under the best of circumstances … and just so SO damaging to every one also !

 

So I would also be worried if I was them. ... (Mark mark - From near the Lopbury River, by the Asia Highway)

… I am stuck in Adelaide Australia now, and watching the Totally Bazaar disaster, fast opening up over the border in Melbourne, Victoria, and now spreading to New South Wales ! .... (And then probably here !!! Dam it !!!) …

… Previously nearly all of Australia, … almost Virus Free ... likes all cases traced and Quarantined ...Most returning citizens from overseas, ....

But then the Left leaning prime minister of Victoria, … used some community Labor, (Unionized Labor) to act as security guards on the Quarantine Hotels ! ... (To give money to Workers and the economy, Not Police ???  Right ! ?) ... but well some of the so called Guards, only had 4 minutes training, so that said, … and others has sex with some of the woman ? (The Gender was naturally not mentioned GBA) in lock down ? ... And more others accepted Bribes, to let them go out to Mackers !!! ... And then with Lack of PPE, and no separations between Guards ... I have heard from my Brother then lives there ...

One of the Guards took it out, the Virus, and to a Religious school over in the Western Suburbs .... Where over 20 People ? (Probably closer to 100) have ended up with it ... Edel Vitry has been mentioned (The huge family feast at the end of Ramadan) ... I would not say that Edel Vitry was the only problem at this stage, …  as a women from the Public Hosing tower Blocks, was running a small bus service, from the towers, to that school ... hence then it was in the towers ! ...

… Like all because of slack and untrained security guards on one of the Quarantine hotels ! .... And well now it is out in the open Community ... and Going like a house on Fire ! .... EVERY one is now trying !!! … And they all have to wear masks in Melbourne now when out, …. But well cases are passing 300 a day, ... with the usual amount of serious hospitalizations, and Deaths … and now Old People’s Homes all over the State ... are now getting it ... like … "There were 3 workers, ... who came up from Melbourne" !!! … And now your local regional Old Aged Home … has it. !!! (Ad how old are you ?) …

 

… So the Virus is proving itself !!! And Proving just how contagious it is, ... really well ... and really they were all OK, ... Coming from nothing !!! …. But one poorly trained Guard, took it out from the Quarantine Hotels ... and well now the whole community is infected ... and it will only get worse !!! ... Possibly for the Whole of Australia. --- Like we have seen the tip of the ice berg !!!I think unfortunately … and well, Yes when will I ever get back home ??? … I hesitate to even think of it. …

 

… So yes, … the Thais have every reason in the world to be very VERY Worried I think !!!

 

(And it also could probably get me and my loved ones, ...here in South Australia next Door easily enough also ...)

 

[my friend you]

22 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always...

 

 

Respectfully, if I may paraphrase Amazon; people who believe Thai polls also believe in Unicorns, Amulets and Nessie. Somehow, I don't think they polled the unemployed hungry people. I would believe the Prayut and his cronies part, though; Thai women have standards.

 

I find the argument(s) between 'safety' and 'economics' in the virus re-opening debate fascinating; it is introducing, or perhaps better said 'intensifying', the split between those who have secure incomes/finances and those who don't. Those who have "Virus-Proof" incomes tend to argue that the Kingdom should not re-open, but those who lack the guarantees enjoyed by the first group see it differently.

 

In one corner the government employees; Civil Service, military, medical people and others with government-funded paychecks, state health benefits, state pensions, air-conditioned offices, and virtual immunity from prosecution in wrong-doing tend to argue that the Kingdom must stay closed until... the virus is wiped out (it is always almost but not quite defined). I would also include a certain segment of TVF members on this side; those on secure pensions and those whose employment is mostly 'Virus-Proof'. This side uses State resources to make their case, but is (I would say) slowly coming to realize that they went too far (see the hysterical overreaction to ONE Egyptian soldier walking free in Rayong on Pattaya's hotel bookings).

 

In the opposite corner but not as loud are the people who do not have a 'Virus-Proof' income; street-sellers, the staff from 'entertainment' industries, those involved in tourism and tourism businesses, transportation workers, hospitality workers, export-dependent private sector employees, etc. As above, I think that there is also a certain element among TVF members who do not have 'Virus-Proof' incomes. This side does not really have a strong public voice, but the sheer number of people who could be badly hurt and thus rebel strikes terror in the heart of the first group; what if everyone demanded a guaranteed salary like a government or 'Virus-Proof' employee? Those who have it would lose some of their spoils, and they know it; consciously or unconsciously, they are afraid.

