The week that was in Thailand news: Thailand news: Where the predictable and the surprising rub shoulders

[rooster59]

The week that was in Thailand news: Thailand news: Where the predictable and the surprising rub shoulders

 

 

Fallout from the Red Bull “Boss” case – as well as some juicy new developments – continued to dominate the news on Thaivisa this week. It was seven days that once again showcased why the kingdom is a tremendous source of news of stories that are both predictable for those who have lived in Thailand for yonks as well as providing surprises that keep even this ageing columnist on his toes.
 
Totally predictable has been the dropping of all charges against a rich and entitled brat amid accusations that large sums of money have changed hands. Less predictable has been the huge public outcry. This is aided and abetted in the modern era by online news and social media comment. In years past the authorities in Thailand could get away with murder. Increasingly they are being held to account.
 
The week began with Uncle Too – PM Prayut – actually getting his finger out in response to his angry compatriots and initiating an investigation. Where this will lead is likely to be Nakhon Nowhere Substantial, to paraphrase a columnist with more experience than Rooster. 
 
But at least our uncle who art in khaki, hollow be his name, said he was “uncomfortable” with the case. A group of law professors went further and demanded explanations from the public prosecutor and the Royal Thai Police.
 
A House committee was quickly convened and plod was summoned to face music they would have laughed at in years gone by. The heat was on and anyone with half a brain (about 50% more than plod) could see that they were squirming.
 
Cocaine in Boss’s system arrived after a visit to the dentist. Those meds to stifle the pain always react so unpredictably with alcohol, don’t they? Then they said that Vorayuth (his real name now almost as familiar as Boss) was checked for booze TEN hours after the incident in September 2012.
 
They accepted his explanation that all that stress one gets from dragging a senior policeman under one’s Ferrari all the way around Thong Lo tends to play on one’s mind. 
 
It led to some serious imbibing AFTER the killing and thus an alcohol reading of 60 milligrams, over the limit. Plod muttered something about the suspect having a meal, though mitigation attempts at this stage looks like surrounding the pen after the cow has scarpered, as a Thai proverb warns.
 
On the forum “rkidlad” said it best: “Everyone involved in this case is just digging themselves into a deeper hole”.
 
Whether anyone will be found down that hole remains to be seen. Up in Chiang Mai the provincial police chief wisely kept his cards and his opinions close to his tight tunic. Midweek a key witness in the case just happened to die in a motorcycle collision.
 
I’ve seen enough Forensic Files to know that coincidences do happen. But when Western rozzers investigate, coincidence is way down the list of likelihoods.
 
Somchai – his real name, you couldn’t script it! – said he had no idea who the other biker was. He explained that he had just finished work and had just got his monthly salary, then got plastered at a market (okay) before going off in search of women. He was certainly not hired by anyone to kill Jaruchart.
 
One almost expected him to say “Boss who?” though that would have been a Bridge Over the River Kwai too far.
 
The major general said it might just be that Jaruchart had the same name as the key witness. Suffice to say Thais don’t have names like “John Brown” – most of them are kinda unique! He promised a full investigation, with no stone unturned and after appealing for time would reveal all to an expectant public.
 
This is plod parlance from page one of the senior RTP "MOO" tome or “Manual for Officer Obfuscation”. It really means if we delay, they will forget. Som Tam for tea, anyone!?
 
The Thai public are increasingly less likely to let their leaders and the elites off the hook as the continuing protests against the government bear witness. This is portrayed by knockers as just the young being uppity - patently untrue. All levels of Thai society are furious and no one is off limits to that rising anger.
 
Forum curmudgeons on their bar stools who think that the Thais are passive and will believe anything they are fed are thoroughly mistaken. If they could speak any more than “taxi-Thai” they would discover that even their uneducated bar girls are informed and livid.
 
In related news about another wealthy individual actually facing justice in a place called a court, the chief of construction giant Ital-Thai Premchai Karnasuta came closer to incarceration. Though still out on bail after a failed appeal “Premchai the Poacher” may yet enjoy rice gruel for a year or so if the highest court in the land can be trusted.
 
Yes, putting court and trust in the same sentence could be my “famous last words”.
 
The subject of prison was also raised in an entirely unconnected capacity. Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has decided to promote jails as ideal places for visitors to stimulate the ailing tourism sector. He explained himself by saying this was all part of rehabilitating prisoners, teaching them new trades and such.
 
