Thailand’s third wave of COVID-19 dampens Songkran festivities

[snoop1130]

(Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

 

A third wave of COVID-19 infections hit Thailand hard this week, with hundreds of new cases detected on a daily basis in an outbreak that has impacted the highest echelons of government.

 

On Wednesday, Transport Minister and Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Saksayam Chidchob tested positive for the virus – very likely because one of his team members was infected.  He becomes the highest-ranking official in Thailand to have contracted the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.

 

Other government figures may be at risk given that Saksayam rubbed shoulders with Bhumjaithai leader Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at a merit-making ceremony for their party on Tuesday. Also present at the event were all Bhumjaithai MPs as well as Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on and several MPs from the Democrat Party.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-third-wave-of-covid-19-dampens-songkran-festivities/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-04-07

 

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[Surelynot]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

at a merit-making ceremony for their party on Tuesday

Total pißß up....no masks...I don't care I've been vaccinated party......that one?

[jvs]

Total lock down before or after Songkran?

[Surelynot]

Just now, jvs said:

Total lock down before or after Songkran?

After ......doh!

[Mitkof Island]

Maybe if the Thai government was not so focused on scamming foreigners for thousands of dollars for quarantine and all their other stupid reopening ideas maybe they might have been lucky. Now thousands are about to get ill and or die. Good going STUPID! Greed KILLS!

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, Mitkof Island said:

Greed KILLS

....other people...poor people....who cares!!!

[internationalism]

prayuth's bringing happiness to the people will backfire after songkran.

 

who will replace him

[Surelynot]

2 minutes ago, internationalism said:

prayuth's bringing happiness to the people will backfire after songkran.

 

who will replace him

I am hoping Anutin....."Now That's Entertainment"

[ThailandRyan]

It appears we have a conundrum here.  Let Covid Rip or let the economy and folks suffer. Either way if it Rips through the country because they opened up avenues to assist it, the people and economy will still suffer. It is a no win situation

[internationalism]

There are now 7 provinces (Khon Kaen, Bueng Kan, Buriram, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachuap Khiri Khan) that have ordered 14 day quarantine for those people arriving from the “red zones” during the Songkran

 

[Mitkof Island]

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

....other people...poor people....who cares!!!

I guess you do not have many Thai friends or family. SAD!

[Surelynot]

5 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said:

I guess you do not have many Thai friends or family. SAD!

Mmmmmm.......must put (sarcasm)

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Other government figures may be at risk given that Saksayam rubbed shoulders with Bhumjaithai leader Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at a merit-making ceremony for their party on Tuesday. Also present at the event were all Bhumjaithai MPs as well as Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on and several MPs from the Democrat Party.

So, Songkran government holiday knees up party then

[Soikhaonoiken]

How many posts have there been about how slow Thailand has been with the vaccination roll out, 

Well now it seems that its going to bite this Government on its ass, 

So come on PM get your act together and get those jabs in arms,  your all talk and no action.... 

[findlay13]

11 hours ago, internationalism said:

There are now 7 provinces (Khon Kaen, Bueng Kan, Buriram, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachuap Khiri Khan) that have ordered 14 day quarantine for those people arriving from the “red zones” during the Songkran

 

14 day quarantine in Songkran ? Good luck with that

Edited April 8, 2021 by findlay13

[Misterwhisper]

I am beginning to think this virus is a party hater. It surfaced last year as "first wave" just in time for Songkran. Then it re-appeared as "second wave" right around New Year. And now it is upon us again as "third wave."

[unblocktheplanet]

12 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

It appears we have a conundrum here.  Let Covid Rip or let the economy and folks suffer. Either way if it Rips through the country because they opened up avenues to assist it, the people and economy will still suffer. It is a no win situation

Ryan, those folks have already been suffering for a year. Another year won't make much difference. Govt has ensured Thailand won't see any great numbers of tourists for--how long? a decade, maybe?

 

The point is govt is PROMOTING Covid.

[connda]

Funny how 'new waves' suddenly are announced to appear right before major holidays.  Watch to see if that pattern continues.  At this rate we should expect Wave IV right before New Years.

[rott]

12 hours ago, Surelynot said:

Mmmmmm.......must put (sarcasm)

Perhaps Mr Mitkof Island is not NES and can not recognise sarcasm, irony, inferences etc. There can't be many on here who did not get the true meaning of your post. 

[Surelynot]

7 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

How many posts have there been about how slow Thailand has been with the vaccination roll out, 

Maybe people are scared they might end up in court.......doesn't do to be going around telling the truth anymore.

[Bangkok Barry]

14 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Maybe if the Thai government was not so focused on scamming foreigners for thousands of dollars for quarantine

How are they doing that, please? How are they scamming foreigners?

[Misterwhisper]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Funny how 'new waves' suddenly are announced to appear right before major holidays.  Watch to see if that pattern continues.  At this rate we should expect Wave IV right before New Years.

I think you are on to something here. But didn't you forget Loy Krathong?