 

How is this debate going to play out? I don't know, but there are exceptionally good arguments on both sides;

 

"What do you mean open the Kingdom? I want my young children to be safe!"

 

"What do you mean keep the kingdom closed? My young children are hungry!"

 

Whichever side of the financial divide you fall on will inform your thoughts (with exceptions; humans are an odd and ornery bunch). No matter which side wins this debate, it is going to have profound implications on human social structures and norms with consequences that I can only begin to imagine. I wonder if we are looking at one of those weird human moments where we can all see 'effects' without really seeing the 'causes', yet still insisting that we know what we are doing. 

 

Perhaps we should have stayed in the trees and hurled feces at passers-by.

 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!

 

PS I see that the Thai government is extending the visa amnesty for another two months.

 

This is good for the visitors and for those who need a wee bit of extra time to get sorted.

 

This is good for Thai people who rely on the spending of the first group.

 

Most importantly...

 

This is GREAT news as it will annoy the TVF 'Grumpy Pants Brigade' to no end...

 

 

 

The government doesn't HAVE money, it STEALS it from the taxpayer. You may replace steal with a more polite word, I can't find one right now. So the story ends once there isn't enough taxpayers money coming in because of economic ruin.

[Jane Dough]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Thank you for the kind words.

 

However, I am absolutely certain that TVF members, myself firmly included, would like to see Rooster carry on for many, many more years.

 

Cheers

 

Thanks for that. You are always one of the first to comment and always have something interesting to say.

 

This was column #225, a quarter millennium. 

 

Unlike modern day British batsmen, I am enjoying keeping the run going. 

 

Rooster

 

 

 

[Jane Dough]

1 hour ago, overt2016 said:

I really don't know what to think of this weeks' effort, so I' ll give it "no comment". 

This underlines what I always say.

 

Rooster

[NoshowJones]

46 minutes ago, my friend you said:

The government doesn't HAVE money, it STEALS it from the taxpayer. You may replace steal with a more polite word, I can't find one right now. So the story ends once there isn't enough taxpayers money coming in because of economic ruin.

I would bet it does not affect all the fancy ranks and nice uniform generals income stream, or there would soon be something done about it.

[Mark mark]

1 hour ago, Mark mark said:

Nice Job Rooster as usual !!! - Yes thanks ....

 

.".. Yes, the Thai's DO have good Reason to be Worried, ! … As the MO of this very Tenacious Virus has"  .... and the Thai's DO have every Reason to e very VERY Worried !!! 

 

Quote

 I said "One of the Security guards took it to the Religious school in the western Suburbs" ... and "as a women from the Public Hosing tower Blocks, was running a small bus service, from the towers, to that school ... hence then it was in the towers" ! ... but well that was not the whole of the story ... though well, when it got in to the towers ! Well I think that most people realized that this particular fight, was Lost.

 

 

Quote

 

… Well yes, it actually did not only go to the Islamic School, the untrained Guards, were not using the PPE properly,  it has been said, ... and not socially distancing from each other either, … So some of the other Guards took it home to their own, usually, western Melbourne Suburbs ... and right from the start there quickly were several outbreaks all over Western and North West of Melbourne.

 

It was just easier to identify the families, and friends off the Guards, that took it to their own Suburbs ... and to control it there also ... But the Muslim Community ? Well I would have to be careful here, ? … But a lot of them were Sudanese, and from other totally disasters of places, …. With a lot of Dialects, and no English ? (So how do you write to them if they are basicly Illeriterate ?) … So it was Harder to stop it there ...

 

But the whole thing ...

 

The speed of the Infections, and the time delay before they worked out what was happening !!! ... That is how it happened with this Disease … AND what Thailand, and all of you Fellows also, have to watch out for ... So all on topic here I think, ! ? .... It IS all of our Problems. …. Even if it was probably way Way  off country. ….

 

…  But well just about Virus free … like almost Zero ... like Thailand ! ? … But now we have thousands there in Victoria, and it is moving on to N.S.W. ... (And probably is already in South Australia, here also) ... But it has been documented so well, !

 

... Like That is how it happens !!! ... And you can see, Socially exactly how !!!  And how it will happen in Thailand, if you just take your eye off the ball for even a moment !!! … So yes the Thais DO have to be very VERY careful still !!! ...Until the Whole Bloody thing IS over ? ... And God knows when that will be, this Micro Beast is so resilient and Effective !!!