The mind boggled with possibilities. Scantily clad female inmates in for Ya Ba learning how to be bar girls perhaps with the tourists providing valuable tips on etiquette. Exhibitions of those with experience in locks and safes encouraging the tourists to hire them when locked out of car and home. 
 
Nah…they’ll probably just enter the police force.
 
Another predictable initiative was announced by the Department of Land Transport. No, not to do something about the road accident stats that saw 76 die at the scene on Wednesday (the day AFTER the busy long holiday return) and 8000 deaths so far this year, but to dob in the bus and van drivers and truckers driving atrociously.
 
Just like the millions of baht handed out to grassers in Krung Thep reporting motorcyclists on the sidewalks, informants would get 50% of fines. Rooster contemplated ditching this Thai translation lark and heading off on my bike to get rich quick.
 
Hopefully quick enough to avoid becoming one of the stats myself. While I have no intention of going up the crematorium chimney ahead of time, this could be a great moment for those who complain endlessly on the forum about Thai driving. They could “get money where their mouth is”.
 
The mother of all understatements was made in Nakhon Phanom when relatives of a crazed meth-head claimed “overzealousness” at the hands of the police. 
 
Yes, the guy had attacked and wounded a cop. But footage appeared to show he had been disarmed when a cop kicked him and dispatched him with a shot from his revolver. The cop will be transferred when he gets out of hospital and “justice to both sides” will be dispensed.
 
Believe that and you’ll believe anything.
 
Meanwhile Thaksin Shinawatra still believes he will be PM again one day. On the occasion of the fugitive's 71st birthday his supporters in the US got together to wish him well. Whenever I imagine Thaksin returning to Thailand I think of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who didn’t make it to immigration at the Manila airport on his return in 1983, the days of the infamous Marcos regime.
 
Years later they renamed it Ninoy Aquino International Airport and his wife became president. Thaksin’s sister has already had a brief spell at the trough but one wonders if the ex-premier’s ubiquitous nicknames “Naa Liam” (square face) or “Maew” (an unsavory term for the Hmong) would be a fitting replacement for Suwannaphum (my spelling).
 
Naa Liam International Airport or Maew@Don Muang….perhaps not.
 
Good news for parents came this week as a committee is looking into making school kids go to school all week. My seven year old goes in Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the moment though the nipper in kindies does the regular five.
 
Back to “normal” would be great though the Rooster household was reminded of normal this week. The children have just gone back after 20 weeks of healthy lockdown. In their masks clutching hand sanitizer, they soon returned from school with colds and sore throats. The kids recovered within a day but Mr and Mrs R were left ailing for longer.
 
This is a reminder. Firstly, that it is a good thing that children get sick to build immunity and secondly that should Covid-19 be lurking or make a resurgence the schools will be an ideal breeding ground, flimsy masks and pointless vizors notwithstanding.
 
Not that I am against mask wearing; only a fool would diss it in Thailand these days. In fact, when the pandemic is well and truly over, I hope to see a continuation of mask wearing when people are sneezing and coughing from regular colds. And a continuation of the excellent habit of hand washing with soap and using sanitizer wherever one goes.
 
Virus news aggravated the curmudgeons this week when it was announced that Thailand was number one in the world related to response and recovery. Their Schadenfreude Sensibilities are worn like a badge of dishonor when Thailand messes up. When the country is successful they are incandescent with ire.
 
Thaksin was not the only person eyeing a comeback this week. Thaiger reported that Big Joke – former immigration chief Lt-Gen Surachate Hakpan – was hopeful of a return to former glories. Though evidence for this was non-existent, BJ had been making merit at a temple in Phitsanulok.
 
Poor old Big Joke, once the poster boy of both the Tourist Police and Immigration at the same time, cut a forlorn figure compared to the days he was globe trotting and arresting dark skinned people like they were going out of fashion. 
 
He is now in a kind of limbo, not completely disgraced, not drummed out of the corps but with little to do except hope that Buddha can engineer a path back to former heights.
 
Without being disrespectful to the omnipotent Lord, it really will be up to other baldies especially one who has a penchant for chronometers.
 
In international news the Malaysians showed the Thais how it’s done by convicting ex-PM Najib Razak on all charges in his first 1MBD trial. He didn’t even escape across the border! 
 
