Outspoken academic blames “COVID mafia” for second wave of COVID-19

[webfact]

Outspoken academic blames “COVID mafia” for second wave of COVID-19

 

 

In his post on www.thaipost.net on Sunday, former Thammasat University lecturer Kaewsan Atipothi claimed that the first wave of COVID-19 last year was the result of globalization and Thailand’s “close contact with the international community”, but the second wave, currently spreading across the country, is the product of so-called “COVID mafia”.

 

The academic defined “COVID mafia” as corrupt officials who work hand in glove with local influential figures involved in illegal gambling, in eastern region of Thailand, and with human trafficking gangs, who smuggle migrant workers from Myanmar into Samut Sakhon province and illegal Thai workers from Myanmar back into Thailand.

 

He accused the community of illegal Myanmar workers in Samut Sakhon, the Myanmar casinos close to Thailand’s western border and the illegal gambling empire in the eastern region as the three hot beds of COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/outspoken-academic-blames-covid-mafia-for-second-wave-of-covid-19/

 

 

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[Thaiwrath]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

The academic defined “COVID mafia” as corrupt officials who work hand in glove with local influential figures

Totally correct.

Unfortunately, his outburst will not change anything, and his criticism of the "corrupt officials" connected to the military government will not go down well at all. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by Thaiwrath

[bluesofa]

59 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

Totally correct.

Unfortunately, his outburst will not change anything, and his criticism of the "corrupt officials" connected to the military government will not go down well at all. 

A worrying point could be that the more publicity he gets regarding this, the more chance he might 'not' live to regret it.

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

local influential figures involved in illegal gambling, in eastern region of Thailand, and with human trafficking gangs, who smuggle migrant workers from Myanmar into Samut Sakhon province and illegal Thai workers from Myanmar back into Thailand.

With all honesty, no such thing as Covid mafia, those above didn't care much for Covid and didn't spare a thought for the risks of bringing in infected foreigners, they were doing 'business as usual' but unfortunately Covid got in the middle...

[Somtamnication]

Very honest academic. But, I can hear the green hummers around the corner running on idle.

[sammieuk1]

The virus found a fine place for some extra wedge spreading that's for sure????

[ThailandRyan]

Well, well, well, someone else has called Prayuts group out in public as well as all of those who have profited from illegal activities for years.  He should also have blamed anyone who has been party to all of the illegal activities either as a member or a visitor.  Why didn't he just say he blames all people who became complacent and went back to life as it was prior to Covid and doing the same thing now as then.  Leopards can not change their spots just like a Player can not change the way they do things.  Learned behavior is what it easy. However, its a very widespread issue as said and most families have someone who is a Blacksheep and goes against the grain.  Good luck.

[Curt1591]

To me, he sounds like the classic self righteous xenophobe, blaming sinners and foreigners.  

[Pattaya Spotter]

52 minutes ago, Curt1591 said:

To me, he sounds like the classic self righteous xenophobe, blaming sinners and foreigners.  

I read it as blaming the Thais and the Thais who enable and conduct human trafficking.

[Patong2021]

3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Very honest academic. But, I can hear the green hummers around the corner running on idle.

 

No. He ignores that much of the transmission is from asymptomatic carriers. This means that there is a  large part of the population who have the infection and are spreading it. Please consult the   published  information.

[brommers]

He is saying nothing that we all know already. 

[overherebc]

5 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Totally correct.

Unfortunately, his outburst will not change anything, and his criticism of the "corrupt officials" connected to the military government will not go down well at all. 

Better if people stopped using the word Mafia.  It only adds to the scumbags feelings of self importance.  I have a few other words for them but can't post them.

[Dagfinnur Traustason]

Probably Alzheimers! Delusions, Fantasies and very forgetful mind.

[Caldera]

He's spot on. Thailand needs many more like him.

[Guderian]

Why specifically label it the "Covid mafia"?

It's the same people in national and local government, the police, the armed forces and the civil service profiting from illegal activities, so just be honest and open and call it what it is: the Thai mafia.  

[SupermarineS6B]

It seems not only has China given the world this nasty virus but their addiction to gambling is spreading it...... Casinos in Burma, Casinos in Cambodia, Casinos in Thailand.......   Personally i can't even play cards so this disgusting addiction and its consequences in my opinion should be avoided at all costs.......  But sadly there's too many snouts in the trough.........  

[alyx]

I am so surprised by the comments: I do not see anything courageous nor accurate (read  my explanation) in his statement.

Of course I rely on the translation so he might have said things differently.

"Kaewsan Atipothi claimed that the first wave of COVID-19 last year was the result of globalization and Thailand’s “close contact with the international community" : Naming the globalisation and the international community is a bit far stretched although he certainly does include the returnees but it takes one case to start the  infection. Obviously more infected people there are, quicker the spread is, but the first batch of contamination...nobody saw it coming nor took it "seriously" : therefore, even though one is certain that the virus has been imported no-one is to blame The Nature finds its way.. 

 

"He accused the community of illegal Myanmar workers in Samut Sakhon, the Myanmar casinos close to Thailand’s western border and the illegal gambling empire in the eastern region as the three hot beds of COVID-19": nothing new as this has been advertised everywhere but I feel uncomfortable with him pointing at the Myanmar workers. Although stressing that they are "illegal" nothing proves that they are the origin notwithstanding the fact that the first "spreader" might not have been an "illegal" nor a worker. On his course he is also ostracising foreigners and this particular population does not need this aggravation.

Isn't he stating the obvious, a bit late in the race actually, as measures have already been taken by the current government to stop the practice ?

 

A no news statement by a, certainly otherwise, respected lecturer

 

[humbug]

he's a yellow shirt conspiracy theorist, who has  played both sides over the decades, what he doesn't mention here is that he states in europe on a video interview that the CCP virus testing is a scam, and very few people should take the vaccine as it will do more harm than good, the other issue about Mynamar most of the casino customers are chinese and Mynamar borders  china

[natway09]

Is this not exactly what i stated before,?

This young academic better double lock his door

[khunPer]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

...former Thammasat University lecturer Kaewsan Atipothi claimed that the first wave of COVID-19 last year was the result of globalization and Thailand’s “close contact with the international community”, but the second wave, currently spreading across the country, is the product of so-called “COVID mafia”.

The professor is correct. In my view, the aim for foreign visitors in numbers that are up to, or exceeding, 40 million arrivals is equivalent to "globalization", whilst so-called “COVID mafia” must be those organizing, or accepting, illegal border crossings and gamling.

 

Unfortunately it might in both cases be caused by Thais, first those that wish foreign currency and profit from trade and tourism, and secondly those that accept so-called "mafia-fees"...????

[NanLaew]

7 hours ago, natway09 said:

Is this not exactly what i stated before,?

This young academic better double lock his door

 

Young?

[NanLaew]

8 hours ago, humbug said:

...the other issue about Mynamar most of the casino customers are chinese and Mynamar borders  china

 

But the casinos in Myanmar are staffed by Thai workers and Thai hookers who want to come home while Thailand's industries and service companies hire thousands of Myanmar laborers and would grind to a halt if the border was really closed.

[metisdead]

An off topic post with a video from an unapproved YouTube source has been removed.