 

Like, Like Ebola, a horrible and highly HIGHLY fatal disease ... but it killed all of it's Hosts ! .. And before they could transfer it to too many others also ! … So basically it was committing suicide for itself !!! ...

 

But well ... Like HIV ? ... And in Particular this CV 19 does not kill all of it's hosts !!! … It infects, but leaves Plenty still alive ! .... So the sick people have the chance of Infection Hundreds of others !!! ... And now they are seeing much higher Contagion I think ? … And young people, like 30% of them without any symptoms at all … but all Contagious !!! ... So the person who does not know that they have it, ... can infect hundreds of others !!! ....

 

Like what a clever Little Disease this one is !!! ... Like VERY well worth being very VERY scared of !!!  ... Especially if you are over 50 I would say !!! … In any Country !!!

Edited July 19, 2020 by Mark mark
Spelling

[rumak]

2 hours ago, overt2016 said:

I really don't know what to think of this weeks' effort, so I' ll give it "no comment". 

ah c'mon,  i always give him an e for effort.    trying to write 10k words in a cutesy style is not

easy !   Try it some time.     

He also wrote an almost funny comeback to a slight criticism i once made.   touchy touchy, 

these writers.   And i can always see who doesn't like me when i write a comment such as this.

love those emojis

[Joe Mama]

I loved it...you're the best!  I haven't laughed this much reading an article since the start of the Covid Pandemic!

[SiSePuede419]

Jittery Thailand: Paranoia and fear put the country on a knife edge

 

Normal side effects of methamphetamine usage.

 

Tweekers suck. ????

[Visarghhhh]

"The curmudgeons of Thaivisa forum – now perched proudly on their bar stools not needing to socially distance from their Leo "   -  Hahaha!!! So True!

[BigC]

I am always skeptical when they do these polls. Who did they ask? What areas.

 

I guarantee you if they asked thais in tourist  areas where business have gone down the toilet  or any hotels that they would  want to lift the ban 

 

Utt rubbish

[Mark mark]

Humor - Well Rooster having taken us on one of his usual, Great, Literary Journey ! ... Like how things "Were" ! ? ... When they might have been psychically harder ... but possibly also VERY much better ... ? ... And he has taken us along, ... with some good Humor ! ... Thanks for that as usual Roster.

 

... But my connected, story from Melbourni, ..... Looking at what MIGHT happen in Thailand, so everyone SHOULD be quite worried !!! ? ..... The Zero cases, "So, ... Open everything up and back to Normal", Melbourni, story (The truth actually)  ..... And then Oh OOO and Woooppps !!!! .... Cases back to 300+,  and conic illness, and also Deaths for the Old people, starting to spiral out of control ? ... and then it heading in to The Rural country side, and New South Wales now ... and it quite possibly may come back in some form of Vengeance ...  all over the whole country if we do not watch it ....

 

Even though quite probably pretty close to the whole truth of the matter, like "How it happens"  .... But it was particularly NOT funny, or Humorous at all I am afraid, ...  Like lucky my stuff was not deleted !!! .... Like it probably was depressing enough to have been !!! .... Though well though I still see it there, … (And if I did not, I would humbly just accept this, and not add any more) … But my Account is still not working properly ... though I think that this is probably a technical problem with the WWW. ....  Like poor Thailand ! ? ... Like, ... The Poor whole world just now !!!

 

....  But the Humor of the month, must have been the Comment from a Victorian Local Politician was it ! ? ... Who said that the Public Housing Towers, that were just about to become the center of the pandemic in that state, and just at that moment .... were all just .... "Vertical Cruz Ships" ... Right ! ?

 

...  Like Good humor, only really makes it I think .... When it has a bit more than just a handful of the Real truth in it I think. ...

[lamyai3]

On 7/19/2020 at 6:29 PM, Jane Dough said:

This was column #225, a quarter millennium. 

Another 25 weeks until you hit that milestone, however you can still celebrate being a quarter of the way to the nonacentennial column. 

[Jane Dough]

1 hour ago, lamyai3 said:

Another 25 weeks until you hit that milestone, however you can still celebrate being a quarter of the way to the nonacentennial column. 

Blimey...my maths!