The POTUS tweeted that he wanted the upcoming election put back because increased postal would be fraudulent. Of course this idea is nonsense, but it shows his desperation since the jewel in his crown, the resurgence of the US economy, is now a pre-pandemic footnote in history.
 
Rooster likes to follow the betting markets to gauge opinion as it is usually more reliable than following the news. Biden tightened up to nearly 1-2 favorite this week as Trump eased to almost 2-1. Bear in mind, however, that in 2016 Hilary Clinton was an absolute shoe-in to be the first female president in US history.
 
In the UK the fallout from the sudden government decision to impose quarantine on people returning from Spain (where around 18 million Brits visit each normal year) caused grief and the Eton Mess tried to divert attention by promoting exercise for the obese. No offence, but he should know.
 
NASA sent yet another rocket to Mars to search for signs of life. There are plans to bring back samples to earth within the decade. The very best of luck to them as finding even extinct microbial life outside our world is something Rooster would love to be around to experience.
 
Back in Thailand, YouTuber and Frenchman Yan Marchal visited a restaurant in Bangkok that had supposedly barred foreigners. This stunt was far less amusing than his mock version in Thai of the NCPO theme tune some while back. Rather like Andrew Biggs being “invited” to go back to Suwannaphum, a black car appeared outside Monsieur Marchal’s residence at the time.
 
Methinks he’s safe this time around as DPM Anutin has already confirmed that farangs are rather smelly and unwelcome on a national level!
 
In QUOTES the police quickly solved the case of a motorcycle taxi guy assassinated in broad daylight over “insults and lack of respect”. How the two criminals expected to avoid capture with all the CCTV around these days.
 
The crims clearly didn’t realize that if half of Pattaya’s cameras don’t work, by the same token 50% actually do!
 
Mayor Sontaya promised that burying the fiber optic cables would result in better CCTV coverage. While he rubbed his hands at the prospect of more budget for another thousand cameras to “aid security and give confidence to tourists”.
 
Stories abounded at how well places like Koh Chang, Pattaya and Bang Saen did during the long weekend. The TAT rep in Pattaya spoke of 90% hotel occupancy. Well, its proximity to Bangkok and the fact that many of the caravansaries remain closed could have something to do with the promising figures.
 
The tourism authorities are now going to school to learn the meaning of "midweek". 
 
A family said they spent “40K on diarrhea” after going to a “fine dining restaurant”. In my experience you are far more likely to stay healthy by eating street food; at least it is usually prepared right in front of your eyes.
 
Street food is on the up in Chinatown and Khao San Road is trying to woo Thai tourists, all information contained in an excellent report from Daily News.
 
Top quirky story of the week featured some Thai youngsters who pinched a Siberian Husky while visiting Khao Khor in Phetchabun. They then exchanged the female puppy for their dinner at a restaurant 100 kilometers away after racking up a 2,000 baht bill. 
 
The owner of the restaurant chastised her husband rather like the mother in Jack and the Beanstalk after her son sold the family cow for five beans. The dog owner was reunited with “Kluay Cheuam (Bananas in Syrup) though whether the 5,000 baht reward was paid remained a mystery.
 
Finally, I had one of those senior moments staring at a caption of a story about a hobo in Bangkok who was mysteriously scribbling on the Sukhumvit sidewalk. The caption was foxing my translation abilities and looked like “Satree Tart”.
 
Could this really be about a lady (polite word satree) who was a person of ill-repute?
 
Google was not my friend so Mrs Rooster was summoned and all became abundantly clear.
 
"Satreet Art", said my much better half.
 
Rooster
 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-08-02

 

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[Tropicalevo]

Nice one squire.

[Samui Bodoh]

An interesting read as always.

 

13 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Stories abounded at how well places like Koh Chang, Pattaya and Bang Saen did during the long weekend. The TAT rep in Pattaya spoke of 90% hotel occupancy. Well, its proximity to Bangkok and the fact that many of the caravansaries remain closed could have something to do with the promising figures.
 
The tourism authorities are now going to school to learn the meaning of "midweek". 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

 

[Dumbastheycome]

2 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

 

You  came  here prepared methinks ! lol

[Samui Bodoh]

19 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

You  came  here prepared methinks ! lol

Guilty as charged!

 

I find the weekly TWTW column to be one of the last remaining places of civilized discourse on the Forum and try to give it the seriousness it deserves.

