Photo from www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th

 

Thailand’s top virologist, Dr. Yong Poovorawan, has expressed his concern that the UK strain of COVID-19, which is now linked to the Thonglor cluster and is spreading through Bangkok and several other provinces, will spread more rapidly during the Songkran festival and may mutate into a local strain that is difficult to eliminate.

 

His recommendation is for all Thais “to stay home to contain the disease, for the nation” during the Songkran festival next week.

 

In his Facebook book post on Thursday, Dr. Yong of Chulalongkorn University admitted that the spread of the UK strain in Thailand is unexpected, because Thailand has not fully opened to foreign arrivals and all arrivals are subject to 14 days mandatory quarantine and two COVID-19 tests.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thais-advised-to-stay-home-for-songkran-to-limitspread-of-covid-19-uk-strain/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-04-08

 

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The official line is still travel inter-provincially, drink and enjoy celebrations. 
 

the pm has just opened the new motorway bang pain to korat, the main gateway to isaan. A clear signal for travellers to start their journey. 
 

For the government it's difficult now to backtrack, because travel has already started. People took extra holiday days to avoid traffic. 
 

the only thing now able to influence yravellers is worsening weather, with rain forecast. 
 

for this doctor to say that the uk mutation is unexpected is a judgement on his scientific abilities. 
 

all mutations will spread to everywhere, despite travel bans and quarantine. Vaccine doesn't doesn't prevent people from carryimg infection which can develop for many weeks. Airplaines and ships transport goods in every direction. Source of virus can be frozen foods

If they do decide to stay at home then many will be demanding a refund on their booked airplane, bus and train tickets.

Well I'll be your Huckleberry Doctor Yong. Your just not fast enough on the draw unfortunately and this Government has turned a Deaf ear to your words.

Sometimes, just sometimes, I feel sorry for this Guy.

He tries his best, and is just hammered down by the Authorities all the  time.

And other times .....................

3 hours ago, webfact said:

His recommendation is for all Thais “to stay home to contain the disease, for the nation” during the Songkran festival next week.

Tourisms recommendation is travel home, rejoice and spend spend spend!

Some government transport (SRT, bus) have mentioned refunds, but you have to apply at least 24 hours before departure.

 

Nothing on airlines, so far.

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Dr. Yong should have spoken up sooner & louder & gotten his colleagues onboard to cancel Songkran. Even the junta might have listened to, say, 100 doctors.

14 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Dr. Yong should have spoken up sooner & louder & gotten his colleagues onboard to cancel Songkran. Even the junta might have listened to, say, 100 doctors.

I would like nothing more than to believe what you wrote 100%.  However, I feel this Government only listens to the gears spinning in their own heads and do things without firm input and always off the cuff.

Just bad timing with the big holiday, new highway to show off.  UK variant found just before songkran and no one with big enough cajones. 

 I wondered why the highway was to initially only open outbound then inbound?  Is  this so they could position ER and highway crews to respond to the accidents that indicate the design mistakes or was it both sides open one way?  

lets not forget to thank the ccp for exporting it in the first place!!!