 

Cheers,

 

Rooster

[Marpa47]

On 7/19/2020 at 8:24 AM, Mark mark said:

 

 

 

… Well yes, it actually did not only go to the Islamic School, the untrained Guards, were not using the PPE properly,  it has been said, ... and not socially distancing from each other either, … So some of the other Guards took it home to their own, usually, western Melbourne Suburbs ... and right from the start there quickly were several outbreaks all over Western and North West of Melbourne.

 

It was just easier to identify the families, and friends off the Guards, that took it to their own Suburbs ... and to control it there also ... But the Muslim Community ? Well I would have to be careful here, ? … But a lot of them were Sudanese, and from other totally disasters of places, …. With a lot of Dialects, and no English ? (So how do you write to them if they are basicly Illeriterate ?) … So it was Harder to stop it there ...

 

But the whole thing ...

 

The speed of the Infections, and the time delay before they worked out what was happening !!! ... That is how it happened with this Disease … AND what Thailand, and all of you Fellows also, have to watch out for ... So all on topic here I think, ! ? .... It IS all of our Problems. …. Even if it was probably way Way  off country. ….

 

…  But well just about Virus free … like almost Zero ... like Thailand ! ? … But now we have thousands there in Victoria, and it is moving on to N.S.W. ... (And probably is already in South Australia, here also) ... But it has been documented so well, !

 

... Like That is how it happens !!! ... And you can see, Socially exactly how !!!  And how it will happen in Thailand, if you just take your eye off the ball for even a moment !!! … So yes the Thais DO have to be very VERY careful still !!! ...Until the Whole Bloody thing IS over ? ... And God knows when that will be, this Micro Beast is so resilient and Effective !!!

 

Like, Like Ebola, a horrible and highly HIGHLY fatal disease ... but it killed all of it's Hosts ! .. And before they could transfer it to too many others also ! … So basically it was committing suicide for itself !!! ...

 

But well ... Like HIV ? ... And in Particular this CV 19 does not kill all of it's hosts !!! … It infects, but leaves Plenty still alive ! .... So the sick people have the chance of Infection Hundreds of others !!! ... And now they are seeing much higher Contagion I think ? … And young people, like 30% of them without any symptoms at all … but all Contagious !!! ... So the person who does not know that they have it, ... can infect hundreds of others !!! ....

 

Like what a clever Little Disease this one is !!! ... Like VERY well worth being very VERY scared of !!!  ... Especially if you are over 50 I would say !!! … In any Country !!!

A story I love comes to mind:  King Edward the somethingth(?) was asked how long it would take to train up archers of the high quality of the English long bowmen.  His reply went something like, “first, start with their grandfathers...”.  In other words for the traditions of training and discipline, the culture surrounding the training and discipline that nurtures it, maybe even the physical attributes needed to maintain this quality, it would take three generations of archers to achieve the level of ability of his archers.  
 

all this to illustrate the opinion that, unlike the SE Asian sphere, the western nations were not exposed to, (and consequently never learned the hard-won lessons from), the several earlier outbreaks of killer viruses so generously provided by our dear neighbor farther East.  So we western nations have neither the leadership willing to concede authority to the rightful ... authorities, (the scientists and healthcare leadership), nor do our citizens evince any inclination towards following the few simple rules that would keep everyone safe, (long complacently assured of their a). Superiority of judgement in every way and b). Innate freedom of choice in everything),   The result must be in the case of the current pandemic inevitable.  Can’t take away the freedom to drink alcohol, take drugs, congregate up close and personal to all hours, and not wear a mask.  That would be unpatriotic.  And so it goes.  
 

in many Asian countries, the volatile mixture of ignorance and face-saving aside (of which quality we westerners have in spades if not in the same terminology), there is also the many generations ingrained Confucian ideal of allegiance to the ruler.  This just may be the key to how readily citizens of so many Asian countries have shown remarkable compliance to the few simple rules of conduct so vital to the evident success in controlling and eliminating the contagion in their countries.  Never would American citizens tolerate the merest hint of the use of the apps used in South Korea from the start, to trace and track the outbreak, then display the locations of infectious people on a map.  An outrageous violation of one’s privacy!!!   Never mind it’s essential.  And so it goes.  
 

Here’s wishing that there was an easy answer to the terrible hole we’ve dug ourselves into.  

Edited July 20, 2020 by Marpa47

[Stargeezr]

Thanks for another great read Rooster, keep up the humour as well.

  I am glad that some people will be able to fly into and out of Thailand

after August, even if it is the people who are desperate to get back to their home countries.

  Here in Canada, we are keeping the masses from the infected , radio active

USA out of the country and fining those that are cheating a good amount as well.