 

Well done Rooster, and keep at it.

 

 

 

[zyphodb]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The mind boggled with possibilities. Scantily clad female inmates in for Ya Ba learning how to be bar girls perhaps with the tourists providing valuable tips on etiquette. Exhibitions of those with experience in locks and safes encouraging the tourists to hire them when locked out of car and home. 
 
Nah…they’ll probably just enter the police force.

Ha, very good...

[Raphus]

Thank you for the week’s news. Always light hearted with satire.

[Misterwhisper]

Satree Tart 

[alant]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Nah…they’ll probably just enter the police force.

[alant]

great read

 

[sawadee1947]

Not too bad today. Improving ????

[kentrot]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

it really will be up to other baldies especially one who has a penchant for chronometers.

I do greatly enjoy the extent to which you tax the limits of obfuscation in order to sublimate the obvious to those with rudimentary linguistic comprehension. All that scrabble execution has expanded your communication perplexity. ???? And as  we say in Kanada ... have a good day , eh !

[TPI]

Thanks Rooster, a great read, as always!

[Kalasin Jo]

Outstanding this week. Lots had me chuckling and occasionally lol.. especially you finisher. That I really loved! 

[Rocking Robert]

12 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a better outcome to almost any problem.

 

 

You are so right 

[Wongkitlo]

Strange.  Rooster said there are no coincidences. I'm on my way to Nakhon Nowhere Substantial at this very moment. 

[Mr Grumpy]

On 8/2/2020 at 3:10 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

An interesting read as always.

 

I think it is time for Thailand to re-evaluate its Virus Response policy.

 

Thailand has been following a 'Zero-Tolerance' policy, but I think it is time to move to a 'Managed-Tolerance' policy. I make this suggestion based mainly on two factors; I think it is inevitable that the virus will return to Thailand and a calm, managed response is more effective than hysteria. Secondly, the economic damage being done to millions is more harmful than the virus itself and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

We recently saw new cases in Vietnam, and I think that we are going to see new cases in Thailand soon; like most people I take the government's claim of zero cases with a grain of salt, although it seems like they have done a very good job overall. However, I don't think it can last. A better policy is to prepare, both medically and in terms of public opinion/education, for the return of the virus. Is this a radical idea? No, not really. Members will recall the phrase "flatten the curve", but perhaps a reminder is needed that the idea is to manage the virus so that the health system isn't overwhelmed; a policy of Zero Tolerance is incompatible with an open society and/or open economy. It is time to re-enforce the precautions needed, but also to allow for an economic re-start which includes outsiders/foreigners. A final point; humanity's best minds and a boat-load of resources are being thrown at the problem. This global effort, propelled by the power of competition, is expected to produce a vaccine either this year or early next year while treatments are being developed and refined daily; we as a species are going to beat this scourge, and relatively soon.

 

The economic damage being done to Thailand is immense. Yes, I know that we don't hear about it too much, but there is a reason for that. The people talking in the (not quite free) Media are almost all in a 'Virus-Proof' economic situation; they aren't directly affected so they don't feel the urgency of fixing the problem. Firm numbers are difficult to come by, but it seems around 6-9 million Thais are very badly hurt by the economic fall-out of the virus, and those people need to be both helped and heard. The damage done to these people is egregious and growing worse; some government support is being withdrawn, the option of 'Go Back to the Farm' isn't really possible anymore (and not a great idea regardless), and they will soon need more food and rent support to survive. Further, many aren't well-educated and don't have transferable skills, so their options are limited. Finally, even before Covid-19, their economic situation was in decline; it is in free-fall now and they can't be ignored. Simply put, plans for their economic regeneration must to be formulated now and implemented soon.

 

When people are hungry, all bets are off.

 

How to proceed?

