Contact tracing apps now COMPULSORY in Thailand - possible penalties for people not using them

 

 

Contact tracing applications are now compulsory for people living in Thailand and those who do not use them and later test positive for COVID-19 could face legal action.

 

Members of the public, particularly those residing in high risk areas now need to download the Mor Chana or Thai Chana contact tracing app, Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson Dr Thaweesin Visanuyothin announced on Thursday.

 

The government’s Mor Chana and Thai Chana apps enable health workers to track a person’s movements and places they have visited in the event they may have come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

 

Dr Thaweesin also confirmed the travel restrictions in place in five eastern provinces, which prevents all but essential travel in and out of Chonburi, including Pattaya, Trat, Samut Sakhon, Chanthaburi and Rayong. Anyone travelling to or from these provinces must have the contact tracing apps installed on their smartphone.

 

Dr Thaweesin also said that as well as the use of the Mor Chana app, face masks are also compulsory.

 

This is a developing news story. This post may be updated without warning.

 

Download Thailand’s COVID-19 contact tracing apps:

 

Mor Chana: 

Android

iOS

 

Thai Chana:

Website

 

Today's daily COVID-19 where Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natapanu Nopakun confirms the compulsory use of the contact tracing apps.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-01-07

 

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Oh dear I don't have eenough memory on my phone for any Apps.

Definitely use the ThaiChana app (blue fist icon), MorChana wants wayyyy too much personal data (and apparently swallows the battery too).

 

EDIT The ThaiChana link in the OP appears to be for registration of a store, the App itself is in the Android and iOS playstores.

 

Coming soon to a corner near you....Government Chipping stations to ensure you can be traced and tracked like a dog....

What about those who can't afford a smartphone and/or do not know how to use them? Does the government supply free phones now, or offer classes, how to use them?

 

Didn't want to install it onto my main phones, so I gave it a go on Nokia 3310 I found in the drawer. Won't take it. Am I a criminal now?

After downloading the app, during registration it says "no internet connection". Works like a charm. 

2 minutes ago, Shuya said:

After downloading the app, during registration it says "no internet connection". Works like a charm. 

Yep, just had that myself - amateurs

Ok then. 

Can I download the app on this phone tho? ????

I can't seem to find the app store on it...

It's got snake though.

Nope, still not using it. I’ll take the risk, thanks. 

I assume these apps require an Internet connection to log in/out of places. 
What happens in the case of not having an Internet connection on my phone?
I use wifi for Internet on my phone at home.

11 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

So if you don't own a smartphone you are now a criminal in Thailand???

There is no excuse not to own one these days. They can be had for as little as 1-2k thb
If people can not afford that, then they can't afford to be here in Thailand

The new was app must be used by those crossing borders of the high control areas - not by everybody - and that there could be a penalty assessed if you are found covid positive and had not used this app when doing such travel from my understanding.

I never leave my home and I don't have a mobile phone.

So if I did buy a mobile phone, and use the app, it would show I had never left my home.

(assuming if I were to leave my home, I'd take the phone with the app with me)

3 minutes ago, RandolphGB said:

Nope, still not using it. I’ll take the risk, thanks. 

it's only a temporary measure. I really  don't see what the fuss is about? 

Well I guess that means most of the Thai population are now considered criminals as Google play store shows only 500k+ have downloaded the Mor Chana app. Not even 1 million. And Thai Chana only has 1m+ downloadeds. 

Compulsory to have/use the app but not compulsory to have a smartphone?

 

I suppose they could intro legislation for foreigners entering Thailand to  have a smartphone capable of running these tracing apps or you not allowed in?? 

 

As re people here already, can they force you to get a smartphone?

 

But if everywhere you wanted to go (bank, mall, supermarket) insisted upon it in entry most would get a smartphone

 

 

Tricky one 

 

 

How does that go when you are getting a notice that you have been near an infected person? Do you have to self Quarentine for 14 days or even a spend money on a covid test?

23 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Oh dear I don't have eenough memory on my phone for any Apps.

Same here - my J2 is full!

4 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

There is no excuse not to own one these days. They can be had for as little as 1-2k thb
If people can not afford that, then they can't afford to be here in Thailand

Did you actually stop and read your post before publishing it? 

 

It's not about cost..it's about personal choice whether to own a smartphone or not. 

27 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Oh dear I don't have eenough memory on my phone for any Apps.

am worse then you as I don't have a mobile phone, usually use the wife's  one

11 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

it's only a temporary measure. I really  don't see what the fuss is about? 

A bit of naivety in your statement/question.

Temporary - are you sure? How do you know? When will it finish?

Once they download all of your personal data, what do they do with it?

Wherever you leave your app - that's your home. (Apologies to Marvin Gaye.)

1 minute ago, jonclark said:

Did you actually stop and read your post before publishing it? 

 

It's not about cost..it's about personal choice whether to own a smartphone or not. 

Can just buy one for now as it will only be a temporary measure. If someone gets Covid & then goes to many places, they can then trace back your steps to prevent it from spreading and potentially savings lives. Certainly worth it for such a low cost and a small inconvenience! 

No room on my phone for any more apps. I am hacked off enough when I have to sign in at some malls whilst several Thais wander past me without doing so.

11 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

There is no excuse not to own one these days. They can be had for as little as 1-2k thb
If people can not afford that, then they can't afford to be here in Thailand

Dead right. You can buy a number of cheap Chinese phones. Thing is you'll need to buy another SOON and re-download the app.????

Aside from the previously mentioned fact that some people don't have smart phones, there are also many who have the phones but do not have data, and rely on home Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi. I am predominantly referring to the local population here rather than Expat community BTW.

2 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Temporary - are you sure? How do you know? When will it finish?

 

Until Covid is under  control &  the Vulnerable have been vaccinated 

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Once they download all of your personal data, what do they do with it?

 

Immigration already have all of your personal data believe it or not ???? 

14 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

There is no excuse not to own one these days. They can be had for as little as 1-2k thb
If people can not afford that, then they can't afford to be here in Thailand

I am retired and don't want to be bothered with anything, previous professional life required constant dependency on mobile phone, now I don't want it..... does it cover/make sense to your non sense comment

10 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

Can just buy one for now as it will only be a temporary measure. If someone gets Covid & then goes to many places, they can then trace back your steps to prevent it from spreading and potentially savings lives. Certainly worth it for such a low cost and a small inconvenience! 

A much more reasonable reason. Not like the quite frankly immature post which I was compelled to respond to. Well done.

Surely forcing people to have something they don't want cannot be legal .....???