  Some sneaky ones were claiming to be heading through Canada to Alaska only to

be found in some mountain resort area,  miles and kilo meters off the beaten routes

that lead to Alaska.    I hope that the High Season travellers can get back to Thailand

by following the restrictions and even if it still means 2 weeks of quarantine for

their visits. Better than the US situation, or Brazil and India. Not sure if Russia is

getting some control with their population either.  I wear a face mask whenever I go shopping

but here in Canada there are still people protesting this act as if it is their God given

right to not wear a mask to try prevent the spreading of Covid. Carry on..

Geezer

[Mark mark]

Well, pretty gloomy all round still here, where I sit, ... Just now, an Old Man locked out of Thailand, and away from his Real Family. ... But well, I see my Gloomy "How it happens" posts about how Victoria Australia went from almost NO CV 19 Cases at all, and for a month or two .... To suddenly about 450 500 now ! And it is still rising !!! Are all still there …. And well, that WAS how it happened there, and I do think that this is worth knowing as well this is how it will happen in Similar situations around the world with Countries that have got rid of the Disease ... (You got to watch the Security Guards on the Government Quarantine facilities) … in order to be careful enough to stop it !!!

 

And why should I worry ... my Mates all telling me just to worry about tomorrow, …  and where I am right now ! ?  And NOT the rest of the world, …. But well, ... what happens in Melbourni, N.S.W. And possibly here in S.A. ... as well as the rest of the world, ….  Is very VERY important I think, ... as to how hard it is going to be, for me to get back in to Thailand ? Right ? 

 

Still, PS and I will not go on ... but the story of "How it happens" continues ... Like the Victorian Primer, now is lamenting ! …   ... So How do I do this, hit the Cause first, or the practical, boots on the ground WHY ? The Figures are and will just keep on going up ! When less than a month ago that did think that they had it Beaten !!!

 

So the Premiers Complaint, and well also pretty well "How it happens” I think, is that None of the People in Melbourne, that WERE getting sick, stopped working, or socializing or shopping, … even though they WERE sick and well anyone with any sense, would have known that they had it !!! But they delayed testing like why get locked down, if you do not have to I think, being their main motivation and they were NOT self-Quarantining, like about 90% of People that got it so that said ... and 50% were STILL not self-Quarantining after they took their tests !!!  … Like the Humor was a lot of them went to get tested for it, ... in their cars ... and then just went on down to the shopping Center, to do a bit of shopping afterwards !!! Or back to their work !!!  … Like all this time when they were highly contagious !!! Like they all Infected Hundreds of others I think ... So well the Plateau ! ? …. I do not think that we will see that any time soon !!! Not in Melbourni at least !

 

Also a thing to consider is WHY most of them kept on Working !!! ... When they knew that they were sick, and probably with CV 19 ! ... Well I think that they are finding out all around that there now, are Just TOOO Many Casual workers, working in Unsecure Jobs ! … And they do not get paid sick leave if they are sick !!! … So YES they all WILL keep on working ! Just to put food on the table ! even if they are sick, and I can only hope that a Positive to come out of this is that the Money Talks and <deleted> walks Big Companies, that have been moving the work force in to way WAY less secure Jobs … (To get rid of the Unions ? well to some degree I am sure !!! as well as save money ? Right ) … with no sick leave or benefits at all .. are fingered, and we start to get better Jobs offered and also MORE pay for them, … after all of this is Over.

 

Also the other reason is just that everyone is just so fed up with it all the Lock downs, and well they do not give a <deleted> about following the rules any more ... so Bing Bong Bang, 90% of People just keep on socializing, shopping and working !!! … Even if they are sick !!! .... Like sick of being locked down ..Or being stuck in freezing cold Southern Australia in the middle of winter in my case !!! Right  … and also the Young have figured out that they ... ??? ... ???? Probably will not be hospitalized,  or have any Major symptoms … even if they do get it … like the odds of surviving it well are pretty good for them !!! ... And they NEED their jobs to feed their families also !!! ... And well they also know the old people ARE still dying !!! …  But well, .... "I have a Family to look after" .... (Like in the wars the excuse that the Young men, and well, the whole establishment used, when sent to a foreign country, to kill other Young men that they didn’t even know !!! "I did it for my Family" .... Still starting to get off the Point a bit here and well .... "That is how it has been Happening" ...and Good luck ! And God Bless ! To you all.