Don’t rush to open the country, warns former WTO chief

[Surelynot]

23 minutes ago, SymS said:

Most people who die are already retired. Not saying that to be mean, or that we should not care about the eldery, but rather I don't think his point that "“Thailand should gradually open the country, because human resources are the most important factor. It takes about 20 to 30 years for human development, and if those people die it will be very difficult to restore the lost human resources,”  is valid.

It would have been fascinating to see how this pandemic played out if the highest death rate was.....let's say......males in there mid 40's to mid 50's....as opposed to some old folks stuck in care homes.

Edited November 27, 2020 by Surelynot

[Pique Dard]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Don’t rush to open the country, warns former WTO chief

this is a cruel dílemma as thailand need the tourists influx for its economy

[alavic]

In Russia, many have already had covid-19 without any complications, including me. We can no longer tolerate the infection and will not get infected. Why not allow such people to travel

[Sean60]

Perhaps he can give relief package to business owners here in Thailand. Vi är dead!  But he dose not care

[khunPer]

Very sensible; the costs of too fast reopening – and a new lockdown due to spread of virus – could costs a lot more in both finance and life, than keeping strict border control, and probably a vaccination passport together with a negative test for incoming visitors without the need of quarantine...????

[bipper]

He's right. Of course it won't fit the agenda of those with businesses here but for the sake of 67M Thais he's correct. Won't suit those missing the bar girls gone back up country either but for most of us we are blessed to have been in Thailand during this pandemic whatever the fools say.

[digger70]

6 hours ago, timendres said:

 

Has Mr. Panitchpakdi been getting updates from the BOT?

Nah ,He's looking after his Investments. ????

[Sean60]

7 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Very sensible; the costs of too fast reopening – and a new lockdown due to spread of virus – could costs a lot more in both finance and life, than keeping strict border control, and probably a vaccination passport together with a negative test for incoming visitors without the need of quarantine...????

Who told you that? People at high risk need to be careful. Young and healthy people should expose themselves in order to get the Antibody. 

What has this government done for the past 9 moths?

Increased the number of hospitals? No

Gave some relief package to business owners? No

Do they care if we go bankrupt? No

Did they ask us to come and invest money here in Thailand? yes

Do they protect our investment? No

Have they polarized the relation between Thais and the farangs? Yes 

Are they driving fancy cars? Yes

A bunch of incompetent Ahols.

[jaiyen]

But they don't understand that nobody wants to go to Thailand for a 2 week quarantined holiday ! Thailand has had it as a tourist destination. It is the worst of all the Asian countries.

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts, troll posts and the replies have been removed.

 

A post commenting on moderation has been removed. 

Edited November 27, 2020 by metisdead

[Sean60]

3 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

But they don't understand that nobody wants to go to Thailand for a 2 week quarantined holiday ! Thailand has had it as a tourist destination. It is the worst of all the Asian countries.

You can send this as a letter to the Thai Embassy in what ever country you are from.

Let know what you think of them.

 

[Rancid]

"It takes about 20 to 30 years for human development, and if those people die it will be very difficult to restore the lost human resources, he said."

 

So with an average death rate of less than 0.05 %, and mainly affecting the old or those in poor health, covid will see a die off in skilled labor and professionals? Potentially what, something like 0.0005% of the active workforce? This will be an economic blow Thailand is unlikely to recover from for 20 - 30 years?

 

Time to apply for a cushy job at the WTO, they obviously don't set the bar very high...

[PEE TEE]

New visa to be announced tomorrow and the day after and the day after and on 

 

[sammieuk1]

The old economy is expected to contract 5 to 6 per cent this year routine with a 100% of tourists gone is what he is trying to plug ????

[ShindenGo]

People believe that this is some economic policy-induced recession. It’s not. It’s a choice-recession and when we decide to unchoose the choice then the economy will rebound! If it’s economic like Bush’s disastrous economic policies that caused the worldwide depression or like Trumps economic policies that brought the US to ruin then yes it will last years. But this is not the same.

[Patjqm]

4 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

That's an easy to answer question ...

Thailand's current approach is the best and only way in the moment .

Quarantine on arrival is scaring away many potential tourists , but so are packed flights .

Tourist related businesses would suffer even more if there is a major outbreak in Thailand , because nobody would come anymore at all ...

Thailand's population would suffer from taking that risk ( and from the then re-imposed restrictions ) , and the government would be held responsible for that . And it would ruin Thailand's reputation as being a safe destination .

They cannot just open the border and let tourists in again . Not yet .

May be if a working vaccine is found , potential tourists who have been vaccinated and tested can be allowed to board a plane and enter the country without quarantine ... but for the moment it is still far too early for that .

Nothing safer than a plane with good venrilation system..scaring tourist? There are no tourists actually... working vaccine? Hope you know that a vaccinated person who gets covid can infect other people...

[Patjqm]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

Very sensible; the costs of too fast reopening – and a new lockdown due to spread of virus – could costs a lot more in both finance and life, than keeping strict border control, and probably a vaccination passport together with a negative test for incoming visitors without the need of quarantine...????

Do yoy realise that vaccin ONLY protect the vaccinated?.....and if he s infected he still can infect others.... 99.95% of people under 70y does not die...i guess it will even be higher in sunny countries where people lives outside...

