Songkran exodus as millions head home - but Thai media point to threat of virus spread

[webfact]

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that many sections of the Friendship Highway heading to the north east were jammed with traffic yesterday.

 

People were heading home from Bangkok and the surrounding areas for the annual Songkran holidays next week.

 

But the media was quick to point out that that with the country in the grip of the latest wave of the pandemic many could be taking the virus back home from the capital and nearby.

 

And facing the prospect of having to quarantine in certain provinces that have announced restrictions or in others that might announce measures soon. 

 

They noted that many people stopping for food at gas stations as well as the people serving them were wearing masks under their chins.

 

Or not wearing any masks at all. 

 

Certainly social distancing had gone out of the window as the crowds mingled in close proximity. 

 

Many people have criticised the government for allowing interprovincial travel at a time when not only are many places facing clusters of infection but when virulent variants are making a first appearance in the kingdom. 

 

Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul - a key advocate of Songkran travel this year - is reportedly quarantining at home in other reports in the Thai media.

 

Sanook said further that Don Muang airport had many passengers and despite the fact that thousands had received refunds on bus travel after deciding it was too dangerous to travel, bus stations were still full with many people.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-10

 

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[YetAnother]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Many people have criticised the government for allowing interprovincial travel at a time

the scary part is the ministers likely do not even see the sure-to-happen problem

[Excel]

 It explains a lot of irrational thinking really. In the main the exodus back to their villages is by the younger ones who have been working going back to their young children and elderly parents. As we know age is a factor with covid so that appears unwise and also the report today on here indicated that children between the ages of 5 - 11 are now more susceptible to the latest contagion. 

[PatOngo]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

But the media was quick to point out that that with the country in the grip of the latest wave of the pandemic many could be taking the virus back home from the capital and nearby.

Ah, to share is to care! Ma, Por, guess what I brought for you! ???? ????

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, YetAnother said:

the scary part is the ministers likely do not even see the sure-to-happen problem

So long as they can get their snouts in the trough, do you think they care?

[Saltire]

I live in a small village and already see many new faces riding around. The poo yai has tannoyed several times about province rules for 14 days self quarantine but I fear no one will listen.

 

With a 70% migrant farm worker population, the working age Thai here are virtually non existant but are now very visible as they all return home. The local school also just finished hosting a 5-day, 4-village youth football tournament which we passed by a few time. Barelly a mask in sight other than the food vendors.

 

It's back to keeping your head down and fingers crossed I am afraid.

 

It's sad to think that we were almost out of the woods when corruption, greed and selfish attitudes ensured the return of covid. Som Nam Na.

 

[PatOngo]

2 minutes ago, Saltire said:

corruption, greed and selfish attitudes

It's a cultural thing! Passed down through generations! ????

[Saltire]

1 minute ago, PatOngo said:

It's a cultural thing! Passed down through generations! ????

Agree 100%, and even sadder it will not change in many more generations.

 

Even when lives are at risk greed comes to the fore.

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

But the media was quick to point out that that with the country in the grip of the latest wave of the pandemic many could be taking the virus back home from the capital and nearby.

Well of course, but as the good PM General Prayut has said, if the virus spreads they will take care of it, well those aren't his exact words but I was trying to be diplomatic for once.

[vandeventer]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Well of course, but as the good PM General Prayut has said, if the virus spreads they will take care of it, well those aren't his exact words but I was trying to be diplomatic for once.

Yes but who is to blame for this virus? The USA blames China but China blames the USA and Thailand and the UK. Will we ever find out? Will the culprit please stand up and compensate the world for all the pain you have caused. One thing is for sure WHO will never find out as it's too late, the secret is kept.

[Cake Monster]

4 hours ago, YetAnother said:

the scary part is the ministers likely do not even see the sure-to-happen problem

But I think that they do see the problem.

Its  a case of trying to get Money into the Governments Vaults, as the Coffers are almost empty IMO, and to borrow more will put them over the self imposed limit for borrowing against GDP.

There are only 300,000 - 400,000 test kits in the Country. Thats enough to test maybe 0.4% of the population.

Hospital beds are running out

Where are all the Vaccines ?. Not even on order.

No lock downs of Malls Etc 

No restricted inter provincial travel

Borders still open for Trade to other infected Countries.

I think that the attitude from the Ministers is to have Songkran, and then try to somehow clean up the mess generated by Covid afterwards.