 

It is the beginning of August; continue/speed up the current repatriation policy 'as is', but ramp up the public education aspect of change. Announce that by October 1st (perhaps Nov. 1st?) that the airspace around Thailand will be open to commercial air travel, long-term tourists (Snow-Birds who 'winter' here), remaining residents and retirees will be allowed to return with a few restrictions (test before boarding or on arrival, reasonable insurance, self-isolation at home on arrival, etc. BUT no mandatory state quarantine), implement common sense visa issuance (sorry Floridians and Texans!) and most of all prepare the Thai people for the idea that although there will be cases of the virus, they will be managed, and the benefits of re-opening are a risk worth taking. Yes, the end of mandatory state quarantine is essential if this is going to work; I believe that the long-term visitors will respect the self-isolation policy and Thailand's million strong public health volunteers can monitor them, but they won't come if they are going to be locked up. Moreover, the selection of the residents/retirees and 'Snow-Birds' as an initial group isn't accidental; these people already know the Kingdom and understand life within it, are good 'testers' of a new system, have a lot of money to spend, and can be excellent examples of a working policy of re-opening. Finally, allowing these kinds of visitors would build confidence, test whether short-term tourists could actually visit (I think not yet, but...), and help protect the tourism infrastructure from further and/or irreparable damage.

 

There are those who will argue that it is better to keep the borders closed and wait this out, and I honestly have trouble arguing against that idea (I don't want to catch the <deleted> thing). However, those who make that point rarely take the next step; what do you do with the 6-9 million people damaged by the current policy? Will those that advocate for closed borders take in homeless people? If so, how many? One family? Two families? Three? Will those that advocate for closed borders give up a percentage of their salaries/pensions to help? If so, how much? 25%? 35%? 45%? Will those that advocate for closed borders pay school fees and related costs for all the children of unemployed/underemployed parents? How many kids? One? Five? Twenty? The question isn't merely an intellectual exercise, it has real-world implications and consequences. 

 

If you want those 6-9 million people to sacrifice for you, what are you going to sacrifice for them?

 

To sum up, I think that the question of whether or not to keep the border closed is incomplete. The question should be: if you keep the border closed, then what will you do for the 6-9 million people economically-eviscerated by the response to the virus? Opening the Kingdom to visitors in November for the high season would likely see a few cases of the virus, but the Thai medical system can handle that (it did before, right?) until a vaccine is widely available. It would begin the process of re-starting the tourism industry in Thailand (20% of GDP!!!), begin the process of building trust again, re-start the employment of huge numbers, give Thailand a 'leg up' on future tourism business in the region, and alleviate some of the damage done to the poorest in the Kingdom. The alternative is a policy of rot, idleness, atrophy and decline with an indefinite timeline. 

 

History is replete with examples of people hiding behind walls for protection, but it rarely ever works (especially against something the size of a virus); see the 'Maginot Line', the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and more. History shows that a combination of pro-active tactics coupled with reasonable, layered defenses provides a bettI'm currenter outcome to almost any problem.

 

 

Beautifully put, not a point missed. I do hope that that gets translated and presented to Uncle Tu and his cohorts. As we're all aware though, to get any form of a high season this year, the aforementioned needs to be put into place ASAP as the tourists, not forgetting the snowbirds, are already planning, and the inability to book flights at this time  is a rather large barrier to spending time (and for many that means 3 to 4 months winter) in Thailand. Thank you for putting that so eloquently. i'm currently one of those unfortunates that are stranded, so I have a real vested interest in what you have suggested.

[bubba]

Trump mispronounced Thailand as 'Thighland' and the puns ran wild

 

Trump's latest gaffe is ripe for puns. 

 

During a campaign event in Ohio on Thursday, the president mispronounced Thailand as "Thigh-land." 

"Shifting production to Thigh-land," Trump said during the speech, before correcting himself. "Thailand and Vietnam, two places that... I like their leaders very much." 

 

It was only a matter of time before Twitter users began churning anatomical puns.

 

thighland and hondurass are nice but I’m more into titaly

Thighland is just off the coast of Crotchatia.

Thighland is my favorite country after Assganistan.

"You see, they're Thailand. We're Thighland. They have the Thai King. We have chafing."

A little afternoon trivia: The chief executive of Thighland is the Lord of the Thighs, not the prime minister.

It's not the first time Trump has mispronounced a location. Earlier this week, the president referred to Yosemite National Park, pronounced "Yoh-sem-it-ees" as "Yo-semites" He stumbled over the word again and added another syllable, pronouncing it as "Yo-sem-in-ites." 

Twitter users joked about the two gaffes. 

The Prince of Whales and I stopped by Nambia after we left Thighland on our way to Yo-Semite National Park.

We caught a connecting flight out of the Revolutionary War Airport.

Yo Semites, let's go on vacation to Thighland!

 

https://mashable.com/article/trump-mispronounced-thighland-thailand-puns/