[Mops59]

With a 15 nights /16 day quarantine. And a mandatory negative Covid 19 test in home country. What in earth is the risk? Turn hotels in Bangkok into quarantine accommodations. Open up those Phuket ALQ hotels. And after quarantine let people travel freely. Problem solved. Numbers of tourists are limited due to quarantine. Not all tourist can stay for a long time. Have Thai people tested before entering. Because in SQ are the most infections found.

[Hockeybik]

"...human resources are the most important factor. It takes about 20 to 30 years for human development, and if those people die it will be very difficult to restore the lost human resources,” he said."

 

How many people does he expect to die? Really? For people under 50 or so with no other significant health problems, the likelihood you will catch COVID and live a normal healthy life for many more years is well over 99.9% ... isn't it? We should do all we can to prevent even one early death but we can't all live in a bubble. At what point do we take our chances with this flu just like any other flu?

[natway09]

I agree with what he is saying.

Channels are opening now for real families fo be reunited.

Quarantine options are cheaper here than NZ & Oz that start at 66,000 Bht.

Stated before that I feel for staff employed in the tourist industry but the corporate boys not

a lot of synpathy for nor  the condo developers that have invested too heavily for greed,

There are over 2 million jobs in factories available now so some of the ex staff could take these up on a temp basis.

Thailand can ride this out as manufacturing & exports are ticking along pretty well at 85%

of last year (Look up the actual figures, pretty impressive),

As to strength of the Baht how do you bring it down when the countries curriencies compared against are struggling a lot worse than Thailands ?

Devalue & the US will scream currency manipulation

 

[Baerboxer]

Just ask the several arrogant stubborn farangs who were wandering around Paragon Wednesday without masks. 

 

Obviously they know far more than all the doctors, scientists and WHO put together. No risk for them.

 

And those clever "first world Western governments" have made such a great job. Shut, open, lockdown, open, lockdown, shut - repeat and rinse and hopefully no one will notice the gross incompetence!

 

Many Thais I know read the reports about people ignoring all advice in the West; along with the reports about huge amounts of new cases and deaths.

 

But farangs sooooooooooooo much wiser - not.

 

[Flying Saucage]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Don’t rush to open the country, warns former WTO chief

 

You mean, still not enough companies went bankrupt yet, and therefore your Chinese friends and your friends in this handful of superrich Thai families view investments into the suffering Thai economy still as too expensive? You mean, let's wait another 6 months before opening the country, to make them almost free at public auctions in the meantime?

[Stargeezr]

I agree Thailand, stay cautious, and do not stop the 2 week quarantine rules.

  Do Not Be like the USA.  Do not try to be number 1 with the virus.

  Good Luck with 2021.

Geezer

[Traubert]

1 hour ago, Hockeybik said:

"...human resources are the most important factor. It takes about 20 to 30 years for human development, and if those people die it will be very difficult to restore the lost human resources,” he said."

 

How many people does he expect to die? Really? For people under 50 or so with no other significant health problems, the likelihood you will catch COVID and live a normal healthy life for many more years is well over 99.9% ... isn't it? We should do all we can to prevent even one early death but we can't all live in a bubble. At what point do we take our chances with this flu just like any other flu?

Its not 'flu.

[mr_lob]

There are a cr*p load of fatties in Thailand, way more than there used to be 20 years back....maybe the high rate of obesity in the country is what has got them so scared about a covid outbreak....it could take thousands of lives.

I still think they are being WAY over the top though.

Supachai...settle down petal

[Hockeybik]

Just now, Traubert said:

Its not 'flu.

I think you get the idea. I'm not trying to understate the seriousness of COVID just saying it's not Ebola.

[Bkktodd]

5 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

The weaker BHT is killing exporters, not the filthy rich.

So caution is wise, but using caution takes a great deal of wisdom.

You cant open to USA that's mad, but you can slowly open to safe countries.

And when the vaccine comes along Qantas will welcome flyers.

 

Some rich men will have to print lots of loot to get the airlines up and running, meanwhile lie down and wait for Pfzier, Sputnik and Sino to jab you.

Many in the USA follow guidelines and are negative.  What is mad is that blanket statement. Test test quarantine test. If all those layers still produce a negative result but a postive cash flow effect. Anyone should be allowed willing to pay.  Until the vaccine arrives.  

[Bkktodd]

49 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

Just ask the several arrogant stubborn farangs who were wandering around Paragon Wednesday without masks. 

 

Obviously they know far more than all the doctors, scientists and WHO put together. No risk for them.

 

And those clever "first world Western governments" have made such a great job. Shut, open, lockdown, open, lockdown, shut - repeat and rinse and hopefully no one will notice the gross incompetence!

 

Many Thais I know read the reports about people ignoring all advice in the West; along with the reports about huge amounts of new cases and deaths.

 

But farangs sooooooooooooo much wiser - not.

 

Thought Thailand was COVID free??? Why wear mask if you are in thailand?  Just throwing this back at you.  Your put down on other governments’ action has nothing to do with farang or thai in covid free Thailand.  Soooooooo much thought not put in your statements

Edited November 27, 2020 by Bkktodd
Typo

[smew]

I thought he was with WTO(world trade org) and not WHO( world health org).. or maybe he is confused as most Thais or maybe it is all the same......do as I say not as I do...

[sawadee1947]

8 hours ago, ezzra said:

On a one hand you have common sense and on the other you have massive losses from industries that used to rake in billions in tourists related businesses and now they'are imploding on themselves...What do you do?...

Profit losses vs life losses? 

Pathetic! ????