 

[FarFlungFalang]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul - a key advocate of Songkran travel this year - is reportedly quarantining at home in other reports in the Thai media.

If he is quarantining at home he would have been tested for covid so I wonder if we will get the results soon.

[Excel]

4 hours ago, PatOngo said:

It's a cultural thing! Passed down through generations! ????

Well certainly been passed down, I'll agree with that part

[Bkk Brian]

5 hours ago, YetAnother said:

the scary part is the ministers likely do not even see the sure-to-happen problem

The ministers don't see it and those traveling or planning to travel don't see it, everybody seems to be going blind in Thailand. 

[FarFlungFalang]

12 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

The ministers don't see it and those traveling or planning to travel don't see it, everybody seems to be going blind in Thailand. 

I think a lot of ministers might be too busy covering their tracks to see anything.

[FarFlungFalang]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul - a key advocate of Songkran travel this year - is reportedly quarantining at home in other reports in the Thai media.

If he is "quarantining" at home the must mean he is infected and if he is infected why is he not in a hospital or better yet a field hospital?Is he "self hiding" from the effects of his decisions?How many other hiso's get to "quarantine" at home?

Edited April 10, 2021 by FarFlungFalang

[Surelynot]

Does anyone know when the massed hoards in Isan will start to head back south? Looking to avoid the worst of it.

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Does anyone know when the massed hoards in Isan will start to head back south? Looking to avoid the worst of it.

The masses will start to return probably next Sunday, which is a day I would not wish to be on the roads.  

[Ventenio]

1 hour ago, vandeventer said:

Yes but who is to blame for this virus?

Do you work for the CCP?  

It has been over one year, and you still have questions?  lol

[Excel]

6 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Does anyone know when the massed hoards in Isan will start to head back south? Looking to avoid the worst of it.

Sametime as the massed hoards from other parts of the country I expect

[Surelynot]

2 minutes ago, Excel said:

Sametime as the massed hoards from other parts of the country I expect

Thanks for that.

[vandeventer]

9 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

Do you work for the CCP?  

It has been over one year, and you still have questions?  lol

No one has come clean and we really need them to do so. I know you think the CCP is behind this coverup and so so do I but the world needs proof and they need to know the whole story of what was behind this.

[Kwasaki]

I've seen today in our Soi many people arriving from Bkk for the holiday to see family. 

Never had anyone getting C19 in our village.

I'm steering clear of all of them and my mrs is concerned and not letting anyone in our house.

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Yes but who is to blame for this virus? The USA blames China but China blames the USA and Thailand and the UK. Will we ever find out? Will the culprit please stand up and compensate the world for all the pain you have caused. One thing is for sure WHO will never find out as it's too late, the secret is kept.

Why should their be any blame?  Whether it's Spanish Flu, SARS, bird flu or AIDS, viruses and potential pandemics are, and have always been, part of life.

[brewsterbudgen]

24 minutes ago, Excel said:

Sametime as the massed hoards from other parts of the country I expect

Most people will need to go back to work on 19 April.  I'm planning to return home on 17 April to avoid the rush.

[richard_smith237]

This is perfect for the government. 

 

No testing all year round....   Then testing in Bangkok has started and they discovered Covid-19 was in country. As so many have been saying, its been here all along. 

 

So now, everyone goes home. They will start testing throughout the nation and discover Covid-19 all over Thailand and blame it on Songkran. 

 

That excuses the fact that they didn’t test all over Thailand earlier. 

 

Ultimately, it matters not how many people have Covid-19, but how many are hospitalised.

 

Thus: With the ‘outbreak' in Bangkok, any news of hospitalisations ?

 

 

[Excel]

5 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Why should their be any blame?  Whether it's Spanish Flu, SARS, bird flu or AIDS, viruses and potential pandemics are, and have always been, part of life.

I would add bubonic plaque to that also . You are correct part of natures rituals. The only blame that can be apportioned is upon those that deliberately ignore best practice in dealing with the issues.

Edited April 10, 2021 by Excel

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

The USA blames China but China blames the USA and Thailand and the UK.

Rubbish, who eats the bats? Who spreads the propaganda? Who stole the South China Sea??? Who is the Emperor for Life?

[PatOngo]

16 minutes ago, Excel said:

The only blame that can be apportioned is upon those that deliberately ignore best practice in dealing with the issues.

Or those who cover up the truth and spread a filthy virus to the world!

[Ralf001]

peeps will just carry on as normal.. who enforces the province quarantine ?